Time to shake things up

Time is of the essence for those who want to share Jesus with the world.

And “the world” starts with you and your sphere of influence – the people to whom you are connected to every day.

Sometimes good things happen in the world; sometimes bad things happen in the world that open up a window of opportunity to promote something good.

Rains come after a flood and eliminate drought. But the flood leaves many people killed in its wake.

The bad is turned into an opportunity to care for those in need – just help them physically – but also presents a time to show the love of Jesus that can carry them through the bad.

An innocent man is murdered for his beliefs and his family and those who respected him are mourning.

The bad is turned into an opportunity to begin radical change in cultural influences in a way not seen in a long time. Jesus becomes a public, cultural topic of conversation.

Whatever happens, we are to love others and not curse anyone.

Matthew 5:45 (KJV) – “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Throughout the Bible, God shares stories of good things and bad things. In every situation He provides a way to use that situation for His will to bring His people back to Him.

Sin directly against Him, undefeatable warrior kingdoms, treacherous murderers, turning to man-made gods, enslavement, predatory sexual sin, severe drought, flood, outright defiance against Him involving heinous sinning in bulk by entire cities – all bad things that God turned into good.

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) – “38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Everything in history – past, present, future – leads to Jesus.

He has created time for us to use for Him.

Now, disciple, how will you use your time today?

3 Questions for now

If you can’t find a topic to talk about with someone in today’s environment of tense conversations, you need to sit down with your pastor or take a class on evangelism.

Talk around the water cooler are still raw and real these days.

Don’t be afraid, just say, “Hi,” and go from there.

There is much still to talk about, and will be for a long time:

• “I can’t believe everything that is happening in the world.” What about today’s events are troubling to you?

• “Why can’t people just get along?” Here’s a way I’ve found to get through times like this.

• “Anybody have any good books on how to work through all this stuff that’s making me feel low?” I have something for you, may I share?

Jesus says He stands at the door and knocks, seeking those who will let Him in. A lot of people are knocking on the door seeking answers right now.

Be the one to open the door for them to meet.

Be kind. Love others. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Time not to be nice, shake the world

There’s an old ‘80s film about a bar bouncer who takes a different tactic when faced with violence.

He tells his security staff that when confronted with a situation – someone yelling or cursing at them, someone threatening to fight, someone throwing punches – to always respond by “being nice.”

One staff member poses the question of when do they know when to not be nice.

The head bouncer tells them, “I’ll let you know.”

I may get called out on this, but it won’t be the first time.

I think now is the time for believers to not be nice.

Hear me, not in the sense of being violent in response to evil.

But culturally, socially, personally when it comes to sharing the Gospel.

As someone referenced recently, being nice sends people to hell.

Jesus did not come to coddle people. He came to expose their sin so they would turn to Him and not spend eternity in damnation.

Luke 12:51 (KJV) – “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”

Culture, governments, people in general on this earth are not going to be nice to believers. They never have.

Why do we think we’re going to somehow create Heaven-like circumstances in this life?

Can we not be nice, yet be pointed? Yes.

1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Believers will be persecuted, openly and with brazen violence. As we’ve recently experienced.

In the bouncer analogy, you can translate “not nice” into “bold.”

Acts 4:29 (KJV) – “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.”

And don’t forget what happens when we act on what Jesus tells us to do, when we believe in His promises.

Acts 4:31 (KJV) – “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

The culture can come against the church. We can be nice, and pray.

A fellow believer may be murdered. We can be nice, and pray.

Someone may attack us personally. We can be nice, and pray.

And all these situations point to a moment in time when we are not to be nice, we are to act: speak the word of God with boldness.

And watch the world shake in the presence of Jesus.

Now, disciple, how will you speak out for Jesus today?