Tuesday, Feb 03, 2009

TWG - February 3, 2009 - Good Neighbors

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Yesterday was another building day. It was “my day off.” I hung sheetrock while Susan was insulating. She did a fine job. I also hung a door. After that I worked out a bit with Kyle and Marcia, and then it was home again. I spent the evening doing finances. Oh what a joy. I got a letter from our tax accountant. It’s time to do taxes AGAIN! I just finished them didn’t I? That is all the excitement I can bear. I put a picture of the terrace I built for my mom at her house in Redding on the blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.

Today is February 3, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. This is your invitation to take one step forward every day in your relationship with Christ. We invite you to do something unbelievably radical. We invite you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus

Today's Scripture reading is Joshua 14; Psalm 137; 2 Timothy 3
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Today’s thought comes from Colossians 4:3-6 3 pray for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it unmistakably clear, as I ought to. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Living in the world’s neighborhood takes some wisdom if you want to be a witness. We could keep to ourselves and live out our own insignificant lives in obscurity, but where’s the eternal reward in that? Or we could live carelessly, doing our own thing, without any interest in the neighbors, but that’s no better than the first idea! We have a mission. We have a calling to be a light to this dark world. We must live like it. How’s that done? As with any spiritual endeavor it begins in prayer. You pray for me, and I’ll pray for you. I guarantee that if you begin praying for opportunities to share the Good News, God will make it happen. I can think of several very specific prayer requests for this kind of neighborhood prayer. Pray first that God would open doors to your neighbor’s homes and open ears so they would want to hear God’s Word. And once those doors are open, you’ll need the sensitivity to the Spirit to be aware of the opportunity! Pray second that you will get an opportunity to share the good news and that you’ll be able to make it unmistakably clear. Pray third that you would live such a sensible life that your neighbors will be able to see the wisdom of godly living. That’s the best prelude to witnessing possible. Pray fourth that you would make the best use of your time so that when an opportunity arises you “have the time” to sit down over a leisurely cup of coffee and share the message. Pray fifth that your words will always be gracious, kind and inoffensive so that people trust that they can talk to you. Pray sixth that the Holy Spirit will give you the answers to their questions about God. Those are some powerfully impressive big prayer requests! But God delights to answer this kind of prayer. And he delights as much to know that you care enough about the kingdom to be praying it!

Dear Lord, fill me with Your Spirit; the Spirit of wisdom and grace so that I will be a great witness to the Good News! Please give me the sensitivity to know an opportunity when it is staring me right in the face and be a witness for you.

The Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:57 AM |   

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