Also, there is an awesome ministry, that the Lord used Brutha John Rood to start, every Friday night. I prayed to have Friday nights off from work, which is the busiest night at the restaurant, and the Lord touched my Jolly South African Boss’s heart.
“Sure, sure you can have it off. No problem,” he said. Praise God! These nights are frightening yet give me more joy, adrenaline, and spiritual angst in the end than anything. A group of variety from age 14-20ish gets together and we go to pretty much the heaviest populated street in Vermont, Church Street, and break into groups of two or three and spread the good news! This is hard for me because I run into old friends there and lots of people are set financially and don’t think they need a savior; It’s a little easier because I don’t have to talk in Spanish. My work place has given me so many opportunities to share my faith. The Lord has given me courage and wisdom. He has blessed me, I even have an automatic humbler. Most mornings before guests arrive I strap a vacuum to my back and enjoy being called a “Ghost-Buster” and my favorite, “Johnny Quest,” haha. The Lord really prepares me each day and gives me many opportunities to minister to people.
I was told a while back that we connect well with specific people for a reason. God has a plan with it. Last night, a high school guy I work with and connect with very well, hit me with a nuke, a divinely appointed appointment. We were drying cups side by side when he said,
“Hey Joe, I’m looking for a religion I can go all out in, I mean I’m a Christian (then with an excited look) but I want to just find that religion.” I asked him a few more questions but then the conversation came to a light-hearted subject and before I knew it, it was over. I have quoted scripture to him before, “Those who work deserve to be fed,” Mathew 10:10, and I think he knows I am a Christian so I decided not to jut-in and say that following Jesus is the greatest thing in my life…but I hope to get there with him. I praise God and pray he can use me in his plan. Please pray for this, the Church street ministry and the Men’s Breakfast. John Rood is currently serving the Lord with all his heart (passing out Gospel track from busses, playing the drums) in the Bronx, NYC. Pray for his protection and for God to show up in power wherever he goes.
Turn to John 10:2-4. It says, “The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” It goes on in verse 9-10: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. This last verse is one of my favorites and it should have two exclamation points in the Bible. Read verse 11-15.
My father in heaven
How your splendor shines
And a field of your chorus hums what I can imagine,
with each sound,
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord almighty.”
A breeze is gentle when it needs to be
as the unseen flows from your lips.
Though when the sun scorches hot I will endure
and praise your name just the same
with your flame in my heart.
Let each inhale of air draw me nearer
and each inspired text I read be written forever
on my heart.
Amen.
Hey Joe! It is so good to have your blog again. It is as alwasys like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for the encouragement.
This is from II Thesalonians 2:16
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
Hi there Joe, so good to have a new blog to read. Glad you were able to find the time to take my suggestion and run with it. You are an encourager!!!
Wasn’t it neat how the Lord brought you to my door just as I was making cookies for you and your brothers! He is so good. I was so desparately in need of an encouragement on Fri. when you came and he sent two Joe’s to me. He is so good. I’d ask you to pray especially for our little Will. He had a pretty bad report from his blood work on Thursday. My son David didn’t call me about it, he didn’t want to worry me. Will is due to stop treatment for his leukemia Aug. 3. With this new down turn in his condition, we aren’t sure what will happen. I know that the Lord knows all about it and will give us what he knows is best. Help us to trust you Lord. ‘Rejoice everymore, pray without ceasing, in ALL things give thanks unto the Lord for this is the will of the Christ in all things concerning you”. I have tried to live this verse for many years. Sometimes is seems impossible for me to do. With His help I can be obedient. I love you Joe and praise God for the ministry he has given you. Love Mrs. M
Joe! Greetings from the Buckeye State. You have no idea how much of a blessing it is to be back to reading “Joe’s Blog.” Forgot how much I missed it. Can you keep this blog going even through college?? Talk about appointment reading. And how do you spell “accountability?” Courageous for Christ. Cool.
As for the men’s breakfast ministry, it went weekly this summer versus staying monthly (or zero) because of your desire to work for God. As John Rood and David Hawkins will attest, the NYC missions trip was “it’s all backwards” so when you suggested we do the opposite of conventional thought and RAMP UP the ministry to weekly it was clear that the Lord was bringing increase. Thanks for being open to how Christ can work in you. Even when it’s far from easy.
The youth and young men and women who are _truly_ in Christ are urgently needed for growth among the adults who are, likewise. Pastor Nathan as well as your dear daddy hit the nail on the head when they acknowledged the critical role that the younger among us are playing, particularly in the area of evangelism. My view? It is starting to make the grown ups feel nervous. Perhaps awkward. Challenged. Icky. I among them (with a big target on my back). My hope for the youth and young aduls: Don’t let up.
Case in point: Week ago Friday the sole road warriors were Virginia and Lois. I offered to drive them up there and said I’d park nearby and be available to help them. I worked it all out that my being among them would be awkward for the girls, would not help the witnessing, etc. The rationalization was classic. I have a much longer list but am too embarrassed to print it in its entirety here. So, Leaning on my car I was reading the Bible and a police officer approaches me and points to the short term parking sign. I am motioning to move on when he asked me what i was reading. (Divine appointment?) I mentioned it was the book of Isaiah. He asked me “What chapter?” Isaiah 51:6-8 (NIV) so I started to read:
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.
7 “Hear me, you who know what is right,
you people who have my law in your hearts:
Do not fear the reproach of men
or be terrified by their insults.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment;
the worm will devour them like wool.
But my righteousness will last forever,
my salvation through all generations.”
Please join me in prayer for that police officer.
Thank you for your humility. I love that you freely express how it feels to work Church Street for Christ, especially when encountering old friends from the world. Talk about handing brothers and sisters a mirror and saying, “Have a look!” Thanks.
BillO’
DISCUSSION AMONG THE JOEBLOGGERS REQUESTED!!!!!
Here in Ohio I have been in discussion with some fellow believers on the topic of evangelism. 1 Co 12-14. Solid concensus is that openly sharing the Gospel and discussing another’s salvation or walk is considered solely for those with that special gift, spritual gift, talent, trait, blessing, ‘personality’, etc. The rest of the Christians on the planet, the assumption is, are more than effective for Christ by, my words, being a rub-off Christian. Sort of like if you are a good person, live a ‘good Christian life. There is a strong sense that those not skilled in sharing openly could actually cause harm and be a bad witness.
My points:
Great commission, “Go” is unclear?
The discibles dropped their fish nets after their applications were approved?
It takes solid Christian fellowship, accountability, a balanced team, and a loving, supportive and Christ-centered Bible preaching and teaching local church to ensure that evangelism by its members is most effective for Christ.
Brother Bill O’
Carlitos here in Nicaragua. I knew Joe when he was with us for the FYM trip. He is a great man of God and it was a glorious thing to see Him trust God and then respond. He is a great example of how we are to go all out for Him.
For that reason i continue to ready Joe’s blogs and see how God is working in him. In doing so i came across your comments regarding evangelism that you and and your friends have been having. I would would like to suggest you are confusing two concepts. The list you have at the end ie fellowship etc is basically a part of discipleship, the pouring out into believers for their spiritual growth. This all happens after someone has entered into a relationship with God through Jesus.
Evangelism on the other hand is sharing one’s faith with people who do not believe. In that context it is clear from Roman’s 10:17 that faith comes from hearing the message (the gospel)ie we are all to open our mouths and share the good news. We are called to be witnesses (Acts 1 and other places). A witness opens his/her mouth and gives a “testimony”. That is why there is a call to go. It doesn’t mean you have to put down your nets but simply to go into the place God has planned for you, and there to share,verbally, the good news. In addtion to Rom 10, and Acts 1 mentioned above i would also suggest looking at Mark 16:15, Acts 8:4, 1Pe 2:9 and 1Pe 3:15. Finally, we are called to be imitators of Christ, who was crucified for opening his mouth and sharing the truth. His words offended many, but were living water to some who heard and believed.
Be bold and proclaim the glorious name of Jesus, by word (and deed).
In love,
ck
Hi Carlitos – Wonderful comments. Thank you for taking the time to put such thought into my post and to share pertinent scripture. I appreciate that, brother. I will certainly take time to study the scripture you reference in your remarks.
I am curious about your view of the role discipleship in the encouraging of evangelism as a part of a believer’s daily life.
On the subject of “street evangelism training” one day, a Christian buddy half-joked that an ideal “class” in evangelism might involve gathering the group into a room and then proceeding to welcome them to exit the building to the awaiting church bus idling out in the parking lot! And then off to downtown!
Bill O’, Carlitos and others…
I would like to say that after reading your original comment on this post, Bill, I also thought about discipleship. There are many responsibilities for a Christian, including open evangelism, but it’s all to the tune of discipleship. Jesus did all his evangelism and then regularly discussed or debriefed with his twelve disciples to see that they got it. If discipleship is not there, if one doesn’t have a wiser someone pouring into them, what is it for? Same thing with family. It doesn’t say, “Go and evangelize.”
On that note, I think you are right that we could gain quite a bit more boldness to our walk. My generation in America is largely safe and emasculated. We need some more men like Joe who aren’t afraid and don’t know any better than to do what Jesus did – throw some mud in someone’s eyes to heal them. And let the power of the Holy Spirit do the work. This is the real thing we are missing out on.
Everyone wants to live a secure life without worries so they control everything they can, rather than allowing God take control and do an incredible new thing! It is on this basis, a powerful work of the Holy Spirit, that men should become Christians. Afterward there’s no going back… they are hungry, eager to grow and ready to learn. Otherwise a bunch of evangelism is pretty empty.
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” -St. Francis of Assisi
While I agree with the very necessary distinction between discipleship and evangelism I also agree with your observation that we are a weak and emasculated (great word!) generation. As a result, I am afraid, many take a “Pass” from going forth and being bold because we are “unskilled” or “don’t try this at home,” if you will, when it comes to stepping out there even in our daily walk with our personal testimonies.
We have lost more than this current generation but previous and because of that we are often unsure or unaware of how or where to even start when it comes to proclaiming our faith and the Good News of the blood of Christ as the only propitiation for our sins. The sense of urgency that may move to the surface is quelled by the notion that a spirit-filled individual could do more harm that if he or she remained silent. On the other hand, we are clearly not serving with all our our hearts if we are lacking in our dedication to study of the Word of God and a genuine prayer life.
On “Go and evangelize,” I consider the following verses:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22
Hey Bill and Seth,
Thanks for letting me be part of this great discussion with you two.
i Think i see a common thread in all of this, that being agreement among us that so many people are taking a pass on a deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ. So not matter how we want to slice and dice the discipleship/evangelism discussion, if you aren’t alive in Christ what is there to share or tell others and what can you give in a discipling relationship?
The thing that amazes me (and perhaps i’m showing my gray hair) is to see all you young guys talking about living on the edge, pushing the envelope, going all out etc. when in fact its all a smoke screen. ie looking for validation in others, things and thrills but scared to death to do those same things for Christ. I think we all get that that is one of the missions we have; to call out the generation that’s taking a pass on selling out!
What have we come to when the power of God, which healed, made men bold and even raised them from the dead has been reduced to fear of what others will think or how it will affect my career etc. Talk about the halt and the lame.
So lets agree that we are being called to be bold and not be ashamed of the gospel…
It sounds like we are in agreement. Everything has its place, including evangelism, discipleship, preaching, teaching, etc. I try to focus on those which are my strength and push myself every now and again out of my comfort zone.
It’s true, everything does flow out of intimacy with the Lord. You can’t lead others if you can’t lead yourself.
Now, in an effort to not be “one of those cold and timid souls that knows neither victory nor defeat”, I would like to challenge everyone who reads this to do three things. If you’re already on it, you’re ahead of most of the world, including me.
1. Spend an hour in the morning with the Lord for the next week.
2. During this time, ask the Lord what you can do for him each day, listen, then obey. If we are supposed to be in relationship with him, he should have something to say to us and a way for us to partner with him in restoring his kingdom on earth.
3. Get back on here in a week’s time and share how the Lord used you.
I always remember these verses when evangelizing
2 Thess “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will be spread rapidly and be glorified.”
Psalm 127:1a “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;”
God is the only one who can make ministry work.
and my friend Scotty just showed me John 3:27 “John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.”
Some of the brothers from the Church Street group can tell you about how awfully it went the time we forgot to pray.
We need to get down, flat, on the floor, so that our nose hurts the next day, and plead with God to work in the souls of those that we evangelize to; that they would be continually convicted about sin and bombarded with messages saying “SURRENDER TO CHRIST NOW, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE”
Then, to be fully effective, we must be prepared to tell people, having memorized scripture like, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, JOhn 14:6, 1 John 1-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17,etc…
If we do all this, and someone comes to know Christ, and we fail to see they they are decipled, then we have still failed Jesus.
I praise God that this blog post happened. I’ve enjoyed the responses and to communicate with brothers n’ sisters in Christ from here and afar. This spawned a whole new look at discipleship. Lots of prayer and study has brought be right back to the place of dealing with humility, pride, and submission to God.
We are living in a time of so little meekness! I just met with a client (my job is vocational counselor for injured workers) and I’m biting my tongue so much at the meeting I ache but not nearly so as my heart aches for a man who is so lost and in tears because he has not Christ. Please pray for my job direction.
“Duh.” I hear stories from people end-on-end and listen, consider, pray (stealthily). And running through my mind in the midst of this are thoughts like, “This guy’s a sinner unsaved and his life has ended up precisely as one would expect it to without Christ.” This is running through my brain on a daily basis now. I’m more and more like a sinful closet Christian on the job. Like withholding oxygen from a patient who is gasping. Would I ever do that? (I’m an EMT, too…) And I am supposed to be helping people! Any advise I give without the Gospel is simply jive. Feelings. Educated guesses. Well-formed impressions based upon years of… jive. Vacuous.
Please pray for me, vocationally. I have a bucket of masters degree credits in the can for a secular degree in rehab counseling. But, I made the prayerful decision to flee from that end. Done. (If you gotta know, I bailed when I reviewed the curriculum for “Cross-Cultural Counseling.” Now I am looking at Biblical counseling – making the very necessary move from advise that is fruitless and worldly to encouragement that is Christ and Gospel centered.
I know that disciples of Christ were fishermen, makers and sellers of fish nets. Their customers were from all walks. Were they selective of who they worked for or served? I heard a discussion I think on Wretched Radio when a woman asks that since she is a florist and a Christian is sinful to prepare a gay wedding with her craft. The answer is not easy. As a VR counselor who comes in contact with people who are lost NOT for the work injury at all, but, truly, for their hell-destiny not to mention the woeful life direction they come from and will face if they do not repent and mud-in-their-teeth-face-plant before the Cross.
Bill O, you are in a great place. It is so freeing to admit, honestly, where we are at…admitting that you feel like a closet Christian at your job means there is some change awaiting for the better. Because, the Lord can’t change people who “think” they have it all together.
That is great how God uses what you have been trained in…an EMT and has shown you what we are really doing when we don’t spread the Good News!
I will definately pray for you, that God rewards your decision in powerful ways. I remember when you “career counselled” me. Look where that got me, in a jungle, hot every day, stung by a scorpion, taunted by monkeys, bitten by wild mosquitoes with reflexes as fast as flies…good luck to the world, watch out for brother Bill, haha.
Brotha Joe-
Gee Joe, you make a hot jungle replete with scorpions, whacked monkeys and mosquitoes sound like a great combination. Have you considered a career in sales? 😉 Hey, I never said I was a GOOD career counselor you know.
Will keep ‘brotha’ Joe in prayer. Go get ’em. No, go bring ’em. And may your lamps be full.
Bill O’