Weekly Tip #7
The events in Acts chapter 20, according to the Bible timeline, takes place for the Apostle Paul in A.D. 57. At that point he still has about 11 years left of his life but his words make you feel like he only has 11 days left to live. He lived his life with urgency and commitment as he actively worked to spread the gospel to as many as possible. Pull out the Bible and read Acts 20:17-38 to see the context and you will be inspired by Paul’s life and motivation.
Consider these specific words from 20:20-24:
20 “…I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
What the Apostle Paul is saying here are fighting words. Not in a negative sense but with a heart to never give up so that he might finish all that God had called him to do (verse 24). In context, you can see the fire, perseverance, determination and persistence in his words and actions. Paul goes on later to explain in 2 Timothy 4:7 that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
What about us? Life is too short to not experience all that God has for you. What is He calling you to do that would stretch your faith and help to reach the people around you with the Gospel message? With the Apostle Paul, there was a continual fire in his heart to follow all of God’s will. Are we living in light of eternity and looking to be used by God?
Next Steps – God Tools
If you have been reading the last 6 ministry tips this Spring, there are action points to help you expand your heart for God and increase the ministry to the people around you.
On your iphone, Android, tablet or ipad, download the “God Tools” app. If you’re specifically on the ipad, be sure to download the app from the “iphone” section since it is an iphone app. With this tool, using your phone or tablet, you are ready anywhere, anytime to take someone through the gospel message. Be sure to go to the “Knowing God Personally” tab and hit “English Classic Booklet” for one of the most common formats that we use.
In the same way, if you are talking to someone who has lots of questions about Christianity, hit the “Everystudent.com” section and you will have a good selection of articles that will help you talk through questions people might have about God, Christ and Christianity. Finally, if you hit the “Satisfied” tab, go to the “English (Classic Booklet)” and you are ready to help someone understand the very important teaching on the Spirit-filled life. Right at your fingertips, you have the information to help someone take the next steps with God. Give it a try this week.
Summer Projects And The Creation Music Festival
If you are considering a Summer Project this summer we want to encourage you to make Cru’s summer projects your first choice. But if you’re not able to go and you want to have a fun and memorable 5-Day summer project, come and join us at the 35 annual Creation Festival. Some of the best Christian bands will be there and we will have a booth to help sign people up who want to start-up new ministries in high schools, colleges and everywhere. If you are definitely interested, please let us know by calling 800-678-5462.
Talk to you next week,
Ben
Cru Ministry, Orlando