Missionary Attitude, Evangelism and Conduct Part 3 of 3

Missionary Attitude, Evangelism and Conduct
(Part 3 of 3)
(Our actions, attitude and lifestyle speak louder than words)

The Need for Self-Discipline How many times have you heard a non-Christian say about or to a Christian that Christians shouldn't do that, Christians shouldn’t act like that or And you call yourself a Christian?  I would bet you have heard this many times in one form or another.

It is just a simple fact that we, as Christian, live in this world like we are in fish bowl for all to watch.  It seems that the non-Christians know more about how we as Christians should act and behave then we do at times.  Why is this?  My theory is that they know they are not Christians and may be under conviction.  Then to feel better about themselves or to justify their way or life or themselves they point a finger at anyone they can find fault in.

Conduct Ourselves in a way pleasing to the Lord
(1 Peter 2:12 AMP “12 Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [[a]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].)
(Prov. 13:10 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.)

Discipline Ourselves to Run the Race(1 Cor. 9:24-27 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”)

Let’s Be Zealous and Honor Christ
(2 Cor 8:22-23 “In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.”)

Jesus says that we will recognize good people by their fruit. And so will others!  He likens them to trees: bad trees cannot bear good fruit, but good trees do. Matthew 7:18-20 (KJV)
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

We bear fruit!  Either that of the Spirit and Righteousness or of the Flesh, Sin and Death.
A study on The Fruit Of The Spirit

Witnessing is Sharing your Faith, this is what Christ Has Done in You!
Sharing Christ is about being real and demonstrating our faith with passion, conviction and sincerity. God’s call from Scripture is clear. Evangelism is not about catchy slogans, poster boards, tables, tracts, or formulas (although these can be helpful), and it is definitely not arguments and/or confrontations. Rather, it is helping others see Him by how we treat them and live for Christ. Evangelism is allowing others to picture Jesus in us, not our trying to verbalize without showing Him demonstrated in us first. We cannot just say a few sentences and move on. We have to nurture and demonstrate, and be considerate and loving. It is our lives telling His story that the Spirit uses to win people, not just our mouths. Our mouths are to further explain Him.
“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21”

Now  It Is Time To Step Out In Faith!
Stepping out in Faith!

Go to these links for more information on:

Short Term Mission Trips or Short Term Volunteer Trips

Missionary Conduct and Training Part 2 of 3

Missionary Attitude, Evangelism and Conduct

(Part 2 of 3)

(Learning to study, adapt and present Christ in love)

Do Not Argue or Offend
Often times, western missionaries have gone out to the far corners of the world to reach the lost only to find that there has been someone there before them.  What the nationals encountered with these tourists or missionaries could have been a positive or negative experience.  Likewise, there will be others that follow in behind you.  

Unfortunately, one major stereotype that runs throughout the world regarding western civilization individuals is pride and thinking that everyone should do things as they do in the west.  (Prov. 13:10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise)  Keeping this all in mind, we should be extra careful and humble not to cause offense or to “muddy the waters” for the next witness that comes along. (John 4:37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.)  (Ezekiel 34:18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?)

It is our duty to study the culture, history, and at least attempt to learn some of the language, customs and religious beliefs of the people groups to whom we are called to help in order to be a testimony of Christ.  Our studies in these people groups and cultures will help us reach them without offending them while on short term mission trips or volunteer trips and projects.

First, we must become the student to be an effective teacher or witness.  (2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” )  This knowledge is not to be used for arguments, but to aid in understanding the people and present the Good News in the best way possible to them as Paul did.  Acts 17:22-24 (NLT)  “So Paul, standing before the council,[a] addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.  “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples,”  Paul did not argue with them but instead used what they already believed and told them about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Secondly, to avoid offending the people we are wanting to reach for the Lord, we must be culturally sensitive.  This can be done by taking some cultural sensitivity training that pertains to the people group you with which you wish to reach or work.  (Prov. 18:19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.  Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.)  First of all, we really need to examine and clean up our own cultural baggage we may be packing when we prepare to leave for cross-cultural ministry.  Becoming a long term missionary will take these steps even further and require more adaptation.  (Prov. 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.  Prov. 17:19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;  Prov. 18:6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.)

It is OUR responsibility as the guest to not argue or cause offense when crossing into other cultures to evangelize, minister or volunteer.  We must learn to be the example of an effective witness for Christ both home and abroad.

Links to begin your Cultural Awareness and Cultural Baggage

Go to these links for more information on:

Short Term Mission Trips or Short Term Volunteer Trips

Nigerian Riots - Pray!

After the Nigerian incumbent president, who is a Christian, won the election the Muslim opposition started rioting.  Burned corpses with machete wounds lay in roads and smoke rose above this city where rioting broke out again this Tuesday.  The Muslims were angered by the announcement of the Christian incumbent winning the election.
Please remember the Christian Nigerian people who are in danger.  Pray for their protection and that they will be so blessed that the people around them will be amazed and ask them "What is the reason of the hope that is in you?" and  "What must I do to be saved?"

From Libya To Japan - News and Prayer Requests!

There are several things happening today that require our prayers from Japan to Libya.  In Japan while they are still fighting the problems at the nuclear power plant sites officials have found that radiation contamination has now entered the food chain.  On another front French warplanes have now fired the first shots the broadest international military effort since the Iraq war in support of an uprising that seemed on the verge of defeat in Libya.
A warplane from France opened fire on a target in Libya today, opening the coordinated international campaign to prevent strongman Moammer Gadhafi's forces from crushing an uprising.  U.S missile attack on Libya prepared, but the American ships and aircraft stationed in and around the Mediterranean Sea did not participate in the initial French air mission Saturday.  There are many people in Libya that have been affected or killed by mercenaries or the forces loyal to Gadhafi.
The first signs that contamination from Japan's crippled nuclear complex has seeped into the food chain as officials stated on Saturday that radiation levels in spinach and mile from farms near the tsunami-stricken facility exceeded government safety limits.  Many areas of the northern coast need assistance as the full extent of the missing and loss of life continue to rise.
Please pray and ask the Lord what He would have you do!

I Am Thankful but Yet Hurting!!!

In watching the news around the world I realize how blessed we are in the USA.  But, yet many of us are full of worry or anger because of the downturn of our economy, loss of investments and so forth.  I am so thankful for the Lord's protection, health, provision and His amazing Salvation!  Can we take the time to look outside of our own world and cares and  pray for those who are going trough so much around the world, from the conflicts in some of the Arab nations and brutality in Libya, to the horrific earthquake and tsunami Japan, as well as, the very real fears of two nuclear meltdowns in their power plants.
The nuclear emergency after the deadly quake and tsunami is finding the Japanese worker battling to try to stop the meltdown of two reactors.  While in the northeast coast of Japan it is feared that over 10,000 people are feared dead after the quake and the 25 to 30 foot tsunami that followed in these villages. I have heard that one man was found today clinging to the top of his destroyed home 10 miles out in the ocean.  As we pray for those who have lost loved one, for those who are yet to be rescued and for the several emergencies with Japan, let us remember to be thankful for what 'we' have.
As the fighting in intensifying in Libya, let us be thankful for the peace and safety we do have as we pray for the  people in this war torn nation. Even at this very moment the Libyan forces are drawing closer to the main opposition-held city of Benghazi.  Let's pray for the safety of the Christians living in this country and for the revelation of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him.  Many have went off into eternity.  Do they know the Lord?  Has someone told them about Jesus?  Pray to the Lord of the  harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest fields.

Japan Nuclear Power Plant - Frantic Efforts to Avoid Meltdown

Continue to pray for the Japanese people.  The magnitude of this disaster in beyond what I can wrap my mind about.  Earthquake and aftershocks, Tsunami, and now explosions at one of the nuclear power plants.  Frantic efforts to avoid a meltdown are now taking place.
While we are here in our homes in relative safety it's almost like it's unreal and one of the latest disaster movies that so many of us watch, but this is real!  People have died!  Families are without homes, cars or even a job now in some circumstances.  Food and clean water are in short supply in the effected areas.  It's my prayer that through all of these events, that many will find comfort, refuge and peace in the midst of the storm by clinging to the Rock, Jesus Christ.  Also it's my prayer that many of us will be the hands and feet of our Lord and help in any way we can as we pray for them.
Power plant youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZQZToDpXo

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE JAPANESE PEOPLE! EARTHQUAKES / TSUNAMI!

I wanted to write a quick prayer request to remind us all about the events that took place not long ago.  There was a huge earthquake in Japan with several aftershocks; then a second earthquake in a different area of Japan as well.  Between these two earthquakes and aftershocks there have been several people killed. Also, this first earthquake triggered a tsunami, tidal wave, which swept across the Japanese seaboard.  There has been enormous damage and more loss of life.  Please pray for the people who are Christian for their safety and peace in the midst of this devastation.  But also pray for the many people who do not know the Lord, to look for answers in our Savior, that the Lord would reveal Himself to them in a marvelous way.