Saturday, January 31, 2015

For Another...

This week I found two Bible study contacts who had similar reasons for signing up for Bible studies.

I met Vicky from an interest that a canvasser got. She had been Christian her whole life, but in the recent years she had struggled to find a local church to go to. Not only that, but she also wanted her children to grow up in that environment. She signed up for Bible studies for her kids, not for herself.

While going door to door down the street from the church I met Laura. She almost has the exact same experience. She was catholic by faith, but didn't get a chance to attend a church in the area (busy with kids and life). She even expressed that she might convert. It was interesting to note that she thought the Bible studies were initially for her kids. They are toddlers. After clearing things up, I mention how the wonderful and loving church that I'm working with has a lively children's program. With this in mind, she also expresses her need for God to be in her relationships. She signs up for Bible studies... Only after having confidence that her children would also have something as well.

Two contacts, two situations, and two mothers whose hearts are filled with love. What do I mean by that? "Charity suffereth long, and is kind... seeketh not her own" (1 Cor 13:4, 5). These two contacts wanted God in their life for the sake of others! This, my friends, is what I believe the Christian walk is about... Others. If I stayed a Christian for myself, what's the point of that? So I can secure my salvation? One of the biggest motivating factors for me to continue on is others. Simply put, unselfish love. I think of my friends and family who haven't come to a relationship with Christ and it hurts. That's not enough. I think of the people in the community... Down the street, and this is part of why I stay a Christian.

Now, I want to ask you reader, why are you a Christian?

The Harvest is Plentiful

As I walk down the sidewalk to the next house, a lady walking her dog on the other side of the street calls out to me. "Hey! Are you with those blue Discover Bible study cards?" I answer in the affirmative and she continues, "My friend was wanting Bible studies and I think she was just talking to your friend Sam. Hold on a minute." She proceeds to chuck her two little yapping dogs into the house.

Upon her return, she continued her questioning to confirm that I was a "normal", Bible-believing Christian and then asked me, "How do you go about getting those studies? I am going through a lot of problems in my family and I need something like this now." She signs up for Bible studies.

A couple times over the next week, I contact her and she continues to postpone because of her busy schedule. Then she sets a time and says, "Thank you so much for your consistency. I really do need this."

We have studied once last week. Please pray that her hectic life will not interfere with her continuing to listen to God's voice.

So many people are needy--longing for the peace that only God's word can give. Will you share it with them? Or will you allow something to prevent you from giving them that blessing?

"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" Matthew 9:37

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Across the Street

One morning, I decided to knock on doors near the church, right across the street actually. I went into a cul-de-sack and not many people were home. On my way out, the door of the first house was not slightly cracked open. This is where I met Daniel.

Daniel and I begin to talk and we relate over things like health and fitness. (I'm working out nowadays). I turn the conversation spiritually and we start sharing our how our walk with God started and where we were now. I shared with him how studying the Bible really helped me when I was searching for Christ. Then he shares with me how he recently hit rock bottom, but he wants to come back to Jesus, and he knew that God has been calling him. Then I ask him how long it had been since he realized it, and he told me that it was for 2 years. 2 years... We continue talking and I start to see that God used someone like myself because we shared some of the same struggles and experiences. For example, we both came from a broken home, we both grew up Christian, and we both knew that we needed Jesus.

We just had our first Bible study, so keep us in your prayers!

Oh, and by the way... God doesn't need someone who has special skills. God doesn't need someone who knows their Bible back and forth. God doesn't need someone who will change the world. Jesus already did that. All God needs is a willing heart for service.

"Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service—service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men." Christ's Object Lessons

Friday, January 23, 2015

Listen to His Voice, Part 2

The story of Oscar continues...

One night this week, I was following up Bible study interests. It was eight o'clock and I had two people that I needed to see. I was praying for wisdom and was about to go to the one on the other side of the town when the Holy Spirit impressed me. "Go visit Oscar." Now I recognized that voice and I was not about to hesitate again.

I knock on his door and he welcomes me into his house like a long-lost friend. Surprised, I sit down on the couch with him and he begins to tell me about some spiritual conversations he had just had with his college-aged son. For lack of time, I can't go into the details of that conversation; but I am amazed at his deep love for God and commitment to share that with his family even when they don't seem to really care. As I shared with him the first study on prophecy and how that shows God's love for us, he already knew everything. Clearly, he has spent a lot of time studying his Bible.

Near the end of our conversation, he wanted to see the books that we carry as well. I pull out the Great Controversy and tell him about it. A puzzled look comes over his face as he tells me, "I had a really big book in Spanish that sounds really similar to this book. It was called El Conflicto de los Siglos (Spanish Great Controversy)." Shocked, I confirm that this is the same book in English. Now it was his turn to get excited. He said, "Prophecy is the reason why I believe the Bible to be true. The reason why I know so much about the Bible and prophecy is because of this book (Great Controversy)." I proceed to ask him where he got it from and he told me that his aunt was a Seventh-day Adventist, the only one in the family; and he got it from her after she passed away.

But the story gets even more interesting. I pull out Lessons of Love (Christ's Object Lessons). Oscar gets excited again and exclaims, "I have that book!" He goes to his room and returns with a well-worn, practically loose leaf copy of the book. Apparently he got it in a book store somewhere and has thoroughly enjoyed studying it.

Oscar then opened up and proceeded to tell me his life story. God has truly rescued him from a life of drugs, girls, and gangs and has given him a solid faithful relationship with his wife and family. At least five times, he has either been stabbed or shot-several of them life-threatening-and God saved him from them. He is now a serious Bible student and is doing all he can to set a good example for his family and to try to make up for time that he lost when they were younger.

Clearly, God has been preparing Oscar for something big. I don't know the plans God has for him, but  I know that he is listening to God's voice. Both Oscar and I realize that it is no coincidence that we met. Now I know there are no "what if's" in God's plan, but "what if" I had walked up to his house 1 minute before he pulled in to his driveway. We would never have become friends and I would never have known God's amazing story in his life. And I know that his story is not over yet...

"God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet. . . . More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications." {CM 151.3}

How many other Oscars are there out there? Will you go and find them? God will lead you to them, but you must be willing.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Listen to His Voice.

I was about to start knocking on doors one afternoon, but all my stuff was very disorganized. Now I should have straightened it up earlier, but the morning had been a little hectic, and, as a result, I was sitting on the sidewalk getting organized for a little while. I was getting frustrated with myself because I was taking so long.

As I am about to go to the first door, a car pulls rapidly into the driveway, a man jumps out, and he runs inside the house. My first thought is, "I must have been taking so long so that I can meet this man." But he is so rushed that I brush that thought off. I don't want to inconvenience him and hold him up from his appointment, so I just told myself that I would just talk to his wife after he left. He rushes out of his house, jumps into his car, and drives off. Now remember, this whole time I am on the sidewalk right in front of his house just standing there.

Then I hear a car reversing and Oscar calls out, "Hey do you need any help? Are you lost?" At that moment it hits me. Why hadn't I talked to him? First, I was too busy doing stuff that could have waited ten minutes. Second, I didn't want to inconvenience him. Silly thinking--to put it mildly. I am here to help people get to know Jesus better and I am too busy and don't want to inconvenience him! What was I thinking?

I tell Oscar that I am not lost, but am a Christian missionary offering free Bible studies in his neighborhood. He responds that he is Christian and loves studying the Bible! He hasn't found a church that he likes though. On the passenger seat of his car is a piece of his Bible; he reads it so much that it has fallen apart. He signs up for personal Bible studies and then speeds off to his appointment.

As he left, I reflected on the divine appointment I almost missed because of my own selfishness. If he hadn't backed up, I wouldn't have talked to him. But God knew that it was a lesson I needed to have reinforced and it was a huge rebuke to me. Yes I might be inconveniencing someone else and myself right now, but what is that in comparison to eternity. The books we carry and the Bible studies we offer will change people's lives bringing them into a relationship with Jesus. Nothing, absolutely nothing is more important than that! I am thankful that God is merciful and works with our weaknesses giving us experiences such as these to strengthen our connection with Him.

Next time God impresses you to hand a piece of literature to someone, talk to someone, or help someone out, don't hesitate to do it. It doesn't matter if it is awkward, embarrassing, or inconvenient. Remember--what is that in light of eternity? God might just be leading you to a divine appointment just like Oscar. You can never go wrong when you follow the voice of God.

She was Waiting

"Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in..." (AA 109). I had always heard this quote, but experiencing it is a whole different story.

As I canvassed in Monrovia, I met Sylvia. She was apprehensive at first, but she eventually warmed up to me. We began talking about spiritual things and she mentioned something very interesting. She said that it was very funny that I had come when I did, because she had been wanting Bible studies. I told that it was funny that she said that because I was giving Bible studies. Notice, I hadn't mentioned Bible studies to her at all. We were only talking about spiritual things and she opened up like that. Afterwards, we have a wonderful conversation about her experience with God and she signs up for personal Bible studies.

To anyone reading this who says that they would never be able to do something like a Bible study. You're absolutely right. You would never be able to do it. However, if Christ truly is your joy, He is sufficient. Remember, many are on the verge..

Saturday, January 10, 2015

There's a first for everything...

As I was door knocking in Monrovia, I found my very first Bible study contact. His name is Rolando, and he had just arrived home, so I hurried to get to know him. I show him some DVD's about prophecy and discovering God's character, and this unlocked the spiritual conversation. He then opens up about how he rejected God for most of his life, but about a year or two ago, a coworker talked to him about God. Since then, he has been going to church and reading some of the Bible. Recently, however,  he hasn't been able to go to church. We talk about studying the Bible, church, and what God is all about. Rolando expresses how he wants more in his spiritual life, so, I offer him Bible studies. He signs up for Bible studies and we can't wait to start studying the Bible.

By the way, Rolando only has a New Testament Bible, but he has been really reading and studying about Jesus. He is eager to learn, and I know that truth, God, and His word will speak for itself. Pray for us!

My Journey to Monrovia (Josh)

The time has finally arrived! I have been looking forward to the next eleven weeks with a little trepidation, but mostly with great anticipation. My classmate Sam Ream and I, who go to a Bible college called SOULS West, are at the All Nations SDA church in Monrovia, California (near Los Angeles) for our Bible work practicum. And our mission? To knock on the doors of the people living in Monrovia and the surrounding communities; to study the Bible with interested people God puts in our paths to help them develop a closer relationship with Him; to see people get to know Jesus for perhaps the first time; to help train and mobilize the church members to become more active soul-winners; to participate with and assist in an evangelistic series; and to do whatever else God calls us to do during this time that will make us more effective workers for Him in the future and hasten His soon coming.

I will be posting more in the future of experiences that God will be giving us as we work for Him; but for my first post, I just wanted to tell a little about myself and how I got to where I am.

I grew up 13 miles outside of Greeneville, TN in the northeastern corner of the state. Surrounded by pastures and farm land, our home was nestled in one of the valleys of the Appalachian Mountains. To give you an idea of the kind of place my family lives, I used to think our road was super busy if three or four cars drove by in the span of a few minutes. I was blessed to have godly, deeply committed, Christian parents who raised me, my two older brothers, and sister to love Jesus and desire to serve Him.

Although I had a desire to serve God, I definitely had my rebellious side. Quite honestly, I appeared to be the perfect kid to those at church and to most of my friends. I mean, who wouldn't think so. Almost every Sabbath, with few exceptions, I came to church. From when I was a pre-teenager, I was very involved in the Audio Visual department; I assisted and taught in the younger Sabbath School divisions, I was a junior deacon and later a deacon; I volunteered at the Community Services Center; and whenever someone in the church needed help, I was there to help out. I don't mention this to brag, only to point out the fact that even though I looked really good on the outside, inside I was a mess. I didn't respect my parents as I should have and consistently rebelled against the things they asked me to do. As a result, I was going down a downward spiral and didn't really care. Of course, I had those good streaks. God would get through to me at various times and I would choose to follow Him for a short time, but unfortunately it never lasted long.

One night, six or seven years ago, I was on one of my short lived upward swings. As I was spending time in prayer one night, I received an unmistakable impression--almost an audible voice--that God was calling me to overseas missions. I had never been outside of North America before, but my dad had grown up as a missionary kid in Africa and I always heard stories of his experiences. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said confidently that I would be a nurse or a pastor. I guess deep down I had that missionary blood flowing through my veins and knew that those were some good ministry careers that would be helpful in the mission field.

In keeping with what I felt was God's calling, I went to Weimar College (Northern California) in 2012 to take Pre-nursing classes. The goal was that as soon as I was done with my RN or BSN, I would go overseas. After my first semester, I joined a 10 week summer program called Youth Rush in which we knocked on doors sharing the gospel with people through Bible-based books that we left on a donation basis to help us through school. That summer changed my life. I think it was then that I really began to realize how essential it really was for me to be involved in ministry. During that 10 weeks, I began to have a personal relationship with Jesus deeper than ever before.

After that summer, I went back to Weimar College to finish my nursing degree. But God had other plans. The details are too many to write here; but after I finished my second semester, I ended up in Chad, Africa in January 2013. Among other things, I needed to confirm what I felt was God's life-calling for me of overseas missions. My first Sabbath in Africa, I woke up and walked outside of my hut. I was overwhelmed with the strange yet comforting feeling, "I am home! This is where I belong." Was it easy? No. No electricity; hot dusty winds; strange smells; a language I don't understand; a people whose customs I don't comprehend; a land of malaria and many strange diseases; a place far away from my friends and family. But I was home. I really can't explain the feeling. Yes I miss where I grew up and yes I may have missed all the conveniences I was used to for a little while, but I knew that I was where God wanted me to be and nothing could make me happier. I stayed for only four months, but I left knowing that I was coming back for much longer. When? I don't know except that it will be in God's timing.

While in Chad, God closed some doors and opened others so that I became heavily involved, among other things, in an evangelism training school for 20-30 lay church members. This was not my original intent for coming to Chad, but it was there that God also showed me my love for teaching more than I had seen before. Ultimately, I realized that I needed evangelism training of some sort to be an effective soul-winner and teacher, but I didn't know what that would consist of.  I just knew I needed to get trained as quickly as possible and get back to where I know God has called me.

I returned to the States and a few weeks later joined Youth Rush for my second summer of door-knocking and ministry. During that summer I once again had a deep experience with God. In light of the training that I had been impressed that I needed and the love that I discovered I had for teaching the Bible to others, God called me to attend Souls West, in Prescott, AZ. Souls is an acronym for Seventh-day Adventist Outreach Leadership School. It is the two-year evangelism training school for Pacific Union Conference with emphasis in Literature Evangelism and Bible Work.

Since September 2013, I have been at Souls West. God has been giving me a deep experience with Him that I have never had before. But I know that it is just a small vista of the grand expanse He wants to show me of the happiness a still deeper experience with Him can bring. He has shown me so much about myself and my weaknesses and grown and strengthened me in ways that I honestly didn't expect. I definitely see that He is preparing me for more effective service and can't wait to see what He will do in the next 11 weeks and the rest of my life.

This blog is long, I know. Future blogs won't likely be so long; but for you readers out there, this is how God got me to where I am. Honestly, this is a very brief summary of only the main points of God's leading in my life. And now I am at All Nations SDA church in Monrovia, CA ready and willing for God to use me and grow me however He wants. And yes I know by experience growth can be painful, but it is so rewarding.

God calls each one of us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). Growing up, I was doing the right things on the outside, but inside, I was not happy. Only when I chose to put God's work the first priority in my life, desiring and truly beginning to experience His righteousness in my life, did I become happy. It has not been all smooth sailing the last couple years; there have been ups and downs. But, praise God, as I look back on my life, I see that He has been steadily growing me to become a much more effective worker for Him and I have confidence that He is in charge. I don't have anything to be afraid of because He is in control.

There is nothing special about my story. It's not really the story of an country boy from Tennessee. Rather, it is the story of a powerful, loving God who takes ordinary people and works through them to do ordinary things that bring about extraordinary results. The results are God's; we just have to be willing to be used by Him and He will do the rest.

I pray that each one of you who read this brief story of God's work in my life until now, will dedicate your life to serving Him. Nothing is more fun; nothing is more fulfilling; nothing is more rewarding.