At journey's end, I shall say.......

 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 

(2 Timothy 4:6-8)

After I read this passage from 2 Timothy, I closed my eyes and I did my best to place the state of my heart, mind and spirit in the place of Paul's who was now drawing near to his end.  In this moment, we meet a lonely, suffering servant of God who nonetheless looks to his eternal place with God with great anticipation.The moment that we commit our lives as soldiers to the cause of Christ, we have offered up ourselves to a life lived in constant battle. He has enlisted us for His sake, building up an army of faithful and obedient soldiers willing to be ridiculed by a word hostile to God's eternal truth.

I ponder the complexity of what we are to expect and face. I pray that God blesses my life of obedience, but I constantly remind myself that I must not for a moment think that I "expect" such blessings as a reward for my obedience. (Hebrews 11) We must not get comfortable with blessings because when hardships and trials interrupt our comfortably Christian lives, we stand in shock as if something strange were happening to us. What's worse is that when our life is tested or jabbed, we ask God why...? WHY??!! We might as well say to God, "Lord, I thought because I love and serve you, you are suppose to bless all my ways. Why have you brought on this fierce storm upon my life?" This is a soldier who has prepared for battle in the mind alone, and does not actually expect to go out into the battle field to "live" out his faith. He has stored up knowledge in his mind without obedience in his heart. It is easier and safer to merely know than to do. This again is the knowledge of faith without the courage to have the obedience of faith to go along with it. When King David's son is announced dead, He immediately worships God. When Job is told that his children are all killed, he falls to the floor and worships. I pray that WHEN I face great loss, that I will not ask the disobedient question of "why," but rather I will fall to the floor and worship.

In essence, the hardships and teachings of the Bible become mere "slogans" that go along with our Christian titles without true merit. "We live by faith and not by sight" We know this, but do we truly live it? Do we truly live out and work out our faith? We stand in shock, confusion and often in anger towards God when we need to actually live out what we preach.  Me included.  My reflection is that when all things are well and going according to plan without any suffering, THAT is when we should worry! The enemy is deceitful and very smart. We are deceived by the illusions of blessings. We assume that because life is tied around with a pretty bow, that we are in God's good book; pleasing Him. Have you ever thought that sometimes what we see as blessings is a ploy from the world and enemy to distract us from our actual call, duty and sacrifice to God? Have you ever thought that your supposed blessed life is actually a scheme by God's counterfeit Kingdom to keep you in a spiritual state of disillusionment? We love to blame the enemy when things do not go according to plan or when we are faced with obstacles or grief. We give Satan too much credit. Ever think that Satan IS actually causing you pain in a life that actually looks blessed? I know if the blessing is from my Lord when it draws me near to Him, keeping my eyes on Him and my mission. Do not be fooled to "think" you are filled with joy, but in actuality, you are preoccupied with the blessings from the world. Therefore, we must remember and discern what is "Godly joy" from what is "worldly joy." I often pray, "Lord, do not let me deceived in my faith!"

If you have not felt the pain of life,  then you have not felt the wound of Christ. If you want to avoid suffering at all costs, then you want the blessings without the responsibilities. The heart piercing question then arises, "Can you truly say that you would die for a savior that died for you?"

I take my thoughts and emotions back to Paul, sitting chained in prison, waiting unashamed for his end. When the hardships, hard work, joys, pains, blessings, loss and all that jazz come to an end, will I continue to look to my eternal place with God with eager anticipation knowing that I did everything I could as His faithful servant? Will I dream about looking upon the face of my Father in heaven without doubt and shame as He says, "Well done my loyal and faithful servant." In my last moment of breath and life, will I feel absolute conviction that I gave all my strength to a fight that I already knew had been won? Victory is already ours, yet I give praise to every tear, pain, and affliction in exchange for giving glory to God. Will I close my eyes one last time with passion filled contentment and fulfillment, knowing I did the will of my Father? I pray so. I desperately pray so. 

We are often consumed by the thoughts of what we need to do in our roles as ambassadors to the Great Commission, and we rightly should. However, it is good for the spirit for us to measure our steps by asking, "In all that I am doing and in all that I have already done for the Lord in strength and joy.... is it leading me towards an end that will give Him full glory and give me eternal peace in knowing that I did all that I could?" Will I be able to say with fullness of heart, mind and spirit that I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."? I desperately pray so.

Spoon-feeding Christianity

I was recently invited to Joplin, MO, the home to a devastating hurricane two years ago, to speak at a Christian school. The night before I was to speak, I asked God what HE wanted me to say to this young generation of believers. I had to keep in mind that my audience would be ages ranging from 6 - 18 years old. I focused on what God wanted me to say to these future Christian soldiers and not what I wanted them to hear.

I was perplexed about what my content would be. I have been on an exciting, ignited and passionate journey speaking about the urgency of the gospel. My spiritual focus and fire has been to explain why we must as a body of Christ reach the Muslim world. I have passionately and desperately communicated to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that reaching the Muslim world is not an optional accessory to our Christian lives, but rather a matter of obligation. It sits firmly in the fold of our Christian obligation if we are to have a logical and honest conversation about the completion of the Great Commission.

Yet, as I sat in bed asking God what He wanted me to say to the kids, I thought about how intense and scary it would be to talk about the urgency of the gospel and the importance as Christians to truly understand God's mission and redemptive plan. I would freak the kids out!! And I was sure that the school staff and leaders would be less than happy to hear me passionately advocating the responsibility we have as Christ ambassadors to be prepared to take on God's mission, no matter the cost.

As I sat in bed in silence, I felt God's overwhelming peace and direction that it was exactly what He wanted me to speak about.

This experience stirred something in my heart and mind that did not sit well with me. Why was I hesitant to share with the young kids about God's command and urgency to reach the nations? Is there a time frame when a Christian is suppose to gradually adjust to the mission and truth? Are we meant to have our Christian lives and obligations spoon-fed to us? What does that look like? It breaks my heart to see so many followers of Christ live out their faith as if to be a Christian is simply that we are saved, to be Christlike as possible, go to Church, read your Bible, give your tithing, and go on a mission trip here and there. Our service has become more about social activism than evangelism! Missions have become more about the compassion to the poor than glory to God! Yes, Christ focused on the needy and poor, and so must we, but we must not lose the larger and eternal focus that it is all about His glory! As Piper said, "Mission exist because worship doesn't"

Where is the true understanding of discipleship?! "Go out and make disciples," said our Lord! Yet, discipleship is often an optional component to the obligation/ goals of churches, ministries and in our personal Christian lives. Discipleship must remain the core to all that we do! Where is the true knowledge of God's redemptive plan?!   So many Christians live without the full and deeply scriptural understanding of God's mission that is laid out clearly from Genesis to Revelations. Yet, the plan and purpose (our responsibilities) is overlooked because we focus merely on the blessings and gift (salvation and grace) We have become the nation of Israel, We want the blessings without the responsibilities! 

We live in a society of information overload, and this reality has spilled over to our faith. It has now become the knowledge of faith rather than the obedience of faith! What good is faith without the willingness to obey it? I shall put it in plain world talk: Actions speak louder than words! So, my fellow Christians, continue to read your Bibles, memorize scripture verses and walk around with your "Christian" lingo and vocabulary. I am not sure how you will reach the unreached people, nations, tongues and tribes that way, but what it does give you is spiritual disillusionment and denial. I pray you do not fall into spiritual disillusionment my friends. However, I also know that with this "obedience of faith" comes risk, suffering, commitment and the willingness to go into dark places. We are children of light and our lights shine brighter where there is greater darkness. Let us not forget that He instructed us to be lights to those who sit in darkness. I pray that you will not settle being comfortably Christian. I think about 2 Peter 2:21 "For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them."  I think about how this verse can also be carried over to our responsibilities towards the Great Commission and for those who know the mission, yet choose not to live it out. "For it would have been better for them never to have known the OBEDIENCE OF FAITH FOR HIS PURPOSE than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them." (Again, I am careful to mention that I do not mean that we are all called to full-time ministry, but we are called to allow our daily lives and professions to be an opportunity for witness and discipleship)

Please do not spoon-feed your Christianity. Please do not be ok with spoon-feeding God's mission and truth to your children and to the next generation. The young generation is entrusted to carry God's light, truth, mission and message to all ends of the earth for the sake of the completion of the Great Commission. Let us not spoon-feed them their obligations.

We are a VOICE OF A GENERATION that will carry the message of eternal salvation. We are obligated to know from the very beginning of our walk with God what the mission is and to pray for God to lead each one of us to our unique callings for His Kingdom cause! Our Lord is calling out to His army and patiently raising up His loyal servants who not only know the mission, but are willing to have the courage and strength to obey His call.

I pray that this young generation of believers, including myself will feed our children the truth, mission and purpose of God's redemptive plan from the beginning of their lives as ambassadors of Christ sent to be the living, breathing, walking proof of His love.

There is a tragedy in knowing that we stand on the foundation of one faith and serve one King, yet our knowledge, perspectives, and obedience to our faith can not find common ground and behavior.  We are limited by our human selves, yet we are forgiven and saved by His splendid grace.

Who wants to be needy?

I began to feel myself letting go of my grip..... How many times do I catch myself going less and less to my Bible and more to my own thoughts. How many times do I rely on my own strength and not seek His. How many times do I close my heart to His whisper and listen to the noise of the world. Yet, every time I cry out to Him, He answers because of His relentless faithfulness. Our need's may change, but our God remains the same. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you says my King. The less I go to my Bible and the less I rely on the Word of God, the more I rely on myself… my thoughts, my plans, my strength and my understandings.

Every Sunday at church while engaging in fellowship and singing in worship, I think how I wish I could bottle that feeling of indescribable Godly joy and carry it with me every moment.  I want the everlasting taste of the Kingdom of God, now and here! On Sundays, my joyful spirit is overflowing with gladness and praise for Him. I want to live it, BE it, walk it, thirst it, hunger it and fight for it. Then the week begins and I conform to the world. That momentary feeling of Godly exhilaration dwindles and I replace it with the many anxieties of my mere life.  Does Sunday church time become the once a week “gas station stop” where we go, fill up with song and sermon, fuel up and go home…..? And each passing day, we burn off the fuel until we need to fill up again on Sunday because we are running on empty. As children of God, we have a hungry and seeking Spirit within us that like all living things, MUST be fed and filled on a daily basis, crying out “Fill me up Lord!” The everlasting taste of the Kingdom of God is in fact here and now, living within us. It is the daily feeding and rejuvenating of the spirit that allows me to taste the joy of the Lord and His Kingdom everyday.

January 2013, I sat in my room in Kansas City and begged God to bring my heart back to Him. I was focused and disciplined in ministry work, but I needed focus and discipline to go to His Word. Of course, I knew that God never left me. Rather, I was "choosing" to look away.  I asked anyway, satisfying my urgency and neediness. He wants His children to be needy of Him. I am desperately needy of Him. When we are children, we rely on our mother to feed us, clothe us, teach us and protect us. When she has faithfully provided and we grow in the flesh, we then feel that we don’t need her anymore.  We are grownups now- self sufficient and self reliant! Like my pastor said today, "In America, we are taught to be self-sufficient." The world advocates that self-sufficiency is a measure of success! In our own independence, we become our own God! We become captives to ourselves, not realizing that by relying and being needy of God, we in essence gain freedom. Welcome to the new self help society...... welcome to misplaced truth. We give ownership to ourselves and not to our creator. We create our own misguided truths, rather than to see His one eternal truth. We are taught to create our own paths in life through self seeking plans, agenda's and motives. That is also true in our relationship with our heavenly father. I was a spiritual baby crying out to Him to feed me, shelter me, bless me, direct me and to protect me. He faithfully did so because I was needy of Him. Once I was filled up, feeling like a grownup, I began to rely more on myself, being less needy of Him. It is no longer about THE mission or HIS mission, but about MY mission. It is no longer about Him, but about me.

God took me to Isaiah 53 and reminded me of the tears I shed not for myself, but for His son two years ago with John 17. Once again, he ripped me to pieces and broke me in order to bring me back to him. Just like when we are injured or get sick, returning to childlike mindsets and seeking our mothers, we do the same when we are spiritually wounded and cry out for our heavenly father. His faithfulness is beyond measure and above understanding. He knows what is in Man. I am in an eternal state of awe of Him.  All He wants in return is for me to be needy of Him daily. The invitation to need Him is always open because He wants to remind us of His grace.  "Yet I am poor and needy, may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay” 

Local commitment – Global impact

J. Herbert Kane summarizes the geographic expansion of the early church in this way: “The Book of Acts opens with 120 timid disciples meeting secretly in an upper room in Jerusalem for fear of their enemies. A generation later, when the Book of Acts closes, the gospel had been preached as far west as Rome; and there was a thriving Christian church in almost every city of significance in the Eastern part of the empire.” The hope of expanding the message of the Kingdom of God during those crucial years of the Pentecost fell in the hands of brave men and women.

It is clear to see how the partnering of followers of Christ, no matter the cost, at that crucial time in history served to unleash the power of the gospel to vast geographic boundaries.  This was done because hope overtook fear, giving birth to an unrelentless mission for Christ.They met secretly and they used every means possible to continue communications for encouragement, support, and the advancement of the mission at hand. Bold and relentless indeed.

When I think about “timid disciples meeting secretly in an upper room in Jerusalem for fear of their enemies,” I contrast it to the reality of today where it takes relentless emails, checking of schedules and putting aside of ego’s, towards initiatives to bring local churches, people, agencies and outreaches together for a mere discussion.  I can already hear the great murmur that each local church, agency and or outreach initiatives have busy schedules and already full agenda's. I can hear the voice of realism saying, yes this all sounds great, but it is not realistic. No one said it would be easy, but by labelling such partnerships as unattainable, we in fact are also telling God, the true orchestrator of such partnerships, that His power is limited.

The hope of the Great Commission depends on unity and collaboration. It was not to be an independent pursuit. The growing partnership of churches and outreaches develop a universal character of Christ’s church that would be more clearly exhibited. No time ever in history has it been easier to do so than now through internet, technology, limitless resources and modes of communication. We become comfortable with our excuses. 

Let me place the focus of my thoughts and emotions on the main issue:  In the globalized and highly integrated world we live in today, how we carry out local outreach agenda's have long lasting and powerfully effective global implications. Let me now be even more specific with respect to what fuels my mission: How we reach and build bridges with Muslims in our local communities have long lasting and powerfully effective global implications. What we do here, matters there. What we do here, effects there.

Here is another truth that I declare confidently and boldly: We can not logically, responsibly, or honestly have a discussion about the completion of the Great Commission without a conversation about reaching the Muslim world.  Without this conversation, we run into the danger of spiritual disillusionment and denial about the task that God has entrusted us with. 

The paradigm I dream of contains the idea of joint actions by churches, agencies and people that, when linked together, increases the effectiveness of both local and global evangelical efforts. The key word to this paradigm is “we.” The question that various Muslim outreaches need to asks is “What is our role in obeying the Great Commission?” There becomes an emotionally unified and focused partnership and ownership in building bridges with Muslims in our local communities.  This model of partnership assumes an interdependent perspective. Here is the true obstacle to this oversimplified and hopeful vision: Us.  Yet, I continue to think back to the fearful disciples huddled together secretly in an upper room for fear of their enemies.

I praise God that I am in Kansas City. The spirit of God is truly magnified here! The spirit of unity by followers of Christ is brilliant! I am so proud of the global Muslim outreaches we initiate. However, we must also recognize and focus initiatives on local  Muslim outreaches to address the fast growing Muslim populations at our doorsteps.  Once again, we must work with the reality that local Muslim outreaches have global implications.  What deeply excites me is that God is doing most of the work for us! He is bringing the Muslim world here! He is bringing them to us as our neighbour's, business owners, co -workers and classmates. We can no longer allow and accept the fact that there are so many Muslims integrated into our local communities and networks, yet go on living here in America for years without a single friendship with an American! Forget a single friendship with a Christian, I am speaking of a friendship with just any American. What a tragedy indeed.

You may ask, how can building bridges of friendship and love with Muslims in the local level have global implications to Muslim evangelism? I would like to highlight two main points here.  We know that one of the greatest obstacles to bringing the gospel to a foreign culture is that the gospel message is introduced as a “foreign hope.” A foreign message. There exists a cultural separation in which the gospel message must pass over. When a Muslim person in America comes to know the Lord and accepts the invitation to God’s Kingdom, they in essence become that needed cultural bridge to take over the message of salvation to their culture.  The fantastic and powerful result is that the Muslim background believer is not only planted back into their home country, community and networks, but they also take the gospel message back with them.  The gospel MUST flow naturally, genuinely, and gradually within the natural networks and hearts of the Muslim community trying to be reached.  The gospel message is rooted from within, rather than imposed from the outside, penetrating deep into the fabric of that society; flowing naturally.

The second way that the local level outreach has global implications is that through the various Muslim networks and people that we build relations with here in our local American communities, we gain access to enter into the various networks, communities, homes and hearts in the global Muslim world. Our relationships with Muslims and Muslim outlets here in KC, allow us to be accepted without hostility and suspicion to various Muslim outlets around the world.  Through such networks built on relationships, we enter the Muslim world as friends and not imposters.

Revelations 7:9 is a gorgeous and breathtaking picture that resonates deep into my heart and mind and serves as my fuel for reaching Muslims.  When I dream about that image where the multitude of every tongue, nation, language and tribe look up at the throne of God in worship, declaring His glory, I regain focus on what my fight is  all about. I regain strength and perspective. I fight…. I believe that God wants all of His children to fight for the Muslim people that God loves, to be included in that crowd, in that multitude, giving all praise and glory to Him.  I will continue to fight to have our Muslim brothers and sisters there with us, in that crowd, worshipping and praising. Writer Robert E. Coleman said, evangelism is not an optional accessory to our Christian life, rather it is a matter of obligation as Christ’s ambassadors. I passionately believe that in that fold of obligation also sits firmly the obligation to reach the Muslim world.  This is my passion.

For this passion to come alive and be unleashed, I dream of the unity of local Muslim outreaches to unite in partnership for a truly global effort. Maybe I am naive. Maybe I am just a dreamer. But for now, it is what fuels me until God tells me otherwise. Once again, the thoughts of my mind and heart go back to, “120 timid disciples meeting secretly in an upper room in Jerusalem for fear of their enemies.”

 Only a small portion of the Christian world cannot carry the burden of 2.1 billion people. I do not propose that we all drop everything and become missionaries overseas in the Muslim world, nor do I advocate that we all become fully engaged within a local Muslim outreach. God did not give all of us that specific calling. However, what I do say is that we are all obligated as followers of Christ to share His love with Muslims that God has placed in our communities as neighbour's, business owners, co workers and classmates. When you reach out to your Muslim convenience store owner, that is your ministry and that is your commitment to this obligation and fight.

The result is that we each in a personal, individual and community level start to take on a very small portion of that 2.1 billion burden.

Mere random thoughts........

"He emptied Himself.... He humbled Himself..." Jesus showed the ultimate form of sacrifice and service. I ask myself with undeceiving honesty, do I truly humble myself through sacrifice and service?

 

"It is good for me, Lord, that Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy righteous judgements, and may cast away all haughtiness of heart and all presumption." - Thomas a Kempis

 

God has blessed me immensely by using His faithful children as instruments of blessing upon me. Since I come from a culture that stands proud for giving rather than receiving, accepting such blessings has not been easy. The force of my culture places pride in the way, drowning out the spirit's voice that this is a gift from God. This in turn leads me to feel a sense of shame rather than to give glory to God for His continued protection and faithfulness. However, I cling to the reminder that Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death for me. He threw away the powers of His status and independence. The Son of God asked a Samaritan woman for water. The King of Kings lived in other people's homes and on other people's money because He had none of His own.  Our God had to be lent a boat, borrowed a donkey, and even being buried in a borrowed tomb.  I stand ashamed in the face of God's great sacrifice and service when I allow myself to look at God's blessings with cultural pride. 
 

Like man, culture was rooted in creation as a beautiful reflection of God's mighty works. Yet, like man, culture is drowning in sin.  I am not interested in becoming nor reflecting the many layers of the Christian "culture." For these layers are man made, adding on to the core of who Jesus really is and what He asks us to be and do.  Am I living for the Christian culture or am I living for Christ? Am I seeking to please Man or God? Has God's mission become "our" self-seeking mission? As I tear away the layers of culture that have been placed on both Jesus and I, I am left bare in the garden with my God- left to ask a simple question - Am I obeying you Lord? The tragedy is that we often seek the knowledge of faith without the obedience of faith. What good is the knowledge of faith without obedience to act it out? A tragedy indeed.

 

Has the loudness of people and even my own voice drowned out God's instructions about what I am to do for His mission? Have I allowed people, my own self-seeking ambitions, this world and even Christianity to distort Jesus? I want to be naked in the presence of God - bare in truth and identity. How do I truly know I am walking in the will of God? His word, light and fragrance will lead me and draw me to HIM - not the mission, but to HIM because HE is the mission. I will know in my silent moments of deep honesty and prayer. I will know when I wrap myself with the word of God. I will know when I feel Godly peace and joy as I "live" out my faith.

 

Maybe I need to just shut up and stop asking so many questions. Yet, I feel that it is God who is challenging me with them - answering my prayer to truly know Him, His mission and how He wants to use me.  Books, Christians, Ministry leaders and even the church serve as resources for spiritual direction - true. However, I would rather have clarity from God Himself and His word - the true authority and the only truth.

 

 

Hello all!

I have not put up a new post for a while now!! Fortunately for good reasons. I have been busy with ministry work and travelling, but I look forward to getting back to my blog therapy. I have much to share with you and all the amazing things that our Lord has been doing in my life. His faithfulness surpasses my understanding. He is so good! I am hungry for more of Him!

My blog post will be up soon my friends!! Talk to you then!

I have had the amazing opportunity to begin my public speaking and teaching sessions. It thrills me to share my story and to speak about the topics that both ignite my heart and sits as a burden upon it. My passion is to articulate the urgency of the Gospel, and how this moment in history is one that see's the gospel message transforming people and places at an astonishing pace. Christianity is now truly a global faith, and with it comes great blessings and many obstacles. Satan's counterfeit kingdom is hard at work in the world because God's redemptive plan is in full force. Let's look at the state of the world not through the eyes of the world and flesh, but through God's eyes. By doing so, we see how the Great Commission is pulsing with energy. In the midst of chaos and violence, there is great hope. My prayer to you is to be active in your faith. It is not enough to merely follow Christ with words, but rather He commands us to OBEY Him through actions. We are not merely His followers, we are His disciples.

I would like to quote an email my ministry received: " Whenever God's Spirit works powerfully to roll back the darkness by extending the Kingdom, you can always count on the darkness pushing back...."

Blessings!

Speaking to Chinese pastors and missionaries from China being trained to reach out to Muslims as part of the Back to Jerusalem Movement. The spirit of God was magnified in that room. It thrilled me to see the Chinese ignited to reach out to Muslims.

Speaking to the kids in Nashville about growing up Muslim and how to reach out to their Muslim neighbors and friends.  It was so exicting to see such young kids wanting to learn how to rech out to their Muslim friends. These kids represent the hope of the Gospel in the next generation.

Oasis Conference 2012 Panel

 

Isaiah 66:18 HIS GLORY WILL BE REVEALED INDEED!