Step Up to the Mic

Hiya!

Wow!!! I can’t believe it, but we only have till the end of June before we graduate! It really only seems like we've been here for a couple months and honestly, I don’t wanna leave! :D  I've grown to love these people and this country in a way that I never would have imagined. 

Every month we get a new prayer focus, here at New Life Church, which consists of one city that is local and one that is global.  For this month our global target city is in Norway and our local city is our very own Glasgow!  When I heard that in service a week ago my heart literally skipped a beat.  I don’t know what it is about this city, but praying for it always brings me to tears.  There is such a deep longing for the truth of God in this country and it’s nothing like I've ever felt before.  I can actually feel the cloud of darkness and deep roots of hopelessness because of a lack of understanding.  People have been steeped in religion for so long that they've become numb to the presence of God.  While walking down Buchanan Street in City Center and looking into the faces of each person, it just gives me more of a hunger to reach the lost in Glasgow.

Last Wednesday I had the privilege of preaching for service and I spoke on how we, as believers, need to “Step Up to the Mic.”  What I spoke on was how we have the greatest and sadly, the best kept secret in the entire world.  The joy, peace, rest, strength, and light of Jesus shouldn't be a secret that we keep to ourselves!  We should be letting our light shine through us on a daily basis to spread the everlasting love that Christ has for us.  Now sometimes we think that stepping up to a microphone is only something that people in ministry should do.  Leave that kind of stuff to the Pastors and Deacons of the Church, right?  Well actually we are all told to proclaim the gospel to the entire world!   Psalm 96:1-3 states, “1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.  2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” 

Yes, it can be scary sometimes to reach out to those you don’t know, but I Timothy 1:7 says God hasn't given us a spirit of fear.  We are able to do anything if we take on Christ’s spirit and pray for His boldness in any situation.  It doesn't take that much either!  A simple smile to someone that walks past you is enough.  Or answering the question, “How are you?” with, “Great! God is good to me!” will change the direction of the conversation.  God is already everywhere so why don’t we put Him into our daily chats with those around us? 

That is my challenge for you… somehow bring God into every conversation and situation that you have!  Don’t be fearful, but declare His love unto the nations!

P.S. – Praise Report!!!  We had one receive the Holy Ghost and was baptized two Sunday’s ago, a second last week, and two Sunday Schools received the Holy Ghost this week!!!  Praise God, we are in the midst of revival!  Thank you for your love, prayers, and support! 

The Lost Sole/Soul

Luke 15:3-6 KJV

³ And he spake this parable unto them, saying, ⁴ What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? ⁵ And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I had the privilege of speaking this past Wednesday service and I wanted to share my notes on my topic with you guys. I hope it ministers to you like it did me...

Definition of SOLE

1. the bottom or under surface of the foot.

2. the corresponding under part of a shoe, boot, or the like, or this part exclusive of the heel.

3. the bottom, under surface, or lower part of anything.

Sometimes we feel like a Sole and we are constantly trampled over.  Because of this, we will begin to constantly ask God, “Why me?!?!?” But, having this mindset is selfish and isn't centered on what Christ would want.  Having this mindset while going through little situations can sometimes get under our skin.  We will make a huge deal about of a tiny issue which can even delve into our salvation.  Losing our Soul over the trials or difficulties in our life just isn’t worth it!

Definition of SOUL

1. the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come:

2. the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.

3. a human being; person.

The word Soul is written in the King James Bible 498 times. Sole only 54.

The first time Soul is mention is in Genesis 2:7 - And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Then again in Matthew 22:37 - Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Acts 2:41 says - Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

·       God is longing after the Souls of His people. 

·       He will not leave or forsake them. Both Luke 19:10 & Matthew 18:11 say that the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.

·       Every person in this world is His child.

·       But, there are those who have never heard of Jesus Christ.  That there is a loving and merciful God who wants them.  Scotland

We are also warned against what can happen to a lost soul in Acts 3:23 - And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

We are called, as Christians, to be that prophet that will reach out to the lost.  The responsibility relies on us to be a witness and reach their souls.  ESV Genesis 42:21 - Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

We have been called!  We are able!  We can reach our world!  But, we have to have the fire of the Holy Spirit ignited in us to actually go out!  ESV Hebrews 10:39 - But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Are you going to keep the selfish mindset of, “I am just a Sole!” Or are you going to change your mindset to, “I must reach a Soul!”