I Have a Job, But I Work for the Kingdom

I read, more and more often, posts on my social media sites lamenting the fact that some use the platforms as a forum to proclaim their belief in Christ as our Lord and King. The most vehement protests, some quite nasty, seem to be on the business network LinkedIn.

My LinkedIn profile summary, for my almost 1,000 connections to see, states very plainly:

“Every day, it seems, I am presented with new opportunities to use the gifts I have been given, however small they may be. Finding the blessings in my everyday work continue to amaze and challenge me, causing me to strive to be work even more for the glory of God.”

My job is to sell trailers; I do that for Vantage Trailers, Inc. My mission is to take the gospel of the good news of Christ wherever I can, and am afforded an opportunity. It should be quite obvious to any who know me, or have read my profiles, that my faith is first, and my business dealings are an extension of that faith.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus teaches, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

In this I have no choice as a child of God and one redeemed at the cross of Christ.

Yes, I post scripture. Most of my scripture posts are on Facebook, where I try to limit my comments and shares to those things that reflect my faith and may, even if slight, have some impact on someone. LinkedIn, being a business network site, is another story for me. I share my company news and work to get our name in front of as many as possible. That said, there are times when I will post something that I am led to put out there.

Now, having taken this long to get to my point, I must say this:

If you do not care for the posts that I share on social media, including LinkedIn, then do not connect, friend, or otherwise follow me personally. Should you dislike, or disagree with me, then let us have a civil discussion, not a fly-by, nasty drop of responses that you most likely would dare not utter in my presence. It is really that simple.

God has given me a desire to share His word and the gospel. I will use any means at my disposal to do so.

The bible teaches, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

Make no mistake, I appreciate all my friends, family, and social connections, and pray that each and every one will come to know what I have been given: Freedom, Love, Redemption, and Salvation. I will continue to share as God directs me without guilt or shame.

So, How am I to React as a Christian?

God's word has so much to offer. Just a verse happened upon can change one's entire outlook when received openly:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

Isaiah 61:1 ESV

Isaiah's prophetic words of Jesus to come, not mine. But, I am beginning to relate. A few days ago, a question was posed in our connect group after church:

As Christians, how are we to react to events and the world around us?

This verse reminds me that my old self has been replaced by a new person, empowered with the love of Christ, because of his suffering and death on the cross, so that I may be a vessel of that love. He has given me an abundance of that which I did not have on my own, forgiveness and love.

So, How am I to react as a Christian? In the world today, the one we are in, but not of, appears to be sliding, as if on a tilted plate, towards darkness. We wake daily to news of more terror, crime and mayhem; around the globe and in our own home towns. Troubling is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings as I peruse the news, but troubling it is.

In the past, anger and hatred, fear and despair would fill me as I look out at the world. Usually the issues related to my own suffering and guilt. Now, though, because Jesus has placed his Spirit in me, opening my heart to a new life, I attempt (as best I can) to view the experience of the world today through eyes and heart of both love and expectancy. No, not always, being as I am a man of flesh, but not as often as in my past.

See, Jesus changed me. He took a dark, lonely, angry man and created a new man; a man who can love when love seems out of place. He filled my life with a beautiful family and wonderful friends. Most important, though, he gave me LIFE. 

I am allowed to be angry. God does not want me to passively watch, being accepting of the evil that pervades this world. His word is enough for me. He takes my anger and turns it to something that is unnatural to me. I now approach the Lord and pray for him to turn my fears and anger to love, and I pray for the lost, even those that one would assume as too corrupted, too evil to be saved. We know for certain that God loves all, and wants, through the Son, Jesus Christ, all to have eternal life.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

Still, though, the question remains. I do not always react as I should as a child of the living God. Often I make these reactions public, harming those whom I would reach out to in a loving way. For that I am truly sorry, and pray I am never the one who would push away a soul from God because of my ugly actions or words. I can, though, keep working toward becoming the man that God intended me to be, even before I was created.

To wrap, I do not know the answer. I do, however know the One who does. I seek him and his will now.

I pray:

Father God,

Where my hate and anger would have driven me to say and do things in reaction to my circumstances that were, to be honest, evil and in opposition to Your will, I now have a grace and peace that is not of this world.

Yes, I can, and do, get angry at times. I pray that is with a righteous anger, and not a slippery anger that will lead me back to my old ways. Rather, an anger that opens my eyes and heart to the real and eternal salvation that Christ has offered; an anger that burns with a desire to forgive and search for an opportunity to show his love.

Your word says

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," Ephesians 4:26

While recent events in our world, combined with the political climate, are a breeding ground for anger, hatred and desire for retribution, I cling now to Your promise that you will avenge. My role is determined by the Spirit within me so graciously supplied through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us seek you who can do all things in and through us so that, even in our little space in the world, a light may shine and pierce this present darkness.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Praying for the Harvest

I just returned home from spending time in prayer leading up to this Sunday’s huge evangelical outreach here in Arlington as Harvest America brings the Gospel to, hopefully, over 100,000 people locally, and many more worldwide through a live stream. During my time with God, I was lead to several verses and given words to lift in prayer. It never ceases to amaze me how our Lord will put these things in my head to put to paper.

Father God, your Word is truth, and I am thankful for you giving it to us. Your glory and power are displayed throughout scripture, bringing into stark reality what we see in the world. As I read your Word, I pray you hear my prayers, bringing all who hear your message to your Kingdom, showing them the Life available through your Son, Jesus Christ.

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38 ESV)

Let us be fearful of you, Lord, but fearless of the world. Let us be cautious, but reckless as we go into the harvest. Carry us forward as we take your message to all who desperately need to hear it.

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

Lord, let us go forth, in Christ’s power, remembering we are Christ to those who do not know him. Make us strong and pure to be an example of the life freely given by Jesus at the cross.

“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16 ESV)

Let us be one body, in the Spirit, as Christ is one Shephard over one flock. Teach us to love unconditionally each person we encounter, showing how God loves everyone the same and wants all to come to Him.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)

God, I pray that you show us your way; give us words to present your gospel: that there is one way to Heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

Grant us strength to persevere, and power to take your Word and spread it wherever You would lead us, even to the ends of the earth.

“For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:11-15 ESV)

Remind us, oh God, place in our hearts the knowledge that we are all one in your eyes; no race, no classes, no border can separate us. Prepare us to go to the world and spread your Word. Without those to speak, who may hear your Good News? Are we not charged to be the hands and feet of Christ, showing love to all?

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20 ESV)

Open our hearts and minds; make clear that your power through the Holy Spirit lives in us and can lead us to do great things for your Kingdom.

“and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 6 ESV)

Show us that by sharing our faith, we become stronger, more resilient, and even closer to You.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” (Revelation 21:3-6 ESV)

Finally, knowing your truth, free us to reach deeper with you. Release the captives of this world to realize that you are coming to set up your kingdom and dwell among us, removing the stains of sin, evil and the stench of this present world; replacing with all that is holy; bringing forth the spring of the water of life to all who call on your name, the payment having been made on the cross of Christ.

I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.