7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
If we are on that positive trajectory to which God has called us, if we are walking in obedience, sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we can be confident that He will use us to touch others. He will open doors through which we can share Christ's love. We are planters of seed, and we may not always see the result, i.e. reap the harvest, but we are called to do our part, to speak and act in a manner that is consistent with His character flowing through us.
The apostle Paul, in 1st Corinthians 3, outlines the way that God will use multiple people to minister to someone who needs to know Christ.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
Well, last year, one of the faux controversies of the holiday season was Starbucks' introduction of its simple red cup, devoid of any decor that would communicate special elements of the season. This year, simple is out and multiple designs have been introduced. Fortune reports:
There's a bit of commentary to be had there, and Schultz released two statements relative the election calling for people to treat one another better. But, for the purposes of this commentary, I want to concentrate not on the cups or what's in the cups, or what Starbucks represents, but what's in the coffee shop - the opportunity for interaction, shared experiences, and even ministry.
I don't know what coffee shop Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Brandon Kiesling was visiting on a missions trip to Australia last year, but he certainly made an impact on a man named Todd, according to a Baptist Press article. Seems that Brandon and Todd had engaged in a discussion about Christian theology, and Todd shared his misgivings. Kiesling had pleaded with Todd to turn his life over to Christ.
Fourteen months later, the two reconnected - Todd sent Brandon an e-mail. He wrote: "Well, there remains plenty I don't understand, but I believe I know enough that I feel compelled to be baptized next month." Todd has been attending a Baptist church in Brisbane, and attached a copy of the testimony that he would be sharing with the congregation during his baptism.
In his testimony, Todd shared how witnessing encounters with Christians, such as the one he had with Kiesling, ultimately led him to profess faith in Christ. The article says that he wrote: "Every so often, I'd encounter Christians -- while traveling, in the workplace, on the street, or even through mainstream media," he said. "In retrospect, they may have had quite varied theologies, but what held them together in my mind then was the central character of Jesus Christ."
This led Todd to think about spiritual matters, and he accepted invitations to attend church. As he did, God reached him through sermons and hymns to cut "straight through" to his heart. Gradually, the message of the Gospel became clear. He accepted Jesus as the Lord of his life.
Brandon Kiesling said: "Sometimes we may think our evangelistic efforts fail, but God could be up to something that we don't see at the time. Praise God for another soul entering the Kingdom!"
I think one of the principles that strikes me here is the concept of a divine appointment. We can be sensitive to the Spirit as He directs us into divinely inspired conversations. And, we can depend on Him to say just the right words that can produce His desired result.
Todd's story can also reinforce the notion that Christians who are living like Christians can be a powerful witness for Christ. His encounters with Christians were positive, and they showed him who Jesus is.
We also recognize that God is working in amazing ways to bring people to Christ. You may have the opportunity to share your own testimony, or just live your life in front of someone. But you may not think you are seeing the fruit. He's powerful, He is at work, and maybe another person will come along with just the right words or actions at the right time who can actually lead that person into a saving knowledge of Christ. Never underestimate what God is doing in a person's heart.
+++++
The apostle Paul, in 1st Corinthians 3, outlines the way that God will use multiple people to minister to someone who needs to know Christ.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
Well, last year, one of the faux controversies of the holiday season was Starbucks' introduction of its simple red cup, devoid of any decor that would communicate special elements of the season. This year, simple is out and multiple designs have been introduced. Fortune reports:
Featuring 13 more traditionally festive designs, the cups were created by 13 women from six countries, including the U.S, Indonesia, Dubai, Canada, Russia and South Korea. By choosing several motifs, the company has for the first time abandoned its 24-year-old one-cup campaign approach, Mashable reports.And, on top of that, earlier this month, the coffee chain introduced a festive green cup, described on the Starbucks website:
A single line connects the figures. A coffee farmer, a family, a barista, friends embracing. A mosaic of more than a hundred people drawn in one continuous stroke is featured on a new Starbucks green cup.Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz said: “The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers. During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other."
There's a bit of commentary to be had there, and Schultz released two statements relative the election calling for people to treat one another better. But, for the purposes of this commentary, I want to concentrate not on the cups or what's in the cups, or what Starbucks represents, but what's in the coffee shop - the opportunity for interaction, shared experiences, and even ministry.
I don't know what coffee shop Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Brandon Kiesling was visiting on a missions trip to Australia last year, but he certainly made an impact on a man named Todd, according to a Baptist Press article. Seems that Brandon and Todd had engaged in a discussion about Christian theology, and Todd shared his misgivings. Kiesling had pleaded with Todd to turn his life over to Christ.
Fourteen months later, the two reconnected - Todd sent Brandon an e-mail. He wrote: "Well, there remains plenty I don't understand, but I believe I know enough that I feel compelled to be baptized next month." Todd has been attending a Baptist church in Brisbane, and attached a copy of the testimony that he would be sharing with the congregation during his baptism.
In his testimony, Todd shared how witnessing encounters with Christians, such as the one he had with Kiesling, ultimately led him to profess faith in Christ. The article says that he wrote: "Every so often, I'd encounter Christians -- while traveling, in the workplace, on the street, or even through mainstream media," he said. "In retrospect, they may have had quite varied theologies, but what held them together in my mind then was the central character of Jesus Christ."
I think one of the principles that strikes me here is the concept of a divine appointment. We can be sensitive to the Spirit as He directs us into divinely inspired conversations. And, we can depend on Him to say just the right words that can produce His desired result.
Todd's story can also reinforce the notion that Christians who are living like Christians can be a powerful witness for Christ. His encounters with Christians were positive, and they showed him who Jesus is.
We also recognize that God is working in amazing ways to bring people to Christ. You may have the opportunity to share your own testimony, or just live your life in front of someone. But you may not think you are seeing the fruit. He's powerful, He is at work, and maybe another person will come along with just the right words or actions at the right time who can actually lead that person into a saving knowledge of Christ. Never underestimate what God is doing in a person's heart.
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