Paula Wiseman

Faith and life meet in a story

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Here we get into the details about faith and life

Ministry Challenges

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Ministry Challenges title graphic with a maple seedling growing out of a rock

Jesus had some real challenges in His ministry. It’s tempting to think because He was God everything clicked along smoothly. Everything DID click along according to plan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it was smooth. In Mark 3, we see a picture of His ministry.

Ministry Snapshot

In verse 20, Jesus couldn’t even grab time to eat.
In verse 21, Jesus’s own people, His family, and friends questioned His sanity.
In verse 22, the religious leaders reasoned that Jesus had to be in league with Beelzebub.

What does that mean for us?

  • People will take advantage of our time and attention.
  • People will question everything about our ministry.
  • People will misattribute our motives.

If ministry wasn’t tough enough, what makes it more difficult is that these very same people . . .

  • May be part of the respected religious establishment (v. 22)
  • May believe they have your best interests at heart (v. 21)
  • May be well-meaning (v. 31)
  • May be your closest associates, perhaps even family (v. 32)

Facing challenges

When faced with opposition, we typically wonder if we are headed in the right decision. Taking the time to connect with God allows us to gain clarity on our ministry direction and receive confirmation.

Once we receive confirmation, it is important not to second-guess ourselves. It is natural to encounter obstacles. Don’t be discouraged.

A final caution

The flip side is a warning to be careful questioning or criticizing another’s ministry. We can’t presume to know how God is directing someone else. Plus, the challenges (or lack thereof) they face may not have anything to do with whether or not they’re on the right track.

Yes, ministry on any level, in any capacity can be challenging, but nothing else compares to it. In John 16, Jesus gave His take on it:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16

He chose us and appointed that we go bear fruit. How could we refuse?

Fighting Fear

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Fighting fear title graphic featuring a boxer, focus on his gloves

Last week we looked at our mission. The Enemy has plenty of weapons to hinder us, including anger, pride, and self-absorption. Perhaps the most effective weapon, though, is fear. If we are going to be effective, fighting fear is going to be a key skill.

What is fear?

We don’t usually think of it this way, but fear is the absence of trust. When we don’t trust the quality of our studying, we are afraid to take a chemistry test. When we don’t trust physics and Boeing, we don’t get on airplanes. When we don’t trust people, we are afraid to invest ourselves in friendships and relationships. When we don’t trust God… nothing else works.

How to fight fear

God, in His grace, knows that fear is a major issue, so He talks about it a lot in the Bible. There are hundreds of references dealing with fear, worry, and anxiety — all different heads of the same monster. Here are a few to implement:

(2 Tim 1:7 – KJV) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear NEVER comes from God. He gives us a spirit of power (yes I can do what He gives me to do) a spirit of love (loving others is the key to carrying out the mission) and a sound mind (thinking clearly and truthfully about ourselves and our situation.)

(Psalm 118:6) The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

That’s IS. Present tense. Right now. Count on it. Not “I hope He’s with me”, or “He might be if…” If I get the IS part, the ” I will not be afraid” part is a piece of cake. And that’s GOD with me. What can a man do to frustrate the purposes of Almighty God? Nothing… (Why don’t I remember that?)

(1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

GOD IS PERFECT LOVE. He defines it. He loves me perfectly and so seeks only my best interest. Granted His definition of ‘my best interest’ and mine often clash, but that’s my lack of trust popping up again. His perfect love carries an eternal perspective that I can’t always see or wrap my mind around.

God called us to go forth and conquer, not stay home and whimper. Fight that fear!

Our Mission

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Our Mission title graphic with file folders

“Your mission, if you choose to accept it . . .”

Most of us don’t consider ourselves special or notable. Changing diapers, doing laundry, or paying the bills are certainly not our typical idea of significant work. We are faces in the crowd, numbers on a list. One of Satan’s great weapons is getting us to forget who we are, to embrace this idea that we are nothing and nobody, incapable of doing much or leaving much of a mark.

The truth is, at the moment of salvation, Christ blessed us with “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) including eternal life! He also gives us the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our familiarity with the fruits may cause us to dismiss them. The fact is, all of these ‘powers’ are supernatural in origin and exercise! They are the proof of the presence and actions of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

God called us as His own and He equipped and empowered us for a Kingdom work, a mission.

So what’s our mission?

Jesus spells it out at least four times in the New Testament.

(Matthew 28:18-20) 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.”

(Mark 16:15-16) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

(John 21:15-17) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

This commission embodies the essence of Christianity, calling us to share the love and message of Christ with others. The charge to Peter to “feed my sheep” underscores our ongoing duty to care for each other.

(Acts 1:8) 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.”

A witness is someone who tells what he knows. We don’t need lots of experience or training to tell what we know.

  • How did Jesus change my life?
  • Why He matters to me?
  • How are my daily activities different because of Jesus?
  • How is my outlook affected?
  • What difference does He make?

Our great responsibility

(Ezek 33:8) When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

The character of God hasn’t changed. If He held an Old Testament prophet responsible for not doing His job, we can expect He’s going to hold us accountable as well. But it’s extremely important to understand, our responsibility is limited to the “speaking out” part. We ARE NOT held accountable for someone’s rejection of the warning.

We have a tremendous responsibility and privilege to fulfill this mission. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish it. We can rely on God’s guidance, strength, and grace as we spread His love, share His truth, and make a positive impact in the world around us.

Let’s embrace this mission wholeheartedly.

How to Glory

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how to glory title graphic

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Who doesn’t like to be recognized for hard work, a job well done, and the dedication they put into their tasks? Individuals naturally appreciate the acknowledgement and encouragement they receive. However, it is crucial to maintain a balance and not let recognition lead to excessive pride or egotism. So, here’s the question: how can we manage this desire for affirmation, attention, and encouragement while also cultivating humble submission to God?

1. Recognize true glory.

The verses in Jeremiah outline what we should get excited about– our great God who demonstrates His lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. I know the Lord, and He reveals Himself to me, wants to be known. Moreover, His unfailing love and abundant mercy accompany His acts of justice. With awe and reverence, we can embrace the profound revelation that God desires to establish a personal relationship with each and every one of us. Through His grace and infinite wisdom, He continuously reaches out to us, seeking to reveal His truth and power. It is with utmost joy and gratitude that we can acknowledge and proclaim the majesty of our Lord, who willingly discloses Himself to those who long to know Him.

2. Examine our motives.

Why are we doing what we’re doing? Are we just trying to show off our brains and skills? Or are we chasing after money and fame? Maybe it’s about seeking recognition? Our true motivation should come from something greater than that. We should be driven by God’s word, inviting others to know and experience the life-changing power it possesses. When that becomes our mission, we realize that our ultimate satisfaction lies not in applause or attagirls (or Amazon rankings, *ahem*) but in being unconditionally loved by God.

3. Follow God’s example.

The verses in Jeremiah emphasize the qualities that God embodies: lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. Let’s leave judgment to God. However, we can focus on displaying love, kindness, and compassion toward others. Concentrating on what we can GIVE rather than what we must GET from others is the necessary perspective shift that will help squash our need for affirmation.

Understanding and knowing God is an ever-unfolding, transformative journey. Don’t miss out on it while chasing self-esteem, likes, or affirmation — the temporal. Take God’s advice. Glory in the fact that you have a relationship with the Creator King of the Universe!

PS - If you DON'T have a relationship with God, reply to this post. I'd love to explain how you can.

The Christian Life in Two Verses

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The Christian Life in Two Verses title graphic featuring a soft focus open Bible and cup of coffee

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

Sometimes we make things more complicated than they have to be. However, simple doesn’t always mean easy. Take the Christian life, for example. Paul spent a good portion of his ministry instructing and encouraging believers in the hows and whys of new life. In the letter to Colossians, he gave a two-verse summary that is worth a closer look.

Why does it matter?

Paul builds on what he has written previously with “as you therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord.” In this case, the ‘as’ is used like ‘since.’ So, since you have received Christ Jesus the Lord. Not His doctrine. Not a membership in His church. You have received Him, the anointed sovereign of the universe living in you. This was not a decision entered into lightly. (Hopefully.) The implications are staggering. But because of that decision, everything going forward must be different.

The Christian life is active.

Walk in Him. It is a way of life, a manner of living. Receiving Jesus is not an intellectual exercise or an emotional experience primarily, although emotions and intellect are involved. In fact, we’ll talk about intellect later in this post. But Christ saved us to do things, to do His kingdom work. We do that each day, patterning our lives after His. We maintain close communion with the Father. We tell people about the hope in the gospel. We serve others. We show compassion and mercy. We treat people with dignity.

It is as much unseen as seen.

We usually don’t see a tree’s roots. But there is often as much below ground anchoring and nourishing the tree, as there are leaves and branches above ground,. A good deal of our Christian life, especially the growing, happens behind the scenes. This means our growth is going to happen in private moments, in quiet times, when we are alone with God, studying, praying, listening, and learning. If we don’t invest effort here, we will not be sufficiently anchored or nourished.

It’s a process.

In the Greek, built up is a continuous action. The Christian life is an immediate reality as soon as we believe, but it is also a process. We are built up in Him day by day, step by step, experience by experience. Since it’s a process, it requires time and patience. But the end result is that we are established in the faith. Solid. Mature. Unshakable.

It involves intellect.

God didn’t save us to be robots, marked by mindless obedience. He reveals His precepts, His character, and His purposes. That revelation engages our minds. We think about what He’s told us. We consider the implications. We meditate on that truth.

The Christian life requires the right attitude.

Thanksgiving. Not pride. Not with an agenda to advance. Not with entitlement. With thanksgiving.

There you go. Two verses. No rules or rituals, but an authentic life that transforms us as it points others the Christ. You just have to live it out.

The Mission

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The Mission title graphic with a world map projecting from a young woman's Bible

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

I read a survey recently that found over half of American workers are unhappy with their jobs. Not just low-wage jobs either. Almost 60% of workers earning in the $50,000 to $75,000 range were unhappy. The reasons for this are pure speculation at this point. Some suggest that economic pressures compel people to stay in a job they don’t like for fear of not finding another one. However, one analyst believes that the root of dissatisfaction is when workers feel disconnected from their mission.

I suspect it’s not much different in our Christian life. We are part of a vibrant body of believers, lavishly blessed by Almighty God, and yet, in our quietest moments, I’d conjecture many of us, maybe most of us, feel a level of dissatisfaction, and I wonder if it’s not because we’ve become disconnected from our mission.

Jesus stated our mission succinctly in Matthew 28:18-20. It boils down to two things – evangelism and discipleship. We bring people to Jesus and we help them learn and grow. You may have already guessed, a satisfying mission is not the same thing as an easy one. In fact, evangelism and discipleship are anything but easy. They require investing in the lives of others. They call for energy and prayerfulness. They require grace and perseverance.

Relationships

I understand the hesitation. I really do. I am a 100% introvert (Seriously. I took a test. 100%) and the thoughts of knocking on doors or striking up conversations with strangers are honestly terrifying. But asking people about their lives and letting them talk isn’t so bad. You learn their needs, their hopes, and fears. You learn how to serve with love and compassion. Building relationships with people is the first step to know how to pray for them.

Prayer

Praying for people, specifically, softens our hearts toward them. It deepens our compassion and we see more of God’s heart for them. It makes us more attuned to the areas where God is already at work as well. Prayer reminds us not go in our own strength or brilliance or persuasiveness, but to follow God’s lead. And be aware, that in many cases, one quick prayer isn’t enough.

Patience

If you remember, Jesus talked about how spreading the gospel was like planting a crop. You over-plant to make sure something comes up. There are long periods of time when it looks like nothing is happening. You can do a lot of work, but the results are largely out of your hands. But Paul reminds us that the only surefire way not to see results is to give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Granted, evangelism and discipleship take on many different forms and are accomplished through a host of methods, but when we lose sight of them, we falter and flounder as the body of Christ and as individual believers. Seeing people discover the overwhelming love of God in Jesus Christ, and then continue to be blown away by that reality, is the most satisfying, amazing experience apart from our own salvation. But if it is no longer our focus, our passion, our very reason for being, it is time for some re-evaluation. It is time to re-embrace our mission.

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