I have really been learning a lot lately about the importance of meeting people's needs in ministry. I a lot of ways, I feel that this is more important to God than walking up to somebody and whacking 'em on the head with a Bible. Yea, we are commanded to go and tell, but who will listen to the message when they're homeless, hopeless, hungry, hurting, etc? [how'd ya like that 'h' thing?] God knows that helping people is better than preaching at them.

The gospel is not a sales pitch. Don't ever forget that. I know people who hate street evangelism (walking up to someone out of nowhere and telling 'em about Jesus) because of that. How do you feel when the Jehova's Witnesses knock on your door? Notice that the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-39) are about loving God and loving your neighbor, not about preaching or "selling God?"

Look at Jesus' example. He met people's needs before he preached at them. He healed the sick, encouraged the broken, fed the hungry. Then they knew he was real. They knew that his God wasn't fake.

Here are some bible passages that illustrate this ministry stuff:
Online Bible
James 2:15-17
Matthew 25:31-46
Mark 9:41
1 John 3:17
Matthew 22:36-39
--09:10

Hebrews 12:5,6
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

God's Discipline

Discipline is done to teach, instruct, and/or build up. It might be painful for a while, but in the end, you learn a lesson.

There is a difference between discipline and punishment. Punishment is when you pay the price for your actions. It is not intended to mold your personality/actions. God's discipline might hurt for a while, but it will always have a positive goal.

If you are not being disciplined by God, you are probably not one of His children (meaning a born-again christian, saved, repented, etc.) If you can go out and do whatever you want (ie, smoke crack, kick little kids, get trashed, steal) and not see any response from God about it, you need to be very afraid. When God saves a person, He changes the person. Don't think that He doesn't have the power to change your life. Once you have been born again, the Bible says that He will rock your world. If He hasn't, you need to go back and check the books, if you know what I mean.

Some quick notes:
1. God disciplines His children.
2. Discipline is for the good of the child.
3. The thing that might be happening, besides discipline and punishment, are the consequences of your actions
4. If you are not noticing discipline in your life, you need to check it out.

If you have any questions, please, please, email me at [email protected].
--10:05

Well if that don't beat all...
--22:37

You've probably heard the story of the Prodigal Son. It's about a rich man's son who takes his inheritance early and leaves home. Basically, he partys until it runs out of money and he ends up working with pigs for a living. After a long time, he swallows his pride and returns home, even though he knows that his dad is going to say, "I told you so." When he gets there, however, his dad hugs him, welcomes him back to the family, and throws a party for him.

I learned something new about this story yesterday. I always thought the word "prodigal" meant "lost," or "wayward," or something like that. It acually means "wasteful."

Hmmm.

Have you been wasteful with what God has given you? Have you really blown it? Like I said a few posts ago (1/17), in James, God says that if you are lacking wisdom, ask for it. God doesn't give us a hard time when we mess up or waste His gifts.

Go back home to God. He doesn't care about how you messed up in the past. He's not going to keep reminding you of your failures. He just wants you to be safe with Him.

Here are some verses for you to look up:
Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son Story)
Philippians 3:13,14
Isaiah 43:25

--10:24