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Complete the Great Commission

2010-01-10T21:51:23-05:00

Jesus left His followers with one primary job - take His Good News to every person on earth. No small task! The "Great Commission" challenges us to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to live according to the commands of Christ.

Throughout my time as a Christian, I have heard much of the need for the gospel to be proclaimed in "unreached" parts of the world - those areas that have little or no Christian presence. As an American, I'm so used to seeing churches and Christian traditions - it is easy to forget that most of the world's population doesn't have access to these things, or at least, not in the way that I do.

Upon returning from a recent trip to India to check out an orphan ministry my church is involved in, and to see a village that we have "adopted' to help with development and poverty, I saw firsthand the need to finish the "Great Commission" and extend the blessings of the gospel to every family on earth.

Along with some friends, I've started Complete the Commission, and effort to start Christian churches in areas of great need throughout India. If you are a Christian and interested in playing a strategic role in sharing Jesus' love and truth worldwide, check out the strategy and pray about getting involved.

Is Your Faith Boring?

2009-10-08T22:20:57-04:00

If your faith is boring, you aren't practicing the type of faith Jesus taught. In fact, you may have settled for a sorry substitute to the real thing - a "normal" life without risk, and without consequence. In this audio, I explore ways you can forge into faith "frontiers," pushing the limits of what you thought was possible, discovering the real mission and meaning God has for your life. Listen in:

Faith Frontier Message

Let me know what you think, and what "faith frontiers" you may have crossed in your life.

Dream the Impossible Dream

2009-10-08T21:55:58-04:00

“God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible,” said William Booth, man of faith and founder of one of the largest help organizations in the world.

Booth lived his life with an eternal, “impossible” dream -- to help needy men and women find practical and spiritual help -- and his dream came true in the form of the Salvation Army.

Today, millions of people across the world have been blessed in some way by this organization, and it all began because one man saw an opportunity that others didn’t. One man took action when others only talked. One man made sacrifices that others weren’t willing to make.

Every great movement has been sparked in the imagination of a faith-filled individual: every organization, every church, and every mission the far corners of the world. At the root of all good things is someone with a dream to accomplish something big.

Known or unknown, famous or obscure: someone prayed that God would use them to do something that had never been done. People chided them to stay at home and to stay calm. People said it couldn't be done—a noble cause, but impractical at best.

Yet time and again, the impossible has become reality. Nations are changed, miracles happen, and lives are transformed. Today floating hospitals pull into the ports of poor countries to provide free medical care (mercyships.org), Bibles are being printed and smuggled to oppressed corners of the world without freedom (opendoorsusa.com), and help is being offered in the name of God to the people who need it most (worldhelp.net). Thousands of needy kids in India are being shown love and care (iglworld.org), and the Bible is being translated for cultures that have never had a copy in their own language (wycliffe.org).

Whether it is the blind being given sight (cbmi.org) or the heart of a hardened criminal embracing the love of God (prisonfellowship.org); whether it is reaching the inner cities (sunshinegospel.org) or going to the outer jungles (ntm.org), God is waiting for those who have the faith and courage to attempt what humanity calls “impossible.”

My parents have taught me more about impossible dreams than anyone else. Dad worked at a printing company and Mom was a teacher. Neither had Bible training, and both became Christians later in life. But they both had faith. They were both willing to try things that seemed impossible. Today, they run an extensive jail ministry and manage a halfway house for incarcerated women transitioning back into society.

Where will the money come from? Aren’t you too old to start another project like this? How will it function? What about everything that could go wrong? Who will dedicate the time and resources to keep it going?

Jesus answered best: “With God all things are possible.”

How about you? Do you have a dream to serve others?

It might not be for a worldwide organization, but, then again, why not? Do you have a vision of how you can begin using your gifts, talents, and resources to make a difference in people's lives? The dream doesn’t have to be original. You can jump on board with something you believe in and help make it happen. Whether it’s your own idea or not isn’t the point.

In the Bible, the apostle Paul was no stranger to impossible dreams. Here’s his perspective: “All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20, NLT)

Today is the day to step forward in faith. Today is the day to begin fulfilling your mission in life.

Impossible, you say? Absolutely.

Eternal Investing 101

2009-09-29T00:36:05-04:00

You might see a 15% increase in your portfolio, if you’re good. You might hold land that appreciates at 10% annually. Your business might be booming; outperforming competitors, adding staff, and increasing in value. Everything you touch might be turning to gold. You might drive the cars you’ve always dreamed of and own the home your neighbors envy.

Great.

Now, wouldn’t it make sense to put some of that wealth-building skill to work for the future? I mean beyond retirement?

According to Jesus, people who have the right priorities are able to accumulate treasure in heaven; the ultimate in secure, appreciating investments (Matthew 6:19-21). Your Eternal Retirement Account (ERA), won’t need to last you for just 25 years, it’ll be relevant for 25,000. And beyond.

Planning your eternal investments may be the longest-range thinking you’ve ever done, and just like earthly investing, a little strategy and discipline today could yield massive returns tomorrow.

How can I invest in eternity?

1. Consider your priorities. As Jesus was teaching people not to worry so much about earthly things, he made this statement: “Seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all the earthly things will be added to you as well.” In other words, Jesus encouraged his followers to make God their first investment priority.

2. Determine your risk-tolerance (faith). The more faith you have to try new things and take big risks, the more impact you could have for the kingdom of God. Living a comfortable life and occasionally contributing to charity is more or less is like stashing cash in a mattress at home. Is it saving? Sure. But is it going to yield world-changing returns? No way. If you want to make a difference, step out in faith and do things that other people aren’t willing to do. Get creative, get adventurous, and put your trust in God.

3. Contribute on a regular schedule. Many great investment strategies involve regular contributions and rebalancing. Don’t just count on your estate plan or church donations to beef up your ERA. Use your investing savvy to answer questions like these: What could I do on a daily basis to show love for God and love for other people? What activities could I get involved in weekly and monthly to serve others and promote the gospel? What could I do annually that would take faith, risk, and could change people’s lives?

4. Ask God to set your targets. Good investors know what they need, and they know what it will take to get there. Eternal investment is a higher challenge: it involves letting God set your targets for you. Begin praying and asking God to show you how he wants you to use the rest of your life. What is his dream for you and your family? Beware, however, that God isn’t into index funds (just doing what everyone else is doing). God loves those aggressive growth holdings, particularly international opportunities. He thinks outside of the box we call “Possible.” Let God set your targets, and you’ll be in for the most exciting, fulfilling ride of your life.

What will the “returns” look like? In what form will I receive my ERA distributions? I can’t say for sure, but I can guarantee you one thing: they’ll be far more impressive than anything this world can offer you. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9, NIV).

Dan originally wrote this article for publication in the MI Sun Times.

Feeling Secure

2009-09-24T21:41:40-04:00

Peace depends entirely on security, doesn’t it?

I can be at total rest in my bed and night, without a care in the world. But when I think I hear something on the other side of the house – peace is the last thing on my mind. Until I bravely walk out into the darkness of the family room to check on things (to verify that things are secure), I likely won’t get a wink of shut-eye.

People do all sorts of things to maintain a sense of security: I even know of a woman who used to sleep with a baseball bat in case of intruders!

The frustrating thing about life on earth is that despite our attempts at feeling safe, nothing really is. Even if it’s encrypted, locked, hidden and password-protected, it’s still at risk. At best, enough safeguards and money might give me a “feeling” of security, but never a guarantee.

Alarms can be disabled, systems can be hacked, money can disappear, the weather can get ugly, protections can fail – I could spend the rest of my life worried and afraid of what might happen. Or, I can turn to the one Person that offers complete personal and eternal security.

Consider the words of Jesus: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29, NIV).

That’s an interesting metaphor: sheep. Sheep are probably some of the dumbest animals God ever had the pleasure of creating; they’ll wander off from the flock without realizing their grave danger. The shepherd, then, is charged with their protection and provision. The sheep go on with their activities day-to-day, having no idea of what their shepherd does to protect them.

Sometimes we humans are the same way. We wander into situations that are highly dangerous, and sometimes, we may not even realize when our Good Shepherd rescues us. But that’s the beauty of following Him. The Bible speaks of a “peace that is beyond understanding” available to those who trust in God. It’s the peace of knowing that even if the worst should happen, I still can count on Him to fulfill His promises to me. It’s the security of knowing that even when this life is over, I can spend eternity with God in heaven.

If you live a life of worry and stress, the promises of God may be the only lasting remedy. He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He says, “No one can snatch you out of my hand.” He says, “I can even work out the bad things in life for your ultimate good.”

Real peace comes when you have the most power on your side, “peace through strength.” Think of it: the Creator of the universe is promising to keep you securely in His hand, as long as you hear His voice and follow Him. Could you ask for more security than that?

I wish there were some sort of promise that we’ll never experience pain or loss. But God never promises that. What He does guarantee is that He’ll walk with us throughout life, no matter how difficult it gets.

God is with us. God knows what we’re going through. God cares more for us than we can imagine.

In the words of the apostle Paul: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Heaven’s Entrance Exam

2009-09-11T23:11:50-04:00

Contrary to popular opinion, heaven isn’t reserved for the morally upright, the good citizens, or those who are genuinely sincere. Heaven isn’t guaranteed for “good” people any more than it is barricaded to “bad” people.

In fact, getting into heaven takes a lot more than most of expect. Here are a few items on the after-death entrance exam:

“Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart …” (Psalm 15:1-2, NIV).

I do speak the truth from my heart, well, most of the time. As long as I’m comparing myself to other people, I might come up looking reasonably righteous. But if I’m comparing myself to God’s perfect standard?

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20).

The Pharisees were a group of especially-devout religious people, known for their strict adherence to the laws of God. And Jesus is saying I’m going to have to do better than that? Better than the holiest of monks? Better than the most devoted of saints? Ouch.

This test is a little harder than I thought. Glancing down a few items, I notice the exam gets more specific.

Do not commit adultery.*

O.K., I haven’t broken that one. But what in the world is the “*” for? Some sort of loophole? Oh, here it is. “*Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt. 5:28).

Oh my. That’s another strike I suppose. Rather than try for an A+, I think I’m going to have to settle for a passing grade. As long as I do better on the rest of the test, I should be alright.

On down the line through commandments and attitudes, I begin to see a startling truth. I’m going to fail. It’s impossible to pass this test.

The exam’s final line is less of a question and more of a statement.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.* (Rom. 3:23).

Not another “*”. Do I dare look? “*Whoever keeps the whole law and yet offends at one point, he is guilty of breaking all of it.” (James 2:10).

I wish I hadn’t have looked. I really do fall short.

God, what am I going to do? I can’t possibly meet your standard! I’ve already blown it! I need mercy!

“It’s available to those who ask.”

What? Really?

“God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:21, NLT).

Even after all the wrongs I’ve done, God can make me “right?” Is that what it means when it says Jesus died for my sins?

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Rom. 3:22)

So, I can’t pass the exam on my own, but if I have faith in Jesus, I actually receive righteousness? I don’t have to earn it somehow?”

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Eph. 2:8).

I encounter many people who are trusting in their “efforts” to get them to heaven, who believe their good deeds can outweigh their bad ones, or who believe that God will let them in because of their religious sincerity. Unfortunately, those items don’t count for anything on God’s exam. He’s looking for perfect righteousness.

And the only way to gain that is to ask for mercy through Jesus - to believe in him and begin following him. If you’d like to learn more, read John 3 in your Bible.

Jesus is the only one good enough to pass God’s test. So why not let him take it for you?

Are You Falling into a Trap?

2009-06-10T12:13:23-04:00

>> As many of you are aware, I help lead a church in Ohio. The economic downturn has impacted our church financial picture, and I sent this note out to our congregation. I thought that it might encourage you as well - particularly if you are in a church facing similiar challenges or in a personal financial struggle. Feel free to comment at the end of the post to cheer or disagree.

Dear Friend,

I think there is a dangerous trap our church needs to avoid.

When times get tight, it is easy to lose sight of the future.

It's easy to get caught up in the troubles of "right now" and miss the mission of our lives. That's why I'd like you to imagine with me for a moment - that there is no economic downturn, no budget shortfall, no out-of-control government, no sinking portfolios, no threats to peace or prosperity.

In that perfect world, what would our mission be?

I suppose we might have more resources to work with, maybe a little more confidence - but outside of that, really - the call of God upon each of us would be exactly, preciselythe same. In plenty or in want, the Great Commission would stand as the primary objective for every believer.

Don't miss it. Don't sacrifice your mission because you're worried about a dollar or two (or a thousand, million, trillion - what's the difference anymore?). Don't forfeit the next few years of your Christian purpose because you're playing a waiting game.

Take the other side: imagine that things go from bad to worse. Dictators around the world get nukes and use them. The U.S. economy collapses. Dollars lose their value. Taxes strangle us. Debt weighs us down. Fundamental liberties erode. Every "bad news" warning comes true.

At that time, what would our Christian mission be?

It'd be exactly, precisely the same.

Maybe the methods of accomplishing it would change, but guess what - the Great Commission would still stand as the primary objective for every believer. You would still have to share the life-changing truth of the Bible. All of us would.

I'm afraid that for fear of bad news, or because of day-to-day dollars and cents issues, we lose sight of why we are here.

I'm afraid that our prayer for survival could overshadow our prayer for revival.

Can the Great Commission vision be put on hold until finances turn around? Can the purpose of our lives wait a few months until we see the next income summary?

The church leadership team is reacting as best as we know how to properly steward God's resources, by cutting our budget and rethinking our priorities. But we must keep our hearts on the mission. Somehow in the book of Acts they turned the world upside down, and I have a feeling they were in worse "financial shape" than us.

The mission transcends the money. Money is a helpful tool, but it's not the only one we have.

Maybe we rely too much on money anyway, assuming we can just give a few dollars to fulfill the Great Commission. Maybe we've grown comfortable treating it as a hands-off investment. And now, without so many dollars to give, maybe we will start accomplishing the mission personally (which is more effective anyway, right?).

Pray about this quote, from a woman who made a dramatic difference in millions of children's lives, and whose ministry, Gospel Light Publications, still continues today (a ministry she started during the Great Depression in 1933):

"There is no magic in small plans. When I consider my ministry, I think of the world. Anything less than that would not be worthy of Christ, nor of His will for my life." -Henrietta C. Mears

I hope our plans aren't small. I hope we're still thinking of the world. I hope, and I pray, that whatever good or bad news headline our lives tomorrow, we stay on task. In eternity, that's all that will matter.

Fireproof Your Marriage

2009-02-05T11:14:05-05:00

Fireproof sports tears and laughter, action and romance. A little something for everyone, I guess. And if your marriage could use a little romantic boost - or perhaps a big one - this movie is worth the investment. Your whole family will laugh, cry, and enjoy the action - and at the end of the film, they'll have a new appreciation for what it means to be a family, to be in love, and to be committed.

Unlike the average Hollywood movie, I don't come away wishing a spider bite would grant me superpowers or a fluke alien visitation would soon have me saving the universe – instead I find myself ready to hold my wife’s hand, show a little more love to my kids, and thank God for the wonderful blessings I have.

Check out Fireproof here.

Also, in the movie, a "Love Dare" is mentioned that transforms the relationship of the characters. You can take the challenge personally by accepting the Love Dare yourself.

The End is Near. Maybe.

2008-11-27T02:43:22-05:00

I’m not one of those doomsday prophets who predict worldwide collapse whenever a terrorist fires a homemade rocket at Israel. Some church-goers think that way; perhaps it’s from their interpretation of prophecy, or from over-exposure to The Left Behind Series, or whatever.

Could the current (and ongoing, for, let’s see, my whole lifetime, at least) conflict between Israel and the people surrounding her escalate into a larger war? Sure. Could that all be tied to end times Bible prophecy? Sure.

But instead of watching the news in fear of handsome new public figures who propose 7-year Mideast
peace deals (the supposed nod from upstairs that the “end is nigh”), perhaps we could direct our attention to things we can control, to things we are responsible for.

What did Jesus leave us on earth to do?

If the answer is self-preservation, then sure, stare at cable news all day and make sure your shelter is stocked and your gold supply is protected. Set a newspaper next to your Bible, open to Revelation, and look for parallels. Gather your friends to discuss which E.U. leader has the most potential to transform into the “Beast.” (If you come up with anything new, publish quickly. There’s a huge market for this stuff.)

Jesus’ call to his followers has a lot more to do with self-denial than self-survival. The disciples didn’t hunker down to wait out periods of persecution, emerging from their catacombs only to gather supplies. They got out in the streets and proclaimed the truth of Jesus to all who would listen, and many paid the ultimate price for their boldness. They took the end times seriously; since they knew this world wasn’t going to last forever, they didn’t put all their stock in it.

Perhaps we could learn a lesson from them.

I take the book of Revelation seriously. Like anyone else, I’m curious as to when and how it will all end. I’m not blind either – I see the parallels between today’s society and the “last days” described by Jesus (then again, people have seen those parallels in every era of church history, but I digress). I know we’re closer to the end than we were yesterday.

But that doesn’t make me fearful. That was the point of him telling us ahead of time. We’re not supposed to be afraid; we’re supposed to be emboldened. We’re supposed to share his love with even more intensity and courage. That is why we are here.

Don’t be preoccupied with the end times. They’ll come sure enough, right on schedule, at the end. As the Bible says in 2 Peter 3, “Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living! You should look forward to that day and hurry it along . . . we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God. And remember, the Lord is waiting so that people have time to be saved. “(NLT)

Notice that he’s not waiting for Israel, for terrorists, for temple construction, or for peace deals. He’s waiting to give people a chance for salvation, and he’s given us the task of announcing that.

Is it possible that you and I have more to do with the timing of the end times than do the terrorists, Israelis, and world leaders? Re-read the above Bible quotation, and decide for yourself.

One Term You Ought to Know

2008-11-27T02:04:03-05:00

Have you ever been in conversation with an “industry expert” who utters words, abbreviations, and phrases you’ve never heard? I remember when I first began to research investments: P/E ratio? Beta? Volatility? Selling short? ROE? It was almost enough to make me hang it up.

But I stuck with it, and while I’m no financial expert, I'm basically up to speed on the smart-sounding lingo.

Sometimes I think churches create a similar barrier; a language barrier between the religious and the not-so-religious.

Pick up a piece of Christian literature and you’ll find concepts like: saved, seeker, second coming, Greek texts, gospel, glorify, iniquity, the tribulation period and a host of other Christian-only jargon. I wouldn’t be surprised if some first-time churchgoers felt like I did learning about the financial world: this must not be for me!

But if you give it some time and attention, you can overcome the barrier. In fact, it won’t be long before you start to understand that such words are among the most important you could ever understand.

One key word that many people don’t grasp (in fact, most Christians don’t even define it correctly on their first try) is the word “repentance.” To “repent” simply means to “turn around.” It means that I recognize my need to change, I do a “180,” and I start walking in the other direction. In the Bible, this word is applied to the wrong choices people make, the sins they commit. God commands that we “repent” from sin and turn toward Him.

I like how Billy Graham defines the word. He breaks repentance down into three parts: the knowledge of sin, the emotional sorrow for it, and a decision for forsake the sin in order to obey God. He also cites a misunderstanding of repentance as the reason many religious people are hypocrites. “They may talk the language of the Christian and many of them can quote a fair amount of Scripture, but they have never really experienced true repentance…There is not one verse of Scripture that indicates you can be a Christian and live any kind of a life you want to.”

So, I suppose for all those who say they won’t attend church because of “the hypocrites who are there”, well, strike that excuse. Hypocrites are people who haven’t repented, and, therefore, are probably not real Christians. And if that is the case, I suppose church is exactly where they need to be!

Repentance is both a one-time decision and an every day choice. The first time we decide to follow God’s plan instead of our own; when we first decide to start obeying God, that’s when we “repent.” But as we go through life, inevitably we will learn more about what God wants from us and have to continue in our “repentance” (turning away from things we discover to be wrong, embracing things we discover to be right).

The Bible doesn’t present repentance as an “option” (as if we can just do it when we feel ready), but instead speaks of it as a command. “Now God commands all people everywhere to repent, for he has set on day on which he will judge the world with justice.” (Acts 17:30) In other place, the Apostle Paul summarized his message this way: “I preached that they should repent, and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

I hope you don’t let a “language barrier” stand between you and a relationship with God. The word “repent” matters very much, as do a host of other Bible words that are not widely understood.

I’ll leave you with a few concepts that deserve some research, some words and phrases worth discovering: the great commandment, the great commission, justification, the grace of God, the 10/40 window, sanctification, and fellowship. At least - you'll boost your word power. At most - you'll learn something important about God and His purpose for you.