DIVINE APPOINTMENTS

After reading Purpose Driven Life, I have recently been paying more attention to the people I come across or the people I meet everyday. Nothing happens by chance, everything comes from God and is God's grace and mercy alone. That bring us to the topic of DIVINE APPOINTMENTS.

I would define Divine Appointments as simply as the people we meet in our everyday lives. They might be regulars in our lives or non regulars. The issue however is now that we have the chance to meet this person or these people, what are we going to do and say? Every chance is an opportunity to change someone's eternity. Are we going to waste the given chance by merely talking about current affairs or worse gossiping about others?
Here's what Kirk Cameron did with the divine appointments appointed to him...

Divine Appointments in Unexpected Places Kirk CameronWay of the MasterAs I was walking from my car to the front door of our ministry offices, I noticed a man in a black jacket riding a Moped through the adjacent alley with three dogs tagging along. He stopped in front of one of the office windows and peered inside. When he realized I was watching him, he said, "Excuse me. What kind of business is this?"
"A Christian ministry," I told him. I thought this might be a good witnessing opportunity, so I bent down and struck up a conversation with his dogs whose names were Tiger, Sarah, and Samson. After I engaged in a couple minutes of doggie talk with the pooches, the man (whose name was also Kirk) said, "Hey, you look like that guy!" He told me that he had seen me recently on television talking about God and asked, "What made you go that way?"

I shared my story of being an atheist turned Christian and asked him to tell me his story. He unloaded his whole story on me almost as if he needed someone to talk to.

He told me that he was married but had lost his job. He admitted he had been using cocaine and loved to smoke marijuana. He had lots of guns at home and had recently tried to commit suicide by hanging himself with a chain in his garage. He said, however, that he wasn't "strong enough" to go through with it and had put his head through the homemade chain noose only to see what it would feel like. I gulped.

This guy was really nice. He was polite, had a smile on his face, and to look at him you wouldn't know anything was wrong. I asked him if he believed in God. He said, "Sure I do." The rest of our conversation went like this:

"What do you think happens when you die?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, would you consider yourself a good person?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Do you think you've kept the Ten Commandments?"
"Probably not."
"Well, I can take you through a few of them and you can see how you're doing. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
"Have you ever lied?"
"Oh yes. Many times."
"What does that make you?"
"A liar."
"Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how much it cost?"
"Yes I have, and that makes me a thief."
"Right. Jesus said, 'Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her..."
"Oh yes, I've committed adultery many, many times."
The tone of his voice changed and he dropped his head, resting his chin against his chest. He was suddenly quiet. I continued.
"Sir, you just admitted to being a lying thief and an adulterer and you've got to face God on Judgment Day. If God judges you according to the Ten Commandments, do you think you'll be innocent or guilty?"
"Guilty."
"So does that mean you'd go to Heaven or Hell?"
"Hell."

From this point on in our conversation, he was very contemplative. It was apparent to me that this man knew he was in trouble with God. We talked about the seriousness of sinning against a holy God and the reality of God's just punishment. He didn't argue or try to make up excuses. I discerned that he was feeling conviction and he was ready for grace.

We talked for another several minutes about God's love for him and how God demonstrated it by sending His only begotten Son to die for him on the cross, making a way for him to be reconciled to his Creator. I explained repentance and faith and he seemed to have a very good grasp on what those words meant. He didn't try to complicate things, or offer up excuses for his past actions, but said he understood that the only thing he felt he could do was to "stop doing those things and ask God for help." I re-emphasized the necessity of dying to himself (not to end his life by hanging with a noose, but to live for God) and trusting in Jesus Christ alone to save him from sin and lead him as Lord.

The man's eyes welled up with tears as we continued to talk. I gave him some things to help him along in his spiritual journey (a Soundly Saved CD and Save Yourself Some Pain booklet) and asked him if he'd like to pray. He was very grateful and we prayed together in the alleyway.

He told me about how a relative of his had turned to God because of a miraculous event in his life and how he wished that God would do something out of the ordinary for him as some sort of a "sign." I laughed as I thought about how out of the ordinary it was for a man named Kirk to happen to ride his bike by a Christian ministry building at just the moment "that guy" (another Kirk) was walking into that building, strike up a conversation about God that clearly showed him "the way," and end up praying for salvation. I asked him if he thought our meeting could possibly be the sign he was looking for. He looked up to the heavens, smiled, and then nodded his head and said, "Maybe it is." He gave me a hug and his business card and said he'd be back one day.

As he rode his Moped down the street with Tiger, Sarah, and Samson following behind, I prayed for him and thought about how wonderful God is to arrange such divine appointments in such unexpected places.
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me." ~ Psalm 139:7-10

Kirk Cameron is best known as Mike Seaver from the TV series Growing Pains. He is also known to Christians as "Buck Williams" from Left Behind: The Movie – based on the NY Times best-selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Click here to read about the newest Left Behind installment, World at War and how churches are playing a key role in distribution this October.For more articles by Kirk, and many tools that will help you learn to share your faith, visit wayofthemaster.com. The Way of the Master is an interdenominational ministry whose purpose is to teach Christians how to share the gospel effectively, biblically…the way Jesus did.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Who bring glad tidings of good things.

Lord Jesus Christ, help me realize my appointed divine appointments. Let me not waste it but help me seize the moment knowing that every chance is an opportunity to change someone's eternity.

Called to be a Witness, not an Attorney

I have been enlightened with the new understanding of what it means to be a missionary today. After reading Oswald Chambers' devotions, I realize that a missionary is simply one who has realized that he or she is not his or her own. He or she belongs to God, that is the simplest essence of being a missionary and since then I've always labelled myself as a missionary despite my real occupation and its fancy title and of course, continually reminded myself that I am not my own each brand new day. But then again what should I do? Ya I know I'm a missionary now and His daily assignments usually comes, but still, what should I do to really really do the works of God?

I found the answer to that in John 6:29, This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. It turned out that doing the works of God is as easy as that... simple. Like what Dietrich Boenhoeffer said in his book of The Cost of Discipleship about single-minded obedience. Doing the works of God is really that easy... single-minded obedience. Or like the popular Nike slogan goes; Just Do It. Whenever I start questioning, which, I always do, I bet had God been in our midst he would have jolly well screamed to me; Just do it, darn it!!!

Thus so, I try to do everything for God. After all, my life is worth nothing, as it is... no career, no commitment, no denarii, nothing, at this point, there is really no fish to sell and so it wouldn't make sense to be selfish. I have been doing quite a bit, my fair share I termed till I realized that really, nothing about God has ever come out of my mouth recently.

I must confess I started out pursuing apologetics after my repentance. My definition of being a missionary at that time would be to sit unbelievers down one by one and drive them to their own untheological perils! Have hearty arguments to corner them, in the name of God, with banners full of Christian messages as the backdrop and should it be deemed essential I would go as far as wearing a priest's robe complete with a bible on my right hand and a cross in my pocket, arguing with those unbelievers, trying to convince them that the truth will set them free. The only thing that was freed however was my friendship with them as I hailed victory to my arguments but lost their hearts... what the Romans would call a phyrric victory...

Guess it didn't work... and after that I hide myself behind what St. Francis of Assisi said about what it means to be a missionary; Preach the gospel, only use words when necessary. Since then, silence is golden and a silent company in a time of need is worth a million more than a single praise in successful moments. I rarely said anything about Christ

Today, I read a part of Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren on being made for a mission and one profound thing that he mentioned was, as written in the bible, 'You will be my witness' not 'You will be my attorney' and so it got me really thinking. Have I been an attorney for Christ all these while and what does it mean to be a witness??? What does a witness do? Does he judge the case? or attempt to persuade the judge who is wrong and who is right? Hmm, doesn't look like it. A witness simply tells what happened. As simple as that.

And so today I was brought to the realization of what it really means to be a missionary and do the works of God. It simply means testifying to others what God is doing in our lives and that is about it. Simple and crystal clear.

The Ministry of Balaam's Donkey

Balaam beat his donkey three times. According to Balaam's experience, his donkey is not obeying his command and is acting weird, so he beat his donkey for obedience. Meanwhile the donkey was acting weird because its path was being blocked by an angel and so it was just trying to continue walking by swerving right and left to avoid collision with the angel. Balaam cannot see the angel and so he didn't understand why the donkey did what it had to do.

In the end, the donkey suffered beatings it doesn't deserve. This is not fair and God opened the donkey's mouth that it could ask Balaam why it deserved the beatings. Balaam simply replied that the donkey deserved the beatings because it wasn't obeying and threatened slaughter as well. The donkey asked again if Balaam is now doubting its loyalty and service over the years and if it was in the habit of doing this and Balaam replied No. It was then that God opened Balaam's eyes to see the angel. God further explained that had not it been for the donkey, Balaam would have been killed and so not only the donkey didn't deserve the beatings, he had actually saved Balaam. Balaam confessed his sin soon after.

Having read the passage, it seems that some of us Christians are called into the ministry of Balaam's donkey or the ministry of receiving torment we do not deserve for God's glory to sow the seed of salvation in the individual who tortured us. This usually happens when we are the first one to be a born again christian in our family and we are not the highest authority in the family's hierarchy. Like the donkey our eyes has been opened and we could see the angel and walk accordingly to avoid calamities, but before the eyes of the world, we are acting weird and even not obeying the authority. Perhaps it is the situation where we are not following our parents' dark business practices which is acceptable in the eyes of the world but not before God or it is the case of lifemate selection where before the eyes of the world riches are far more superior than God's promises.

God's time however, is always ready to reveal the truth and if we humbly serve with persistence, God will 'open the person's eyes to see the angel' and it will be revealed that not only we do not deserve the treatments we receive, but we have actually saved him/her, just like Balaam's donkey. Confession of sin, and a new born-again disciple will be the sweet closing dessert of the ministry. Now are the beatings worth it for the donkey? I think definitely! Someone's salvation is totally worth the every single stroke lashed and besides, what could be be worse (and greater) that what Jesus went through on the cross???

For God is not unjust to forget your work and love that you have shown to His people and continue to show to His people

The Faith of Abraham vs Lot

The pursuit to understand decision making by faith has brought me to Genesis 13, where the story of Abraham and Lot unfolds; Abraham and Lot were going to go their own separate ways and so Abraham let Lot chose which direction Lot was going, which land Lot desires and then Abraham will settle down in other place.

So Lot begin looking, setting his vision and in the middle of the desert Lot saw a land where water was flowing, the plain of Jordan. The perfect place to settle down, despite its nearness to Sodom, the sin city and so off he went with his train to settle there. Abraham was left behind to choose from the rest of the well..., practically dry land. God then spoke to Abraham; 'Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.'

After some time, Lot had troubles with the neighbouring city of Sodom and Gomorah and in the end he lost everything including his wife who turned into a pillar of salt while Abraham not only obtained the land promised unto him but also descendants like that of dust particles. Today, if we were to stand on Mount Nebo, we can see that promised land, the very dry land Lot had left Abraham with is now green and 'full of flowing milk and honey'. Ironically, the land that Lot chose, what was once full of water is now a dry dessert. It is indeed hard to see from God's eternal point of view.

It is very intriguing how Abraham rested his faith on the power of God and dwell on His promises even when he sees nothing but dry, dusty land. The only thing Abraham has was God's promise and that is enough. He 'walked by faith and not by sight' He didn't chose to live near the wicked. He'd rather live in a dry land with God's promise than in a land of water but full of sin. Meanwhile, Lot chose to live near the wicked and before long, he committed incest with his daughters and lost his wife because of her greed. (I figure that would be an Hermes bag that would turn me into a pillar of salt had that same Lot's wife be repeated on me ;p)

Though the story maybe thousand ages old, but the situation that demands the same principle of decision making remains; to be in the light or in the dark, to have God's promise or the world's promise. It seems unfair at first, be it the big family business that was taken over by first-born uncle leaving our father with very little share or dating a righteous guy who will probably never get you an Hermes bag or being stuck in a small city to tend over factory operation while our sibling get the better job of merely entertaining guests or being the only child to inherit the recessive genes of diseases and on and on. But if we seek God and dwell in His promises, what was once a dry deserted land could be the land full of milk and honey, in His time and in His way. 'Call unto me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things, things you do not know...'

Walk by Faith, not by Sight

YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Story taken from Phill Callaway's Making Life Rich Without Any Money

YOUR OWN BACKYARD
I'd rather laugh in a tent than cry in a palace

Many years ago, amid the searing heat of an African summer, a farmer stopped plowing his field and stood wiping his brow, squinting at the horizon. In the distance, a small band of adventures - much like the one he had seen a few minutes ago - was heading for the mountains. 'If only I could join them', he thought

Since the discovery of diamonds, thousands of people were dropping everything to join the search for the valuable stones. But not the farmer. There was work to be done. Fields to be tilled. Livestock to be fed. Yet the promise of great wealth kept him awake at night and turned his menial tasks to drudgery. One day when a complete stranger offered to buy his farm, the farmer agreed with a handshake. At last he was free. Free to pursue his dream.

The search was long and painful. Trekking mile after mile weary mile across deserts and plains, through jungles and mountain passes, the farmer searched for the elusive diamonds. But none could be found. The weeks turned to months, and the months years. Finally, penniless, sick and utterly depressed, he took his own life by throwing himself into a raging river.

Back home, the man who had purchased the farm carefully tilled the land. One day as he was planting a crop, he came across a strange-looking stone. Carrying it to the farmhouse, he placed it on the mantel. That very night, a friend noticed the unusual stone over the fireplace and picked it up, turning it over and over in his hands. Then, with wide eyes, he turned to the new owner of the farm and said, 'Do you know what you have here? This has to be one of the largest diamonds ever found.'

Further investigation proved him right. And before long it was discovered that the entire farm was literally covered with similar magnificent stones. The farm sold by the first farmer turned out to be one of the richest, most productive diamond mines in the world.

Times haven't changed much, have they? Just like the man who was so quick to sell the farm, too few of us take the time to investigate and polish what we already have. In our disappointment with the way things are, in our quest to get ahead, we fail to recognize the wealth in our own backyard. And we end up walking over untold riches every day.

This is my all time favorite story. We seems to have the natural thought of 'the grass is always greener on the other side' Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, but have we put our faith, hope and love on the right things? In the end what is it that matters most? Things that are seen, or things that are unseen? For the things that are seen are temporary and those unseen are eternal.