“In a world with millions of people, nations and governments, for small people groups often their identity is grounded more in their unique history than in citizenship. Their genealogies serve as a compass in a constantly changing world.”
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“The Kingdom of God spreads throughout the earth like yeast in dough. This is because of relationships. He built all nations upon them. Through relational networks God’s Kingdom and the invincible spreading of His Good News can reach all nations. This is why even one relationship is significant.”
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“Just as fire burns up stubble, so God's presence consumes all that is not of Him within us. (I Cor. 3:13) Our God is called a 'consuming fire.' (Heb. 12:29; Deut. 4:24) His fire reveals what's inside us -- our roots, our motivations, our attitudes, and for whose glory we live. Fiery trials of circumstances often test the quality of our fruit. (I Peter 4:12) All that is pure will be refined, while all that is impure will suffer loss. (II Peter 1:6-7)”
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“Like a table with steaming food, so our life is to emit the fragrance of Christ. When it does, people are drawn to Christ in us. It is the attitude of humility that releases His fragrance. Jesus had all rights to God's power, yet He took on the nature of a servant (Phil. 2:5-11). How we use power, especially when relating to others, will either invite others to Christ or repel them.”
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“The Gospel message is relational at its core: God became one of us. This is the closest kind of relationship there is. Following in Christ's footsteps means drawing close to others. This is how we become living epistles, fleshing out the written Word of God before humankind. Our testimony -- the fruit of our changed life -- is what impacts others. (II Cor. 3:5) Missing the incarnation is to reduce the power of the Gospel.”
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“Leadership in the Kingdom of God is counterintuitive and may be offensive to our strategies. Laying down our rights, goals and strategies gives room for the Holy Spirit to move. Otherwise, we may end up leading others along our own pathway. Servanthood may cost you everything you've gained up to this point in your life, but it will place you squarely upon the foundation of faith.”
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“Our view of time reveals our values. Most especially the value we place on people and tasks. It determines how we adapt and identify with others, how deep we are willing to go in relationships, and ultimately our depth of impact with the Gospel. The danger is grasping the work of 'finishing the task' with our own timing. The mission of God is just that: His mission. And He is the Lord of time.”
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“Love compelled the Father to send His Son. And love compelled God's Son to send the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times and in all places. God desires disciples among all nations and has invited us to join Him on His mission to spread His love to the ends of the earth, to both individuals and groups.”
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“How does love surpass knowledge? The answer lies within the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus tells of a shepherd who is motivated by love. He leaves the 99 to pursue the one. This kind of love may appear wreckless, as it goes against knowledge, yet such love -- God's love -- should be the motivating factor in our mission to go after the least, the last, and the lost.”
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“An oak tree speaks of strength and integrity. It is often the tree of choice for hard wood floors, furniture, paneling and cabinets. Isaiah's prophecy compares our spiritual transformation to that of an oak tree. God transforms our lives into strength and integrity to reflect His glory.”
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“The only way to know what you’re dealing with is by getting your hands dirty. By digging beneath the surface. Like soil, culture runs deep through the ways and daily practices of the people. How well you lay the groundwork depends on your level of engagement -- of identification -- with the people.”
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“Small is significant in the Kingdom of God. Each star is called by name. Even the hairs of our head are numbered. Jesus used seeds and other gardening metaphors regularly in His teachings. Small is the normal size of a seed. So, don’t downplay the small.”
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“The young boy Samuel had been awakened by hearing his name. He thought Eli the priest was calling him. After going to Eli twice, Samuel was advised by Eli the third time to consider that perhaps the Lord was calling his name. Think about that: Creator God calls your name!”
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“Don't despise small beginnings as they can have a wide impact. Mercy to one relationship can shift an entire people group. It was true with the Samaritan woman, Ruth the Moabite, Rahab the Canaanite, and perhaps a relationship you have. Relationships are waiting to be impacted by Jesus in every tongue, tribe and nation!”
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“What kind of things might angels be doing? Scripture says angels protect people who are being prepared to receive the Gospel. Angels also guarded the covenants with Israel. (Heb. 2:2) And they watch over those who will inherit salvation. If we believed what's written in the book of Hebrews, we might find more evidence of angelic encounters.”
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“Jubilee is simply the way things were created to be: eyes were meant to see and ears to hear; legs and feet were meant to walk, and tongues to speak. It’s a time of freedom for the captives and hope for the poor. Not only those things, but we were created to live in favor with God and each other. Jubilee signifies a new start for all people. What simple and yet profound Good News!”
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“God's Son was displaced from heaven in order for the Good News of the Kingdom to come to earth. Jesus' birth marked a new era, releasing the full presence of God to dwell among all nations. Often displacement activates great faith and divine breakthroughs.”
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“We discovered the Akha knew very little about the Holy Spirit, even though the Gospel had been presented to them some 25 years before we arrived. I was soon confronted with this. A simple analogy began to help the Akha understand and come to know the Holy Spirit as their Guide and Helper.”
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“Encounters with God at places like the Garden of Eden, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel have created boundary events for human history. The same is true with the Jewish Feast of Passover. Names mean something in Jewish culture. Oftentimes they are a descriptive reality of a God encounter. The Passover represented the breaking-in of God as our Judge and Savior.”
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“Symbols are important in every culture. They can assist powerfully in communicating the Gospel and other spiritual truths. Pay attention to the symbols among your people and where you live. Consider the meaning of symbols and what God might be speaking through them.”
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