What Kind of Rut Are You In?

Are you in a rut? That question is generally used in a negative way. It conveys the idea that you are doing the same thing over and over such that you are stuck doing it, locked into it. That sure sounds boring, doesn't it?

What is a rut? Well, if you are on a road that has ruts in it, they were most likely formed by wheels going down that road for years, eventually forming the grooves. I used to spend summers at the place my grandparents had on Cape Cod and there was a long driveway which went from the road, around the house, and back to the road. It was an old piece of property and the ruts in that driveway were certainly formed by wagon wheels. The cars my grandparents family used on that driveway made those ruts deeper and harder.

Ruts can tend to keep a wagon or other vehicle restricted to going in the direction of the ruts, rather than to one side or the other. Deep ruts in a road can make it difficult to turn and go off in some other way. Of course if the direction of the ruts leads to where you want to go then that can be a good thing. You are less apt to go off and end up in the wrong place.

Are you in a rut that isn't good for you? Or are you in a rut that helps you get to where you ought to be, and where God wants you to be? What kind of a rut are you in?  Hopefully you are in a rut that helps you to be what God wants you to be, to develop the character He wants you to have.

Psalm 119:9 has something to say about this. It starts with a question: "How can a young man keep his way pure?"  The word translated "way" is the Hebrew word for rut. So there is a rut that we should want to be in. A rut that can help us have the pure way of living that pleases God. Being in God's Word can help us get in and stay in that rut.

Psalms 119:9-16  Beth. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.  (10)  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!  (11)  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  (12)  Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!  (13)  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.  (14)  In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.  (15)  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.  (16)  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. ESV

Church Growth the Biblical Way

Is there a Biblical way to promote Church Growth? There certainly should  be. After all, the early church grew rather well based on the preaching and teaching of the apostles. The miracles were good for getting people's attention but it was what they said that the Holy Spirit used to bring people to both faith and spiritual growth in Christ.

Today I watched the following video about Church Growth and if that's something that interests you I urge you to give it look. It also has some good insights in how men can be the spiritual leaders in their homes, even if they came to Lord much later than their wives did.  Take a look and listen.

Why Answer a Question with a Question?

When I first saw the title of the book, Questioning Evanglism, I wondered if the author was questioning whether or not Christians should evangelize. But I discovered that the book was about using questions as we seek to tell others about Jesus.

Of course some people answer questions with questions just to avoid talking about an issue. Or they think what is on their mind is more important than the subject the person just brought up. Sometimes it is simply rude to answer a question with a question.

But not always.

In fact, Jesus often answered questions with questions. When He did so, it was the right thing to do.

Why? Because just because a person asks a question does not mean he or she wants to learn something. Questions can also be used to bring about an accusation.

When the chief priest and leaders asked questions of Jesus they were not looking to be taught by Him. They were determined to trap Him with His words so they could prosecute and defame Him. When they asked Jesus to tell them by what authority He did the things He did, He asked them a question. He told them He would answer their question if they would answer His question. He asked them whether John's baptism was from heaven or from men.

Those leaders could not or would not give an answer because they knew they if they said John's baptism was from heaven, how could they explain why they didn't follow John. Yet if they said John's baptism was from men they would risk offending the multitudes who believed John the baptist was a prophet of God. So the leaders couldn't give an answer to Jesus, so Jesus did not answer their question.

Today there are times when people will ask a question of a Christian not to learn something but as an introduction to an attack on the beliefs of Christians. No matter what answer is given, the person simply wants to argue and demean those who believe the Bible. Their mind is already made up and all they want to do is denounce Christianity.

Answering such questions with an appropriate question can do more than avoid a pointless conflict. When Jesus asked the leaders whether John's baptism was from heaven or from men, they had to stop and ponder how they might answer. Asking questions can result in people doing more thinking.

Just giving a "straight" answer might not even be understood by those asking an accusatory question. What you and they mean by certain terms may be quite different. So by asking them a question related to the topic of their question, you can find out more of what they currently believe. That can help you to ask further questions which can help them think about and articulate their perspective on important issues connected with the original "question" that was asked.

If all people want is an argument, or an opportunity to put you down, there is no reason to play their game. But if your asking pertinent questions results in a serious dialogue, then the time can be well spent.

If this subject matter is of interest to you, maybe you could get a copy of Questioning Evangelism , by Randy Newman, and read it for yourself. Or see if you know somebody who has a copy and borrow it.

Thanks for reading this post. I hope it has given you a little something to think about.

Are We Ashamed Of Jesus?

How often do we talk to other people about a book, movie, TV show, news event, or sports team that we like?

How often do we talk to other people about Jesus? Or to be more specific, how often do we talk about Jesus with people who do not believe in Him as Lord and Savior?

 Why do so many of us talk so easily about all manner of things that have no eternal consequence for anybody, yet fail to talk about the one thing that does have an eternal consequence for everybody.

Are we ashamed of Jesus?

Well, Jesus does not appreciate being ashamed of Him or His words.

Luk 9:26  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ESV

I certainly don't want to be ashamed of Jesus. But what should we say to others about Him? What if they ask us questions that we can't answer? Will we make a mess of things, and only further convince them that we Christians don't have a clue as to what we are talking about?

Are we afraid of offending people by claiming that Jesus is the only true Savior and Lord? But by our avoiding offending others are we then offending Christ?

So, should we rush out and confront everybody with a demand that they repent from their sins and believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord? How effective would that be? Is that what Jesus expects of us?

Did Jesus do that while He was here in the flesh?

Not exactly. So first of all we should read Scripture and learn what Jesus did, and what the apostles did after He returned to heaven. And we should take heed to what Peter wrote:

1Pe 3:15  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  ESV

We ought to be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us, and do so with gentleness and respect.

Yes, we ought to be prepared. Are you, am I, as prepared as we could be or should be to give reason for the hope that is in us?

Is there anything we can do to be better prepared to talk with others about Jesus?

I believe there is. I believe we should take a fresh look at evangelism. Rather than leave the sharing of the good news to preachers and evangelists, we should do what we can to do better when it comes to talking with others about our Lord.

Today I purchased Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman, a rabbi who came to believe in Jesus. I read the introduction this morning, and I intend to read the rest of it in the coming days so as to hopefully be better able and more confident when talking with others about Jesus.

The introduction of the book also mentions other books that should be worthwhile reading for Christians who want to do better at letting others know about salvation.

There is More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell.  Know Why You Believe by Paul Little.  Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Also The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.

I intend to read all of these books on my Kindle reader. If you also want to be better prepared to talk with others about Jesus then I hope you will consider reading these or other books that could help you share the good news. I'm sure you can get them in whatever format is best for you.

We don't have to become an "expert" or "professional" to talk with others about Christ. But we can become better able to tell others about the hope we have in Jesus.

When Jesus returns I don't want Him to ask "why were you ashamed of Me and My words" or "why did you act as though you were ashamed of Me and My words?"