PURSUING GOD

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)

A number of years ago I met Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales, so I decided to read his book “Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables.” The book documents the rise and fall of VeggieTales. After VeggieTales declared bankruptcy and the dream fell apart, Phil did some soul searching. And in the book he shares some honest thoughts and questions. Let me share one question and one thought.

Here’s the question: “What do you love more, your dream or God?”

Here’s the thought: “At long last, after a lifetime of striving, God was enough. Not God and impact or God and ministry. Just God.”

Alright, I lied. Here’s one more thought: “The impact God has planned for us doesn’t occur when we’re pursuing impact. It occurs when we’re pursuing God.” 

-- Mark Batterson 

#6487

DIVINE INTERRUPTIONS

Have you ever been interrupted by a phone call, an e-mail, or a knock on the door from someone wanting your immediate attention? They didn’t check your calendar first to see if you were available. They just barged into your life. A SOUND BITES subscriber once shared with me a quote that resonated with me: “The most important moments rarely come at a convenient time.”

The Bible is full of stories about people who were rudely interrupted by God. We read them and long to have the kind of adventure they experienced. Yet when God interrupts us, are we willing to respond on a moment's notice?  Divine interruptions are often the pivot points of transformation in Scripture. Here are several compelling examples where God steps in and reroutes someone’s life, often in dramatic fashion.

God interrupts Abraham’s settled life with a call to leave everything familiar and journey to an unknown land (Genesis 12). This moment launches the covenantal story of faith. While tending sheep, Moses is interrupted by a bush that burns but isn’t consumed (Exodus 3). God calls him to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel out of Egypt -- a radical shift from shepherd to liberator. As a boy, Samuel hears God calling in the night (1 Samuel 3). It’s an interruption that marks the beginning of his prophetic ministry. Mary’s quiet life is interrupted by a divine messenger announcing she will bear the Son of God (Luke 1). Her “yes” changes history. The Samaritan Woman comes for water and leaves with living water (John 4). Jesus interrupts her routine and reveals her deepest need -- and her purpose. Jesus appears post-resurrection to Thomas in a locked room, interrupting doubt with presence and peace (John 20). Thomas moves from skepticism to worship. Jesus interrupts Peter’s workday with a miraculous catch and a call to become a “fisher of men” (Luke 5). Saul, a persecutor of Christians, is blinded by a heavenly light and hears Jesus speak (Acts 9). This interruption transforms him into Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.

Divine interruptions often come when we least expect them -- during ordinary tasks, moments of rebellion, or seasons of despair. But they’re never random. They’re invitations to deeper purpose, greater trust, and holy transformation. For me, it was a phone call on a Friday night in March of 1985, from the former pastor of my church who was now living 500 miles away. As I look back on it, it was God calling me into ministry in the midst of an ordinary life -- a divine interruption. 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry™ 

#6197

RECONCILIATION IS OUR MINISTRY

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17–21 NKJV)

In Christ, God has done something for the world. God has reconciled people to Himself. In other words, God has made a way for a broken relationship to be made whole, through the death of Jesus on the cross (Colossians 1:20). In this great act of reconciliation, God has made a way for anyone -- literally, anyone -- to come into union with Him.

Coming into union with God in Christ is reconciliation in its most essential form. Any reconciliation we may do on earth that does not find its source and strength in God’s greater, reconciling work of the heart to Himself is destined to struggle and fall short.

God knows that if He can get a heart relating to Him again, experiencing His presence, love, forgiveness, acceptance, and truth, the possibilities of reconciliation between that person and others are endless. We who have been reconciled to God begin to want others to be reconciled to God. We want others to experience the freedom that we have experienced. It is the natural flow of the story.

And that is why sharing the good news of reconciliation is our ministry. Just as one who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47), so, too, we who have experienced God closing the gap between us and Him want to help close that gap for others. 

-- Dan Wilt in “Wake-Up Call”

#6190

EQUIPPING THE CHURCH FOR MINISTRY

“Christ Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;…”  (Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV)

The task of the ministry is, not to undertake some specialist activity from which the rest of the faithful are excluded, but to pioneer in doing that which the whole church must do.  And the ministry itself is no originator, but receives its task from Christ.  The ordained ministers only exercise the ministry which Christ Himself has first exercised, and which He continues to exercise through them, and through their activity in the whole church also.

 -- Anthony T. Hanson (1916-1991) in “The Pioneer Church” 

#6029

SEEKING GOD

In Genesis 26, there is a story about the Philistines filling the wells Abraham had dug with dirt and debris. Isaac reopens the wells by removing the debris, but the shepherds of Gerar stake claim to them. Then Isaac does something interesting. Instead of arguing over the old wells, he keeps digging new ones.

I don't want to stretch this analogy too far, but I think every generation needs to keep digging new wells. We can't just drink from the wells dug by our fathers. We need to dig new wells.

The 17th century Japanese Poet, Matsuo Basho, said, "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought."

Listen, I'm a conference junkie. So take this the right way. But it seems like we spend so much time and energy trying to learn from others. And that is good. But we better be investing more time seeking God because God has the key to our cities. God has the solution to our problems. God has the magic model of ministry. We don't just need good ideas. We need God ideas. You can get good ideas from a conference speaker, but God ideas come from God Himself. And one God idea is worth more than a thousand good ideas!

Keep digging! 

-- Mark Batterson

#5954

FORGETTING GOD

“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.”  (Judges 2:10 NLT)

When I read those words, my heart breaks. My heart breaks for this generation that is summarized in a sentence of not knowing God and who He is. And my heart also breaks because I know that it’s easy to read those words and think, how could they? And I know how easily that could be us, too.

In a world that is so distracted, and in a world where we compete for truth and what’s real, and in a world where there’s so much going on, so much that we would say is against the Word of God, this could easily be us. And I just want to say as one of your pastors, speaking on behalf of our pastors at Grace Church, the staff at Grace Church, the volunteer and leadership teams of Grace Church, this will not happen on our watch.

We will not be a generation that forgets, that leads to another generation not knowing the glory and goodness of God. But here’s the reality, it takes all of us. 

-- Pastor Taylor Brown, Grace Church, Cape Coral, Florida, from his message on 9/22/24

#5953

A PRAYER FOR PASTORS – Part 2

“The gifts Christ gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

In Your infinite wisdom You have given us shepherds to lead and guide us. Bless them with discernment and integrity as they instruct and counsel us to be obedient and faithful to Your Word. As they prepare us for works of service, inspire them with Your vision for the church and instill in each of us a profound longing to be the people You desire us to be. Make them powerful in prayer, fervent in their desires, and committed to Your will as they embrace this great privilege.

“‘You are My flock, the sheep of My pasture, My people, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekial 34:31)

Your infinite love for us is beyond our comprehension. You have created us for Your glory. You have redeemed us and long to have fellowship with us. May we, the sheep of Your pasture and the shepherds of Your flock, abide in Your love. Amen.

– Adapted from “God Gave Some to Be...Pastors: A service of prayer, gratitude, and encouragement for pastors” by Sharon Postma

#5707

THE REALITY OF THE NEW CREATION

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NRSV)

If the gospel is to challenge the public life of our society it will not be by forming a Christian political party, or by aggressive propaganda campaigns… It will only be by movements that begin with the local congregation in which the reality of the new creation is present, known, and experienced, and from which men and women will go into every sector of public life to claim it for Christ. 

-- Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998) in “The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society” (1989)

#5693

THE WORLD IS MY PARISH

SPECIAL NOTE: Today, March 29, 2023 marks the 24^th anniversary of this SOUND BITES Ministry. It was begun in memory of our son, Dustin, who had died from a brain tumor on this date the previous year (1998). Since the beginning of SOUND BITES 5569 quotes, including today’s, have been sent out to our e-mail subscribers or Facebook followers or Blog readers around the world.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, once said, “I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, [it is my] duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it.” (From Wesley’s journal entry on 11 June 1739)
 
As we continue through Lent, let today’s SOUND BITES quote speak to you, and then let it overflow to others everywhere. If you live outside of the United States, we would love to hear from you. Simply send an e-mail to SOUNDBITESMinistry@gmail.com with where you live and, if you would care to add, how God is using SOUND BITES to minister to you or through you to others. You are welcome to comment below as well. – DW

 

THE WORLD IS MY PARISH

 “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”  (Mark 16:15 NIV)

I remember when television first came out. Many Christians shunned it, believing it was run by the prince of the power of the air. The evil one certainly had his influence in the medium (and still does), but why not use television as a means to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ? Why not use radio? Why not use print? Why not use the Internet? Why not use any means at hand to take the message of the gospel and spread it throughout the whole world? The farther the better. The faster the better. The sooner the better. Until Jesus returns!

What Jesus was saying, in essence, to His disciples was this: “While I was on earth, I was localized. I could only touch individual men and women in My travels and speak to a few local audiences. But believe Me, after I am gone and the Holy Spirit comes to fill and empower My sons and daughters, then My ministry will be as far spread as Christians are.”

So wherever there is a Christian, there is Christ. Wherever there is a believer, there is ministry. 

-- Adapted from David Jeremiah

#5569

EQUIPPING THE LAITY

“Christ Himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:11-13 NRSV)

The Church, rightly conceived, is the whole covenant people called to serve in the world.  The clergy are also part of the laity, and their true function is to help equip the laity to be the Servant People.  If they turn aside to rule and to secure their own status, they have betrayed the calling of the special ministry.

-- Franklin H. Littell

#5431 

“HELPING” BUILD THE KINGDOM

As I feverishly pushed the lawn mower around our yard, I wondered if I'd finish before dinner.  Mikey, our 6-year-old, walked up and, without even asking, stepped in front of me and placed his hands on the mower handle.  Knowing that he wanted to help me, I quit pushing.

The mower quickly slowed to a stop.  Chuckling inwardly at his struggles, I resisted the urge to say, "Get out of here, kid.  You're in my way," and said instead, "Here, Son.  I'll help you."  As I resumed pushing, I bowed my back, leaned forward, and walked spread-legged to avoid colliding with Mikey.  The grass cutting continued, but more slowly and less efficiently than before, because Mikey was "helping" me.

Suddenly, tears came to my eyes as it hit me: This is the way my heavenly Father allows me to "help" Him build His kingdom!  I pictured my heavenly Father at work seeking, saving, and transforming the lost, and there I was with my weak hands "helping".  My Father could do the work by Himself, but He doesn't.  He chooses to stoop graciously to allow me to co-labor with Him.  Why?  For my sake, because He wants me to have the privilege of ministering with Him. 

-- Rusty Stephens

#5123

MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Off the coast of Scotland is a little island where Christianity first took place in the nation. To accommodate the many tourists who want to make a trip across the bay to visit the historic site, there is a rental shop on the mainland where transportation can be obtained. Over the door of the small building, emblazoned in bold letters, is a signboard: “VISIT THE HOLY ISLE.” Then, more to the point, underneath are the words: “WE CAN TAKE YOU.”

In a much more profound sense, those last words express what the church should be doing -- taking people where the saints have trod. In practical terms, this means bringing men and women into the deeper and ever-expanding dimensions of holiness.

Such a ministry does not for a moment minimize the necessity of conversion, for the kingdom life cannot be entered until one is born of the Spirit. But the mandate of Christ is not to make converts, but to “make disciples” -- followers of Jesus -- persons who will develop into the likeness of the Master (Matthew 28:19-20). 

-- Robert E. Coleman in “Nothing to Do But to Save Souls: John Wesley’s Charge to His Preachers”

#5092

PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD

“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God… For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 4:1,2,5,6 NIV)

When we listen to preachers who are really available to themselves and, therefore, able to offer their own life experience as a source of recognition, we no longer have to be afraid to face our own condition and that of our world because the one who stands in front of us is the living witness that insight makes us free and does not create new anxieties.  Only then can indifference and irritation be removed, only then can the Word of God, which has been repeated so often but understood so little, find fertile ground and be rooted in the human heart.

-- Henri Nouwen in “Creative Ministry”

#4784

YOU GROW AS YOU SERVE

The determination to minister in love to anyone who enters our workday world produces an unexpected by-product. Throughout the New Testament, we find a principle of gain and loss, of life and death. “In seeking the glory of God and the good for our fellow-creatures,” as Jonathon Edwards put it, “you take the surest way to have God seek your interests, and promote your welfare.”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25)

The caring soul can’t lose. Make your priority other people’s and you’ll add a foot to your spiritual stature. Learn to feel the throb of another’s heart and your own will beat stronger. Lose your life in the lives of the needy for Jesus’ sake and you’ll find it. Leave your self-interests and personal preoccupations behind and see what wonderful things God has in store for you.

-- Steve & Lois Rabey, General Editors, in “Side by Side: Disciple-Making for a New Century”


#4715

WHERE IS THE CHURCH?

“The gifts He gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry,…” (Ephesians 4:11-12a NRSV)

Where is the church at 11:25 on Wednesday morning? The church then is in the dentist’s office, in the automobile salesroom and repair shop… It is in the hospital, in the classroom, and in the home. It is in the offices… That is where the church is, wherever God’s people are … They are honoring God, not just while they worship in a building Sunday morning, but out there throughout the week.

-- Adapted from Arthur H. DeKruyter


#4686

SACRIFICIAL LEADERSHIP

“From the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year -- twelve years -- neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor... Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land... I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people. Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.”  (Nehemiah 5:14-19 NIV)

One of the downsides of leadership is the sacrifice often required of leaders. Being a leader means sacrificing time, money, and possessions that are dear to our hearts…

When our sacrifices as spiritual leaders are rooted as much as possible in unselfishness (of course most still have mixed motivations), they lead others to sacrifice. But more important, they lead others to selflessness -- and that is the ultimate goal of true sacrifice. True sacrifice, even in small ways, leads people to become less selfish and self-focused, and more selfless in their love for others. The sacrifice of leaders becomes the ground that allows other leaders and the church to become increasingly focused on outreach to others through ministry and mission. Sacrifice for God in our leadership leads others to experience God’s purpose, presence, and power in our lives. It leads them to serve God the Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.

-- N. Graham Standish in “Becoming a Blessed Church: Forming a Church of Spiritual Purpose, Presence. And Power”


#4648

< 20th ANNIVERSARY > A VALUABLE MEMBER OF GOD’S FAMILY

NOTE: Today marks a significant milestone for this SOUND BITES Ministry -- its 20^th Anniversary! I began this ministry on March 29, 1999 as a way to glorify God for the life of our son, Dustin Thomas, who had died one year earlier. Dustin had been born with developmental disabilities that he lived with for 16 years, ultimately dying from an unrelated brain tumor. A line in today’s SOUND BITES quote speaks to what our family and friends felt about Dustin -- he was “a valuable member of God's family, unique and special in God's sight, loved by those around him, with much to offer regardless of his limitations."

On this anniversary, as I have done at times in the past, I would invite you to share how God has used SOUND BITES to minister to you, or how you have used SOUND BITES to minister to others. Post your comment here.

Thank you for your support for this ministry. Please share SOUND BITES with others and help us spread the good news of God’s grace through Jesus Christ to the whole world -- "The world is our parish." 

-- Rev. Dave Wilkinson, founder and editor

A VALUABLE MEMBER OF GOD’S FAMILY

The Lord said, "You are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you." (Isaiah 43:4)

As I sat watching the handicapped preschoolers gather pumpkins, I felt saddened that my own three-year-old was among them. Why had I bothered to bring him? Mentally and physically handicapped, he could really only observe the fun around him. My hope for a meaningful life for Thomas was at an all-time low.

I talked about my feelings with another parent who was also watching. She opened my eyes to something. "Like you," she said, "I almost didn't bring Kristen today. She is unaware of her surroundings and couldn't possibly enjoy the activities. But then," she continued, "I realized while she may not get anything out of this experience, perhaps someone will see Kristen and be touched by her."

In her words, I saw a ray of hope, a glimpse of meaning in Thomas' life. Perhaps by seeing him participate in his limited way, others would see Thomas not as "handicapped" but as a valuable member of God's family, unique and special in God's sight, loved by those around him, with much to offer regardless of his limitations.

I smiled as I scooped Thomas up, and we hurried into the field in search of pumpkins.

-- Sharon P. Stanley in “The Upper Room”, November 30, 1990 

#4556

A DRINK OF LIVING WATER

Jesus answered [the woman at the well], “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”  (John  4:10 NIV)

Volumes have been written about the things Jesus said to this woman. In particular, His comments about worshipping in spirit and in truth are considered foundational. But to fully appreciate Jesus’ compassionate understanding, we must give some thought to what He didn’t say. He didn’t enumerate her sins, lecture her for setting a bad example, ask for an explanation, demand an apology, or tell her she was going to Hell if she didn’t shape up. It’s hard to imagine a minister standing face-to-face with the biggest sinner in town -- a woman whose life would have made a great Jerry Springer episode -- and not even broaching the subject of morality, but that’s what Jesus did.

Why?

Because He understood that she’d been hammered enough. Nobody knew better than she did what a mess she’d made of her life. She lived with the consequences of her choices every day and slept with them every night. What she needed was not another rebuke, but a deep, refreshing drink of living water.

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus"

#4286

PAIN CAN PUT LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

Affliction is particularly effective in helping us reevaluate our priorities.  When Thomas Chalmers became pastor of the church at Kilmany, Scotland in 1803, he was a young man of twenty-three with little real interest in religion.  He had taken the parish primarily so that he could also teach mathematics and astronomy.

As time went by, Chalmers neglected sermon preparation and the care of his people.  The church went into steady and precipitous decline.  After several years he was stricken with a serious illness.  For four months he was unable to leave his sick room, and for almost a year he did not preach.  Slowly he came to realize that his view of Christianity as simply an ethical system was not sufficient to see him through this valley of the shadow of death.  There in the lonely place of his illness he faced himself and the shallowness of his beliefs, until he experienced a dramatic religious conversion.

In the years that followed, Chalmers became the most powerful preacher in Scotland.  And with it, he came to have a compelling social conscience.  The finest pulpits in Scotland were available to him, but he also chose to minister to the poorest of the population in special services on a tanner's second story.  A century later Lord Roseberry said of him, "An illness lifted him into a higher sphere, and he soared aloft."  Illness can do that to us, because it helps us get our values in order.

-- J. Ellsworth Kalas in “If Experience Is Such a Good Teacher Why Do I Keep Repeating the Course?”


#4261

A PRAYER FOR PASTORS

“Every time I think of you, I always pray for you with a heart full of joy...” (Philippians 1:3-5)

We acknowledge the gift of Your servants to the work of ministry; called in their weakness and strengthened by Your Spirit. May we support them with our love and prayers…

It is by Your love and grace that we are given pastors to preach the gospel. We thank You for the boldness with which they call us to repentance. They hold before us the truth of Your Word which strengthens our faith and gives us a sure hope for the glorious coming of Your kingdom. As they impart Your Word to us, be their joy and their inspiration.

In Your infinite wisdom You have given us shepherds to lead and guide us. Bless them with discernment and integrity as they instruct and counsel us to be obedient and faithful to Your Word. As they prepare us for works of service, inspire them with Your vision for the church and instill in each of us a profound longing to be the people You desire us to be. Make them powerful in prayer, fervent in their desires, and committed to Your will as they embrace this great privilege.

Amen.

-- Excerpted from “God Gave Some to Be... Pastors: A service of prayer, gratitude, and encouragement for pastors” by Sharon Postma


#4202