an·tic·i·pate: to realize beforehand; to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to think, speak or act in advance
last night my wife dava shared with the dream team about reaching the unchurched - what was so striking to me was the difference in mindset of those who are reaching the unchurched and those who cannot - the average Christian today is so far removed from the attitude of anticipation that drove the disciples and the early church - when Christ sent them to the world, they fully expected to reach the world
dava related the story of her own parents' love for the garden in their back yard - they cared for and expected a harvest even before it existed - they looked forward to it - they were sure of it - they thought about it, talked about it and acted on it by getting ready for it
many of the excuses i hear today as to why we can't reach the unchurched reveal the lack of anticipation in our mindset: we don't know the unchurched - we don't know how to find them - they won't listen or receive what i say
then Jesus sure wasted His time sending us to them - maybe so but not for those reasons - if psalms 37:23 is true, God orders our steps - He will make sure we find them - every day you have lived, God has been ordering your steps to come in contact with the unchurched that are ready to be reached, just like ripe fruit - the sad truth is that we have no doubt walked right past much fruit, the unchurched, without even looking up and seeing them
today you will have another chance - realize beforehand that God will order your steps past an unchurched person or another Christian that needs your time, your encouragement, your prayers - expect it - look forward to it - you can be sure of it - so begin thinking about it, talking about it and acting on it - and be ready to obey this time
last night my wife dava shared with the dream team about reaching the unchurched - what was so striking to me was the difference in mindset of those who are reaching the unchurched and those who cannot - the average Christian today is so far removed from the attitude of anticipation that drove the disciples and the early church - when Christ sent them to the world, they fully expected to reach the world
dava related the story of her own parents' love for the garden in their back yard - they cared for and expected a harvest even before it existed - they looked forward to it - they were sure of it - they thought about it, talked about it and acted on it by getting ready for it
many of the excuses i hear today as to why we can't reach the unchurched reveal the lack of anticipation in our mindset: we don't know the unchurched - we don't know how to find them - they won't listen or receive what i say
then Jesus sure wasted His time sending us to them - maybe so but not for those reasons - if psalms 37:23 is true, God orders our steps - He will make sure we find them - every day you have lived, God has been ordering your steps to come in contact with the unchurched that are ready to be reached, just like ripe fruit - the sad truth is that we have no doubt walked right past much fruit, the unchurched, without even looking up and seeing them
today you will have another chance - realize beforehand that God will order your steps past an unchurched person or another Christian that needs your time, your encouragement, your prayers - expect it - look forward to it - you can be sure of it - so begin thinking about it, talking about it and acting on it - and be ready to obey this time
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