LAB VS. LECTURE HALL

Some college classes are in a lecture hall.  Some are in a lab.  Some are a combination of both.  In the lecture hall, one person must come prepared to "do" something...in fact, everything which needs to be done.  That one person makes a presentation.  Everyone else sits and listens with the option of taking notes.

In the lab, however, YOU get to actually "do" something.  Most lab classes are science related.  You get to mix chemicals, dissect things, set things on fire, and maybe even blow something up.  In the lab, you are likely to be assigned to complete group projects where part of your grade may depend on your lab team.

Lab learning is hands-on learning which is very different from the sit-and listen-learning in the lecture hall.

In the western model of what we call church, we do a whole lot of lecture hall and not near enough lab work.  In our church lecture hall, the sanctuary, one or two individuals come prepared to "do".  Professional ministry providers are the only ones who are really required to be led by the Holy Spirit during the lecture.  We might describe our outreach ministry projects as our lab work in the church.  Again, lab learning is hands-on which is very different from the sit-and-listen learning in the lecture hall.

Simply reading the manual for your car will not make you a mechanic.  Neither will having that manual read to you by someone else.  At some point, you must get some tools and get under the hood.  After giving a lecture during a time-out, the coach does not then send the entire team to sit on the bench. Five at time make up the team on the floor.  If there is no team on the floor, there is no game.

Can I just tell ya something?  Jesus did not die on a cross so that His followers could only spend a lifetime warming a pew in the lecture hall.  

That looks a lot more like spiritual respite care waiting around on Heaven.  You won't find a calling from God for that in the Bible.  We were, in fact, created for a purpose.  God's Word tells us we were planned and designed even before the foundation of time.  We were created with a purpose in mind.  We were created in order that we might be in relationship with our Creator and that we might make His glory both our desire and purpose.  And, we might look to the ministry of Jesus for our own life application.  Jesus did conduct a preaching and teaching lecture hall type ministry.  But, He also spent a great deal of time in the lab.

Prayer - 
Father, forgive me for spending too much time in the lecture hall and not enough time in the lab.  Your Word says you created me for good works which You prepared in advance.  Give me the courage to step out in faith and the humility and surrender to follow the lead of your Holy Spirit within me.  Amen.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. -- Ephesians 2:10 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER!

I have been doing mission work in Mexico since 2003.  Our family now hosts cross-cultural short-term missions trips in Mexico using a Team Ministry approach through our own missions agency, Evident Ministries.  We are there every year in July and December.  As a result, I have been in Mexico many, many times over the years including all over Baha,  Mexicali, Nogales, Reynosa, and Acuña.  In all these years, I have never been to the U.S. embassy in Mexico City.  But, I am certain if I were to pay them a visit, they would have some safety tips for me.  

For example, they would likely caution me against drinking water from the tap in Mexico.  

Our water in the U.S. is filtered, clean, and pure.  In Mexico, what comes from the faucet is most definitely not.  If you do drink water from the tap in Mexico, you may very well find yourself scooting around on the carpet in a day or so!  At the very least, you will be sorry you did it.  It is not good for you.  It will hurt you.

Can I just tell ya something?  The Bible tells us, in a sense, what kind of water we ought not drink.  For example, the Bible warns us about telling lies...that old chestnut of wisdom and good advice.  Lying will hurt us and others.  It hurts our testimony as Christians.  It is a reflection on Jesus and His church.  We are warned about allowing anger to cause us to sin.  Uncontrolled anger allows Satan into the picture.  Unbridled anger will hurt us and others.  It hurts our testimony as Christians.  It is a reflection on Jesus and His church.  In God's Biblical standard for living, we are commanded to not steal but instead to work for and earn our own income.  We are called to obey God.  Honoring God's commands is what it means to be obedient.

The bottom line is simple.  As Christians, whatever we do, we are to do for God.  As Christians, our perspective in all things ought to be entirely different than that of the world and of those who do not have a saving knowledge of Jesus.  Why?  If or when our perspective is no different than the world's, it will hurt us and others.  It will hurt our testimony as Christians.  It is a reflection on Jesus and His church.

Don't drink the water of this world.  It will make you sick.  It is not good for you.  

In other words, you cannot live on both sides of the fence.  It will hurt you and others.  It is a poor example of what it means to live for Jesus.  It will also begin to over time, harden your heart towards God which will tank your relationship with Him.

Prayer - 
Father, please forgive me for when I look away from your Biblical standard for living and drink the water of this world.  Your ways are the best ways.  You always have Your very best in mind for me.  Amen.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -- Colossians 3:17 (CSB)


#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi