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Don’t Burn Bridges

We don’t have to live very long to find out that some people offend us and things do not always go as we wished or planned. A common mistake, in my opinion, is our reaction to people or problems with things happen to us – whether on a mission field, on deputation, in a church, work place, with friends, etc. When something does not go our way, we are prone to cut the person off or just walk out… but burning bridges only makes it more difficult to return if ever needed. The Biblical way to handle problems is not to burn bridges but to be humble and just keep going. It hurts, but when someone belittles you, offends you, treats you unjustly or shoots any negative vibe your way, it is best to respond humbly and not hatefully. Many times I have been hurt via email or phone conversations but later I was very glad that I didn’t decide to burn the bridges. Here are some simple reasons why not to burn bridges in life.

  1. You may need them one day

If you do ever need the person one day, it will be very hard to return back to them if you previously burned the bridges. If the last time you met with the person you concluded in a good manner, you will be happy you responded correctly when the you come to the time that you need the person.

  1. We are told to not respond in hate

A soft answer will appease the fire and fight but the strong words will only add fuel to the fire. The Bible commands us to respond correctly, not react sharply and burn the bridges.

  1. You might have been the one who was wrong

Have you ever been mad, stormed off totally disgusted only to find out later that it was you who was the mistaken one? Try going back and saying sorry after making a fool of yourself – that takes a lot of swallowing of the pride. Just in case you are wrong, which happens more often than we want to admit, it would be best to act kindly and not harshly.

  1. Others are watching

Whether kids, friends, other Christians or whoever it may be, there is always someone watching our lives. Even though someone hurts us, getting mad and burning the bridges will sure not let us win in other people’s eyes… even if you think it makes you feel better doing so. It is much better for someone to look at you and say, “they mistreated you, but that was amazing how you reacted in a mature manner towards them”, instead of someone seeing you react badly and burn all the bridges to future possibilities. You not only burn the future possibilities of recuperating relationships with the other party, but you now are closing doors to the person who was watching you and once thought good of you. Burning bridges is usually a lose-lose situation when it comes with working with people.

Here to Serve,

Jeff Bush

General Director of Vision Baptist Missions

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Do you have a Coach?

A big mistake we make many times in ministry is that we think we know enough or have learned enough to be successful. It is interesting that the best sports players out there (Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, etc.) all have a coach and realize they need a coach, yet us “average” guys think we are ok. A coach is one who instructs you, tells you how to improve, corrects you when you are not doing it the best way, etc. Yes, professional players have natural talent but they also know that it can and must be perfected; they need someone to “coach” them. Here are a few thoughts if you are going to become good at what you do or want to do: Continue reading “Do you have a Coach?”

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Checklist To See If You Are Called & Ready To Go Into The Ministry

  • Are you faithful to your local church (regular weekly services as well as any special services such as conferences)?
  • Do you participate in evangelism in your local church as well as in your personal life?
  • Have you ever lead anyone to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?
  • Are you involved in one or more ministries in your local church?
  • Have you ever built a Sunday School class or another ministry to the point that your pastor and church family can clearly see God’s hand is on you?
  • Have you ever discipled anyone to the point that they are now serving faithful in church?
  • Can you stand-alone spiritually or do you need to be pumped up and propped up spiritually?
  • Do you have a problem finishing what you start?
  • Have you ever read your Bible completely (from Genesis to Revelation) at least one time? It is surprising that many want to enter into the ministry to teach others the Bible but themselves have never read it more than once (if that) in its entirety.
  • Do you have a problem submitting to authority? The common thought is that when you are in charge (pastor, missionary, teacher), no one will question or correct you, but the truth of the matter is that a spiritual leader has God and his congregation to whom he is accountable.

Here to Serve,

Jeff Bush

General Director of Vision Baptist Missions

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Broken

In Bible times the alabaster box was worth a large sum of money and kept safe and stored until a appointed day, but the sweet smelling perfume inside the box could not be appreciated until the container was broken. And so it is with the lives of God’s children, no one wants to be hurt, uncomforted or go thru trials, but God’s amazing grace and glory is not fully seen until God’s children have been broken.

David was going to be the next king, but God first chose to make him run for his life hiding in caves from the jealous king who wanted to kill him. Joseph had the dream that all would bow down before him, but God first allowed him to be sold as a slave, mistreated, lied about and stuck in a prison before he became the leader the world needed. Jacob was going to be the father of multitudes, but God first allowed him to roam thru the desert running from his brother and working for his father-in-law that didn’t give him his fare share. Moses was to be the savior of God’s chosen people and see mighty miracles take place, but the Continue reading “Broken”

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Bible Principles of Faith Promise Giving

Taken from a book mark/brochure used by many churches for Missions Conferences (original author not known)

1.) It is Scriptural

In the Old Testament we find that the people gave over and above their tithes. As God blessed them, they gave to God and to His work.

In the New Testament the Apostle Paul received gifts of various churches. These gifts were special offerings which were collected and given to the work of the Lord. The words “gift”, “bounty”, “abundance”, and “willingly”, are all words which he uses to characterize this giving. In the book of II Corinthians 9:6-7, we read, “He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

2.) It is a source of God’s provision and blessing.

Faith Promise giving is “willing” giving. It is never required. The giver must be sensitive to God and open to what He will do through us. One of the great blessings of the Christian life is to allow God to work through us in meeting the needs of others’ lives. Faith Promise provides the opportunity for us to become personally involved in giving to help spread the Gospel to those who are without Jesus Christ. Not only are we obeying God’s command, but we are also bringing blessings to ourselves, our families our church and to others. Continue reading “Bible Principles of Faith Promise Giving”

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Arriving to the Finish Line as a Winner

A deep desire in my personal life is probably one that you have as well, to arrive to the end of life faithfully serving the Lord. Too many people start good but do not finish well. I pray I will not only be faithful now in life, but all the way through until the very end. I made a list of 10 things that I need to keep in check in order to arrive at the finish line as a winner. Continue reading “Arriving to the Finish Line as a Winner”

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Ambassadors to the Missionaries at your church:

How to greet the missionary By John Pearson

  1. Familiarize yourself with them:
    • The family names: Use the prayer card if possible to learn all the family member’s names.
    • Special dates: Be sensitive to any dates that fall this week, or close to this week and have them recognized.
    • Read the missionaries last prayer letter and familiarize yourself with the events in their lives. Talk to them about the things going on.
    • Familiarize yourselves with their country. (Google search for their country on the web)  Just a few minutes will give you the info you need.
    • Familiarize yourself with their recent prayer requests.
    • Pass this information along to your family and train them to all greet the family.
    • Prepare a personalized welcome for them.
  1. Greeting:
    • Be at the church early. The missionaries will arrive early to set up.  Don’t come late.
    • Dress like Sunday. Ties for men.
    • Help them set up.

Continue reading “Ambassadors to the Missionaries at your church:”

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Achieving the Indigenous Principle by Austin Gardner

No one argues the fact that we should build indigenous churches.  Everyone uses the same definition for an indigenous church. The question is not should we plant indigenous churches but rather how do we arrive at an indigenous church.  There are all sorts of opinions as to how to plant an indigenous church

 Principle 1 for you to consider

Greenhouse principle.  Many plants that we consider indigenous today must start out in a green house.  They are nurtured and cared for until they are able to make it on their own.

 Principle 2 for you to consider

Raising Children.  Everyone agrees that giving birth does not constitute raising children.  They must be cared for and provided for until they reach maturity.  The parent each day expects more and provides less.  Control curve. Continue reading “Achieving the Indigenous Principle by Austin Gardner”