Live On Purpose

I have just come home from the Georgia Baptist Evangelism Conference. For those reading that have no idea what this is, it is a gathering of pastor’s and ministry leaders to be motivated and challenged in obeying the Great Commission. If you want to read some of the specifics about the speakers and the sermons you can check out Georgia Baptist’s web page www.gabaptist.org and get those details. My desire is to open up and share some of my impressions about what I sensed God saying to me and to Woolsey Baptist Church.

We are not doing a very good job in reaching people for Christ. This is not a criticism as much as it is a simple fact. Don’t think so- can you name a single person that you have shared the gospel with in the past four weeks?
Our poor job is not for a lack of lost people to talk with nor is it due to their unwillingness to hear our message. There are plenty of lost people around us and most are very open to hearing about Jesus Christ.

At the heart of the problem is our relationship with God. It is not technique or resources. It is a relationship problem. In our family we are expecting our first grandchild. I’m already talking about his or her arrival six months before the due date! We love our son and daughter in law. Talking about this baby is natural because of our relationship in our family. If you and I are not talking about the gospel the reason is likely not a lack of technique or resources; the reason is most likely a matter of the heart and our relationship with God.

The longer we have been on the security of the island, the less we remember what it is like to be lost at sea- unless we purpose to go back to sea on rescue missions.

Evangelism is not about results. It is about the glory of God and bringing honor to Him.

What if, just what if, I determined that I would speak to somebody every week about Jesus Christ? What if you determined that? I think it’s time to live on purpose. Think about it.

I wanted to say thank you to so many of you that have prayed for my sweet mom these past days following her fall and surgery. She has had quite a time but she’s not one to give up. She is making slow but steady progress. Your prayers have meant so much to our family and have surely been the reason for how far she has come. I have learned a few things in the past days that I will share with you.

**I am very thankful for the skill of doctors.

**Nurses are incredible in their compassion and knowledge.

**Physical and Occupational Therapist are amazing.

**Staying up all night three out of eight nights will make you feel like you are 100.

**Predicting when the doctor is going to come by is impossible.

**Eating junk food makes you feel like junk.

**The people that clean the hospital are valued and appreciated beyond words.

**There is a lot of hurt and pain around us all the time.

**It takes a great team to operate a hospital and each person role is important.

**The parent cares for the child then the child cares for the parent.

**Every stranger you meet could potentially be going through a difficult time.

**Hospitals are great places…to get away from!

Thanks again for praying. It means so much.
Pastor Chuck