Keith Burnett Ministries

Equipping for Evangelism

Happy Thanksgiving – Guest Post

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Thanksgiving Psalm 31A

Happy Thanksgiving! 

As with this week’s previous posts, this one is from one of our recent mission volunteers. Jeremy is a friend and fellow laborer in the Gospel. This post will be up for the remainder of the Thanksgiving weekend. Come back when or if you can, contemplate a bit, and share.

We hope and pray you and your family have a very blessed celebration of Thanksgiving – filled with genuine gratitude.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Jeremy Wilson Journey GroupAs I sit scrolling through social media feeds, I see many people giving thanks for things. I think it’s great! I love seeing November dedicated to being thankful.

Do you know how many months are dedicated to something? Obviously, October is breast cancer awareness month. November then swoops in with thankfulness and “No shave”. I believe “No shave November” is meant to remind us of prostate cancer and other men’s issues, not really sure as I make it a habit to only shave once a week whether I need it or not.  January is stalking awareness month (lol), February is Black History and American Heart, June is one of my favorites: PTSD, Caribbean American, Hemiplegic Migraine, and LGBT Pride all get to share awareness (Sarcasm alert!!!).

With so much to be aware of, how does one find the time to be thankful? I am convinced this is why the same social media users, who are thankful in November, spend the rest of the time being spiteful in the other eleven months.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I wonder if in Paul’s day they had “Persecuted for the Cause of Christ” awareness month. His words here are a resounding testament to what it is to really be in tune with God’s will for you life.

We spend all month being thankful on social media, only to brawl in out in the aisle of whatever chain store we can hit up first on Black Friday. January through October is spent taking to facebook in order to gripe and say things we’d never have the courage to say out loud. It all boils down to a matter of contentment. When we realize our identity is in Christ then, and only then, will true thanksgiving take place in our lives; furthermore it will become a lifestyle, not a month.

Thanksgiving – Mission Volunteers 3

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grateful for

Thanksgiving Shared by Mission Volunteers

Monday’s post, as well as yesterday’s post, held some enlightening and encouraging thoughts. I didn’t give anyone a word limit. I just asked them to complete the line:

I am thanful for…

Per my request, they completed the thought with their personal reflections on our recent mission to the Dominican Republic. Today’s Thanksgiving post is a little longer than the others and comes from a young man I have grown to appreciate greatly. After being in the church he and his family attend, and seeing his sensitivity to the Spirit as we worked together, I am excited about his future in Kingdom work. I pray his thoughts of thanksgiving bless you as much as he has blessed me!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Matt Hawes

Thanksgiving Matt Hawes

Matt teaching in Batey 9

I’m thankful for many things from our trip to Barahona, Dominican Republic. God allowed me to get out of my comfort zone during the course of our week. But I knew I would have to at some point on the trip. I even gave myself the whole pep talk about how God would be there to help you through it no matter what the trip held. But when the time came, God’s provision went from a concept in my head to something that I experienced in a new way. Simply knowing that God will provide and experiencing His provision are two completely different things! 

I’m thankful that God’s redeeming grace is powerful enough to transcend any economic, social, or cultural background. I was able to study alongside, share a meal with, and worship God Almighty with brothers and sisters that I had never met. But though we had not met before this trip, these brothers and sisters met me with open arms and open hearts. Although we come from very different cultures and backgrounds, we were able to join together as one to give thanks to our God and Creator simply because of Christ’s redeeming power that is continually at work in our hearts and minds.    

Finally, I’m thankful that God used that week to remind and emphasize to me His desire for discipleship. God has been nudging me continually toward greater discipleship in my life for the last few years. I have tried to take steps of faith but it seems that things have been moving slowly and I was beginning to lose heart. As part of the teaching team, our week was focused on discipleship and throughout the trip God was encouraging me to stay on course! We even got to witness a wonderful example of discipleship in action right there in the Bateys! God reminded me that the mission trip was simply an extension of the mission He has given to each of us to make disciples. What a blessing it is to live with purpose!   

Thanksgiving – Mission Volunteers, 2

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grateful for

Thanksgiving Thoughts From ROW Mission Volunteers

I have asked several of our most recent ROW Mission Volunteers to complete this line:

I am thankful for…

Yesterday’s post was very encouraging. I think the Thanksgiving thoughts shared by today’s  mission volunteers are equally insightful. They come from people of diverse ages and backgrounds, but you can see in their comments that God can use and bless each of us. It doesn’t matter our station in life, it’s just a matter of being available and obedient to Him.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Josh Goforth

New friends. Good story here!

New friends. Good story here!

I am thankful that God convicted me to go on the trip to the Dominican Republic. I was so humbled not only by the people in the country, but also by the huge hearted people on the mission team. I am thankful for the ability to work with my hands and make a living, but a lot of times I get so caught up in “making a living” that I fail to think about others.

My week in the DR taught me that it’s not always about making money. I am thankful that during this mission I was taught to be humble by some awesome Dominican people that don’t care about money. People care about how much time you invest in them. The people we were serving in the DR did not care how much money we had, all they cared about was the fact that we were there being servants for Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I thought I was going to help them. But in the end, they helped me way more than I helped them. I am thankful for the humility that I received during that trip. I am thankful that a few short months ago I told myself I didn’t have time to go on this trip, but now I am praying for the opportunity to go serve again!

Shannon Mann

Shannon Mann La RomanaI have learned a lesson that I would like to share with you: do not ignore your gifts. They are invaluable and unique to you. This Thanksgiving, I have been specifically mentioning my God-gifts in my prayers and thanksgiving. The week I spent in the Dominican Republic, God really showed me where to use them, and I thank him for it. The Lord chose me specifically, with the gifts He gave to me, to be part of His plan. So I guess I am thankful for the way He chose to use me.

[Keith: Like other mission volunteers, Shannon was a blessing to many. I know because I heard from people who were around her all week!]

Stan Bramlett

A great time

A great time

I am thankful for many things. In relation to the recent D.R. mission trip I have some specific things in mind.

First, I had the opportunity to participate with the teaching team where we taught pastors and lay people. We covered Genesis 12 – 50. We saw a genuine hunger for the Word of God. These are people who gave up a day of income to learn the Word. There, when you don’t work, you don’t get paid and they don’t have much to start with. We saw pastors and church members come out every night of the week to listen for ~4 hours.

Second, I also had the opportunity to visit some of the homes in the Betay in order to present the Gospel. There we led some to Christ. For others, I am hopeful we planted seeds that will bear later fruit in their lives.

In both of these examples we saw the command in Psalm 50:14, Offer to God a sacrifice of thankgiving, being worked out. We saw others making such a sacrifice, we were allowed to make the same sacrifice and together we thank God for His Goodness. Indeed there are many people in different places, but there is One God over all.

Thanksgiving – Mission Volunteers

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Posts

I have asked several of our most recent ROW Mission Volunteers to complete this line:

I am thankful for…

Specifically, I asked them to complete it with their thoughts/remembrances of this month’s Dominican Republic mission. I have no idea what they are going to share, but I have no doubt it will be wonderful! That is absolutely the case with today’s offering of thanksgiving.

Please check back daily and let these wonderful ROW Mission Volunteers help you celebrate Thanksgiving! I am sure you will be blessed by what they share.

Soli Deo Gloria!

From Claire Megehee: (for context, see this post)

Claire thanksgivingI am thankful for God’s peace. Last week while we were ‘stranded’ in the airport, we stayed calm by singing worship songs. At first it was just our team, then other mission teams joined in with us. Before we knew it, God’s peace had covered our entire terminal. We were calm, fellow passengers were calm, and even the Delta Airlines personnel were calmed by His peace. You could tell the Holy Spirit was in the Santo Domingo Airport!

From Jennifer Morgan:

Jennifer Thanksgiving

Jennifer with Pastor Alberto’s wife in clinic

There so many things I thank and praise God for when I think about my trip to Barahona. It is difficult to choose only one thing. I made so many new friends who opened my eyes daily, if not hourly, to see God’s love and mercy all around me, all the time.  In the poorest conditions, I saw love and happiness, support and concern, understanding and acceptance, and all of it shown to others unconditionally. I watched a child see himself for the first time. I saw a baby’s healing begin through prayer. I witnessed and experienced relationships form and be transformed in seven short days.

I asked someone one morning what they wanted and without hestiation he simply said, I want what God wants. To be thankful means to be conscious of benefit received. I am thankful for the impact and changes my God is making in me because of the trip He chose for me to experience. I am thankful that He looked down on me and chose to change me, out of everyone and everything, He chose me and is changing me daily. I am thankful I have a new self awareness and desire to change myself and to grow deeper in my walk with my Redeemer. I am thankful for my growing relationship with Him, with my family and friends, and with people whose paths I am yet to cross. I am thankful He is opening my eyes and my heart to see beyond what is in front of me.  Because I, too, want what God wants.

From Emma Grace Nix:

Emma Grace Thanksgiving

Making friends

I am thankful for all of the relationships that we made with the Dominicans during our time with them. Preparing for mission, we talked a lot about our horizontal relationships with others strengthening our vertical relationship with God. That was made evident last week. I am thankful that so many of them remembered me from my last trip. It showed me that I made a positive impact on their lives. That is a big blessing! It was a privilege to get to show them God’s unfailing love and our group was blessed as well. Their constant contentment inspired us to be thankful for everything that God has given us. I am forever thankful for our friendships and I know God will continue to work through them!

 

How to Say, I Love You

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Journey Group Devotional, 11/11/15

A young lady returned to work after lunch one day to find flowers and a note on her desk. She opened the note and read, I love you, then promptly ripped the note in half and tossed it and the flowers in the trash can. She had just found out that her boyfriend was seeing someone else.

With the cross just hours away, Jesus announced to His disciples that He was leaving. Their responses to this announcement indicated a certain amount of devotion to Him.

  • Where are you going?
  • Why can’t I come with you?
  • How can we know the way?

His disciples obviously lacked a complete understanding of His purpose and plan. But you have to agree they wanted to be with Him. Peter, however, overstated the depth of his devotion when he declared, I will lay down my life for You. This may have been true in that moment. But Jesus informed him that his devotion would shortly be put to the test. Peter would fail the test (John 13:38). After His resurrection, Jesus would revisit Peter’s failure. Jesus asked Peter three times, Do you love Me?  And restating His original call, He said to Peter, Follow Me, (John 21:19).

Jesus reveals Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, which demands His Lordship over our lives. Believing is more than an intellectual assent. Jesus said believing in Him will result in doing His work, (John 14:12). In the same way, loving Him is more than just saying words. Jesus said, If you love Me you will keep My commands. (John 14:15). He then went further, saying that if we love Him and keep His commands we will enjoy a special and personal relationship with Him, (John 14:19-24).

John had walked with Jesus and his letters to the churches contain the recurring theme of love. In His letters, John defines love, tells us where it comes from, and how to love God. It isn’t as complicated as it might seem.  Notice:

For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands – 1 John 5:3

Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us – 1 John 3:23-24

The bottom line:  Don’t say, I love you, if your actions don’t match your words. We say, I love You, Jesus, when we keep His commands.

Journey GroupAlongside for the Journey!

Jeff

Misunderstood

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Way truth life

Journey Group Devotional, 11/10/15

Have you ever noticed how often Jesus was misunderstood? How many of His lessons were totally missed, even by His closest followers?

The lesson in John 14:1-7 is another example of how Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand what He was telling them. He spoke of going away, that they knew where He was going, and that they knew the way. Thomas spoke up and said, ‘Lord, we don’t even know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’  That’s when Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,’ (John 14:5-6).

Before we get too critical of Thomas and the other disciples, let’s consider ourselves and how we often misunderstand things. We misunderstand each other. We misunderstand circumstances and events. We often totally misunderstand God and what He is trying to say to us – just like the disciples.

In the verses immediately following, Jesus further explained Himself. He taught several things:

  • He is the only way to get to God the Father
  • He would be sending the Holy Spirit to live in the lives of those who believe in Him
  • Other important lessons for life

My point is, we CAN misunderstand what God is saying to us. So what do we do? We can do exactly what Thomas did. We can ask Him to explain things to us more clearly. When we are not certain what the Lord wants us to do, see, learn, or understand, we can ask, (John 14:14). It may be a particular scripture we don’t understand, it may be a situation that has come our way at home or work, it may be a sickness or a painful experience we are going through. But we can ask God to make it very clear what we are to learn, or what we should do. He does not want to hide His will from us. Rather, He desires us to depend on Him, to trust Him totally. Maybe He just wants you to get closer to Him.

Above all, please don’t misunderstand this: He wants our love.

He who loves Me will be loved my My Father, and I will love him, and show Myself to him,’ John 14:21.

Journey Group - RandyAlongside for the Journey!

Randy

In This Together

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Journey Group Devotional

Journey Group Devotional, 11/6/15

39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone.

Two very important things jump out at me in these verses from John 11. First, Jesus pointed out to Martha that if we believe we will see the glory of God. Does that mean that if we don’t believe that the glory of God won’t happen?

No, not at all. Here’s the deal: the glory of God is going on all around us, but when we don’t believe we just don’t see it.

Jesus wanted to reveal the blessings to Martha and the others that He had in store, but logic kicked in. Martha said, “Jesus, he’s been dead four days, he stinks by now.” How many of us won’t trust Jesus with out stinking situations. Our marriages, our jobs, our finances. . . .? Logic says “I’m broke, so I can’t afford to give money to the church or to the poor.” Jesus says to us, “Trust Me in your dead situation; I have it under control.”  Logic says, “My marriage is awful, I can’t be humble and love my husband today.” Jesus says, “Submit to him, show Me to him.”

Christ didn’t ask for a situation report or an autopsy. He asked for Martha to trust Him. He didn’t ask her what she thought about the situation. He merely asked for obedience to the will that He’d revealed (“Roll away the stone”). Why do we expect God to reveal anything else to us when we refuse to obey that which He has already revealed?

My second favorite part of this text is in the wording in verse 41. “So they. . . . ” Did you notice how Martha didn’t roll away the stone by herself? Jesus sometimes gives us challenging feats as Christians, but he also sends us help to live out his commands. It doesn’t say who helped Martha roll away the stone, only “they”. I choose to believe it was all the characters that were aforementioned: Mary, Martha, Jesus. . . . You see, Jesus gives us things to do that we are unable to do in our own strength. Then, He gives us the help to do them. That’s why Christianity in the context of community is so important. Part of that community is what we call a Journey Group. Whatever we call it, Jesus doesn’t mean for us to follow Him alone.

Jeremy Wilson Journey GroupAlongside for the Journey!

Jeremy

 

Table For Two? Right This Way!

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Journey Group Devotional, 11/4/15

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. [2] So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. [3] Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil — pure and expensive nard — anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.  –  John 12:1-3 

In our culture, going out to eat is a very common way to connect or reconnect with friends. When Jesus came to Bethany after Lazarus had been raised from the dead, hosting a dinner for Jesus probably seemed like the natural thing to do. A few days before, this might have been just some friends sharing a meal and enjoying each other’s company. But this meal was special. Lazarus, having been dead, was now alive. Jesus has proved beyond doubt that He is indeed the Resurrection and the Life. Perhaps we are allowed a brief look into this dinner with Jesus because there is something to be learned here.

The most obvious lesson is worship is a response of the recognition of who He is and what He’s done. Mary is remembered forever because she laid aside her pride, sacrificed a costly gift, and anointed the feet of Jesus. Then, exhibiting radical humility, she wiped His feet with her own hair. Although her act of worship may have seemed extreme, no one can question the fact that Jesus deserved the attention He received.

In her own way, Martha was worshiping Jesus, too. She is serving. On another occasion when Martha was serving, she complained to Jesus about not getting any help. There are no complaints this day. Having seen the glory of God at the tomb of Lazarus, serving Him probably seemed like a privilege.

Looking into this dinner scene, we see Lazarus, back from the other side, also seated at the table with Jesus. We could speculate about the conversation but it doesn’t matter. What we see is the lesson. They were together. Even though they’d been friends before, Lazarus would not have been able to see Jesus the same way. His relationship with the Messiah was the most important thing in the world.

Take a moment and think about how you should respond to Jesus. Knowing who He is and what He’s done for you, what does He deserve from you? While He certainly deserves our worship, don’t forget that He also desires our company. Set aside some time this week and spend some quality time with Jesus. Jesus has already made the reservations.

Your table is ready! Table for two?

Journey GroupAlongside for the Journey!

Jeff

If

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John 11

Journey Group Devotional, 11/3/15

IF…

In the familiar passage leading up to Lazarus being raised from the dead, we find Mary and Martha saying the same thing. ‘Lord, if You had been here my brother would still be alive’ (John 11:21, 32). They obviously had no way of knowing that Jesus was going to raise Lazarus. They were caught up in the painful reality of their brother’s death and the emotional regrets of “if”.

If You had been here… If You had healed him. If this sickness had never happened. If…

How many times do we find ourselves saying if, as we carry the emotional baggage of painful memories, deep sorrows and regrets? If I had not taken that job…. If I had not made that unwise decision…. If that I had never met that person…. If I had a better job… more money… a different family…. If….

Life can be filled with painful regrets and drag us down If we don’t have a proper perspective.

Mary and Martha were considering what could have been…. if only…  We’ve all had dreams that have been shattered by what could have been… if only…. Mary and Martha knew enough doctrine to believe in a future resurrection, but not enough faith to trust in the very One who is the ‘Resurrection and the Life’ (John 11:24-25). We may believe in heaven one day (in the sweet by and by), but totally miss the abundant life Jesus came to give us in the here and now. Mary and Martha were viewing the circumstances from a physical and emotional standpoint only. We do that when we do not take into consideration that our God is totally sovereign. Our God can take our past, present and even our future and work it for our good and His glory. Jesus said to them, ‘if you believe, you will see the glory of God,’ (John 11:40b).

Friends, please don’t let the ‘if’s’ of the past ruin your today and tomorrow. You really can trust Him as you wait on His perfect timing.

Here’s one final If.

‘If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (I John 1:9)

Journey Group - RandyAlongside for the Journey!

Randy

This Won’t End In Death

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Life Lessons

Journey Group Devotional, 10/30/15

In John 11:25 we see Jesus’ words to Martha:

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.

Imagine you’re standing outside your own brother’s tomb. You’re crying out to God and begging Him to move in your situation. Yet, nothing is happening. You did everything right, beginning with taking your problem directly to Jesus Himself. This is exactly what happened in John 11! Notice in verse 3:

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one You love is sick.

Imagine that once you laid your problem at Jesus feet He promised you He had it under control. We see that in verse 4:

When He heard this, Jesus said, This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.

In light of verse 4, notice what Jesus said in verses 14 and 15:

Then He told them plainly, Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.

So, let’s get this straight. Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus. He promised them it was under control. Then Jesus not only didn’t show up on time, but He was saying,  I’m glad I wasn’t there to do anything about it.

You know that Mary and Martha were mad, hurt, sad, doomed, and blamed Jesus for their trouble. Notice Martha’s comments in verse 21:

Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

We are just like Mary and Martha. Our society has taught us that when we don’t get exactly what we think we deserve, and when things don’t go exactly our way, someone is to blame for that. Religion has taught us to blame Jesus.

Let’s be honest, what is our Lazarus? The better question would be, what dead and hopeless situation do we face?

Lazarus died so that God could be glorified. Sometimes our own sin causes the dead situations in our lives. God has promised us that He will never leave us of forsake us. If we believe, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. Jesus said He is the resurrection and the life. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, our dead situations will remain dead. Only the life Jesus offers can be sustained. We are nothing and can do nothing apart from Christ and His power.

It may be your marriage, your job, your finances, it may even be you; but Jesus is the resurrection and the life so we must allow Him to take control. It may not happen on our timetable, but we must trust that God is working all things together for our good and for His own glory.

Jeremy Wilson Journey GroupAlongside for the Journey!

Jeremy

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