A Kind, Courteous Christian?

I heard this quote recently in a message at a youth camp and it got me thinking about what it really means.

…A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity.  {GW 122.1}

If a kind and courteous Christian is the most powerful argument in favor of Christianity then shouldn’t our example be winning souls for Christ’s kingdom?

So what does it really mean to be a kind and courteous Christian?

The Bible doesn’t mention these two words a lot but I found a couple of verses.

In Ephesians chapter four and verse thirty two it says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”  If we are to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us, then we should be kind as Christ was too, right?                         

I looked at a definition of kind, Having a benevolent, courteous, friendly, generous, gentle, liberal, sympathetic or warm-hearted nature or disposition, marked by consideration for – and service to – others. All these characteristics are important but the one that stood out to me was ‘consideration for – and service to – others.’ This is really a characteristic that can make a big impact on people especially when we live in a very inward focused world. We could almost sum up the definition of kind with the words, ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself’ couldn’t we?

But Jesus says in Matthew chapter five verses forty three to forty eight, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” To love our neighbour as one’s self is one thing but Jesus says to love our enemies. He just said love your neighbour as thyself so when he says love your enemies, he would be meaning love our enemies as one’s self right? So could the definition of kind be ‘to love one’s enemies as his own self?’

The word courteous is only mention once in the bible. The bible says in first Peter chapter three and verse eight, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” Courteous is in this list along with compassion and love which is basically being kind right?

I also looked at the definition of courteous, showing regard or thought for others; especially, displaying good manners or etiquette. One thing that stuck out to me in this definition was ‘regard or thought for others’ this seems to be a common thread through these thoughts I have been looking at.

If I was to sum up in two words what my definition of a kind, courteous Christian was; it would be ‘others focused.’

Let us all aspire through Christ to be more focused on others and less on ourselves.

What is your opinion of a kind, courteous Christian; let us know in the comments.

Keep the faith,

Luke

Is Encouraging Each Other Important?

I recently attended a youth camp at which the primary focus was outreach. It was a great encouragement to me especially hearing testimonies of how God was working with and in us. I went looking in the Bible for some verses about encouraging one another. I found a verse in first Thessalonians chapter four and verse eighteen, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” This verse is straight after the verses that talk about Jesus’ second coming. If we are to comfort one another with thoughts of Christ’s soon coming, wouldn’t it also be of great comfort to encourage one another with testimonies of more souls come to the light of Christ’s soon returning?

I also looked at Ellen White’s writings to see what she had to say on the topic. In Manuscript Releases I found this quote, “The Lord wants living members in His church, men and women who will encourage one another in faithful service.” I also found another great quote in Steps to Christ, “We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The truths of His Word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by their sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality. In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should. The proper cultivation of the social elements in our nature brings us into sympathy with others and is a means of development and strength to us in the service of God.”

We may not be able to associate and encourage each other in person all the time, but we can share our testimony and experiences to encourage one another in faith and service.

If you have any testimonies or experiences of the working of our Almighty Savior in your life, we’d love to hear them and be able share them with others.

God bless and go bless,

Luke

Submit a Testimony

Our Inability is God's Opportunity

“Until you know that life is a war, you cannot know what prayer is for.” – J. Piper

I was talking to some friends, and the topic of canvassing came up. They asked, “Are you coming canvassing tomorrow?” I replied, “Of course! You don’t have to convince me.” Little did I realise it would be more difficult than I had anticipated. I woke up the next morning with a very sore throat, struggling to talk, and coughing a lot. I determined to go out anyway.

After lunch, my team leader said, “Are you ready to get out Ash?” I hesitated as I really don’t like letting people down, but I said, “I’m really sorry I’m not feeling to good, and I have lost my voice…”

After a while, I decided I was going to try, although I knew in my own strength I was incapable but with God all things are possible, so I said, “Can you drop me off – I’ll give it a shot!” With a prayer and some encouragement I was sent to canvass with a friend, and as soon as we got together we knelt down and prayed, asking God to bless, open hearts and doors as he saw fit, prepare the way for us and fill in for our insufficiency.

Not long later we came to this door, and the elderly gentleman who answered expressed he wasn’t really interested, but was more than happy to have a chat. So we talked about religion, God, the misery in the world, loving your neighbour, and a number of different areas of religion. Throughout the conversation he inferred he thought we were doing a great job, but he had looked at all the religions and he had set his mind on the right one. He then mentioned that, loving your neighbour is the underlying principle of his religion. After discussing with him, I asked if he would be willing to take a Path to Peace or a DVD and just have a read/watch, He said, “Okay, I can do that.” I then asked if he would mind if we prayed with him before we left, and he agreed. So he turned from not being willing to look at anything, to committing to read the book.

A couple of doors later we met a very devout atheist. He was handicapped and rarely left his house; it took him a while to open the door. I handed him the Great Controversy, but he was not interested. He told us he had been through enough and seen enough years to know what was right and wrong. But I wasn’t convinced. He wanted to donate to us, but I didn’t have enough change, so I radioed the team leader and asked for some change.

As I walked to the van to get the change, I was trying to think What could I say to this man? I kept thinking, He just doesn’t know what he is missing out on. I got to the van, talked with the leader, and asked a few questions, as well as sharing the experience, and went back to the door – with a new fire to ignite this man’s candle. After some discussion he agreed to take a DVD and watch it. Praise the Lord! I was just delighted. It is one thing to sell a book, but it is another thing when someone commits to study and take a serious look into Christianity. Especially an atheist!

Time always passes too quickly, and it wasn’t long later when I heard the call, “Get ready for pick up. We will be there in five minutes.”

My heart almost sank, I thought, We can't finish a day here. So we walked quickly on to the next door and to my surprise, after a drawn out conversation, we sold a Great Controversy. My friend was over-joyed and laughing just as the van came to pick us up. Our team leader said, “Looks like you two are having to much fun; I might have to just take one of you!” We were both enjoying it so much, we requested to continue and our request was granted – thanks to our team leader!

As we went on, we came to another door, canvassed the lady, and smiled as we told her about Bountiful Health, which she had already taken a vested interest in. I canvassed her the Great Controversy and without any convincing she told us she liked it and would like to get both. But she only had a fifty-dollar note, so I suggested, “Well, you could get any other book we’ve got as well for that much.” She said, “Oh okay! Can I get another cookbook?” We agreed, and the deal was done!

That day was a blessing, and although I found it challenging to talk, between coughing and being unwell, God intervened and through my weakness He was strong! On the first door we got out two Bountiful Health and one Great Controversy, and on the last door we got out two Bountiful Health and one Great Controversy!

God’s grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Don’t doubt what He can do for you; pray and except miracles! He is waiting for an excuse to bless His ambassadors! 

-Ash

Providential Canvassing Experiences

Earlier this year, I was out canvassing with a friend. It was one of my first times canvassing. We knocked on a door where there was obviously a tradesman working inside. I was thinking to myself that he’d be too busy to talk. But he came to the door, although he had been tiling and had glue on his hands so couldn’t handle the books. My friend canvassed him Bountiful Health and he was very interested and said he’d buy it for his mother. So he went off to get the money and came back with $20 which he said was all he had. He alluded to the fact that he was on his own and when we gave him a Path to Peace he said he’d read that one himself. We left and went next door. 

As we were walking, I asked my friend why she hadn’t canvassed him the other books – was it because he said that was all the money he had? She said she should have and we discussed how we both sensed that there was something wrong and that he was close to tears. So we went back and canvassed him the other books and he broke down and started to cry. He told us how his wife had left him a couple of years ago and that he still loved her and felt he didn’t deserve to be treated like that. He said he didn’t see his nineteen year old daughter anymore either. He so appreciated that we just took the time to listen to him. We were able to leave him with a Health and Peace which he was very grateful for, and said he would start reading that night.

Later that day, I was canvassing with Jessica in power hour and by this time I was doing the cookbook canvas myself. We had just left someone’s door and walked back to the curb to move on to the next house, when a young lady, who was walking her dog, approached us and asked if we have cookbooks. She had obviously heard our canvas at the previous door! She had a look at all our books, and especially liked Bountiful Health – while the dog tangled her up in its lead and behaved very impatiently. She showed us she lived in a house just over the road and if we came back to her house in twenty minutes, she’d be finished walking the dog, and she’d give us money for a cookbook. So we went back, and she took Bountiful Health and the complimentary Path to Peace. It was an amazing experience because we did nothing – she approached us.

-Jenny

Witnessing to People You Know

Sometimes, it’s hardest to witness to people you know.

I had been praying for an opportunity to share the books we’ve been canvassing with my music teacher. I wasn’t sure how to go about it though; because I know her well, I couldn’t turn up at her door and canvass her like everyone else. And, I wouldn’t have liked to have taken a donation for the books, because she already gives me so much – yet I know she wouldn’t just take them. I didn’t want to give her the books, because I wasn’t sure if she had time to read.

But about two weeks ago, her and I were having a discussion (as we generally do), when she said that she loved reading, and she reads every day. Her idea of heaven was a bright sunny room, the most comfortable snuggly lounges and rows of rows of books – floor to ceiling bookshelves. I agreed that sounded pretty nice, as I enjoy reading too. The conversation moved on, or rather, the lesson got started, but I realized something. God had just given me an opportunity: my teacher and I had just had a conversation about reading, and she told me she reads every day. I decided to give her a book.

I was nervous about the idea – I feel out of practice with witnessing at the moment, and I’m not the type of person who can easily make conversation, and have the right words at the right time. But I prayed a lot about it during the week, and I decided that God gave me the opportunity, so He’d give me the strength. I was also thinking of the times Ellen White says we give account for the opportunities we’ve used, and those we’ve wasted. God had given me an opportunity; it was my responsibility to use it.

Of course, my worries were in vain. Isn’t it crazy how we get surprised when God is God like He says He will be? I gave my teacher Peace Above the Storm, and told her that after our conversation the previous week, I decided to give her ‘a piece of heaven.’ She seemed to like it, and before I left, she thanked me again and said she would read it.

I’m glad I took the opportunity, and that my teacher gratefully accepted the book. I’m praying that it will be a blessing to her – and if you feel impressed, please pray for her too.

It’s encouraging to be reminded that when God gives opportunities, He gives us the strength and courage to meet them. He prepares hearts to receive knowledge of Him, and we really have nothing to be worried about.  

So, how do you witness to people you know? Do you find it more or less difficult? How has God been proving to you that He’s got everything under control?

Keep striving onward and upward!

Jessica

A Rewarding Work

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

Over the past couple of weeks I have been canvassing and sharing books door to door. I would like to relate a couple of experiences that have really stood out in my memory as divine appointments, and amazing opportunities. Canvassing is a very rewarding work, which requires tact, patience and perseverance, as well as a willing heart.  Something I have to keep reminding myself is, you never know what influence or blessing someone may gain from a simple experience that we can too easily take for granted.  

One day when I was out canvassing, I knocked on the first few doors and no one was home, so I silently prayed, asking for some open doors, and hearts receptive to take the books. (I was canvassing with someone who had never canvassed before and I really wanted it to be a real blessing for them to see God actively working through us to bless others.) Upon reaching the next door, an elderly lady came out and she seemed quite friendly. As I canvassed her the cookbook with lots of healthy recipes, she turned to me and said, “Do you have another one? Could I get two of these?” I answered, “Yes, I sure do! Here you go,” handing her the other cookbook from my bag. Then she went inside to get a donation, handing it to me with a “Thank you.” I told her that when people help us out with a donation, we like to leave them with a reading book, showing her The Great Controversy. She was so delighted that she told me she would be reading it for sure, and using the cookbook as well. Greatly encouraged, and delighted at God’s immediate answer to prayer, we departed, smiling!  

Another time I was canvassing, I came to this door, and barely finished the introduction before the lady blurted out, “Oh, I have a grand-daughter with that name as well! And she is so sweet; she’s an absolutely beautiful good girl! You must be too, because you have the same name.” She smiled even broader I showed her what we had. After talking for a while she turned to get a donation, stating she was going to get the cookbook for her grand-daughter to cook healthy. I was smiling at what some would call a coincidence, but no, it was a divine appointment! When she returned I said, “Well actually, I haven’t showed you what else we’ve got,” and pulling out the Peace Above the Storm I handed to her - just as her phone rang. She answered, and then told the person on the phone that she had these lovely young people at her door one by the same name as her granddaughter! After the phone call, I canvassed her Peace Above the Storm. It didn’t take any convincing: she smiled and gave a donation, so happy that we had dropped by!

I was canvassing on my own one day, and I took the opportunity to spend each moment between doors, and while waiting at the doors, to pray for divine appointments, quick shut downs, and open hearts and homes in need of His love that would be open to receive the books. I remember this particular door very well: I knocked, a nicely dressed lady came to the door, I introduced myself and, before I could show her the books, she told me she was about to go out, and didn’t have much time. I told her I would just quickly show her the book that, in particular, the ladies have been loving: Peace Above the Storm. She read the title and I could just see in her face that she wanted it; it grabbed her attention, and when I said “freedom from worry, guilt and fear” her eyes almost lit up with a smile! She asked, "How much do you want for it?" I told her that people generally help out with a donation around so much, and she went inside, returned with a donation, and with a warm smile, thanked me for coming by.

We all want to hear that wonderful assurance as overcomers, "WELL DONE, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:21) Then, let us today, tomorrow, and forever, be faithful in that which is least.

God bless you, and go bless!

-Ash

God's Never-Failing Protection

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

God has answered many prayers in my brief canvassing experience. He has answered prayers about the weather, our safety, for divine appointments and opportunities, for the right people to answer the doors, and even for someone to canvass with. It’s exciting to see Him directly answering my prayers. But what is also exciting is being able to look back on certain experiences and see God working and organizing things without me even knowing about it. Before I called on Him, He had it all worked out.

One afternoon, myself, a friend, and my brother had about an hour in town free, so we decided to canvass a fairly large block. First we had to decide who would go with who, and then we had to decide who would go which direction around the block. They weren’t very major decisions, and we just decided that my brother would go with me and we would go clockwise from where we started, and our friend would go the other direction by herself.

We had a productive hour; both of us groups ran out of stock in our bags, and got to have some good conversations with people. The side my brother and I chose included a little place, with a deceiving large number of houses in it. It became evident that this was a shady part of town. But we got around it, met a few nice people, were able to share some books and the smaller Path to Peace, and went home rejoicing.

Several weeks later, as the same friend was canvassing the block next the one above, she met a talkative lady, who informed her that directly over the road was where all the drug dealers lived, and she had a lot of trouble with them. As soon as our friend shared that, we both could see God’s hand in directing my brother to go with me that afternoon, and for us to choose that side of the block, rather than our friend doing it on her own. While we didn’t even realize the situation, God had it all worked out.

God did this again for me in a small way last time I was out canvassing. I was by myself, and I came to a house set a fair way off the road. I couldn’t decide whether it was lived in or not, so I went in to try anyway. As I stood knocking on the door, all these dogs in the neighbour’s back yard got excited, and started barking and running up and down the fence. I was thankful they were in the neighbour’s yard, because they didn’t sound or look friendly. No one answered my knocks, so I walked off the veranda, and took one more look at the dogs, as I walked back to the road. And then I noticed what the neighbour’s dogs were excited about: It wasn’t me after all. Instead, there was another dog on this side of the fence, and it was running up and down the same side of the fence I was on. He was big, and he was mad. I said a quick prayer, and walked down that driveway as fast and smoothly as I possibly could. Praise God, the dog didn’t even notice me.

Yes, I did pray when I noticed that the dog and I were on the same side of the fence, but God was already answering my prayers before I spoke them. That dog was in the yard the whole time I stood knocking at the door, and waiting for an answer. I walked in; it could’ve noticed my movement. I knocked loudly; it could’ve heard me. But I believe God made it blind to me, and kept it absorbed with the dogs over the fence, so that I could walk out of there safely.

Sometimes canvassing, it’s easy to ponder the ‘what-ifs?’; to wonder what will be behind the gate, behind the door, down the road, and to imagine all the dangers that could be in our path. But it’s just another opportunity to grow in faith and trust in God. We don’t know what’s ahead, but it’s encouraging to realize God already knows everything and everyone we will meet. He has the way mapped out for us, and He will guide us. And “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

-Jessica