How did your week go? Did your heart change towards people by inviting them?
Recently we celebrated the 500th anniversary of reformation day. The day Luther nailed 95 theses at the door of the church in Wittenberg. He did it so people would have the opportunity to know the full truth and that the church could be reformed. Luther called for repentance and change. At the time people were given wrong information about salvation (the church leaders at that time were more about power, politics and money then about Jesus)and through that they always lived in fear. With Luther bringing the truth and also translating the bible he enabled people to read for themselves and understand what Jesus did for them. He also changed the church.
This is as relevant today as it was 500 years ago. 500 years ago people were misinformed about Jesus as they are today. Many people just hear about Christianity in the context of politics or negativity, but not the gospel message of salvation and hope. How do people want to choose Jesus if they have all the wrong ideas about Him? We need to bring a new reformation in the sense that people really know the full picture and understand Jesus and why he is important for them. This can only come out of honest and real conversation and also by seeing it through the way we live our lives. And when people hear the full gospel, they can make a decision for themselves. Its not our job to force them to do something, no they just have to fall in love with Jesus themselves and choose Him. But again we are all called to give our neighbor friends the full picture.
We want to encourage you this week to show Jesus through little acts of kindness and maybe talk with a neighbor friend about your faith in Jesus and what He means to you. Don’t pressure, just share openly and honest how you feel. That’s all you have to do. Making a decision is up to our friends!
Hey our friend
We hope your week was wonderful. We had a big Reformation day celebration with German food, a quiz all around Luther and his life and then we watched the movie Luther. All of us were inspired by his heart for God and to stand up against injustice. We also had different other events like a brunch and a potato night which were all really wonderful. It’s wonderful to see how more and more community forms when you truly love people and show them that you care about them!
Start this new week with a reformation in your heart and from that let it shine to your neighbors!
Have a blessed week and be a blessing!
Markus and Jen
One of the great things Jesus did with his disciples was showing them that he really wanted them. Remember Peter and all his missteps? Jesus told him and showed him many times that he wanted him and that he was important. It was harder to believe for Peter but Jesus made it clear many times.
Recently I watched this episode of little house on the prairie which was about a lady that moved into town and she was a bit strange. Many people right away stayed away from her. But 2 of the main character decided to befriend her. Through that friendship others started to accept her as well and that opened up the door for her to help people with giftings she had. But before she could help anyone she had to be accepted and be a friend. And also people first had to meet her before the opinions could change about her.
One thing we learned over the years is that we have to start early with invitations for holidays. Its 2 weeks before thanksgiving and Jen starts to hand out invitations to many of our neighborhood friends to our thanksgiving meal. After all the inviting we end up with a very full table and apartment. Everyone who came had a wonderful time together and many of them shared how it felt like family. Through early planning most people could come since they did not have plans yet.
This weeks blog is another video blog with the topic use your in between time. We hope you feel encouraged!!