Lunch with Jesus

Spreading The Truth One Byte At A Time

By Ron Bender© 2008, 2013

What if Jesus asked you to lunch? I think you’d be excited!

Actually, Jesus has already asked you. Remember he said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Lunch with Jesus. It’s a simple concept, but it’s a powerful most often forgotten event. Let me illustrate.

Recently Deb and I served on the staff of Transition to Community(TTC) an organization dedicated to men coming out of prison. All to often we busy ourselves with "ministry work" and do not understand that the only true ministry is the work Jesus is doing in us not through us. Our own need for ministry is so important that Jesus continually stands at the door and knocks. Have you had your private lunch with Jesus today?

Happens when you Make Time for Jesus!

What effect does it have when Christ’s servants set aside a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days for intimacy with Jesus? To be guided and encouraged in Scripture, prayer, and soul talk. We all would say that would be life changing, yet many of us do not make it important. We think that we are called to help others yet fail to help ourselves. There were many testimonies from people who have spent a "retreat" or a special "day" alone with Jesus. How eating with Jesus rejuvenated their lives, cleansed their soul and are now ready to minister to others. How arrogant that will sound when you understand the truth.

The Truth

The truth is that ministry only flows through us not in us. We’ve seen it time and time again that those who continually walk with Jesus have this "flow" they are constantly readily. They don't seem to get stressed or worn out or in need of a "retreat". “Abide in me and you will bear much fruit,” Jesus promised (John 15:5). Abiding is a constant state not a sporadic when it feels right state or when we make time.

Another helpful hint or principle:

Do not boast about having lunch with Jesus. All to many of us tell the whole world that they wake up each morning to read scripture and pray. Is that any different from the people who tell everyone when someone important happens to dine with them or visits their house. They only want others to know how important they are. Their reward will only be the praise of men. They casually tell people how they plan to take a "spiritual retreat" only to receive that which is their purpose "self importance". Simply put a true spiritual awakening is just that, "you" are awakened! Don't make it about others.

My wife constantly tells me that I talk to myself way too much. She even has gone as far to say that she is concern about my sanity. She hears me talking in the bathroom, the living room, and really anyplace I am alone by myself. I don't tell her that I’m eating with Jesus. I don't explain to her that every moment of every day is becoming closer to Him. How arrogant that would sound. How pious of me to tell the whole world that I walk with Jesus when I am yet under construction. That’s right we are all under construction. That's the truth. None of us are finished and “ready” to do ministry. We are never “ready” to do ministry. Ministry only flows through us. If we are not constantly eating with Jesus there is nothing to flow.

It all begins with having lunch with Jesus in quiet solitude. It can be that simple for you too. Just you and Jesus in a quiet place, perhaps a beautiful nature setting, sharing a meal and sharing hearts, enjoying being together, perhaps for a few minutes or hours, but more importantly all day long. You just never know when and where “ministry” is going to happen. Rivers don't flow in spurts. They constantly have a flow.

Something to think about:

The next time you claim that you work "in" ministry just remember the truth....The only work is Jesus "in" you. There really is nothing else. If Jesus is not constantly supping with you than there is no "Ministry". And that My friend is the truth.

 

It’s people like you who support "Bytes of Truth", which includes articles like this. Perhaps you would like to invest in the transformation of men in the community, Future leaders, productive workers, and care-givers? Your tax deductible donation to Transition To Community will support this website, help the transition of broken lives back into the community, and the spreading of truth one byte at a time. When giving just say Bender Bytes sent you.

Thank you!

Ron

Ronald Bender- President/CEO Bender Consulting.~http://www.benderbytes.net/bender_consult