Did You Notice?

Jesus was just passing through the town of Jericho when He noticed a man who wasn’t very tall, trying to get a look at Him.  This man, had climbed a tree to get a good look – and Jesus noticed him.  Jesus is always noticing people and when He notices them He engages them and brings to them the offer of salvation.  That’s how it worked with Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus accepted.

He notices people because He is intentionally looking.  He said in Luke 19:10  “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

This is why He sends us out as His Secret Agents...He is still seeking and saving the lost. 

This week, as you are just passing through the things of your day, ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to notice people...people who are trying to get a glimpse of God...to see if He’s the real thing or not...Pull a Jesus on them and engage them right where they are and let them see the real Jesus in you

Fall is the time of year when people return to routines and add new ones...use this time as a Secret Agent to.  take risks of invitation—inviting people to church, LCG, events or like my friend recently did, invite them to dinner! 

The story of Zacchaeus ended with his salvation and the salvation of others.  All because Jesus noticed him.  May the same be true of those you notice this week.

Healing in Sizzler Restaurant

So, Secret Agent assignments happen in Boise, ID, too.  While on a trip to visit the women serving in churches with their spouses, we went out to lunch.  Our server had a brace on her wrist and we asked her what happened.  Throughout the meal we learned more and more about the car accident she'd had and that she was a student without insurance and so had not received medical care.  The Holy Spirit was speaking loudly in my ear that we were to ask if we could pray for her for healing.  Toward the end of our time (and her shift) I told her that I believed God wanted to heal her wrist and would it be okay if we prayed for her.  She said yes and so we prayed something very short and to the point for her healing and that she would know how much God loved her.  When we were done she thank us and said that it was very touching.

As we left, we saw her sitting with the manager and crying as it seemed she was being reprimanded for allowing us to pray with her.  So we prayed some more that she would not have the blessing stolen and that she would have favor with her employer.  Bless her, Lord.

I don't know what happened, but I do know that God put her as our server because He is pursuing her with His love. 

Lord, keep our eyes open and our hearts ready to be interrupted by You for our next assignment.

Sharing in the Spoils.

How many Secret Agent assignments did we encounter at the Garage Sale this past weekend?  Innumerable!  Let's hear about them and "share the spoils" with each other. 

Sharing the spoils is an Old Testament phrase that explains what armies did after a victory.  They would retrieve the valuables and share them.  We've had valuable spiritual experiences and it's important that we share them so that everyone gets built up and energized to keep going.

One testimony that came was of a woman who commented that everyone was so friendly for this event.  She was assured that we're like this all the time--not just once a year at the Garage Sale!  She responded that she is contemplating coming to church at EVFC because of her experience here.  Bring her in, Lord, and build her into a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ!

Good job, Secret Agents!  Let's hear all about your assignments!

Cleaning Up our Reputation

People are known by their reputation and our reputations are made by how we conduct ourselves.  Additionally, reputation is built on how others perceive our lives.

This week I was given an assignment by accident...literally.  I was in a collision at a stop sign this past week.  It was immediately evident that all parties were unharmed but fenders were definitely changed.  I heard the Lord say, "consider it all joy when you fall into various trials" and understood that this was going to be an assignment--not only with the woman who hit me, but the on-lookers who came out to watch and see the excitement.

After talking for awhile, it was revealed that I was a pastor at the church down the street.  The climate changed from friendly, getting-to-know-you conversation to a pulling back with anger and judgment.  The Holy Spirit gave opportunity to listen to their experiences and hurts brought on by others in the name of God - in churches.  "Church" and "Christian" were portrayed as words of pain.  "God" was still thought of as "good" but not the Church. 

Our reputation as the people of God has been damaged not only because of actions in the past but because how they have been perceived.  We, The Church, are not perfect and it is hypocrisy to act as though we are.

Our assignment as Secret Agents is about helping people get past the past so that they can connect with the God who loves them and desires relationship with them.

As the Holy Spirit kept working in our conversation, we were able to get past my "title" and part as new friends.  It is my hope that more assignments will follow.

Amazing Grace

Doesn't it amaze you that when we take one small step in obedience to God that He makes up the difference with His amazing grace and an ordinary moment becomes a supernatural intervention of glory?

For many of us, the mere thought of being a secret agent on assignment for the Kingdom of God seemed absurd --at first. The "who me's" the "what if's" the "I can'ts" and even the "I'm not sure I want to's" took center stage in our thoughts. But, as we made the acknowledgement in our hearts that we were willing (albeit with fear and trembling) our God has created unique opportunities for us that intersect with the lives of those who need His loving touch. And we have even begun to say "why not me?," and "what's next?"

Some of our Secret Agents have been a friendly ear for the hurting. Others have reached out their hands and prayed for the sick (and many have recovered!). Others have issued invitations to join them for book clubs, retreats and church services. And others have even led people in prayers for salvation. And the Kingdom of God is full of rejoicing because we are in small and large ways fulfilling the call to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep it up. Read the new comments below and add your own to the growing list of God's interruptions in our lives. Interrupt me more, Lord!

Vision Increases

Vision Increases As We Open Our Eyes

In the beginning of our secret agent assignments, many of us weren't sure that we could do it.  We weren't used to seeing God work around us every day let alone through us!  The assignment from the Lord was simple:  Open your eyes to see how I will interrupt your day with an opportunity to share My love, My truth, My hope, My encouragement.  We dared to believe God at His Word that we are His chosen ambassadors to take the Good News to the world.  We dared to ask Him to open our eyes and interrupt our days with His assignments.  And we have experienced His Holy Spirit speaking to us and touching the lives of others through us.  Can you say, "Thank You, Lord!"


Keep your testimonies coming!  They are a huge encouragement for us to keep our sights set on our Lord.

Who Me?

2 Cor. 5:20 says that we are ambassadors for Christ...we are His representatives, chosen to speak for Him and bring people the most important message ever...salvation through Jesus.


I look at myself and often think that if I were God, I would have made a "Plan B."  God's representative?  Me?  Entrusted with the message of eternal life?  If I were God, I'd fire me.


But then He reminds me of the great truth that makes it possible:  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant...2 Cor. 3:5-6


Ambassadors...Secret Agents...Who me?  Yes, me...and YOU!

We are the Church

We don't come to church, we ARE the Church!  That's what being Secret Agents is all about and the church is ministering the gospel all over our valley through you!  Good Job!


In Acts 3, the disciples were going about their daily lives, and were interrupted by an opportunity from the Lord to heal a lame man and so they do and then another opportunity comes to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Later on in chapter 4, it says that people marveled at their boldness and realized they had been with Jesus.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit, be with Jesus and be bold and it will be seen by others!!

Interruptions are Opportunities

     So, secret agents, how are we doing?  Have you encountered "interruptions" to your days or moments where you were able to speak a word of kindness, life, truth?  Did the Lord strategically place you in someone else's path so that you could pray for them or talk with them about the Lord?  
     Take a couple of minutes to read previous posts of other secret agents on assignment, too.  It may help you identify where you have been on assignment.
     Keep up the good work and keep your eyes open for those God-moments and opportunities...and then blog away!

Agents of the Spirit on Assignment

In John chapter 1:14 it says that Jesus was "full of grace and truth."  It's a journey to grow in grace - what does it mean and what does the Word say about actively pursuing this?  That's what this blog will be about - our journey of growing in grace to be like Jesus.


As we begin the summer, we want to keep our eyes open to the opportunities God makes available to us to share His love and heart with others - and do the things that Jesus did - talk about and do the things of the Kingdom:  share the Good News of Jesus, walk in the power of the Spirit, pray for the sick (& see healing), and be used to meet needs in the lives of people.  We are agents on assignment.  


The challenge is being issued to ask the Lord to "interrupt" your daily lives in order to be used by Him.  As He opens your eyes to opportunities and you say "yes" I want to hear your stories about being used by God.  Each week at our services, we'll share some of those stories and be encouraged by God at work in us and through us.  Are you ready?  Let's pray.


"Father, I want to be used by You.  I don't want to miss any of the opportunities You will give me to demonstrate Your love and heart to others.  I ask You to open my eyes to see where You are at work and strengthen my spirit to join You in Your work.  Thank You for the opportunity to be connected to You and be used to help others connect with You.  In the matchless name of Jesus and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I go forward.  Amen."