Travel and Ministry: Creating the Opportunity for Witnessing
Early this morning, I was off to Arizona for ministry, golf and baseball. The plane left San Francisco at 6 AM, on the morning where we sprang our clocks forward, sometime during the night, costing an additional hour of sleep. So when the alarm went off early, to spend time in prayer and Bible Reading, prior to leaving for the airport, needless to say it was dark outside. Still very excited about the trip, which is the second annual. Baseball and golf are my sport passions and my son in law will be with us this year.
To the point: Last year I traveled a ridiculous amount of miles, to the tune of 140,000+, with only one or two international trips, many domestic flights. (This year, any day I do not go to an airport, as always, is a god day) The travel was for business, not ministry related, although all life should be ministry related.
Creating the opportunity for ministry is always fun, listening to the direction of the Holy Ghost, who creates the opportunities to witness is even more fun.
My standard mode of operation is to sit in an aisle seat and as soon as I sit down I pull out my Bible and begin to read it, while everyone is boarding. In 2011 the seat was normally in First Class or Business Class because of the amount of flying I was doing. Then everyone, who boards after me, has an opportunity to see the Bible as they pass by my seat, venturing to the other parts of the plane. For any of you that fly you know what happens, no one knows how to board the plane go to their seat and sit, they put all kinds of things in the overhead compartments. This becomes time for people to stand by my seat, in a relatively awkward at least unfamiliar position, which causes them to look around. Surprise, surprise, surprise so what do they have a wonderful opportunity to see, God's Word, they also then get an opportunity to experience His love. Of course then there is the person who will need to get in to the seat or seats next to me. Then there is the flight.
Let me go back in the trip a little ways. My Bible has a pocket on the outside of my brief case. It is plain to see for anyone who looks and it often falls out as the brief case goes through the x-ray machine, in the security area.
The Bible has an amazing tendency to attract attention and create ministry opportunities. How can I practice iron sharpens iron today? The Bible has an amazing propensity to attract attention. My last year Bible, we read a different one together at the leadership of our Pastor, was an NIV One Year Bible. It is thick and noticeable. I think it is made that way for a purpose. Yes it is bulky to travel with and yes I have the Bible in my IPhone and my IPad, which I use on occasion, when I am studying alone with no chance for a spectator to notice and comment.
Walking through an airport I have had people tell me it is a good book, which would begin a conversation. On the plane I have had people comment in a number of ways, which ether gives me an opportunity to support someone else's faith, when they are a believer and are genuinely excited to see the Bible. You never know where people are or what they may be going through, that the site of the Bible in public either in its traveling position or being read will strengthen their will for the Lord. Then there are all different kinds of people, but everyone knows what the Bible is, at least by reference. So the questions and comments can be very broad in their range. There is never a chance meeting of the person and seeing the Word. The Holy Ghost, the Paraclete is always present creating the situations for support and testimony, we just need to respond, as He would direct us.
Pray for the opportunity and you will get questions or comments. Pray the answer into your mind and on to your tongue then go for it in love. More than likely you will be given the opportunity to witness Jesus to someone always in love.
I am a gadget geek. But I carry the Bible for all to see and let it open the opportunity to be the witness, then let the Holy Ghost do His thing.
To the point: Last year I traveled a ridiculous amount of miles, to the tune of 140,000+, with only one or two international trips, many domestic flights. (This year, any day I do not go to an airport, as always, is a god day) The travel was for business, not ministry related, although all life should be ministry related.
Creating the opportunity for ministry is always fun, listening to the direction of the Holy Ghost, who creates the opportunities to witness is even more fun.
My standard mode of operation is to sit in an aisle seat and as soon as I sit down I pull out my Bible and begin to read it, while everyone is boarding. In 2011 the seat was normally in First Class or Business Class because of the amount of flying I was doing. Then everyone, who boards after me, has an opportunity to see the Bible as they pass by my seat, venturing to the other parts of the plane. For any of you that fly you know what happens, no one knows how to board the plane go to their seat and sit, they put all kinds of things in the overhead compartments. This becomes time for people to stand by my seat, in a relatively awkward at least unfamiliar position, which causes them to look around. Surprise, surprise, surprise so what do they have a wonderful opportunity to see, God's Word, they also then get an opportunity to experience His love. Of course then there is the person who will need to get in to the seat or seats next to me. Then there is the flight.
Let me go back in the trip a little ways. My Bible has a pocket on the outside of my brief case. It is plain to see for anyone who looks and it often falls out as the brief case goes through the x-ray machine, in the security area.
The Bible has an amazing tendency to attract attention and create ministry opportunities. How can I practice iron sharpens iron today? The Bible has an amazing propensity to attract attention. My last year Bible, we read a different one together at the leadership of our Pastor, was an NIV One Year Bible. It is thick and noticeable. I think it is made that way for a purpose. Yes it is bulky to travel with and yes I have the Bible in my IPhone and my IPad, which I use on occasion, when I am studying alone with no chance for a spectator to notice and comment.
Walking through an airport I have had people tell me it is a good book, which would begin a conversation. On the plane I have had people comment in a number of ways, which ether gives me an opportunity to support someone else's faith, when they are a believer and are genuinely excited to see the Bible. You never know where people are or what they may be going through, that the site of the Bible in public either in its traveling position or being read will strengthen their will for the Lord. Then there are all different kinds of people, but everyone knows what the Bible is, at least by reference. So the questions and comments can be very broad in their range. There is never a chance meeting of the person and seeing the Word. The Holy Ghost, the Paraclete is always present creating the situations for support and testimony, we just need to respond, as He would direct us.
Pray for the opportunity and you will get questions or comments. Pray the answer into your mind and on to your tongue then go for it in love. More than likely you will be given the opportunity to witness Jesus to someone always in love.
I am a gadget geek. But I carry the Bible for all to see and let it open the opportunity to be the witness, then let the Holy Ghost do His thing.
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