S.E.E.D.S. Vision

At the Rochester Corps we have adapted the word S.E.E.D.S to help us fulfill the mission of The Salvation Army in our community:

S- Seek. We believe that God wants all of us to seek out the hurting, the lonely, and those who need our assistance. This includes the poor, the elderly, the single parent, the troubled teenager, and many others in our community.

E-Educate. There’s an old saying “If you give a man a fish he’ll eat for a day, if you teach a man to fish he’ll eat for a lifetime”. We believe that meeting the immediate needs of individuals are important, but we must couple that with tools they can use in their daily lives.

E-Empower. We understand that we cannot do the work alone. We challenge our congregation to participate in all aspects of ministry to our hurting community. We make ways for others in the community to become a part of the ministry we have at The Salvation Army. There are so many gifted and talented people that are willing to give of their time and financial resources for someone else’s benefit.

D-Disciple. Our co-founders William and Catherine Booth understood that if people are hungry in their stomachs they will miss the hunger in their souls for Christ. By meeting the physical and immediate needs we hope to have the door open to meet their spiritual needs as well. We also believe and are dedicated to ministries that will strengthen the present congregation to cultivate their spritual gifts and talents.

S-Serve. Everything we do in The Salvation Army is in service and for the glory of God. This element is what makes the mission and the vision of The Salvation Army effective. Our service stems from our love for God and for humanity.

A Kick in the Pants from God...

This weekend we were called out to join in fellowship with other Salvationists at our divisions Family Camp Meetings. I usually enjoy these times set apart to really get focused and to seek what God has in store for me. This year was different. After a year on the field (a year of exhaustion, confusion, questions, and frustrations) I just wanted to have a time to "have it out" with God. I always felt like camp was the one place where I could have uninterrupted "sessions" with Him. Every defining moment of my faithwalk happened at camp. This was the place where I finally surrendered my life to Him. This was the vehicle of ministry throughout my high school and college years. This was the place where 5 years before I had committed my life to serving Him through the ministry of officership. This was the place where I had come seeking after Him over and over, never to be disappointed.

I needed some answers and knew that He was the one to ask. As an officer I was feeling extremely isolated and alone (even with a wonderful husband, 2 children, and a dog at home)-something I had never experienced. Although we are a ministry team, the effects and experiences of the work are felt individually--and I was having a tough year. What began the "kick in my spiritual pants" was during a leadership dinner. The devotion was about the prophet Elijah. As many times as I have read about this great prophet, I never saw myself in the passage...until Saturday evening. When Col. LaMarr was reading the passage where he was venting to God about being all alone in the work...I began to feel a sharp pain in my stomach (and it wasn't the meatballs). The more she spoke about the passage, I kept thinking about my questions...why God. Why did you call me to this ministry? Why are people so unconcerned about their souls? Why are Christians unconcerned about other's souls? Why? At the end of these questions, she read the part about the still small voice. I needed to stop and listen for this voice...not to be overwhelmed by the earthquakes, fires, and winds that surrounded me! This would have to be the first step if I hoped to find any answers this weekend.

Later that evening into Sunday morning I just listened with my heart. Waiting for the still small voice. The music was beautiful, the prayers and songs were moving, but that wasn't the vehicle God would use. Col. LaMarr spoke about the power of the Spirit. How do we dare enter into any ministry without the full surrender and power of the Spirit!! It hit me...that voice, three words continued to swirl in my mind "Go to them". I thought, do you realize what you're asking? Do you not realize what is already on my plate? And nothing but "Go to them" was the answer. I struggled with this for what seemed like hours, but soon understood that there are those who may never enter our doors. I thought of testimonies from the weekend, conversations with other officers, and thought....I need to go. Where? I didn't know...but if God was calling me out, I'd go! How? Only with His Spirit could I do it. That's when it happened. I wept. I couldn't believe that the answer was so simple, but I let my disappointments and struggles fog my spiritual eyes. I had to let go...I had to just trust that He had a plan, a vision for our ministry that would take unwaivering faith and focus on Him.

I came this weekend thinking that I was going to prove some point or get God to do something for me...but in reality He was looking to have me do something for Him. I have had my spiritual vision readjusted and know that without Him, any feeble attempt I make at ministry will be like beating against the wind. It's not about where we serve, it's about how we serve. I need the eyes of Christ, the heart of the Father, and the power of the Spirit. All the questions, doubts, frustrations are behind...it's like we've been re-assigned to our corps and our community. I approach this with new excitement and expectations that God will do a mighty work through this ordinary vessel. Praise God for my spiritual kick in the pants!

POWERLESS IMPOSTERS
Acts 19: 13-20


The events in this passage are certainly applicable to Christians today. We cannot be about playing "church" but must understand that without the help of God we are only powerless imposters. Ask yourself, do you want to play or do you want to get about the business of being the church in this lost and dying world?

The “Me” Mission

This trip to Ephesus is part of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey. He knew that he was entering a city that practiced sorcery, witchcraft, and worshipped the goddess Artemis. Just before this passage there was an Ephesian Pentecost. Word spread of this event and with Paul speaking at the synagogue and performing miracles in Jesus’ name he was becoming important and popular. Enter the seven sons of Sceva. We don’t have any background or even names of these sons. All we know is that they are sons of a Jewish chief priest. It seemed simple what Paul was doing, and he even used the same “magic words” every time. Surely if they did it, people would begin to think they were like Paul! Even these sons of a religious leader were caught up in the mystical and magical world around them. Surely this was like any other incantation or spell they had seen so many times. And since they used Paul as a reference (see verse 13c) it would work. So, verse 13 tells us what happened. They TRIED to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon possessed. Did it work? Did they reach the outcome they expected? As we will see, something very unexpected would happen this time.

Back to Scooby Doo, the villains know that they can scare the people of the amusement park, the island, the camping grounds, etc. if they create a fake id. If they can fool the people into leaving then the land or other treasure will be theirs! The church can get caught up in this and we know many who are playing Christian. Some wear a uniform, some do not. Some come faithfully every week and sit in the pew like a Christian is “supposed to do”. Some do not. Some put on the face of a volunteer, when only seeking what they can get as payment for their time. Some put on the face of a leader, when only seeking the praise they will receive for accomplishments. Some put on the face of concern, only to hear the latest gossip to spread to the next person they see. Some are not as easy to spot nor are their motives easily uncovered. The same was true for these sons, we don’t know why or how they went from place to place putting on the performance, but their Me Mission was about to self destruct!

Unmasked Imposters

We left the sons confronting a demon possessed man with their secret weapon, the magical words they stole from Paul. Verse 15 continues the saga of the sons of Sceva. One day while doing their act, they were confronted with an evil spirit, “Who are you?” We know that even Satan believes in and knows Jesus, but he will not claim him as Lord. Paul’s name was known in the hellish realms because of the power of the Holy Spirit at work through him. They knew when Paul spoke they’d better cower in fear. But who were these guys? Who did they think they were kidding? So, obviously frustrated with the utter absurdity of the situation, the evil spirit had the man overpower all the sons. He not only overpowered them, but in verse 16 it says they received such a beating they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. These arrogant imposters were unmasked for the phonies they were, embarrassingly undressed, and bleeding for their misdeeds. These men were totally put in the spotlight. The word spread quickly. Verse 17 said every Jew and Greek in Ephesus knew what had happened. These sons would not be fooling anyone again!

These men remind me of our dog Sammy. When he sees a big dog he will bark and bark. If ever confronted by these dogs, he would surely run the other way or be terribly injured by them. But day after day he continues to threaten these much larger dogs. When someone is shady and fake, the truth will come out. It may be days, weeks, months, or even years. It may not happen until Christ returns. Pray He doesn’t wait to call you out in front of the world! It’s embarrassing and painful when the mask is ripped off and the truth is revealed. Don’t wait to change or come clean until Christ comes to judge. It will be even more embarrassing, and several times more painful to deal with it then. The forgiveness clock would have run out then, it’s sentencing time! God wants His church to be holy, upright, and righteous. Can we stand today without any reservations before His throne and know that he will not be ashamed to call us his children?

Conclusion

The people in Ephesus made a decision in the light of these events. They fell awestruck at the power of God and the name of Jesus. The saw themselves in the light of the Holy God and they began to confess their evil deeds. There were many who brought their garbage and sources of bondage and burnt them publicly. All in all, 50,000 days wages were consumed in the fire and people were brought to Christ. They didn’t stop there, the word of the Lord spread and grew in power. What will we do with this today? Will we think about someone and think about how they should have readd this today? Or will we be convicted of things we have done or are doing still today? Are we being authentic Holy Spirit empowered Christians or are we trying to pass off as a cheap imitation? You may be living the authentic Christian walk, praise God for that. But this is the time to pray his protection over you! Pray that he will guard your heart, that you can be a workman approved and not ashamed when you stand before Him. If you need cleansing this is the time too! Take off the mask and burn it! Don’t wait until it’s too late when he who can see your heart will call you out in front of everyone! Now is the time, this is the place. Don’t be a powerless imposter, be and empowered priesthood for His Glory and honor!