Shockwave Challenge 2.0

I've been invigorated with a fresh passion for souls.  After all, isn't it what Christ is all about?  Wasn't his mission to seek and save the lost?  And if it was his mission, shouldn't it be my Christ-like mission as well?

A few weeks ago, I was inspired by a 17 year old in our church to make a faith project list.  Sure, I've done these in the past and applied my faith toward a certain goal, but it really got me thinking about a few things I've let slip in my personal life.  You know how it is.  You say you want to share the gospel with people and give life, but then life happens.  Distractions come.  Fear shows its ugly face.  Self-consciousness plays its little tune of doubt in your head.  Before long, you feel stuck.  The aforementioned foes pile up around you, gripping any idea of forward motion like quicksand.  Your only hope of freedom is grabbing onto a lifeline.  Remember when Peter began to sink after stepping out of the boat and walking on water?  What happened?  He reached up and held tight to the hand of His savior.

Christ has stretched out his hand to us, beckoning us, to partner with him in this mission of reaching the lost.  I'm taking his hand and have a few new goals for the next phase of Shockwave in my life.

1. I will personally pray with over 100 people to be saved this year.
2. I will finish and publish my book, Shockwave.

Like the initial Shockwave Challenge, I went public with it before I was even fully convinced that I could do it.  It was a public challenge that I, myself, had to accept.

Will you commit to taking the Shockwave Challenge?  Will you share the gospel with one person a day for the next seven days?

Challenge accepted!

.shockwave challenge - day 58

I went up to BDubs this morning to meet up with Jason and Cullen to check in on them and of course, see about the possibility of scoring free wings for a year.  I realized that it wasn't going to happen for me this morning.  Unlike the "five o'clock people" in the parable, this time, you'd have to show up early enough to get in on the action.

While we were there, they did a few giveaway contests and then a lady walks up to me and asks if I knew whose car was double parked behind me.  So I pointed out the culprit and then struck up a conversation.  I knew this would be an opportunity to share my faith.  I waited on her sister to park the car and get out and then I invited them both to church and offered to pray with them.  They didn't want prayer at that moment, so I asked them the million dollar question to which they both replied, "Yes."  I asked them how they knew they would go to heaven and they said they were saved.  I was glad to meet some fellow believers and I encouraged them to share their faith with others.  I didn't stick around for the rest of the time, but if I thought I had even a remote chance of scoring some free wings, I would have stayed!

Later, while at work, a delivery guy came by to drop off an order from Office Depot.  I signed for the order and then asked if I could pray with him about anything. He told me his grandmother had just passed away and that we could pray for the family.  I encouraged him and then asked him the million dollar question before we prayed.  He assured me that he was saved already and then we agreed together for comfort and peace for his family.

I couldn't think of a better way to get my day started than with the shockwave challenge!  How about you make a plan to start your day that way, too?  Get out there and meet somebody new and then share the gospel with him or her.  You'll be amazed at how invigorating it is!

.shockwave challenge - day 57

After church, we went to Maurice's BBQ for lunch and grubbed down! There was nobody else there, so after we ate I talked with the manager for a little bit about how business was going. I asked him about the church crowd and told him we had just come from church and if he needed prayer. He declined. Then I asked if he knew whether he would go to heaven. He assured me that he would and when I asked why, he said that he believed in God. I then asked if he believed in Jesus and that he died on the cross and rose from the grave. He said yes, so I shared Romans 10:9 with him and asked if he had ever confessed Jesus as Lord and he told me that he had when he was young.

Why don't you take some time today to talk with someone and share the gospel with them? You CAN give life!

.shockwave challenge - day 54

We went to the Kroc center this afternoon to workout and swim.  After my run, I walked over to the water fountain and saw one of the lifeguards watching an indoor soccer game from outside the gym.  I walked up and asked if he was just getting off of work or taking a break.  He said he was happy to be going home and was ready for some sleep.  After a little small talk, I invited him to church and he said, "You know, I've been wanting to get back to church but I've just had some bad experiences at churches."  I promised he would find just what he needed at Good News Church and then I asked how he got involved in church in the first place.  He said he was really involved as a kid when the local church sent a van into the neighborhood to pick kids up.

I told him I didn't want to assume anything just because he attended church and that I needed to ask him an important question.  Then I dropped the million dollar bomb on him.  He said he thought he'd go to heaven because he was a good person.  He said that he felt like the more good you do, the closer you get to God and the more bad you do, the closer you get to the devil.  I told him that I could tell he seemed like a good person, but ultimately how good do you have to be to get into heaven?  He nodded his head like he understood.  I then shared the gospel with him and pointed out that there's no way we can be good enough and that's why God sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us.  I shared Romans 10:9 with him and asked if he'd ever prayed a prayer like that.  He said he thought he had when he was a kid, but wanted to do it again because he felt like he needed to.  I was happy to oblige and so I led him in the prayer of salvation.  After our prayer, he said, "I really needed that today.  I feel good now!"  I continued to share with him about the benefits of salvation and encouraged him to come to church to grow in his faith.  He said he'd like that.

Who can you share the gospel with today?  Go out and give life!  You could encourage someone.  You could lead someone else to Christ.  You could challenge another believer to share his faith.  You could lay hands on the sick and heal them.  You could do the works of Christ and join the most important ministry there is: the ministry of the believer!

.shockwave challenge - day 53

Earlier today, I was very aware of missing several opportunities to present the gospel...one was quite blaring.  The FedEx guy came by the office today to deliver a package and instead of having us sign, just dropped it off at the front and rang the doorbell.  I ran to the door and opened it, fully expecting to present the gospel.  Well, I ran all the way down the ramp after him asking if I needed to sign (hoping it would give me more time to talk to him).  He said it wasn't necessary for this package and he was apparently being trained because there was another person driving and waiting on him.  Boo!  I bid them good day and I walked away wishing I would have ran over to the truck and stopped both of them for a moment to ask them that all important question about their eternity.  But I didn't.  For all of the opportunities I seize, there are probably dozens more that I miss.  That's why it's even more important for every believer to do the work of the ministry!

I had to make up for the timidity I let out, so I walked over to the park before church this afternoon to invite people with children to our Trunk or Treat event using the invitation cards.  I met a couple (even on a rainy afternoon) at the swing set with their four year old, so I invited them to the event.  They lived close by and said they were wanting to take her to the Trunk or Treat so she could get some candy.  I asked if they needed prayer and they said no.  I then asked if they knew they would go to heaven, to which they also replied no.  After I shared the gospel with them, I gave them an opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior.  The mom declined and walked away and I further investigated with the dad.  He felt the same way, so I didn't pressure them.  I trust that they will come to the Trunk or Treat event and participate in our Gospel Hayride and their eyes will be opened to the truth.

On my way back to the church, I saw a young man walking home from school.  I pulled into the side parking lot and hopped out real quick to invite him to church.  After asking him the million dollar question, he said, "I know I'm going to heaven because I'm saved!"  I knew what he meant, but clarified whether he had invited Jesus into his life and confessed Him as Lord.  He had indeed!  It was awesome to meet a teenager who knew he was going to heaven because Jesus saved him!

How about you invite someone to church today and share the gospel with them?  If you need a script to help you with that part, you can download it on our church website here.  Go give life today!

.shockwave challenge - day 52

I was at work today when the UPS guy came by to deliver a package.  I opened the door and signed for the box and after we made a little small talk, I asked him the million dollar question.  I actually chased him down the sidewalk because at first I wasn't going to ask him.  I almost chickened out, but then I thought about the prayers I've been praying that go a little something like this: "God, send people to me who need to hear the good news and be saved."  I realized that this could be one of those people, so I didn't let the opportunity slip by without doing my part.

He said he knew he was going to heaven because he had a pure heart.  After asking what made his heart pure, we got down to the only way to get to heaven - Jesus!  He was a fellow believer after all, but I still recognize that I was obedient and know that God can trust me with sharing the gospel with those he brings across my path.

What about you?  Can God trust you with sharing the message of His love and goodness through Jesus Christ to those He brings across your path?  What did you do with those opportunities that presented themselves today?  That's a good indicator of how trustworthy you are with His message.  If you missed it today (like I almost did) then get back up and make a change for tomorrow.  You'll never know the outcome unless you do.

.shockwave challenge - day 45

Last week I met a number of people who were already believers and I'm thankful for the opportunity to encourage them. But I also know that my mission is to make disciples, so I've been praying more earnestly that God would bring people across my path that need Him. Tonight, He did just that.

We went to Wal-Mart to meet someone who was buying something we listed on craigslist. We didn't end up making the deal today, but I introduced him to a better deal! I shared the gospel with him and both he and his nephew prayed the prayer of salvation with us!

It's so exciting to see God work in someone's heart and see the transforming power at work. Maybe you can make a grace transaction today! Share the gospel with the people you meet and introduce them to the One who can turn their lives around!

.shockwave challenge - day 43

While we were at church this morning, I saw one of the people I met at Wal-Mart and invited to church.  I've invited a number of people to church over the past six weeks and I'm excited that one person finally came!  I hope she continues to come and gets plugged in because it's life and death where you go to church.  Make sure you're in a Bible-believing church that preaches about salvation through Jesus Christ and presents an image of God as portrayed in the Bible as a loving Father who wants the best for His children.

After church today, we went out to Chili's for lunch and while we were waiting for our table, I stepped outside to talk to a guy I saw taking a smoke break.  I invited him to church and offered to pray with him.  He said he could use prayer for a new position at his job that he wanted.  I told him we'd pray about that later, but first I wanted to ask him an important question - the million dollar question!  He said he knew he'd go to heaven when he died and I learned after he said he believed the right things that what he believed about getting to heaven was actually right!  He had confessed Jesus as His savior when he was a child and even though he wasn't doing what he thought was right at this time in his life, he knew he was going to heaven because of Christ.  I was encouraged about his answer and began to talk to him more about his life.  I then ministered to him and prayed with him about his job.

What about you?  Can you invite someone to church and then use that opportunity to investigate into their eternal destination?  It's so simple that you've probably psyched yourself out of doing it too many times over nothing.  Just be yourself and allow God to show Himself through your words and actions!

.shockwave challenge - day 41

We were out at Old Navy this afternoon and I shared the gospel with two different people. They were both saved and one of them had a daughter that goes to school with Karis.

Then we went to McDonald's for some nuggies and I met a guy who was a youth pastor in Aiken. Hopefully we'll be able to hook up with them for an outreach and training sometime in the future.

Why don't you look for some people to share the gospel with tonight? It's easier than it seems. Trust me! You can do it.

.shockwave challenge - day 39

Kristen and I were on our way to lunch and I had to stop by the gas station to fuel up.  I gave the lady across the pump an invitation card and asked her the million dollar question.  She said she knew she'd go to heaven when she died and then I asked her how she knew.  Before she sped away, she said, "Because I'm saved!"  

I now know more about Christ's mission to "seek and save the lost" than I did 39 days ago. (see Luke 19:10)  I have prayed with 39 people to be saved in 39 days and today I wasn't satisfied in my brief encounter with another believer, so I looked around for someone else to talk to.  I saw the store manager standing outside taking a break, so I pulled the car into a parking space and hopped out to talk to her.  After talking with her for a few minutes, I discovered that she, too, was a believer.  I left knowing that I had encouraged her in her faith, but all the while I'm thinking about that lost man or woman that I didn't get to talk to.  Now I'm praying for more opportunities than ever and that God would lead me to people who need His grace and power working in their lives!

Who are you seeking and saving today?  Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to talk to the person across from you at the gas station or in front of you in the line at the grocery store or WHEREVER you go!

.shockwave challenge - day 38

We went out to lunch for my mom's birthday today at Salsa's.  While we were on our way out stopping to grab Karis some mints, we ran into (literally almost) a few ladies who were doing the same.  While we walked out, I casually invited them to church and offered to pray with them.  One of them said she had already prayed this morning and the others said they were good, too.  I asked the million dollar question and they all answered with an affirmative exclamation.  When I asked why they were so confident that they would go to heaven, one of them said because she was so strong in her faith.  The other two didn't respond.  After asking specifically whether they had asked Jesus to come into their lives and hearts, they assured me that they had.

I have often wondered why so many "Christians" don't immediately answer with "Jesus is my Savior" when asked why they know they would go to heaven.  My hypothesis would be that there's a tremendous lack of biblical teaching in the body of Christ.  People believe that Jesus saves them, but in order to stay saved, they must live up to a standard with their works.  I would assume that the standard most people believe they must live up to is impossible to say the least.  That is why we need a Savior!

I have met so many people who have told me they know they would go to heaven based on the fact that they haven't sinned a LOT.  And after sharing the gospel with them and giving them the invitation to accept Christ, many have said, "Oh, I've already done that."  You're kidding, right?  If you've already done that, why didn't you mention Jesus Christ anywhere in our conversation?  I know why.  They don't understand that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ was enough.  And I get it.  Shouldn't there be MORE we have to do to earn such a luminous place in eternity?  I mean, our entire society is performance-based.  Do poorly on your job? Get fired!  Do poorly in school?  Repeat the 9th grade.  Do poorly in your relationship? End up with a divorce.  Herein lies the problem with modern Christianity.  People, believers even, think that the kingdom of heaven operates like the world's system.  God's system is unfair in its own right.  He simply requires that one believe in the resurrection and accept His free gift of salvation in order to be saved. (Romans 10:9)  It doesn't seem fair that a murderer could call out to Christ before being sentenced to death and get a spot in heaven with all of the others who called out to Christ, but ALSO went to church every Sunday, paid their tithes, ironed their clothes and gave to the poor.  (See Matthew's story about the "five o'clock people" in chapter 20 for a great parable of the unfairness of God's kingdom.)

Now, I know this rant is a bit out of fashion for my usual shockwave challenge report of the day, but I've encountered too many believers who have been deceived.  I understand that you're probably poking holes in my theology right about now, wondering if I think that Christians can do whatever they want (sin) and get into heaven.  That's not the point of this post at all.  The question is simply this, "Was Christ's sacrifice ENOUGH to cover my sin and pay the price for my spot in heaven...or was it not?  Did Jesus pay it all or did he leave a balance due?  Did he get most of it and want us to leave the tip or did he foot the entire bill?"

Next time you ask someone, "if you died tonight or 100 years from now, do you know for sure you'll go to heaven when you die," and they answer in the affirmative with any other reason than "Christ is my Savior,"  make sure you point them to the fact that Christ paid their ransom...ALL of it!

.shockwave challenge - day 37

Karis and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a birthday card for YaYa.  On our way in, we met a lady and invited her to church.  When I asked her the million dollar question, she said she knew she was going to heaven because she had already accepted Christ.  I asked her if I could pray for her about anything and she told me she needed a job.  We prayed together and I believe God will provide!  As we continued shopping, we met another family and invited them to church as well.  We asked them the million dollar question and they were already saved too.

Make it a point to share the gospel wherever you go!  Karis was excited about doing the "shockwave sandwich" with me...that's what she calls the shockwave challenge.  It's so important that we don't neglect our mission and teach our children to share the gospel as well.

I've been hearing great testimonies of people doing the shockwave challenge all over the place.  One kid in our church is 8 years old and he was so excited when he got to lead 2 of his classmates in the prayer of salvation one day.  Another young woman led one of her clients to Christ over the phone today!  She told me she felt like she was going to explode because she was so happy!  There's no greater feeling than giving life to someone!  Go give life today!

.shockwave challenge - day 36

After lunch, we went to Target to pick up a few things. While we were checking out costumes for Karis for Trunk or Treat, I saw a young man with a cane and a knee brace. Immediately, my heart went out to him and I was moved with compassion. I knew I had to talk to him. We went down the aisle they were in and I invited them to church. They were a military couple and were looking for a good church to attend. We assured them that they would be welcome and would fit right in. I asked him how he injured his knee and he told me he fell down a ladder in the submarine he worked on. I began telling him about Jesus and how he went about healing the sick and said those who believe in Him could do the same. He wasn't ready for me to pray for him right then, but said they would come to church and would let me pray for him there. I asked the million dollar question and learned that they were both believers. We encouraged them again and before we left, I offered another invitation for healing but he wasn't comfortable praying there in the store. I sincerely believe that it's not God's plan for anyone to experience the kind of pain he was going through. I pray that they will come to church so that I can minister to him again. And if not, I pray for other believers to come across his path to minister God's healing power to him.

Regardless of where you are today, don't let that stop you from taking advantage of an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. See a need and then jump into action with God's compassion.

.shockwave challenge - day 35

Karis and I had a daddy-daughter date today with Jay and Lilli bicycling down the Augusta Canal. While we were there, we stopped at the sweet spot by the river and there was another family there. We invited them to church and then asked them the million dollar question. They assured us they were already believers and attended church in Hephzibah.

Maybe you are out and about today having a good ol' time, too. Don't forget about God's mission wherever you are. Find someone to share the gospel with today!