When Alexa Isn’t Helpful
By Ricky Smith • Baptist Press
Like many, I’ve been trying to bake more while spending more time around the house. More than once, I’ve shouted out to “Alexa” to help me convert cups to tablespoons. While convenient, it also helps me realize how often I ask questions and go to a tech source for answers. Don’t you love using YouTube as a training source for all of your DIY projects? It’s amazing!
What I am humbled to see is how the speed with which I turn to technology for answers eclipses the speed with which I turn to God for life answers. In questions of life, we tend to rely on ourselves and keep our questions inside. We are living in a season that certainly raises significant questions — ones we should not keep inside. The challenge is not that we have questions, but rather where we turn for answers.
John 21:1-19 describes a season in the life of Peter when he felt guilty for rejecting Jesus, lonely without a leader and hopeless without a sense of direction. Interestingly, we find him regressing to his old way of life. He instinctively went fishing again and took others with him.
We do this as well. Stress and anxiety can cause one to start smoking again or old habits to creep back into one’s life. The hope is that, like Peter, Jesus is with us, preparing our next step. Look back at John 21 and notice what Jesus is doing. He is one step ahead of Peter and guiding him back in right relationship.
You can trust the presence of God regardless of your past. You can trust the peace and forgiveness of God regardless of your sin. You can trust God’s purposes no matter your “now,” because He desires to use your “now” to lead you into your “next.”
Rather than looking at your current circumstances and swirling in questions of doubt, consider a deeper question: How is God going to use your “now” for your good and His glory? How can He use your situation to teach you more about Him and more about yourself? How can you grow in the moment?
Alexa can’t help you with these questions, but I assure you the King of Glory will!
Urgent Need!
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (I Peter 3:14-17).
The gospel message is the good news, so why do we find it so difficult to share such an amazing message with others? It seems to me we can tend to acquire a defensive stance (dormant). We find ourselves hanging out with people who are like-minded, knowing there is a feeling of safety and acceptance among our peers. Please do not misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with fellowshipping with fellow believers, but there are few converts witnessed in that setting.
The fear of rejection and isolation holds us back from taking an offensive stance (active), causing many to fall into a state of complacency. It is as though while we believe the good news of Jesus — his birth, death, and resurrection and the fact that there is no other name given among men whereby we might be saved, along with all the other wonderful promises to a child of God — we are failing to share it in an effort to reach others.
I firmly believe that Satan does his best to make every good area of service difficult and way over complicated. I read this quote the other day: “Keep it simple and keep it real. The more basic we see our connection to God and His Spirit, the easier it is to feel like you’re a part of it.” (Jim Fargiano)
Sometimes the best and the toughest examination is a self-examination. Ask yourself, when was the last time you shared your faith with someone else? When was the last time you handed someone a tract or invited someone to church? When was the last time you made a big deal out of what God is doing for you and your family by posting it for others to see? Before you think I am finger-pointing know that I am not. Witnessing is a discipline and one that I need to work on.
My pastor, Missionary Chad White, shared a message that hit home — in the day and age we are living in, people need to hear the Good News. It is my prayer that each of us will begin looking for and not avoiding opportunities to share the gospel as a part of our daily routine. After all, it is the best news ever shared!
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “God blessed us this week at Connection Point. Our Wednesday Night groups are really doing well, almost too well. We are struggling to find the room to social distance and still be able to meet. It is what you would call a good problem.
“Sunday was a great day. We had a good attendance in person, with the house looking full. We enjoyed a great worship service, had good offerings and even some first-time guests with us.
“We are excited to have Alex White join us as our Silas Connection partner. He will be helping with our Student Ministry as well as working to improve our online and streaming capabilities. We also look forward to investing in him and his future ministry.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “Our mission is going through quite an experience with COVID-19 of late. We have some who are recovering from the virus and some who have it now. We had several out Sunday due to quarantine restrictions. As far as we know, none of our people were infected at the mission, thankfully.
“It is so difficult to plan ahead when you are facing the uncertainty of this virus. We are still trusting God to see us through these unfortunate setbacks.
“Thanks so much for your prayers and support.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “We thank God for His provision for the North Little Rock community with the food distribution program. Tuesday and Friday, 195 bags of food were delivered, for a total of 390. We picked up an order Wednesday at City Serve, which allowed us to continue supporting families in need of furniture, diapers, bedding, kitchen utensils and other household items and give us the opportunity to create relationships in order to share the gospel.
Three weeks ago, Sayra began discipleship meetings with Ángeles, a young lady who is a beneficiary of the community assistance program. She has a sister named Lupita who is going through some family difficulties. Ángeles recommended that she speak with Sayra and shared her personal experience as a result of having received Christ, and her participation in the discipleship meetings. Lupita told Sayra her need and her interest in knowing about Christ. On Thursday, the three of them met and Lupita decided to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior!
“Glory to God for His work in the lives of these sisters. For about a year we have had the opportunity to serve them and now we see them coming to the feet of the Lord and joining a discipleship group. We thank you for praying for Aracely who has also been invited to join that discipleship group. Let us pray that their Catholic background does not prevent them from growing in the knowledge of the Word and that their relatives will not reject them because of their decision for Christ.
“Another reason to thank God is that Karla brought her 11-year-old son, Christopher to the feet of Christ. What a privilege we have to see this daughter of God being used by the Father to take her family to Christ. Glory to God!
“In our Sunday meeting we studied about false teachings and the love of money, based on I Tim. 6:3-10.
“We thank God for you for supporting this work and giving us the opportunity to serve Him.”
Life Journey, Fort Smith: Darrin Smith writes, “We enjoyed a great worship service this past Sunday. Many are still out for different reasons, and we are not seeing the visitors as we once did.
“There are several of our members who are stepping up. It is exciting to see them growing in their walk with the Lord.
“Pray for us as we continue to serve in the community.”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “After church this Sunday, we had our monthly luncheon, followed by games and a chance to spend time together as a church family. We enjoyed fresh grilled cheese sandwiches, loaded potato soup and the best posole (a Latino soup) I have ever eaten.
“If you read my Facebook post, you already know about the quad-berry cobbler we had for dessert! I don’t share about our potluck just to make you jealous of our congregation. I share about it to show how families who are quite different join together to make a difference in our community. We all have similarities, but each family is unique. What really unites us is our love for God and our desire to see those around us come to know Christ. We eat together each week on Wednesday evenings and at least one Sunday a month. We sit with different individuals each time, so we get to know each other better. We spend time with the children to teach them and with adults who are younger Christians to disciple them.
“In all that we do, we grow closer to one another and closer to God. As we grow, we reach others.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “Last Sunday, we visited the last home to pray for them. Every home has been a great blessing to be able to carry the blessing of Num. 6:22-27.
“I praise God for His protection in January on each visit. We are in good health and, with great joy, we continue serving God and His people. Every week, I pray to God that amid this pandemic He will introduce us to people with whom to share His Word, to whom to give a word of encouragement or to connect them with the things of God.
“I am being intentional with my new barber to invite him to seek God. I see a little interest. His name is David Romero. Please pray for him to be touched by the Holy Spirit, only God can make a change in his life.
“This week, we will be starting the Berean Group (cell) in Chenal on Monday and with the Vidal family on Wednesday. On Friday and Saturday, we will be attending the BMA conferences, which will be a great blessing.
“Thank you, once again, so much for the prayer partners in ministry. To God be the glory!”