Are You a F.A.T. Christian? I Hope So :)!

“ God is looking for F.A.T. disciples, disciples that are faithful, available, and teachable. We can’t teach others what we don’t know ourselves. ” ~Anonymous

I have seen this acronym (F.A.T.) before in a church's leadership training manual. It's easy to remember and it is true. God does not require us to be capable, beautiful, smart, or famous in order to become useful for His kingdom work. The parable of the talents in Matthew clearly shows that the master was pleased with faithful servants. "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21) "So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10b) Are you firmly and totally devoted to God and God alone?

Are you too busy for God? Do you spend plenty of time with Him (prayer, worship, reading His Word, listening to Him)? Have you surrendered all (your life, desires, dreams, time, talents, treasures, etc.) to Him? When God calls you to do something, do you respond immediately or do you hesitate or even refuse, making up all kinds of excuses? We can learn from Samuel and Isaiah. "The Lord came and stood there, calling, as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10) Samuel was available; he didn't say...not now, I'm sleeping. Have you been tempted to say...not now, Lord, I'm comfortable where I am? "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8) Isaiah was available/willing to do God's will. Are you always ready/available to serve God...to obey Him?

I believe another word for "teachable" is "humble". And "unteachable" would equal "prideful". If we are full of ourselves and think we know it all, there's no room for God's wisdom and teachings. God hates pride! We must be humble...be receptive to being taught by the Holy Spirit, God's Word, other brothers and sisters in Christ whom God use to share His truths with us. "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." (Psalm 25:9) "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)

The last sentence in the quote above makes sense, too. We cannot impart what we don't have. Timothy is a good example of being teachable. "But as for you (Timothy), continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God- breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

Do you want to be used mightily for God's glory and His kingdom? By God's grace, may you and I always be F.A.T. :)!

~ This week, In Other Words, is hosted by Karen on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus.
~ Want to learn more about “In Other Words” (what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated)? Click here!
NOTE: Next week, I will be hosting In Other Words. Hope y'all will come back and link up next Tuesday :).

Review: An Army of Ordinary People

An Army of Ordinary People: Stories of real-life men and women simply being the Church.
Author: Felicity Dale
List Price:14.99
ISBN:978-1-4143-2279-7
Trim Size:5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Binding:Softcover

Book Summary:
An Army of Ordinary People contains the key to explosive, transformational, 21st century evangelism. Renowned church planter Felicity Dale shares stories of how God has always used—and is still using—ordinary believers to carry out his work in simple ways throughout the world. Some of these stories are dramatic—people being led to the Lord by the friends who counseled them through drug addictions and criminal pasts. Some are everyday—a dad spending his Sunday teaching Bible lessons to his kids, or a couple inviting their neighbors over to dinner and a spiritual discussion. But in each of them, there is a light bulb moment, when someone just like you thinks I can do that! And as a result, the gospel is spreading . . . and lives are being changed.

Author Bio:

Felicity Dale was trained as a physician at Barts Hospital in London, where she and her husband, Tony, pioneered simple church concepts while in medical school and later in the East End of London. Now living in the United States, Felicity and Tony are actively engaged in training church planters. They founded House2House magazine and have authored several books, including their latest from Tyndale, The Rabbit and the Elephant, and others such as Simply Church and the Getting Started manual on planting house churches. Felicity and Tony speak regularly at conferences throughout the world and reside in Austin, Texas.

My Thoughts and Review:
I agree with the author's definition/understanding of "church" based on the Bible. The Church is the Body of Christ, Christ's followers, not the buildings...not the denominations...not the programs. In this book, the author shares true stories of believers living out their faith and serving God where they are. They bloom where they're planted. It's so encouraging and exciting to read the accounts of ordinary people being used by our awesome God to do extraordinary things for His glory and for His kingdom. We, too, can do the same by sharing Christ's love and compassion and the Gospel with those around us in our families, neighborhoods, campuses, workplaces, communities, and nations. The book talks about "simple churches" (aka organic churches, house churches, or home churches). A simple church is a missional, relational, and reproducible church where Christ is the Head and Christ's followers take the Great Commission seriously. The concepts and practicality of simple churches totally make sense and adhere to Biblical principles. The last chapter includes recommended books, videos, websites, and blogs for those who would like to learn more about or get involved with simple churches. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to be in the Lord's army and makes an eternal impact in this world. Read this book, obey God's leading, and go make disciples!
 
You can read the first chapter here.
To learn more about simple churches and/or to find one in your area, visit http://www.site.house2house.com/.
Check out an online community for those exploring simple expressions of church to connect at http://www.simplechurch.com/ .
Connect with Felicity Dale on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/felicitydale
Connect with Felicity Dale on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/felicity.dale 

~ I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

Fruit Bearer

When one of my friends invited me to sign up on Facebook a few years ago, I did not realize that people used their real names there.  I was so used to using my username on other websites/forums; therefore, I chose "Fruit Bearer" for my name on Facebook.  I have been asked if "Fruit Bearer" was my real name (some really thought Fruit was my first name and Bearer was my last name) :).  I got so tickled.  I explained to them that it referred to the passage in John 15.  I desire to always abide in Christ and bear much fruit.  I hope I have been and will always be a "Fruit Bearer."
 
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that My joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. This is My command: Love each other." John 15:5-17

Previous WFW:
- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow