WHY WE MINISTER TO WHO WE MINISTER TO
My daughter Kellie has Aspergers Sydrome, and I got into the gaming life because of my daughters [Kellie has the Aspergers] and I have a son too but male gamers are normal, female gamers are rare. so in order to protect them I learned over time every gaming system from table top [D&D, VtM, WtA, Mordheim] to Video Games [Playstation, XBox, Gameboy, Nintendo,Saga] to Trading Card Games [MtG, Yu-gi-o, Vanguard] and so on.
What I saw with the games and gamers was my daughter was able to communicate, minister and shine her light as well as I got to have a ministry of souls that wanted to hear the Gospel and fully understood it in a way that they taught me a thing or two.
So without further ado here is my daughters reasons why we opened up a ministry for these souls.
A modern day Christian teen with modern day problems. How does God help us today?- By Kellie J.
Games. No matter where one turns in this time and age, it’s present and in our face. Be it cards, on a console,on the phone, or handheld gadgets these days are built around what has captured our imagination and mind, but it’s not only teens; it’s also adults. Sure, games can help aid in learning or in reinforcing an idea or theory [reading comprehension and math skills], but there are some of these games that are deeply frowned upon in the Christian community.
I am a modern teen who enjoys playing these types of games that come with many stigmas and shakes of the head. I play Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Ah yes, I can hear your audible gasp and you saying under your breath:"Don’t you know God frowns upon such Satanic games?" or perhaps you state."Don’t you know you're summoning up demons?’"
Has it ever crossed anyones mind that maybe I play these games for a reason? WAIT! let me finish and explain myself before...[I can hear one too many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ shake their heads and say they will pray much for me.] Please don't turn me away, let me finish before you turn me aside; hear me out! Let me finish, just this once! As I said earlier I am a modern teen who enjoys these games and for a good reason. Too many churches these days forget a certain type of sheep who themselves enjoy these games and more. These sheep who desire to know Godbut whose hearts have been broken one too many times and have been kicked out of one too many churches for what they enjoy doing in their free time.
These sheep come up to me when they find out my mother and I are Christians and ask us: "If God is so loving, then why am I forced to change who I am on the spot for Him to love me? Can’t He just love me the way I am?" These are the questions that comes across a gamers’ mind much too often. The answer is yes; God does love them, and you know what the most important thing is? They aren’t supposed to change right away.
I can now hear you say: "But why? Don’t they know what they are doing is wrong?" Yes. They do. They hear it often and are constantly reminded of it and I’m sure they don’t need another person telling them so. I know I don’t need someone hanging my mistakes over my head constantly. God doesn’t hang ours over our heads reminding us about our past errors! Nor does He watch over us waiting for us to say or do something wrong. It’s not important what I or anyone else says; but what is important is what God says. So let’s take a LQQK at what God has to say:
Let us look at the book of Matthew for a moment: Jesus was walking along and happened to pass by the Sea of Galilee and saw two brothers fishing because it was their job; being fishermen. “19 Then He said to them ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fisher of men.’ 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19-20, NKJV). That is one of the jobs God asks us to do for Him; to be fishers of men. He didn’t say: ‘clean them up and make sure they are presentable for Me to accept them.’ No! He asked us to bring them to HIM.
"Aha! that was about us following Him, but when did God say for us to minister to "THEM"?’ you ask, right at the end of the book of John, Jesus said it as simply as possible to Simon Peter. “15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ 16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend to My sheep.’ 17 He said to him a third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know I love You.’ Jesus said to him ‘Feed My sheep.’ “(John 21:15-17, NKJV).
The gamers of today are sheep and don't we love God like Peter did? So, why are we neglecting His sheep who crave to know who He is? If we do not shine the light of God to them, how might they know who He is? Too many gamers of today are turning away from God to other ‘gods’ in hopes to help ease the loneliness and helplessness they feel.
Consider a gamer if you will and "a lame man,"Just as a lame man is unable to walk physically; a gamer is lame and unable to walk spiritually. “1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes upon him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’ 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have,but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them---walking and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-8, NKJV).
These gamers are sitting at the gates of hobby shops and malls, walking around aimlessly, we see them at the movie theathers, Starbucks, and other places.
They look different, their looks range from grunge to white faced goths to teens in black clothing with long hair to a middle aged man sitting and reading a well worn Lord of the Rings book.
Consider yourselves missionaries to a foreign country like Paul and Barnabas as they went out into the world, spreading the Gospel of Jesus. They eventually came to Athens and observed the people, their culture and their religions. It was during that time that Paul made an interesting discovery and decided to use what Satan intended for corruption and bad and instead used it for God's glory and good.
“22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to us all life, breath and all things.” (Acts 17:22-25).
Now, some of the Greeks mocked Paul after his speech, but something amazing happened to all of them, something moved in them and awoke inside of their hearts; they no longer could claim to be ignorant. While those that mocked Paul continued on with their ways, others ran out to join Paul asking him about this "Unknown" God and elieved. Somewhere deep in that gamer’s heart is a temple or an altar to an unknown God. Shouldn't we too like Paul strive to let them know that Jesus is that unknown God who wants to live in the temple or altar of their hearts?
And what about the thief who sinned until the day he met Jesus on the cross? Did he not repent for his ways until the moment he met Jesus, and Jesus did rebuke him.No! Jesus was happy that the man repented! “42 Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You enter into Your kingdom.’ 43And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ “(Luke 23:42-43, NKJV).
"Okay. You got me there. But you are a fool to think that these people will listen or ...!
They will not accept God nor shall they ever change! They are too set in their ways!’
True. Some may never accept Him or change;
but it is a risk I am willing to take for those who will!
“10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.” (1 Corinthians 4:10-13, NKJV).
Just as a Christian is persecuted for being a Christian, a gamer is persecuted for being a gamer; some more so than others to the point of suicide. because of this, we should be able to relate to some of their troubles and use that as a means to reach out to them, to show them Jesus. Just like any sinner in the world, God celebrates every time someone accepts him; gamers aren’t any different. Their sin is just more visible than someone else’s.
“12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NKJV)
"Very true. Alright, another point you so kindly pointed out. But, they speak about things that I have no clue about!
They speak of things that are of the world!’ Yes. But you want to know the reason why? It’s stated so plainly in the bible! “5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:5-6, NKJV).
Just as you have no clue what they are talking about, they have no clue what we are talking about! Just as we take time to teach a newborn Christian about God, so should we take some time to teach these gamers about God.‘But they don’t smell good! And let’s face it, too many of them dress in clothes God would find inappropriate!’
Yes. True, some have a hygiene problem, but as I stated earlier; we are fishers of men. Let God work on that issue and clean them from the inside to the out. God judges them by their heart; not by their looks!
“7 But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV).If they truly do strive and seek God, they will change their outward appearance to match their newfound inward appearance.
And another thing that may also come as a surprise, many of these ‘Satanatic followers’ who play ‘Satan’s games’ are really former Christians and by feeding these sheep who have wandered astray, we further fulfill what God has told us to do. “19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20, NKJV).
So before we mock these gamers who play these ‘devil games’; just remember they need Jesus too. Someone has to speak to them and show them and If not you, then who?
I will end in a prayer that anyone can add (hopefully) to their daily prayers.
Dear Lord,
"Aha! that was about us following Him, but when did God say for us to minister to "THEM"?’ you ask, right at the end of the book of John, Jesus said it as simply as possible to Simon Peter. “15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ 16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend to My sheep.’ 17 He said to him a third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know I love You.’ Jesus said to him ‘Feed My sheep.’ “(John 21:15-17, NKJV).
The gamers of today are sheep and don't we love God like Peter did? So, why are we neglecting His sheep who crave to know who He is? If we do not shine the light of God to them, how might they know who He is? Too many gamers of today are turning away from God to other ‘gods’ in hopes to help ease the loneliness and helplessness they feel.
Consider a gamer if you will and "a lame man,"Just as a lame man is unable to walk physically; a gamer is lame and unable to walk spiritually. “1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes upon him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’ 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have,but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them---walking and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-8, NKJV).
These gamers are sitting at the gates of hobby shops and malls, walking around aimlessly, we see them at the movie theathers, Starbucks, and other places.
They look different, their looks range from grunge to white faced goths to teens in black clothing with long hair to a middle aged man sitting and reading a well worn Lord of the Rings book.
Consider yourselves missionaries to a foreign country like Paul and Barnabas as they went out into the world, spreading the Gospel of Jesus. They eventually came to Athens and observed the people, their culture and their religions. It was during that time that Paul made an interesting discovery and decided to use what Satan intended for corruption and bad and instead used it for God's glory and good.
“22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to us all life, breath and all things.” (Acts 17:22-25).
Now, some of the Greeks mocked Paul after his speech, but something amazing happened to all of them, something moved in them and awoke inside of their hearts; they no longer could claim to be ignorant. While those that mocked Paul continued on with their ways, others ran out to join Paul asking him about this "Unknown" God and elieved. Somewhere deep in that gamer’s heart is a temple or an altar to an unknown God. Shouldn't we too like Paul strive to let them know that Jesus is that unknown God who wants to live in the temple or altar of their hearts?
And what about the thief who sinned until the day he met Jesus on the cross? Did he not repent for his ways until the moment he met Jesus, and Jesus did rebuke him.No! Jesus was happy that the man repented! “42 Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You enter into Your kingdom.’ 43And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ “(Luke 23:42-43, NKJV).
"Okay. You got me there. But you are a fool to think that these people will listen or ...!
They will not accept God nor shall they ever change! They are too set in their ways!’
True. Some may never accept Him or change;
but it is a risk I am willing to take for those who will!
“10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.” (1 Corinthians 4:10-13, NKJV).
Just as a Christian is persecuted for being a Christian, a gamer is persecuted for being a gamer; some more so than others to the point of suicide. because of this, we should be able to relate to some of their troubles and use that as a means to reach out to them, to show them Jesus. Just like any sinner in the world, God celebrates every time someone accepts him; gamers aren’t any different. Their sin is just more visible than someone else’s.
“12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NKJV)
"Very true. Alright, another point you so kindly pointed out. But, they speak about things that I have no clue about!
They speak of things that are of the world!’ Yes. But you want to know the reason why? It’s stated so plainly in the bible! “5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:5-6, NKJV).
Just as you have no clue what they are talking about, they have no clue what we are talking about! Just as we take time to teach a newborn Christian about God, so should we take some time to teach these gamers about God.‘But they don’t smell good! And let’s face it, too many of them dress in clothes God would find inappropriate!’
Yes. True, some have a hygiene problem, but as I stated earlier; we are fishers of men. Let God work on that issue and clean them from the inside to the out. God judges them by their heart; not by their looks!
“7 But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV).If they truly do strive and seek God, they will change their outward appearance to match their newfound inward appearance.
And another thing that may also come as a surprise, many of these ‘Satanatic followers’ who play ‘Satan’s games’ are really former Christians and by feeding these sheep who have wandered astray, we further fulfill what God has told us to do. “19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20, NKJV).
So before we mock these gamers who play these ‘devil games’; just remember they need Jesus too. Someone has to speak to them and show them and If not you, then who?
I will end in a prayer that anyone can add (hopefully) to their daily prayers.
Dear Lord,
Somewhere out there is a gamer who is seeking you Lord. Lord, let a fellow Brother or Sister in Christ reach them and if I may come across one Lord; use me to reach them. Lord, let my words strike a chord in their hearts and if they have any questions about you Lord, let me have the answers to them. Lord, help them find You and come to know You.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
So until my next blogg you pray for me and I'll pray for you Love me
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