The God Pocket

He owns it.  You carry it.  Suddenly, everything changes.

What if you could take a little something out of your pocket today that would make God visible—and then give that little something to another person you just met?

Picture the moment. You strike up a conversation with a passerby outside a restaurant, or someone you’ve just met in the mall, or a newcomer in your church lobby. Suddenly, you realize this is THE moment. You smile at your new acquaintance, reach into your pocket, then lean forward. The other person doesn’t suspect a thing. But before they know what’s happening, you press into their hands the very presence and voice and touch of our loving God.

Now, imagine that this person only minutes earlier had been secretly calling out to God for help, for an answer, for any little shred of evidence that Heaven even noticed their crisis.

And then you showed up! There you are, placing, as it were, an enormous ball of light into the hands of the person who has been standing alone in the dark for days. Or years.
Wouldn’t that be something?

Assuming for a minute you could do such a thing. That one experience would change your life. Wouldn’t it? It would be, well, like you had been carrying around in your pocket the laughter of heaven, and suddenly you’d found a way to pass it on. The joy would be contagious. And you’d be so lit up inside with your own happiness, everyone would notice. Years later, you’d still be talking about it.

And imagine the impact on the person who, out of the blue, received what you had to share. They’d see their lives and their futures differently from that day on. They’d feel very differently about God, too.

In his most explosive book since The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson shares a powerful practice that is changing how individuals and churches are sharing God’s heart with a world in need.

The God Pocket is all about a mysterious little idea that’s almost too big for words. Sure, you don’t exactly pull our mighty, living God out of your pocket or purse. But it feels very, very close to that. It’s happened countless times for hundreds who have said yes to the God Pocket. If you’re willing to try it, you’ll know it was God who showed up to touch your heart and meet an urgent need. And you’ll be in a rush to say yes to another God Pocket adventure soon.

Now, imagine what could happen in our churches if we joined together to show God’s goodness to the world? Imagine the impact on our nation if entire congregations asked God to lead them to at least one God Pocket delivery every month for a year. That would add up to hundreds of thousands of financial miracles!

Well, churches are already beginning to see in the God Pocket, an accessible and motivating tool to encourage giving and outreach. At a Pastors Breakfast recently, Dr. Wilkinson held up a leather God Pocket and showed it around. Then he turned it over so everyone could see the words “The God Pocket” embossed in the Pocket, explaining how the Pocket naturally makes for a terrific conversation starter. He asked the question, “How many of you think your people would catch a vision to do this as a church?”

Every hand went up. One pastor said he’d start with his youth group. “I love the way the God Pocket subtly teaches so many big ideas,” he said. “The importance of giving to people in need, of course. But also, listening for the Spirit’s leading, and doing real ministry as a lifestyle.”

A church in Lexington, Kentucky, witnessed the launch of what they’ve called “the coolest God Pocket movement ever” at their annual Christmas banquet. Every one of the 230 people in attendance received a leather God Pocket, with funds already included, and instructions from the pastor on how to use it. “Pastor encouraged each of us to be sensitive to the God nudges and ready to give in order to make a real impact for Him in our area,” one participant recalled. Individuals and families came back with inspiring stories of what it was like to partner with God in personal giving. God Pocket appointments happened at a gas station, in restaurants, at an unemployed person’s front door, at a fitness club.

“Since the God Pocket distribution at Christmas, people are taking note of the importance of being sensitive to the God nudge,” reports a church member. “And many here are becoming regular God Pocket Partners.” Similar encounters are happening in churches from the Carolinas to California.

A large church in downtown Orlando recently took the God Pocket even further. Brokenhearted by the high rate of foreclosures and resulting “new homelessness” within ten miles of their church, they wanted to see what could happen when a whole church becomes the God Pocket. Even though their budget had been hit hard by a downturn in giving, the church asked God to meet the needs of those around them first and through their own money devoted in advance to Him. The result? In an unprecedented outpouring of love on just one weekend, members gave and pledged a total of $5.6 million for the needy in their community!

“We believe we were put here by divine choice, and we have got to make a difference,” said the senior pastor. Another pastor at the church said, “Seeing a miracle happen is an amazing thing. As the donations and pledges were coming in, I felt as if I had a grandstand seat to see God at work in the hearts and minds of His people."

Together, and with God’s help, we can create a national movement of Christ’s followers who are prepared every day to show His true heart to the world. What a stunning and altogether wonderful sight that would be!

It begins with just one. Why not get the God Pocket book and read it. Then share the good news with your church.

The God Pocket
By Bruce Wilkinson
(Available October 4, 2011)

About the Author:
One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of other bestsellers, including You Were Born for This, A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded numerous global ministry and humanitarian initiatives, including most recently orphan care and AIDS education in Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene Marie, have three children and several grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.

For more information, go to:
www.brucewilkinson.com

Rating:

Rated 0% by 0 viewers.