A Time of Shaking Can Lead to Sharing Hope
“Today, are you willing to be the shepherd with the Good News — that will erase Gospel poverty?” This is the question that Haggai leader Hiram Harris posed to his fellow people in Panama via an editorial over this last Christmas season.
Coming from a lineage of pastors, this husband, father of two, pastor, attorney, and professor felt the Lord calling him into the ministry at the young age of 18. Now, almost 37 years later, he and his wife lead congregants at Centro Cristiano La Puerta Abierta. He also serves as a chaplain and pro-bono consultant for government secretaries. Through each of these avenues, Hiram can share Christ with many.
During the early days of the pandemic, the Lord led Hiram to Hebrews 12:27, which says: “The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (NIV). Hiram goes on to question, “Have we been living up to the value of what really matters? What have been the neglected priorities that the pandemic led us to consider essential? This is a ‘Time of Shaking,’ a time of crisis, and can also be understood as a time of opportunity to give way to God’s will in our lives so that everything that has no substance is uprooted. And that which prevents us from fulfilling God’s call or from seeing the true needs around us, we must uproot.”
Hiram challenges himself and fellow Christians to search their hearts and see where their priorities lie, what they need to get rid of, and what they need to do differently. And he encourages each of us by sharing, “Since the Haggai ministry revolves around the Name that is above every name, every opportunity to be challenged to fulfill the Great Commission is an opportunity to understand the greatness of the mission entrusted to us.”
For Hiram, sharing the Gospel is always possible.
“No matter how bad things are going, people are eager to hear about hope. And we as the Church have the message of hope,” he says. “But we have to be strategic in presenting the Gospel.”
So even in these hot months of summer for those of us above the Equator, let’s remember the hope the angels brought the shepherds on that first Christmas morning. And like the shepherds, let’s see if we are ready and willing to share the Good News. Because after all, it is THE message of hope to the world.
Written by Valerie Dyke
A Time of Shaking Can Lead to Sharing Hope
“Today, are you willing to be the shepherd with the Good News — that will erase Gospel poverty?” This is the question that Haggai leader Hiram Harris posed to his fellow people in Panama via an editorial over this last Christmas season.
Coming from a lineage of pastors, this husband, father of two, pastor, attorney, and professor felt the Lord calling him into the ministry at the young age of 18. Now, almost 37 years later, he and his wife lead congregants at Centro Cristiano La Puerta Abierta. He also serves as a chaplain and pro-bono consultant for government secretaries. Through each of these avenues, Hiram can share Christ with many.
During the early days of the pandemic, the Lord led Hiram to Hebrews 12:27, which says: “The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (NIV). Hiram goes on to question, “Have we been living up to the value of what really matters? What have been the neglected priorities that the pandemic led us to consider essential? This is a ‘Time of Shaking,’ a time of crisis, and can also be understood as a time of opportunity to give way to God’s will in our lives so that everything that has no substance is uprooted. And that which prevents us from fulfilling God’s call or from seeing the true needs around us, we must uproot.”
Hiram challenges himself and fellow Christians to search their hearts and see where their priorities lie, what they need to get rid of, and what they need to do differently. And he encourages each of us by sharing, “Since the Haggai ministry revolves around the Name that is above every name, every opportunity to be challenged to fulfill the Great Commission is an opportunity to understand the greatness of the mission entrusted to us.”
For Hiram, sharing the Gospel is always possible.
“No matter how bad things are going, people are eager to hear about hope. And we as the Church have the message of hope,” he says. “But we have to be strategic in presenting the Gospel.”
So even in these hot months of summer for those of us above the Equator, let’s remember the hope the angels brought the shepherds on that first Christmas morning. And like the shepherds, let’s see if we are ready and willing to share the Good News. Because after all, it is THE message of hope to the world.
Written by Valerie Dyke
A Time of Shaking Can Lead to Sharing Hope
“Today, are you willing to be the shepherd with the Good News — that will erase Gospel poverty?” This is the question that Haggai leader Hiram Harris posed to his fellow people in Panama via an editorial over this last Christmas season.
Coming from a lineage of pastors, this husband, father of two, pastor, attorney, and professor felt the Lord calling him into the ministry at the young age of 18. Now, almost 37 years later, he and his wife lead congregants at Centro Cristiano La Puerta Abierta. He also serves as a chaplain and pro-bono consultant for government secretaries. Through each of these avenues, Hiram can share Christ with many.
During the early days of the pandemic, the Lord led Hiram to Hebrews 12:27, which says: “The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (NIV). Hiram goes on to question, “Have we been living up to the value of what really matters? What have been the neglected priorities that the pandemic led us to consider essential? This is a ‘Time of Shaking,’ a time of crisis, and can also be understood as a time of opportunity to give way to God’s will in our lives so that everything that has no substance is uprooted. And that which prevents us from fulfilling God’s call or from seeing the true needs around us, we must uproot.”
Hiram challenges himself and fellow Christians to search their hearts and see where their priorities lie, what they need to get rid of, and what they need to do differently. And he encourages each of us by sharing, “Since the Haggai ministry revolves around the Name that is above every name, every opportunity to be challenged to fulfill the Great Commission is an opportunity to understand the greatness of the mission entrusted to us.”
For Hiram, sharing the Gospel is always possible.
“No matter how bad things are going, people are eager to hear about hope. And we as the Church have the message of hope,” he says. “But we have to be strategic in presenting the Gospel.”
So even in these hot months of summer for those of us above the Equator, let’s remember the hope the angels brought the shepherds on that first Christmas morning. And like the shepherds, let’s see if we are ready and willing to share the Good News. Because after all, it is THE message of hope to the world.
Written by Valerie Dyke
