This is my favorite song. Everytime I hear it, I'm reminded of why I'm here and who I am.
Hope you like it.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Footprints in the Sand
The popular poem Footprints in the Sand is a reminder of how we are never alone. Jesus is always with us, even carrying us at our darkest moments, however, the poem could be altered a bit and show another set of footprints. As Jesus walks by our side and is with us each moment, someone else is with us also.
He stands watching us, whispering in our mind, telling us to do that which we know not to. He listens to our desires and uses them against us. As we try to live our life for Jesus, this other set of footprints undermines everything we do. He advises us to justify our sin. He encourages us to give in to our temptations. He promises us that no one is looking. He cheers on our defeat. James 4:7 tells us that if we resist him, he will flee, but too many times, instead of resisting him, we carelessly welcome him.
So as you go about your day with Jesus, remember that there is another set of footprints on that sand and they belong to someone who is doing all that he can to lead to your destruction. Don't allow him control of your life. Be on guard! We are in a war and our enemy will stop at nothing until we lose those we love, our reputation, and most importantly, our soul.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
For your struggle isn't against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." -Ephesians 6:10-12
He stands watching us, whispering in our mind, telling us to do that which we know not to. He listens to our desires and uses them against us. As we try to live our life for Jesus, this other set of footprints undermines everything we do. He advises us to justify our sin. He encourages us to give in to our temptations. He promises us that no one is looking. He cheers on our defeat. James 4:7 tells us that if we resist him, he will flee, but too many times, instead of resisting him, we carelessly welcome him.
So as you go about your day with Jesus, remember that there is another set of footprints on that sand and they belong to someone who is doing all that he can to lead to your destruction. Don't allow him control of your life. Be on guard! We are in a war and our enemy will stop at nothing until we lose those we love, our reputation, and most importantly, our soul.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
For your struggle isn't against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." -Ephesians 6:10-12
Monday, July 21, 2008
What Jesus Won't Do
When’s the last time you considered what Jesus won’t do for you? Sometimes, what He won’t do is just as important as meditating on what He will do.
Jesus won't give you everything you want.
Looking back, can’t we honestly say that we’re grateful for the things that we didn’t get in our lives; the things we prayed desparately for. The Lord knew we didn’t need that person, job, etc…Isn’t it overwhelmming that He loves us so much that He doesn’t give us everything that we want?
Jesus won't protect you from suffering.
There have been times in our lives that we have all been in pain; times when suffering and grief defined us. We would be naïve to think that suffering won’t come our way again. After all, Matthew 7:25 tells us that the storms will rage on the righteous and the unrighteous, however, with Him by our side, we can endure.
Jesus won't pretend you're someone you're not.
We can fool our friends. We can fool our co-workers. We may also be able to fool our family and ourselves, but He knows. He knows if we’re the same people on Friday night that we profess to be on Sunday morning. People see who we want them to see but the LORD sees our heart (I Samuel 16:7).
Jesus won't forget you.
John 14:3, John 14:18
He said, “If I go to prepare a place for you I will return.” There are three main points to the Bible. He’s coming. He’s here. He’s coming again. That’s what it’s all about. So now we wait for him and we will work because we know that everything we do should prepare us, in some way, for the moment when He comes again.
Jesus won't leave you.
Hebrews 13:5, John 10:27, John 15:5
He will never leave us nor forsake us. There is no other we can say that about. No other friend; no other family member. No one besides Jesus will hold our hand from now till the day we leave this earth. Praise God! He will never leave us.
Jesus won't stop loving you.
John 10:11, John 13:34, John 14:21, 23, John 15:9, 13
There is nothing we can do or say that would make Him stop loving us. He died for all, even those who reject Him. He loves the worst of us. No one will ever love us the way He does.
Jesus won't disappoint you.
How many times has a spouse, parent, child, friend disappointed you? Jesus will never disappoint you. We know exactly where He stands on all matters. He won’t tell us one thing and do another. He will never fail us.
Jesus won’t solve all your problems.
He never said He would, but sometimes we have the misconception that following Him should shelter us from the troubles and trials of this world. Christians hurt. They cry. They suffer from disappointment, disease, discouragement, and grief but they never suffer alone. Faced with pain and heartache, Christians can cope because we have Him but, more importantly, He has us. He has left us His peace (John 14:27). We are not to be troubled or scared for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Isn't it wonderful to know that Jesus won't do everything for us?
Have a great week. Lord willing, I'm off to visit family up north.
Jesus won't give you everything you want.
Looking back, can’t we honestly say that we’re grateful for the things that we didn’t get in our lives; the things we prayed desparately for. The Lord knew we didn’t need that person, job, etc…Isn’t it overwhelmming that He loves us so much that He doesn’t give us everything that we want?
Jesus won't protect you from suffering.
There have been times in our lives that we have all been in pain; times when suffering and grief defined us. We would be naïve to think that suffering won’t come our way again. After all, Matthew 7:25 tells us that the storms will rage on the righteous and the unrighteous, however, with Him by our side, we can endure.
Jesus won't pretend you're someone you're not.
We can fool our friends. We can fool our co-workers. We may also be able to fool our family and ourselves, but He knows. He knows if we’re the same people on Friday night that we profess to be on Sunday morning. People see who we want them to see but the LORD sees our heart (I Samuel 16:7).
Jesus won't forget you.
John 14:3, John 14:18
He said, “If I go to prepare a place for you I will return.” There are three main points to the Bible. He’s coming. He’s here. He’s coming again. That’s what it’s all about. So now we wait for him and we will work because we know that everything we do should prepare us, in some way, for the moment when He comes again.
Jesus won't leave you.
Hebrews 13:5, John 10:27, John 15:5
He will never leave us nor forsake us. There is no other we can say that about. No other friend; no other family member. No one besides Jesus will hold our hand from now till the day we leave this earth. Praise God! He will never leave us.
Jesus won't stop loving you.
John 10:11, John 13:34, John 14:21, 23, John 15:9, 13
There is nothing we can do or say that would make Him stop loving us. He died for all, even those who reject Him. He loves the worst of us. No one will ever love us the way He does.
Jesus won't disappoint you.
How many times has a spouse, parent, child, friend disappointed you? Jesus will never disappoint you. We know exactly where He stands on all matters. He won’t tell us one thing and do another. He will never fail us.
Jesus won’t solve all your problems.
He never said He would, but sometimes we have the misconception that following Him should shelter us from the troubles and trials of this world. Christians hurt. They cry. They suffer from disappointment, disease, discouragement, and grief but they never suffer alone. Faced with pain and heartache, Christians can cope because we have Him but, more importantly, He has us. He has left us His peace (John 14:27). We are not to be troubled or scared for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Isn't it wonderful to know that Jesus won't do everything for us?
Have a great week. Lord willing, I'm off to visit family up north.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures
Drastic-adj
Severe or radical in nature; extreme
We are living in drastic times. Divorce is rampant, young girls are making pacts with their friends to get pregnant, spouses are killing their children and each other, hate and bigotry are all around us. God is getting pushed out of the media, the school, and the home. Children are growing up with no knowledge of Jesus. Folks, you can’t get more drastic than this. It’s time we take matters into our own hands.
Drastic times call for drastic forgiveness.
It’s time we start forgiving others. Not when they ask us to first, but because God wants us to. He forgave us long before we ever asked Him.
Drastic times call for drastic love.
We have to start loving all people. Not just the ones, who look like us, are in the same income bracket as us, or the zip code as us. It takes the demonstrated love of a Christian first before we will ever be able to bring others to Christ.
Drastic times call for drastic faith.
We have to strengthen our faith. Not just when the good times abound, but when the pain and disappointment are prevalent. We must get back to the Bible and read what God wrote.
Drastic times call for drastic measures.
We must strive to be more like Jesus. Jesus led a drastic life. His teachings were drastic, His examples were drastic, and His purpose was drastic. No other has ever been so radical, yet so right. He was a King who came in the form of a servant, preaching a new message, and was rejected by the religious leaders of His time. He was drastic. He is drastic and He calls us to be drastic, as well. Today as you go about your life, make some drastic changes, and show others Jesus. It’s time.
Severe or radical in nature; extreme
We are living in drastic times. Divorce is rampant, young girls are making pacts with their friends to get pregnant, spouses are killing their children and each other, hate and bigotry are all around us. God is getting pushed out of the media, the school, and the home. Children are growing up with no knowledge of Jesus. Folks, you can’t get more drastic than this. It’s time we take matters into our own hands.
Drastic times call for drastic forgiveness.
It’s time we start forgiving others. Not when they ask us to first, but because God wants us to. He forgave us long before we ever asked Him.
Drastic times call for drastic love.
We have to start loving all people. Not just the ones, who look like us, are in the same income bracket as us, or the zip code as us. It takes the demonstrated love of a Christian first before we will ever be able to bring others to Christ.
Drastic times call for drastic faith.
We have to strengthen our faith. Not just when the good times abound, but when the pain and disappointment are prevalent. We must get back to the Bible and read what God wrote.
Drastic times call for drastic measures.
We must strive to be more like Jesus. Jesus led a drastic life. His teachings were drastic, His examples were drastic, and His purpose was drastic. No other has ever been so radical, yet so right. He was a King who came in the form of a servant, preaching a new message, and was rejected by the religious leaders of His time. He was drastic. He is drastic and He calls us to be drastic, as well. Today as you go about your life, make some drastic changes, and show others Jesus. It’s time.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Don't Go to Church!
I was working the cash register at our family business the other night when I noticed a teenager a few customers back with a t-shirt that had, “Don’t Go To Church!” on the front. I couldn’t stop looking at that shirt and by the time he was in front of me, I let him have it. “Alright, kid. What’s with the shirt?” He seemed a bit frightened, looked down, then spun around. On the back were the words, “Be the Church!” For the rest of the night I couldn’t stop thinking about the differences between going to church versus being the church.
At my house, going to Church includes getting five kids up and ready and out the door in record time. It doesn’t matter what time my husband and I get up, we are still rushing out the door at 9:20am. When the kids were all younger, I use to say that by the time I got there, I needed Jesus real bad or somebody was going to get hurt.
Too often, we say we’re "going to church" instead of the correct “going to worship with the church.” We should be careful not to confuse the terms church and worship. We go to Wal-Mart. We go to the doctor. But we don’t go to church. We are the church.
I wonder how it would impact others if we started using the correct phrasing. Would others realize how important worshipping our God is to us if we used such phraseology as:
“We’re going to worship God.”
“Please go worship God with me.”
“We’ve just been worshipping with the church.”
Doesn’t it sound more meaningful and sincere to use the term worship? That’s what we do, isn’t it? We worship. We study. We encourage each other. We assemble with the Saints. We are the church 24/7, however, we go to church a couple times a week. Going to church won't save souls, won't encourage others, and won't help us to be better people. Being the church will.
I’ll step down off my soap box now. Any comments?
At my house, going to Church includes getting five kids up and ready and out the door in record time. It doesn’t matter what time my husband and I get up, we are still rushing out the door at 9:20am. When the kids were all younger, I use to say that by the time I got there, I needed Jesus real bad or somebody was going to get hurt.
Too often, we say we’re "going to church" instead of the correct “going to worship with the church.” We should be careful not to confuse the terms church and worship. We go to Wal-Mart. We go to the doctor. But we don’t go to church. We are the church.
I wonder how it would impact others if we started using the correct phrasing. Would others realize how important worshipping our God is to us if we used such phraseology as:
“We’re going to worship God.”
“Please go worship God with me.”
“We’ve just been worshipping with the church.”
Doesn’t it sound more meaningful and sincere to use the term worship? That’s what we do, isn’t it? We worship. We study. We encourage each other. We assemble with the Saints. We are the church 24/7, however, we go to church a couple times a week. Going to church won't save souls, won't encourage others, and won't help us to be better people. Being the church will.
I’ll step down off my soap box now. Any comments?
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Anything Goes Once Jesus is Gone
Galatians 5:22-24
I’m always saddened when I hear of Christians who have slowly pushed Jesus out of their lives. Whether they were faced with tragedy or disappointment, or were just being stubborn, they changed their lives and altered their futures by easing Jesus out. The Bible talks about those who knew the knowledge of our Lord and Savior but allowed themselves to get tangled up in the world (2 Peter 2:20-22). Peter, in verse 22, reminds us of Proverbs 26:11 in describing such people as dogs returning to their own vomit and pigs back to the mud. Once Jesus is gone from your life, your life will never be the same because once He is gone, everything goes.
Love Goes
Once Jesus is out of you life, love will follow. Without Jesus a spouse’s love is unreliable and a parent’s love is questionable. Without Jesus, one can’t love their neighbor or even themselves. Love without Jesus is artificial.
Joy Goes
Once Jesus goes, joy is fading and hope is non-existent. Lasting joy can only be measured in the Lord.
Peace Goes
Without Jesus, peace will never be present. Peace can’t be found within ourselves, within our friends, or within the world. Real peace comes from God and His Son, the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). Jesus says in John 14:27 that He gives us peace but once you’ve removed Him from your life, you will never know peace again.
Patience Goes
Without Jesus, patience is a fantasy. Whether it be with people or trials in this world, patience will elude you. How sad to live a life void of patience.
Kindness Goes
Once Jesus goes, there is no need for kindness and even if you tried it would be hollow.
Goodness Goes
Once Jesus goes, goodness will follow suit. In fact, God’s goodness and love (Psalm 23:6) won’t be a part of your life and why would it? There will be no need for integrity and morality will be subjective.
Faithfulness Goes
Once Jesus is gone, your faith will be worthless. You could go through the motions yet it would be futile.
Gentleness Goes
Once Jesus is out of your life, there will be no need for gentleness, however, there will now be plenty of room for cruelty and violence.
Self-Control Goes
Once Jesus is gone, so is self-control. There will be no need for self restraint. Will power won’t but chaos will. What a dangerous world we will live in when self-control is unimportant.
Everything will go once Jesus is gone and what a cold, dark place will be left. It may take a while for you to push Jesus out entirely. It may start with missing a worship service here or there, then you'll start to justify your sin and as you slowly let the world in, you’ll push Jesus out.
It’s a slow fade from the light to the dark but you've been given this day to invite Jesus back into your life. Please don’t hesitate to make your life right with God.
I’m always saddened when I hear of Christians who have slowly pushed Jesus out of their lives. Whether they were faced with tragedy or disappointment, or were just being stubborn, they changed their lives and altered their futures by easing Jesus out. The Bible talks about those who knew the knowledge of our Lord and Savior but allowed themselves to get tangled up in the world (2 Peter 2:20-22). Peter, in verse 22, reminds us of Proverbs 26:11 in describing such people as dogs returning to their own vomit and pigs back to the mud. Once Jesus is gone from your life, your life will never be the same because once He is gone, everything goes.
Love Goes
Once Jesus is out of you life, love will follow. Without Jesus a spouse’s love is unreliable and a parent’s love is questionable. Without Jesus, one can’t love their neighbor or even themselves. Love without Jesus is artificial.
Joy Goes
Once Jesus goes, joy is fading and hope is non-existent. Lasting joy can only be measured in the Lord.
Peace Goes
Without Jesus, peace will never be present. Peace can’t be found within ourselves, within our friends, or within the world. Real peace comes from God and His Son, the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). Jesus says in John 14:27 that He gives us peace but once you’ve removed Him from your life, you will never know peace again.
Patience Goes
Without Jesus, patience is a fantasy. Whether it be with people or trials in this world, patience will elude you. How sad to live a life void of patience.
Kindness Goes
Once Jesus goes, there is no need for kindness and even if you tried it would be hollow.
Goodness Goes
Once Jesus goes, goodness will follow suit. In fact, God’s goodness and love (Psalm 23:6) won’t be a part of your life and why would it? There will be no need for integrity and morality will be subjective.
Faithfulness Goes
Once Jesus is gone, your faith will be worthless. You could go through the motions yet it would be futile.
Gentleness Goes
Once Jesus is out of your life, there will be no need for gentleness, however, there will now be plenty of room for cruelty and violence.
Self-Control Goes
Once Jesus is gone, so is self-control. There will be no need for self restraint. Will power won’t but chaos will. What a dangerous world we will live in when self-control is unimportant.
Everything will go once Jesus is gone and what a cold, dark place will be left. It may take a while for you to push Jesus out entirely. It may start with missing a worship service here or there, then you'll start to justify your sin and as you slowly let the world in, you’ll push Jesus out.
It’s a slow fade from the light to the dark but you've been given this day to invite Jesus back into your life. Please don’t hesitate to make your life right with God.
Friday, July 04, 2008
The Dangers of Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is a lucrative business. There are countless self-help books and seminars devoted to the topic. Just look at the hundreds of books lining the shelves at your local bookstore and library. You could spend years reading all of them or you could spend a few quiet moments reading the only self-help book you’ll ever need, the Bible.
If we were to spend time with the Bible, we would learn that:
Alone we are condemned to the world. In Christ there is no condemnation.
Romans 8:1
Alone we are hopeless. In Christ there is hope.
I Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 1:12
Alone there is death. In Christ there is life.
John 20:31, Romans 6:1,
Alone we are nothing. In Christ we are a friend of the King and children of God.
John 15:13, I John 1:3
Alone there is nothing. In Christ there is eternal life.
Romans 6:23
Alone we are lacking. In Christ we are complete.
Col 2:10
Alone we can do nothing. In Christ we can do all things.
Phil 4:13
Alone we are empty. In Christ we have love.
2 Tim 1:13, Rom 8:39
Alone there is deception. In Christ there is truth.
Rom 9:1
Have you read the newspapers today? Sin is thriving. Parents are killing their children for revenge against their spouses. Men and women are fornicating with so many different partners that no one knows who the real parents of their child are. Wars are raging. Pain abounds. This world is on a fast track to destruction and believing in ourselves won't save anybody.
The devil is self-esteem’s biggest supporter. If we spend all our time and energy developing our own self-esteem then we will come to the false conclusion that we don't need Jesus. We’ll be so caught up in ourselves that we will follow our own dreams and our own will. We’ll lose sight of having someone else to give account to. We’ll be able to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. We’ll be advocates of situation ethics and the devil will love it! He’ll support us 100%! We’ll be able to do anything and everything we want to do! Isn’t self-esteem great?
Who Do You Believe In?
Remember, believing in ourselves can only take us so far but believing in Christ and doing His Will can take us all the way to Heaven.
Believe in Jesus. He believes in you.
If we were to spend time with the Bible, we would learn that:
Alone we are condemned to the world. In Christ there is no condemnation.
Romans 8:1
Alone we are hopeless. In Christ there is hope.
I Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 1:12
Alone there is death. In Christ there is life.
John 20:31, Romans 6:1,
Alone we are nothing. In Christ we are a friend of the King and children of God.
John 15:13, I John 1:3
Alone there is nothing. In Christ there is eternal life.
Romans 6:23
Alone we are lacking. In Christ we are complete.
Col 2:10
Alone we can do nothing. In Christ we can do all things.
Phil 4:13
Alone we are empty. In Christ we have love.
2 Tim 1:13, Rom 8:39
Alone there is deception. In Christ there is truth.
Rom 9:1
Have you read the newspapers today? Sin is thriving. Parents are killing their children for revenge against their spouses. Men and women are fornicating with so many different partners that no one knows who the real parents of their child are. Wars are raging. Pain abounds. This world is on a fast track to destruction and believing in ourselves won't save anybody.
The devil is self-esteem’s biggest supporter. If we spend all our time and energy developing our own self-esteem then we will come to the false conclusion that we don't need Jesus. We’ll be so caught up in ourselves that we will follow our own dreams and our own will. We’ll lose sight of having someone else to give account to. We’ll be able to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. We’ll be advocates of situation ethics and the devil will love it! He’ll support us 100%! We’ll be able to do anything and everything we want to do! Isn’t self-esteem great?
Who Do You Believe In?
Remember, believing in ourselves can only take us so far but believing in Christ and doing His Will can take us all the way to Heaven.
Believe in Jesus. He believes in you.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Are You Ready to Turn the World Upside Down?
Acts 17:6 gives us a very interesting description of the early Christians. They were revolutionizing the world! Isn’t it amazing that followers of Christ were so devoted to Him that others declared they were turning the world upside down!? Do folks say that about you?
Let’s think of a few ways that we can turn the world upside down.
We Can Be Faithful to Our Spouse
Matthew 19:4-9
What if all the Christians in the world were faithful to their spouse? The world offers disposable marriages, however, as Christians we have a responsibility to our Heavenly Father to maintain our marriages throughout our lifetime. If all Christians would stay faithful to their spouse the divorce rate would plummet, we would show people Christ, and we would change the world.
We Can Teach our Children that God Comes First
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
What if all the Christians in the world taught their children that nothing came before God? Think of the soccer games, ball practices, cheerleading camps, football games, band competitions etc… that would need to be rescheduled because everyone would know that Christians don’t participate on Sundays. Think of the people that could be influenced for Christ if Christians would stand together and inform all people that we worship the King. What if we so diligently taught our children the truth that they grew in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to them Christ was all that mattered? What if we emphasized Christ more than we emphasize athletics and grades? Think of the impression we would make on our children! Think of the impression we would make on the world.
We Can Practice Consideration
Philippians 2:3-4
What if all the Christians in the world would treat people the way Christ wants us to? Can you imagine the astonishment that would take place if Christians had a deep and abiding love for others? Just think of the good that could be done in the name of Jesus. What if we showed compassion to all people? What would people do if we really did put them first, actually tried to live peacefully with them, were hospitable, blessed those who persecuted us, and on and on? Imagine the shock! Imagine the amazement! Imagine the number of precious souls coming to Christ!
We Can Know the Scriptures
II Timothy 3:16-17,
What if all the Christians in the world read and studied the Bible each and every day? Just think of the peace. Can you imagine the excitement and confidence that comes with knowing the Word? We would be equipped to handle whatever life threw at us. Our lives would change. We could change the world.
We Can Go Into All the WorldMark 16:15
What if all the Christians in the world shared their faith in Jesus? Can you imagine the love that would be felt if each Christian’s key mission in life was to share the Gospel? Think of what we could accomplish. Think of how we could change the world if only we shared our faith in Christ. If only we wanted to teach and share the Gospel as much as we wanted to do other things…
What if?
It seems so simple. Just a few things we could do to live more meaningful lives for the One who gave His life for us, yet people refuse- Christians refuse. Acts 17 isn’t a myth. These Christians weren’t much different from us, but one could wonder if they were more committed. They lived the way they were supposed to. They made such an impact on others that it caused the Jews to say, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here, too.”
Friends, we have an ability to turn the world upside down. We should have a desire to. It’s time to start living up to the name we wear. We are Christians. We follow the Christ. It’s time to live like it. First we must change our lives then we have an ability, an obligation, and a responsibility to change the world!
Let’s think of a few ways that we can turn the world upside down.
We Can Be Faithful to Our Spouse
Matthew 19:4-9
What if all the Christians in the world were faithful to their spouse? The world offers disposable marriages, however, as Christians we have a responsibility to our Heavenly Father to maintain our marriages throughout our lifetime. If all Christians would stay faithful to their spouse the divorce rate would plummet, we would show people Christ, and we would change the world.
We Can Teach our Children that God Comes First
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
What if all the Christians in the world taught their children that nothing came before God? Think of the soccer games, ball practices, cheerleading camps, football games, band competitions etc… that would need to be rescheduled because everyone would know that Christians don’t participate on Sundays. Think of the people that could be influenced for Christ if Christians would stand together and inform all people that we worship the King. What if we so diligently taught our children the truth that they grew in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to them Christ was all that mattered? What if we emphasized Christ more than we emphasize athletics and grades? Think of the impression we would make on our children! Think of the impression we would make on the world.
We Can Practice Consideration
Philippians 2:3-4
What if all the Christians in the world would treat people the way Christ wants us to? Can you imagine the astonishment that would take place if Christians had a deep and abiding love for others? Just think of the good that could be done in the name of Jesus. What if we showed compassion to all people? What would people do if we really did put them first, actually tried to live peacefully with them, were hospitable, blessed those who persecuted us, and on and on? Imagine the shock! Imagine the amazement! Imagine the number of precious souls coming to Christ!
We Can Know the Scriptures
II Timothy 3:16-17,
What if all the Christians in the world read and studied the Bible each and every day? Just think of the peace. Can you imagine the excitement and confidence that comes with knowing the Word? We would be equipped to handle whatever life threw at us. Our lives would change. We could change the world.
We Can Go Into All the WorldMark 16:15
What if all the Christians in the world shared their faith in Jesus? Can you imagine the love that would be felt if each Christian’s key mission in life was to share the Gospel? Think of what we could accomplish. Think of how we could change the world if only we shared our faith in Christ. If only we wanted to teach and share the Gospel as much as we wanted to do other things…
What if?
It seems so simple. Just a few things we could do to live more meaningful lives for the One who gave His life for us, yet people refuse- Christians refuse. Acts 17 isn’t a myth. These Christians weren’t much different from us, but one could wonder if they were more committed. They lived the way they were supposed to. They made such an impact on others that it caused the Jews to say, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here, too.”
Friends, we have an ability to turn the world upside down. We should have a desire to. It’s time to start living up to the name we wear. We are Christians. We follow the Christ. It’s time to live like it. First we must change our lives then we have an ability, an obligation, and a responsibility to change the world!
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