Tag Archives: Christ Jesus

Living in Him- 8/2/21

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Photo by Diego Madrigal on Pexels.com

“Seek His face always.” Hmm. Need to remember that again.

There’s always an excuse to not live a life more for Jesus. Something to fall back on, reasons to not read the Word of God, giving reasons not to witness.

Yet the entire time God is there waiting for us to want a relationship with Him.

A lot of people nowadays who call themselves Christians also don’t even read the bible! It’s like we are living in times where we are going to church and doing rituals yet not even thinking about Him in our spare time.

For many years I have done that. Yet God has so much to offer when we read His word. He wants to tell us so much and we don’t want to use our “ears” to listen to it.

There is more than we might think about what God offers. Thanks to Jesus we have a path open where we can speak intimately to God and He can do things in our lives we might not even realize.

One of those is to ask for wisdom.

It says in James we must do so:

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

The context explaining before that verse “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Wow so we must learn to ask God for wisdom to applied to our lives?

I’ve actually asked for wisdom and He answered my prayer.

That is only because God loves us so much and wants us to live in Him as much as we can. It’s like an adventure to live for Him! There is always something good that comes from it and a life worthwhile living.

This is all possible because of an intimate relationship is something that is worthwhile living for and He wants us to desire that above all other things.

It is worth it to live for Him and to be close to Him in so much of our daily life.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Why does it seem we desire to sin and turn away while Christ wants to take us in in love?

We must desire the truth and have the God of love fully in our hearts.

Wow seeing the phrase “double-minded” hit home! Before I looked it up I felt I already understood what it could mean.

In valdosdailytimes.com it says it means “To be double-minded is to be inconsistent, vacillating, to be and act one way today and be and act some other way tomorrow.”

Living the life like people during Paul’s is not the way to go. Why can’t we fully immerse ourselves in the life of a follower of Jesus?

What is holding us back to really live in Him?

Sometimes I had trouble answering that because I was so steeped in self.

But to really “live” we must be mindful of not just the ones we pick and choose but all of His commandments. Amen!

Devotion- 7/3/21

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Doing well. Physically I still need to get stuff worked out but…

To believe in the One who has changed you brings amazing changes. Just like to know a friend and you might have certain qualities. Over time, those qualities are like mutual changes: you become like them, they become like you.

But this is a completely different kind of relationship: You change for the better and God stays the same. But you have every moment to be newer to be “better” than you were before.

And this “Friend” just wants the best for you.

The opening verse is from Romans, possibly my favorite writer in the bible:

Do not be conformed to this world… but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

From ‘whichever version I use.’ No one could guess it, haha. Just kidding it’s from the NKJV, the New King James Version.

Note that I separated it a little. That was not a separation in the text but it is important.

We must not be like the people in this world. There are people so stuck in sin they might need someone to talk to at the very least, while this world it is hard sometimes to even fake interest!

There are many though in the opposite spectrum who do care, but is there anyone who can tell them just what changed their lives? More importantly is there a Godly Person who has completely turned them around, or might they equate their experience in life as “I just changed my attitude…” and that’s the end of their personal story?

I hate being stuck in my own sin. It’s no fun. I shared that before, how I was feeling like I was being dragged through my old life and it would not let me go..!

I don’t want anyone to not know there is a love in something that will be like the shackles of sin have been removed and a love moves the heart and will change their life in a way that they couldn’t have imagined!

Because by the grace of Jesus I was shown there was a life that was worth living for my own self.

We must also know that His yoke is easy His burden is light:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ‘For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.'” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus had amazing words to share to the people He loved dearly who He wanted them just to have a close relationship with His Father.

He guided them and knew that what the Father wanted was what He grew up learning about and He knew they needed for their persnal lives too.

We need to remember that His way is perfect (Psalms 18:30). We must shine like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:15) if we want to really live for goodness. Sure if you “fall” there is mercy to speak to Christ and be picked back up, there is such wondrous grace in Jesus that it is worth telling in this awful disease-spotlighted world.

How worth it is to tell of this wonderful transforming grace? It’s worth everything!

Devotion Romans- 6/25/21

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Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 NKJV

Have you ever been in a group that was divided in opinions? Did anyone agree on anything? Maybe it would feel like a place where no thought was “safe” and was easy to be shut out by the others after it was criticized.

Sometimes at church meetings a member will feel so angry about things they will shout their opinion. What he may say might be wrong, so is it good to yell at the pastor or whoever is leading the discussion? No I don’t think so. But sometimes people will feel strongly about a subject and will want to “attack” with their thoughts and maybe divide the other people in the room.

In the bible we as people should be in a group setting (in this case, a church) and have many things in agreeance. Not all of our current thoughts should be completely on one side (personal views might be just a little different) but on most important things there should be like one accord, if one belongs within a church.

What I brought up above is not a problem at the church I currently attend. Yet it becomes apparent at churches where it is time to speak up about certain topics and there seem to be strong “passions” about the way things are being done.

But all in all if you or if anyone you know who is looking for a church to attend the important thing is that they follow the bible and not man’s ideas or things that do not have the bible based on them.

May the One who gives patience and comfort give you the ability to discern the truth versus man’s ways and you learn to be like-minded in a church that is like Jesus. Amen!

Thief in the Night- 5/26/21

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If the Lord doesn’t tarry what would you do? What I mean by that is this: What if we might see the end times soon? What if the Lord has had enough of all of our sin? What would you do about it? Would you be ready to one day have Jesus coming again?

My church is going over the book of 1 Thessalonians. In that, of the fifth chapter it says “The day of the Lord… comes” as a “thief in the night.” What could that mean?

Can it be used as a warning to people not ready yet to know Christ or to people who want to be used by Christ that keep living deep in stuff that does not honor God?

A thief comes unexpectedly. It is like a person who steals stuff away from people before they even realize it. One like that could take valuables, clothing, money, and then be gone before the people left behind in all of it will even notice it.

Some are so good they can sneak into a house and steal things from people’s houses in the middle of the day! Wow. Now that is a good thief!

There is a lot of surprising evidence also in the bible that talks of people being taken up to be with the Lord before the hardest days on earth can occur. I will reference them later in case you wonder about them (it is good to “wonder” about things, hehe. Sorry self-commercial over).

Yes the bible does support a way that Christians with conviction I believe is mixed with the world that are claiming horrible things about this from the bible. The “rapture” is NOT demonic, let me tell you guys straight and simply:

Do not claim something like that is demonic because if you claim conviction on that… maybe you are in reality influenced by something that IS demonic.

I have to warn some people as critical as a fire alarm. Just putting that out there, believers online that have made such a (self) righteous claim.

Sorry sometimes I want to push some conviction like a pastor…. I digress!

We cannot stop Christ coming if it is meant to be. But we also must live in the here and now and fear the Lord. Does that mean we have to think he will strike us down in death if we don’t follow every step all the time? No.

“Fear the Lord.” Hmm.

Did you know in the bible it says about not fearing Satan but fearing God who chooses to take you to heaven or hell, yes Paul says, fear Him?

That is talking about eventualities in eternity but fearing God today just means something else.

If you believe you know Him then it is to be mindful of His commands and to walk in the Spirit and not stay in old lusts and old ways from your pasts.

It also means to live for Christ as in making decisions that might hurt (like individual choices that God would honor though would emotionally be tough) but then the Lord would then bless in response. It means making big decisions that might be uncomfortable to do (witness? Start little. Then you will see blessings. Keep at it and before you know it you’ll love living for the Lord!).

Just following God and walking fully and wholeheartedly will do amazing things in your life. People who want to follow Christ must deny their old selves and then walk and live in Him. Maybe after we all give our all the Lord tarries. There is a chance.

Also doing so like this every day will cause amazing things in our lives to happen. Who knows what can happen because of the Love and deep mercies of Christ from His father? Amen!

Quick Quip-To Disciple

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I should not only think this as our church’s Missions Conference is coming up and it is to disciple but that is one commandment of God we sometimes neglect to think about.

We should as a church guide others spiritually to help mature the body but also to make servant disciples of Jesus Christ. It is God’s goal that His word be spread everywhere the one following Jesus will go for their mission so it must be so and intentionally done.

For too long I have felt like ones within the church. I kept letting feelings and insecurities hold me back, thinking that I lost Christ’s calling at least once every year but it is not true (it probably was a tactic from Satan to think that way).

And now I hope you desire if you spend time in His word when you can to do so for people of your church or join one to gain fellowship, guidance, and learning of what the bible tells of through the books of amazing stories. Talk to new people visiting and get to know them. Also share Christ with people that if spirit-led would be situations of opportunities presented by God’s will. He will give you chances, then people will by Christ’s power be saved!

I want to be one of many who want to share with each other as we are united by His blood and now share each others love and gifts within God’s family.

Be like a disciple-maker today!

Jesus said:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ~Matthew 28, verse 19

 

 

 

Sin Undone-6/5/16

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I have too much of a busy schedule, it feels like to me. I am grateful to work but sometimes I can’t even rest. I’ve got work on the weekends and plus at church I couldn’t even stay because of duties so I had to up and exit the sanctuary. I hope this all doesn’t overwhelm me! Sigh*~

 

Hello. I hope you have had a relaxing Memorial Day of reflection as well as just time off to have fun and enjoy life.

You know sometimes we take it for granted this thing called life. We think we have all the time in the world so we turn to back things that we were rescued from and get ourselves stuck into the “pit” again and again.

What is the “pit” you wonder? It is the trap that we sometimes ensnare for ourselves. At first it is temptation leading to giving in to the sin. But if we are not serious about repentance, the telling to God that we are sorry and we turn away and will go back to Him, we get ourselves led back into falling again.

Falling and getting out. Repeat.

That struggle can be so discouraging. A person I know unfortunately has turned that way and ended up not in this world anymore. It’s sad to see someone that knew the truth be in a situation that they did not want to leave.

But our sin sometimes gets us in a loop.

I’ve been in that “loop” many times. Saying “I’m sorry God, forgive me…” then doing that deed again.

Sometimes we may get deeper, knowing that we shouldn’t but that want to turn from God is just too good, like a piece of your favorite dessert.

Then you partake and realize you are not satisfied. You can never be satisfied.

Yet it is so seemingly enjoyable to get into again… we’ll think maybe this time we will get it right and it will be so “good”!

But it never is. Why is that?

Because we live in a fallen world and we desire something but the thing that was our first want was to sin. After the fall of the world through one man who had the responsibility to say no there was sin that entered the world.

And sin is evil!

It is the world: it is all bad, it is fallen, the reason we have death and so much bad in this place here on earth.

But if you know Christ, should you keep heading down this path? As in getting into tons of stuff you shouldn’t?

Paul has said something about that. Should we keep sinning harshly just because we have a savior to turn to that will have God forgive us?

Yes or no?

What do you think?

I think that we are free to do what we want but if we want to serve God we have to realize we should make more decisions for the Lord.

That means though our sin nature fights it at times, we have to look to God in all circumstances if we want to serve Him.

A servant of Jesus should not be turning to ways of the world as a daily ritual. That makes our hearts unclean when they should be filled by the Holy Spirit.

That makes us less like a lover of Christ and more like a person of solitude because of sins.

Or a person that just wants to neglect all that God’s will has for them and will be provided to them.

That means not looking to other ways for truth and instead keeping your eyes on the mount and our feet firmly on solid ground. The ground of the Rock, the solid place of Jesus Christ.

We can continue on and live with prospering lives if we deny ourselves and seek His will. But God still does want us to make our own choices.

We don’t have to do that because God wants us to follow Him. There is no way but Jesus. God’s word says: Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

And Jesus made that way, did the penalty for us and our sin. He died on the cross, rose again, and lives in Heaven one day coming to do the final things this earth has yet to see.

Would you want your friends to fall into those days? I don’t think so. We should live as pure hearts of Jesus’ love, sacrifice our time, give our lives so that people would learn of the truth, and just be love to them.

Just showing love is the first step. How do you want to do it?

That is the one step where there is the undoing of sin. If your heart is clean because of forgiveness or because you show His love to others around you, what does that say to your life?

You are a new creation in Christ. Your old self died with Him on the cross. That person is now no longer a part of you… isn’t that exciting???

To have no more sin to account against you and make you dead to the world and to go to hell… because of Christ that is no longer a part of you.

Amen! We should share this news and love and mercy to others because He makes all things possible. And He will undo so much bad stuff in others lives as a result. It is His power. We must know that love can sweep it all away, move and change hearts, and give people a brand new purpose!

How sweet is that news?

Let’s as Christians (or if you are a new Christian or interested, message me on comments) see God undo the chains we sometimes let ourselves get shackled with and serve with lives pleasing to Him…

🙂

 

 

 

Freedom that Stands-5/30/16

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This Memorial Day should be a time of remembering sacrifice but I also want to share some extra thoughts as well.

We should be grateful of the ones who fight for our country, the ones who lay down their lives everyday so that we could have freedom.

You know there is a television show that came out some decades ago and one of the stories touched my heart. On the show MASH there was a sequence where Radar and another person were observing women possibly slaves scanning a field for mines.

They didn’t like knowing that someone had ordered people who were human beings to go outside and use sticks to touch possible explosives that were hidden in the high grass.

Suddenly without warning a mine goes off and a woman drops. Radar, thinking and caring for her safety and not thinking of his own charges into the field as the other person shouts for him not to go out there.

He grabs her and carries her to where the other soldier is possibly going to get her medical treatment.

Now just typing that now I got really emotional again. I don’t get that way because I think a tv show is real (it’s just a dern piece of media, hehe!)… what gently moves my heart is that it is representative of the soldier.

They go far to help fellow brothers, or fellow soldiers even if their own safety is at stake. They’d drop onto the mine and let it detonate themselves just so their friends would be safe. They’d make the sacrifice that many of us today either take for granted or think of our own troubles which are small and petty sometimes versus what they still go through to this day.

We, wherever we come from, have a military that is fighting for freedom in your place, your country, your continent that you live in.

“Fighting for freedom in your place” I hadn’t meant to say that. Now that reminds me of something else__:

God made a way by sending his son Jesus Christ to day in your place. Do you think this is just religion? No, sometimes we do things in a religious way but that is doing so in the wrong heart. Religion is false but a relationship with Jesus is true. It starts with our realization that God loves us, He wants us to know that He could save us because of what He had done and what His son had done which was die bodily on the cross and then in three days, rise again, bodily and wholly, and go to Heaven, ensuring us He is one day coming again.

Did you know that God loves you so much? You may be hurting but no matter what you are going through He still loves you. He makes you know that all He wants is for you to know Him. He wants a relationship with you. If you do, you will be blessed in ways this world will not understand but you will know in your heart what He has done.

There is mercy by what was done through the cross. His son took all of your and the world’s sin. He also bled on the cross which is why we needed our sins paid for and forgiven. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

He was like a lamb to be sacrificed but He was THE lamb, the ultimate and only sacrifice that would cover all sin.

 

God has made His people and they need to be saved because of sin. We all sinned and not one is innocent except Jesus who was and is man and God.

He redeemed the people who are willing to hear, would you want to know of Christ’s sacrifice?

Again drawing attention on Memorial day I have posted a pic on social media that has made me want to cry. I first saw it in high school, it is a painting, a portrait of a man standing at the Vietnam Memorial. His head is bowed and he is crying as he puts his hand on the wall full of the names of the people who died during that war.

In the reflection is a hand touching his. It is his younger self… and he and his fellow fallen troop are staring back at him.

It makes me cry and I know one person who served this country. He doesn’t seem to understand that I am moved by what the soldier has done for this country.

It seems he feels that a person has to serve the country to appreciate it. I myself have never served but I get emotional at their ultimate sacrifice.

I also was moved reading a book about C. S. Lewis. He has served his country and when he struggled with if God existed or not became bitter to the world. He later was changed by Christ and became one of the biggest defender and apologetics in the faith.

He also was used in sad situations, almost like men and women willing to be sacrificed in time as they’d know Jesus.

He was told to give a sermon to a huge team of pilots. As they explained the real reason he was surprised (he probably was going to cry at the thought). They were concerned for these pilots’ souls. They were more than likely about to head to their deaths (it was like a 90% chance of fatality for them) as they would head toward enemy territory, protecting their land at home. They would probably get hit by antagonistic warfare fighting for their side.

C. S. Lewis preached to these people. And God’s Word was not returned void.

So do you want to know of the Ultimate Sacrifice of Christ? He lived in a holy land and because of sin was ordered by the people (no different than us) to die on the cross for blaspheming that He was the King, the I Am. He was the king of the Jews but the Lord can also be lord of our hearts and our lives.

God would not want you to perish from sin and be separated from Him for all eternity. This life may not be our only one but it is critical if you have thoughts that are not right to what God wants for you.

God wants you to know He loves you. He provided the way and He can through His Son and provide the way in your life today.

Accept Christ. It is the best gift you could receive today.

Your sin can only get you one way, but Christ died for it so that you wouldn’t end up in that place called hell.

His death was for your life; his payment gave you the chance to be accepted into His kingdom. Pray and know the Lord today.

If you know the Lord then God says you are one of His people and He is your God. He loves you and I hope you experience His amazing grace, something He gives us that we do not deserve.

How exciting it is that He is your God?? You can stand in true spiritual freedom if it is so.

God bless you and meditate on the Lord this Memorial Day.

“These things I have spoken to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

 

 

 

Quick Quip- No Greater Love

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Has anyone seen that movie “First Sunday” with Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan? I love that film. It is so beautiful. That’s not because of it’s “preachy” message but that under its heart it shows the depths of God’s Love.

As the characters go through so much toil in looking for a job they give up and turn to crime.  Now what would you think? Do you think going to church the people there would look at them and go “What? They did what? They’re not allowed here!”

I’m kind of going away from the main conventions of the story but I’m trying to prove a point. The point is what the church, the people of believers in Christ do. Now they could turn people away that are like that but that is in their heart and their heart would be wrong in doing so.

These people show such love. This is not because being loving is a “good” thing but because the greater one in their lives changed their hearts and that is Jesus Christ.

God can do amazing things in the church, outside it, and just about anywhere! We just need to find in our hearts to seek the Kingdom of God His righteousness and He because of Jesus who died for us lead the way!

 

Tight and Secure- 5/11/16

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It is nearly late, almost 5/12 so this might be inaccurate in a moment. Lately I have been going through tough stuff due to my disability. I was having tough things go on like  flashbacks and I nearly let fear and anxiety almost overwhelm me. I am getting better praise God and as long I look to Him in all ways, I can no longer feel discouraged. Praise God for Him and all the things He has taught me and so many others. Thank you Jesus.

Isn’t it tough to trust in God?

Let me rephrase that: isn’t it tough to trust in God because of our sin nature?

Sometimes doubt, being unhappy about our current state, depression, and loneliness get to us…. but none of those things are ideas the Lord gives us.

We can get wrapped in our own world, forgetting about the things that He has told us through His Word and from His people: that He’s always there, He knows the future, and He can meet us where we struggle. And we can trust in Him.

We can do that by holding fast as it says in the book of Philippians.

We are ensured the ability to be blessed by whatever we do for Him. God can do amazing things right now if you want to live for Jesus.

If one wants to live for Jesus what does one do? Well first of all, we have to remember that Christ died for our sin, that we cannot do anything in our power to be in Heaven because it was God that paid for it, not us.

It is God who shows us the way and we just simply need to accept His son into our hearts and we can believe and trust in Him. If we believe then we can be in Heaven because of God’s gift to us.

It was His great love that sent Him to the cross for our punishment. Jesus then rose again and is one day coming back.

There is hope and that is found in Jesus.

Amen?

So the words “hold fast”… I had wondered what that meant.

In the book of Philippians Paul addresses a church that has been disagreeing on certain things. He was wrote letters to the church of “Philippi” to tell them to be of one mind, a body of believers because they make up the body of Christ.

This group of people is united because of God’s love and Christ’s intercession for their sin. The church was fighting over differences in beliefs but what does God say? His word is true. We should know that always because sometimes our hearts even want to change what God says is true.

This kind of thing has been happening everywhere and even in the church today. It’s unfortunate but that is why defending what God says is important when talking to others about Him.

We live in a day and age that is vastly drifting from God and His love. Why are people doing this? Because their hearts are turning from Him.

We must not feel afraid if we want to share God’s Word with others but we must also do it with the right heart. We must stay grounded on God’s Word which is true, not take in the world’s values just to increase member numbers and just simply show the love of Jesus to each other.

Church love is great, I gotta tell ya. When I first came to a new church I wondered why people were so loving toward one another. I was eight and around then just accepted Christ. But as I grew more spiritually and saw that the lifeblood of the church was the “people” and not the “building” I couldn’t get enough of learning about Jesus. I have experienced times of great frustration, things that were going on in my life, and realized I could just give it up to God. I would go through so much some days but I would learn to be more like Christ every day.

A lot of this was because of a wonderful church of people holding onto the Word of truth and living in Christ.

We as a church must hold fast the word of life… but what does that mean?

“Hold fast” means to remain tightly secured.

I thought about a board and a drill fastens a screw into it. The board which is sturdy strong, built well (thank you God, hehe), and keeps that screw held on well.

That strong piece of wood ain’t going to let that screw go anywhere, as long as it doesn’t get removed by the drill for whatever reason. It is fastened there: firm, strong, and can’t be undone.

But sometimes we think “But what if God can’t impact my life?” or “What if these things happening right now are going on because there is no God?”

I say quench that thought from your mind and realize that He is in your heart today!

Sometimes Satan gets us into a corner. But sometimes it is us that makes us doubt and our hearts stray. Sometimes we do this by depending on what we feel (“I’m depressed… can I ever love?) and we crowd our minds with nonsense.

Circumstances also have us feel we should disregard God’s truths. But don’t be discouraged, you have a wonderful God by your side, and Jesus who can help you see a future in Him. Just trust obey, live it out and seek His truth.

Also share the Word with others, and don’t let discouraging words or verbal abuse get you down. Did you know you are blessed when that happens? Because you are like a screw fixed in a firm piece of wood, holding on to His truth.

Once you have Jesus in your life you are secure in Him and nothing you do can separate you from Him. God gave us Jesus to open the door to a relationship to Him.

His Word helps us and talking to Him can do wonderful things you might not see at the moment but, baby, if you’ve done it in the right heart God answers prayer you may not right now believe!

Remain tightly secure in what God says, what you want to do for Him and He can secure you a future. Amen.

 

 

Mission for Gratefulness-11/23/14

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I hope I am not doing this just for the coming tradition of Thanksgiving. I don’t know my own heart sometimes. God lead me on this…

Did you know where you live and breathe their might be missionaries all around you? The word “missionary” does not have to deal with just a person who for God in a country or a land they have to get a plane to do the will of God. It’s funny how much we do that sometimes. Maybe we rely on our pastors to be the only ones who “spread the gospel” that phrase being too “ironic” here. Or we go out and have a view point that says, “God knows where these people are. I don’t have to witness because …” fill in the blank for that one.

If we don’t do the commandment that God has attributed to all of us that have become believers out of his grace we do not deserve is that ungrateful of us?

Maybe you just need to adjust your heart when it concerns witnessing or telling others what you believe in hopes they want to receive it.

How do you view being this messenger? Do you have a burden that makes you feel guilty every time you don’t share the message? Do you become afraid of being teased (which is just as bad as being killed for it right? Not really) because you are a believer so you are glad in not telling others about Jesus?

God does not help us if we just sit on our hands and not do what we ought to do. Also God does not speak to us if we don’t read His word. He is glad we spend ANY moment with Him by the bible or by praying or when we share with others, let’s say what we learned about in church to the curious. That gets us blessed when we do that but more importantly God gets to use you for His kingdom as small or as seemingly unimportant those times may seem to us.

And it is so good for us to tell others of the gospel. You know while we were still sinners we must know that Christ died for us. We must remember that God did what He did not so that we could think that our works will get us to heaven (Who got us to heaven?), or that we should get praise and that makes it the only worthwhile reason to do those actions, but that we were deserving of punishment and hell… yet He sent His son who was man and God to die in our place on the cross!

Think about a sacrificial lamb. People believed in God through that. As long as they kept the focus on God during those times they would know God but the ultimate sacrifice which was THE all end all sacrifices Jesus we have power by His grace.

This isn’t just simply believing in God. This is knowing Christ died for us that we, though we don’t deserve His grace (at least I don’t) He died so that we would live. And also that we can learn love by a relationship with Him; our sin separated us His Son bridged the gap that kept us from going to hell and to give us an eternal place in Heaven.

I’d say that is more than enough to be grateful this Thanksgiving. I can give not enough and I hope I never feel it is not enough to give for Christ and just live by walking in Him.

You know when you avoid witnessing you are really missing out? There are wonderful things that can happen as a result and the best one is that glory always, no matter whether your sharing went well or seemingly “unsuccessful” comes to God. His word never comes back void.

And another thing I want to divulge on health. Avoiding witnessing will not do anything to your physical health (you might think “Whew, this is a load off my back!” and think that stress and feelings about having the thought to tell others is now gone) but it will be bad spiritually. Satan might let you be in your comfortable stage but spiritually you are missing out on the blessings of the Lord. Physically you might not get hurt but spiritually you will “die” of starvation!

Let’s give to the mission. Be missionaries of God not to get credit or admiration but out of the gratefulness in the wondrous Savior we collectively share.

Have a wonderful holiday.