Courage

The Chistian that I describe here is someone that you know.  This Christian goes to church on Sunday, gives money to the church and even does service work.  Pretty upstanding person.  I know that you know this person because it may describe yourself.  Now let's see how that Christian operates in the real world.

I know you have heard this before.  I believe in Jesus, but I don't believe in religion.  I don't go to church because of all the hypocrates there.  I don't need any church, because I have my own relationship with God.  

We have all heard these statements and we have all nodded our heads, sometimes in agreement, other times just acknowledging the statement.  We let it pass and whoops, we failed that test.  God put this person in your life so you could witness to them.  I've made those statements before when I was away from the church.  Yes, I believed in Jesus, but I was on the sidelines.  Satan had disconnected me.

It took years for me to get back to church.  I just wish that someone had stayed on my case and gotten me back sooner.  Jesus was waiting for me, I was not listening. 

I want to be clear about something.  I am a very poor student of the Bible.  I cannot quote you one verse from memory and that is something that I am working on.  So, you ask, how can someone like me tell people about Jesus.  Easy, pray about it and just follow Jesus.

That person that tells you that they don't need the church may not be a lost soul, just a disconnected soul.  If we have trouble witnessing to lost souls, we should start on disconnected souls.  We run into them all the time and just let our opportunities pass.  Opportunities that God gave you to share your faith. 

Now I don't want you to think that I am calling you out for these missed opportunities to witness.  I am guilty myself.  I need to remind myself of this.  These people are in need of our prayers and our attention.  You don't need to be overbearing, just be there. Just don't deny Christ and say nothing or agree with the person.  God will be there to help you. 

Now as you read this, you may be thinking that I am some religious nut or part of the religious right.  No to either one.  I just love Jesus and it was his command to tell people about him.  I am simply trying to follow him..

If you have never heard the story behind the song; "Why Me Lord" by Kris Kristofferson, watch this video.  Great story and song.  He was invited to church. 

Talking with God

I read a lot about God and his plans for us during our human lifetime.  It's almost been a year since my last drink of alcohol and my mind is finally getting clear.  I won't lie to you, it's been a tough year, but in many ways one of the most rewarding years of my life.  I have been through countless personal challenges this past year.  I have grown close to God and he has made those challenges bearable.  In fact, I feel I have grown up a lot in my personal relationship with God.

The reading that I am sharing with you today, comes from the 27th day in the book, "The Purpose Driven Life".  Quoting, " Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations.  Avoid them.  Remember that is is easier to stay out of temptaion than to get out of it.  The Bible say, "Don't be so naive and self-confident.  You're not exempt.  You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else.  Forget about self-confidence; it's useless.  Cultivate God-confidence.""  1st Corinthians 10:12

That's pretty powerful stuff.  We always talk about building our self-confidence.  It's all over our culture.  It's so powerful in our culture that this a new idea for me.  Never thought of it this way.  An integral part of the 12 steps of AA is to turn over our lives to a "higher power".  The Big Book is quite clear in saying that without your "higher power", you will not beat your addiction. 

Turning your life over to God, builds God-confidence.  You begin to trust God and understand that he will help you defeat whatever tempations that you deal with.  This goes much deeper than alcohol.  It touches all the temptations that we deal with as Christians.

You may ask, how do you get that God-confidence.  The only way for me is to pray.  I don't mean cliche type prayers that you may have memorized.  Talk to God and tell him your fears and tempations and to pray for his help in turning those tempations away from you.  Lots of times we get caught up in the habit of praying a common prayer or repeating something that we have heard someone else pray.  Make prayer your conversation with God.  

God doesn't care if you stumble with words during a prayer.  He just wants you to confess to him your fears and ask for his help. 

I like to put music to my thoughts and George Stait's song; "Love without End, Amen" came to mind.  I hope you enjoy it.
Mike