Monday, July 20, 2015

WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?

If the patriarchs and saints of old who are familiar to us through Scripture could step down from the grandstand of heaven, what wisdom would they share?

        I've often wondered. Have you? If you are a believer, what would you like to share with others? Witnessing and evangelizing can be scary words which sometimes make us feel a bit uneasy. In reality, all you need to do is share what God has been teaching you, and experiences you've had that have stimulated and sealed your faith. I believe that the apostle Peter said this very well. . .

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have."  I Peter 3:15

        It can be a struggle to keep the pieces of our lives where we think they belong. We want to create a perfect picture that we can see and understand. As soon as the puzzle is in good shape, a piece falls out of place, than another and another. STOP! Stop this mess! When we calm down, we come to realize that even though we are a child of God, we live in a fallen world and we can't expect perfection. Among the promises Jesus made is this one. . .

"In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

        Notice Jesus didn't tell us to get stressed out, work harder, try new things, etc. NO, He said to expect trouble, and to "take heart" because He has already done the work and overcome the world. We are tucked into His life, secure and safe. If my audience was primarily teenagers, I might ask, "How cool is this?" What does overcome mean? If we look at the Greek, we see it comes from the work  'Nikao' which means to subdue, conquer, prevail, get the victory. The primary word is Nike - think of the swoosh on the Nike tennis shoe - literally, means of success. This company picked a great logo for what they wanted us to think of as a way to conquer and enjoy victory.

        I've been reading a book of stories written by those who attend a Bible Study for seniors. Mysteries, espionage or wild adventures, although fun to read, can never compete with the thrilling real-life experiences that believers share. How blessed friends and relatives will be when they read these stories; what a wonderful gift to leave for those you love. I noticed that only first names were used; all the glory of our lives belongs to the Lord.

        When I share or teach, my desire is for others to be able to view themselves through God's eyes and know they are loved, forgiven, righteous, enabled, without shame and one day will sit at the banquet table with their Creator!

        Recently a young woman wrote me that the last thing she wanted was to have an "ordinary life." Those who have a relationship with Jesus never have an ordinary life. He plans things for us that our human minds could never conceive. Paul wrote. . .

"No eye has seen,
     no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
    what God has prepared for
          those who love him."

I Corinthians 2:9


Lord Jesus, we praise You and thank for our life in You.