Monday, August 12, 2013

August 11, 2013

Good afternoon all-

I'm taking my lunch hour to write today because I just need a break from work.  Normally, I eat at my desk and try to get projects done but today, I just needed to write.  The topic of discussion today is what happens to you when your plans don't go along just as you wanted them too.

Yesterday, as I sat in church alone, my entire family stayed in bed, I thought about being alone.  I chose to go to church and others stayed behind, not exactly what I call part of my plan but then at least I went, right?  Anyway, the sermon was one of the best I've heard in a long time.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get into it because the assistant pastor has absolutely no inflection in his voice.  My  mind began to wander on the things I wanted to accomplish, my family being home and sitting in church all alone.  Whenever my mind begins to take that path, I really have to pray.  Even the most mundane speakers can talk about Christ and something can get through, especially when you take the time to ask God for ears to hear. 

Thank goodness I did that!  It was like a light bulb went off in my head and I really saw Jesus.  The pastor began with a story, basically talking about how he likes to write stories.  He loves to develop the characters, the plot and the challenge and as his story unfolds, he has control of the outcome.  Know anyone like that?  Well we are all a little like that.  He went on to say that when he was in a different country this year he desperately wanted to see someone saved.  The problem is that no one was really taking the gospel to heart.  They listened politely but crickets could be heard louder than the proclamation of Jesus.

We have all been down that road where we thought someone would come to Christ just because we wanted the satisfaction of seeing them saved.  The problem then is, how do you feel when they aren't?  He began to doubt the power behind the cross and wonder if he was doing this for nothing.  When we proclaim Jesus are we shouting on deaf ears?  Sometimes we are but does that mean we stop.  Absolutely not.  If the disciples had fallen into fear and stopped spreading the word, would you be saved today?  We will never know because they taught, walked and sang about Jesus.  They went around talking about His life, love and sacrifice.  They forgot to care about their lives and began to live for Jesus.

As I thought about the story, I realize that I had been just like the pastor.  It wasn't easy for me to be bold.  I think that people feel something when they are with me but they don't know what that is.  I was afraid of what they would think rather than loving them more.  I also wanted to be able to know how it would end.  When my son went to my father and began to really talk to him about Jesus, he felt led to do it.  He even bought him a Bible.  My dad went silent on him and didn't really provide feedback.  My son was crushed but even at that he told me that I needed to take up the cross and speak to  my dad.  Because of his boldness, I did several times before I couldn't anymore.  I watched as he slipped away and I promised never to be silent again.

When I started this blog and even now, I had no clue what God would do with it.  I just knew I needed to obey.  Sometimes obeying without knowing the outcome is difficult.  I may never know who was blessed by this site or if they came to Jesus because they hit a certain day and the scripture ministered to them.  None of that matters, except that I obey and speak frequently about Jesus.

I can't tell you that I never get scared of what someone thinks or if someone will criticize this site.  Sometimes I do but then I think of Jesus and am in awe that He gave His life for me.  I have been given a purpose and it really doesn't matter how or what I know as long as I demonstrated boldness in the face of my fears. 

I hope this day finds you well and when you read this scripture you will know why I've thought about the sermon for the last 24 hours.  God bless you ladies!

Acts 5:41-42  NIV

     The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

My prayer today:

O, Lord the words above have filled my heart with purpose.  I've thought about Acts and the wonders of this chapter.  We are sent from heaven for a purpose.  Our course is set and we have no way to know how our lives will touch others.  You are the reason our lives were set in motion.  It is through You we are saved and by Your blood we are here.  The apostles obedience drove them to be the men that they were.  They walked and talked about You all their days and even after their deaths, Your story survives.  It started in a little town and grew to almost every nation in the world.  Many have died proclaiming Your name and many more will.  Our lives are part of a painting and I pray that women, men and children will take up their call and proclaim that Jesus lives.  I love to write and I love happy endings, so knowing and loving You is the greatest ending of any chapter ever written.  Continue to write on our hearts, develop strong followers and help us all spread the good news to more ears, more hearts and more minds.  Thank You for Your commitment to the sinner and for giving Your life so that we can have eternal life with You.  In Jesus Name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

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