Don't wait until it's too late!
Last night I witnessed a bad accident. It was around 9:30 and I was coming home from Chillicothe. The fog made it pretty much zero visibility. As I sat at a traffic light, I watched the Sheriff in the next lane over completely run the red light after sitting in if for just a second or two, and then smack hard into a car in the opposite lanes who was turning because he got a turn signal. I couldn't believe that I saw it in the first place, but then I also couldn't believe the actions of the sheriff. Even if he needed to rush off for some reason, he should have realized that the visibility was treacherous and way to dangerous to take chances. I kept thinking all the way home,...if only he had more patience.
Patience is an extremely important virtue to possess. We see it and hear about it all the time. It's one of the fruit's of the Spirit. I truly believe we should exhibit patience in all areas of our Christian life.....except perhaps one.
As Christians, it has been commissioned to us to go out and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, baptizing people in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...Mt. 28:19,20. This is the call and the job of the Christian. Is it easy??? No. Is it always fun??? No. Is it necessary??? Most definately. This is one area of our lives that leaves little room for patience. Yes, we should trust in God that He will lead us to lost souls and yes, if we are working on someone, sometimes we need to have patience that it will happen in God's time. But, we need to not waste anymore time on reaching others. We aren't promised another minute here on this earth. We need to be about our Father's business now. Waiting for a "better" time or "more convenient situation" is not acceptable.
Let's say for example, you knew the hope and the promise and the gift that God has given to us, but you didn't share it with your very own children....are you saying that it's ok, they are allowed to make their own decisions in life and whatever path they choose to take, well that's fine with me....they'll be "ok" no matter what? I don't need to expose them to God or tell them He died for them and wants them to have a personal relationship with Him so they will one day have the gift of eternity in Heaven? If you know the truth, but deny your family or friends of it, what is that saying?? God clearly has a plan. A plan that we CANNOT take for granted, that we CANNOT change around to make us feel all good and happy, that we MUST follow and share with others. Don't deny others of knowing about that plan. We need to get busy TODAY for God. We need to share the good news and also exhibit it in our own lives. Does that mean we might have to go against worldly beliefs and political correctness??? YES. When it comes to God vs. the World...MOST DEFINATELY. Does that mean we need to be faithful to God in our own lives through prayer and Bible reading and Church Attendence??? YES. How else will we ever form that relationship and not stray away??? Does that mean we might have to get out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who don't want to hear the message??? YES. With God, ALL things are possible!!!!
Let's get out of the fog and the haze that Satan has formed in this crazy world, and spread God's good news to our family, our friends and our neighbors. My prayer is that we can have the faith to talk to others and the wisdom to know what to say, and the determination to never give up.
Patience is an extremely important virtue to possess. We see it and hear about it all the time. It's one of the fruit's of the Spirit. I truly believe we should exhibit patience in all areas of our Christian life.....except perhaps one.
As Christians, it has been commissioned to us to go out and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, baptizing people in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...Mt. 28:19,20. This is the call and the job of the Christian. Is it easy??? No. Is it always fun??? No. Is it necessary??? Most definately. This is one area of our lives that leaves little room for patience. Yes, we should trust in God that He will lead us to lost souls and yes, if we are working on someone, sometimes we need to have patience that it will happen in God's time. But, we need to not waste anymore time on reaching others. We aren't promised another minute here on this earth. We need to be about our Father's business now. Waiting for a "better" time or "more convenient situation" is not acceptable.
Let's say for example, you knew the hope and the promise and the gift that God has given to us, but you didn't share it with your very own children....are you saying that it's ok, they are allowed to make their own decisions in life and whatever path they choose to take, well that's fine with me....they'll be "ok" no matter what? I don't need to expose them to God or tell them He died for them and wants them to have a personal relationship with Him so they will one day have the gift of eternity in Heaven? If you know the truth, but deny your family or friends of it, what is that saying?? God clearly has a plan. A plan that we CANNOT take for granted, that we CANNOT change around to make us feel all good and happy, that we MUST follow and share with others. Don't deny others of knowing about that plan. We need to get busy TODAY for God. We need to share the good news and also exhibit it in our own lives. Does that mean we might have to go against worldly beliefs and political correctness??? YES. When it comes to God vs. the World...MOST DEFINATELY. Does that mean we need to be faithful to God in our own lives through prayer and Bible reading and Church Attendence??? YES. How else will we ever form that relationship and not stray away??? Does that mean we might have to get out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who don't want to hear the message??? YES. With God, ALL things are possible!!!!
Let's get out of the fog and the haze that Satan has formed in this crazy world, and spread God's good news to our family, our friends and our neighbors. My prayer is that we can have the faith to talk to others and the wisdom to know what to say, and the determination to never give up.
"Tears of the Saints" by Leeland
There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures
This is an emergency!
There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home
There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory
This is an emergency!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home
Labels: Patience, The Great Commisssion
posted by Miranda at 11:17 PM
3 Comments:
This is a great blog entry, and it is something that I need reminded of everyday! It seems silly that the words are hard to say to other people, but you are so right that it is a Christian's job/duty to spread the word of God. If we can't do it, who will?
It is so frustrating to me when I don't have the courage to say things to other people. Some teachers were talking in the lounge about a church in Circleville selling their building for $2 million. They thought it was awful that they were selling for that low of price! I wanted so badly to say that it is more awful that people are concerned about the physical church building and not what the word of God says. I wanted to say how sad it is that there are even denominations when each church should be Christ's church! Why can't I say those words? Why can't I talk more to the babysitter? I did manage to at least talk to her about the puppet ministry because Jenna told her about the "puppet show." I told her how Pickaway is trying to do more for kids. I should have said, You guys should come to our church sometime!
It is difficult, but that is my prayer right now, that I can witness better to other people. I try to remember what Stan preached about, and I think about letting the Holy Spirit help with the words I say.
Again, Miranda-I think what you wrote is very powerful!
I agree with Amy... And I aplogize for being away from this blog for soo long! (have patience)lol... seriously this is a topic worth discussing... Alot of times we think, people already know and if they wanted to go to church they would... WRONG!!! I just recently found out that someone I come in contact with on a regular basis does not know the story of Christ! Well, I keep trying to get our schedules together so we can discuss things and she wants to watch the Passion. I think she needs background first! Anyways pray for me that... I will say the right things and show her love!! Show her love the way Christ would show her love! I think we all miss opportunities because our lives are soooo fast! We don't take the time to really talk to one another, to really love one another! I am doing what Stan said and praying twice a day....
Thanks Amy for the puppet promo... don't feel bad, we are going to perform again in March the date is on the sign up sheet for special music... maybe you could invite them then :) See, that is where we need patience... maybe she wasn't suppose to come to our first really ROUGH performance, maybe God wanted us to be better first! lol... See the first time was an icebreaker! I will pray for us all!! I know I need it:)
WOW!!!!! I agree w/everything that has already been said!!! Can you believe my comment is gonna be the small one today?!! LOL!!! Seriously, tho, I agree that your post was very powerful and has and will get people thinking! We always think we have tomorrow and, sadly, that is just not true! Some things need said sooner! But, I will say this, it definately is harder to talk to people about God and church than almost anything else! Why is that? For starters, probably b/c it is a sensitive subject for so many people. And, as soon as you start talking about God, people jump to the conclusion that they are being judged (they aren't), but they feel that way. Anyway, I have said and still think that people need to be approached w/baby steps! Simply inviting them to church - here and there asking them to come - goes farther than we think. Even telling someone you will pray for them during a difficult time can get wheels spinning. And, lastly, I think the biggest thing we can do as Christians is........our example!!!! They will see God's love by the example we show them! I can already see it myself in all of my blogger friends!!!! So, if I see it, I am positive that others must see it, too!!!! :)
Hey, I thought I was gonna have the small comment this time?! LOLOLOL!!! I guess not!!! :)
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