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We all have a message to tell. It’s what we’ve been calling “Our Story.” You have a different story that will capture the attention of some people while another person has their story that will intrigue others. Yet in each one of our stories is the certain fact that Jesus Christ came into our lives to transform us into His character. Who has heard your story? Who has yet to hear it? God calls us to go tell it from the mountains that Jesus Christ has come to seek and save that which was lost.
After the excitement of Easter Sunday, it’s easy to feel a bit lost or uncertain. We’ve celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but what comes next? What does it mean for us, as individuals and as a community of believers? We have a choice out of love for Jesus we can remain or we can go and tell others about what the Risen Christ has done in our lives.
Have you ever asked someone “How are you doing?” And they respond by saying, “I’m blessed by the best!” Have you ever thought about what they were getting at? When we recognize that all things come from God— our homes, our careers, our ability to take a breath— you’ll begin seeing how truly blessed you are by God. When we are blessed, we are also called to be a blessing. To give back to God the love, respect, and adoration He deserves for blessing us even in the midst of suffering, of when money it tight, of the highs and lows of life. God deserves our praise!
Where would you be if your friend or relative didn’t ask you to come to church or attend a Christian event? Think about it. Your friend was most likely your friend first before asking you to hear about Jesus. How we seek people, how we listen, how we engage and invite can make all the difference. It can soften hearts to hear the good news of the love of God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Therefore, we must conclude that those who are lost, those who have yet to believe in Jesus, and those who are living according to the flesh are of value to God. If they are valued by Him, we must also recognize their worth and love them as Christ loved them. Maybe you’ve tried to love those who are far from God. That’s great! Guess what God calls us to remember their worth and continue to love them through Christ-like action.
It’s essential that our prayers be controlled by the word of God. When our prayer life is soaked in the word of God not only are our prayers renewed and fresh, our mind is renewed as well. And when our minds are renewed by the word of God our lives are renewed by the Spirit of God.
Our prayers need to be seasoned with the word of God. When we pray using the Scriptures we talk to God in His language, using His way of speaking. With it, brings power. When we pray through the Bible, we are bringing God’s word directly into our prayers and His power into our praying.
As believers in Jesus Christ, as followers of His Word, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit that changes and transforms us, changes and transforms our desires. One of the desires He brings to light is prayer— talking to God. Prayer regardless of age, IQ, education, and resources, we can all do the same thing— pray. Since God invites and expects us to pray, then prayer has to be simple.
I am sure most of us think we are good citizens— good people doing good things. That we live right and treat others right. Yet, is that the same thing as living an upright life, a life that is in line with God’s word? Scripture reminds us to pursue righteousness. Righteousness is a long word that means to live rightly as God asks us to live. When a woman is healed after 16 years of being hunched over, her immediate action was to praise God! Our lives, how we live them ought to praise God through every aspect of them.
If you were asked to make a choice and you could either choose life or death, you probably would adamantly say, “I choose life.” Good choice! Now, what if having that life meant putting your all into a relationship where that person would protect you, provide for you, love you, and even die for you? Are you all in for life? God has arranged it all, everything so that you may have life and it is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Life comes through Him, by putting your all into a relationship with Him.
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