Faith simply put is believing and not seeing. Jesus is the son of God. Not ever having seen Jesus physically walk this earth, I have faith in knowing that He did come down from heaven to save our souls and for that, I am extremely grateful.
As much faith as I have, I am simply wanting more. I know that Jesus didn't intend for me to grace the church with my presence, adorn a pew, or just show up for a bible study and not study my bible, attend church to hear messages and sermons and remain unchanged. He intended for me to have life and have it more abundantly, he intended for me to adhere to the words of the gospel and live it out loud in my daily life. I am not doing that. Not because I don't want to, but mostly because I feel no one else is motivated enough to walk the talk that Jesus spoke of. I know that others should have absolutely no influence on me and my Christian walk, sometimes it's hard to continue on when no one wants to go with you, but Jesus went on alone. I don't want to be just a disciple of Christ, I want to be a Christ follower, to walk in his footsteps, to love those he loves, to care for those he cares for - outside my church building, out in my community. We can't expect to just sit in church or Sunday school or a bible study and fatten ourselves up and never use it. We are to be filled, so we can pour out!
In all honesty, I don't want to have my complacent sticky buns glued to a pew, unwilling to be removed from my comfort zone, blurbing out worthless worship to a God who expects way more from me. What's the point in teaching your children if they're NEVER going to learn anything..I'm sure God is just up their shaking his head at me. I mean seriously how many more studies, sermons, lessons, teachings do we need to hear, read, or be taught until we get the stinking picture.
Are you shining your light for all the world to see? YOU are the light of the world... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
Are you serving God's people, the meek and lowly? Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV
Are serving outside of yourself? If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness. Isaiah 58:10 NIV
Are you giving willingly with a cheerful heart? Whatever you give us acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have. 2 Corinthians 8:12 NLT
From what we get, we can make a living; from what we GIVE, however, makes a life. - Arthur Ashe
Don't be a storage facility, just storing up God's blessings, Be a distribution center and share them!
I have a small testimony here, to God alone be the glory!! In my own flesh I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to help, but God planted something in me months ago and I followed through with the path he set before me. I am so happy to report that during that time God softened my heart to some of His own that others would see as unloveable or a nuisance. I enjoyed that journey and learned something about people and about myself. Simply allowing myself to be used by God has changed my thinking, my direction, my idea of helping others when they need it. Don't get me wrong, I honestly love church and my people, and worship and sermons and fellowship, but I no longer want to just sit in a church. We are called to more than that. We are to go, and do, and love, and share the gospel.
......I'd rather be out, BEING the hands and feet of Jesus.
