Romans 10:14-17
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
That plainly gives us the blue prints of what we are supposed to do for those that have never experienced the Word or love of Jesus Christ. Religion in itself is shifting from being preached at from behind a podium to walking the streets finding those who are disheveled, beaten, and unknowingly lost. Jesus went out through the ends of the land seeking out lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves…anyone who was deemed inhuman by the societal mass. We are to show them the love and mercy of Jesus Christ through our actions, words and works. Tell them that they are to rip off the burdens of their past and choices made, and wrap up in the pure and unyielding Grace of God. Any part of who you are through Christ will shine brighter through the things you do than anything you could ever say. No one on this earth is perfect, or has a perfect life. Happiness is not a destiny, it is a choice. One made daily in the mundane details that are re-played with each new sun. I would hate to be called perfect or to strive for my life to be perfection, because if we were perfect we would not need the passionate and furious love of Jesus. I can’t imagine my life without His acceptance, love, understanding, grace and power. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me [Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5]. I am thankful that I have opportunities to need the help and counsel of my Lord. I see growth when the world leaves me broken. I see hope when my optimism is dull. I see love when I feel the need for hate. Those are not my own sinful qualities redeemed, but the blood of Christ that was shed on my soul the day that God gave His only Son to give me life. How profound is that? Would you give up your own healthy child to give someone else life? Think of the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. Has anyone ever made such a commitment to you in any area of your life? Soak up the unimaginable presence of the God Almighty and rise a warrior for Christ. We have to rally against the spiritual attacks. They can come in any form. Doubting God’s plan, temptations, physical/mental exhaustion, panic attacks (that just happens to be mine), giving into the nay-sayers to stand up for something right….anything that doesn’t bring glory to God. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations [John 16:33]. I will tell you briefly about my own spiritual attack. Every morning and afternoon on my way to and from work I crank up the radio, throw in my Christian Rock band of choice and begin my “quite” time with Jesus. My music takes me to a place that only God and I know about. I confess my sins, my needs, and my desires. I leave no stone unturned, no topic off limits. It’s just me and God. Recently I have been struggling with having severe panic attacks only while driving. The windows begin closing in the road elongates into a dark black hole and my breath becomes shallow and light. I have to focus so hard on not crashing or believing that at any moment gravity will cease to exist and I will fly off an overpass that I have lost my personal time with God. I KNOW that it is Satan parading in trying to take hold, showing me my mortal and worldly flaws. But you know what? After thinking long and hard [and sometimes hyperventilating...lol] I realize that God is in control of my life at all times no matter what. So if He thinks its necessary to have my car careen off the top of an overpass, so be it. Then what….I will finally get to see the sweet face of Jesus? I get to train with my guardian angel and the greatest Calvary known to man? Bring it. I love being on the good guy’s side, because no matter what…..He wins. Throw your fears in a bucket and light a match. Sacrifice it up to those of the world who bring you down, tell you that you can’t, and try pushing you down every time you make a stand for God. I leave you with one of the most profound quotes I have ever heard.
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
That plainly gives us the blue prints of what we are supposed to do for those that have never experienced the Word or love of Jesus Christ. Religion in itself is shifting from being preached at from behind a podium to walking the streets finding those who are disheveled, beaten, and unknowingly lost. Jesus went out through the ends of the land seeking out lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves…anyone who was deemed inhuman by the societal mass. We are to show them the love and mercy of Jesus Christ through our actions, words and works. Tell them that they are to rip off the burdens of their past and choices made, and wrap up in the pure and unyielding Grace of God. Any part of who you are through Christ will shine brighter through the things you do than anything you could ever say. No one on this earth is perfect, or has a perfect life. Happiness is not a destiny, it is a choice. One made daily in the mundane details that are re-played with each new sun. I would hate to be called perfect or to strive for my life to be perfection, because if we were perfect we would not need the passionate and furious love of Jesus. I can’t imagine my life without His acceptance, love, understanding, grace and power. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me [Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5]. I am thankful that I have opportunities to need the help and counsel of my Lord. I see growth when the world leaves me broken. I see hope when my optimism is dull. I see love when I feel the need for hate. Those are not my own sinful qualities redeemed, but the blood of Christ that was shed on my soul the day that God gave His only Son to give me life. How profound is that? Would you give up your own healthy child to give someone else life? Think of the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. Has anyone ever made such a commitment to you in any area of your life? Soak up the unimaginable presence of the God Almighty and rise a warrior for Christ. We have to rally against the spiritual attacks. They can come in any form. Doubting God’s plan, temptations, physical/mental exhaustion, panic attacks (that just happens to be mine), giving into the nay-sayers to stand up for something right….anything that doesn’t bring glory to God. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations [John 16:33]. I will tell you briefly about my own spiritual attack. Every morning and afternoon on my way to and from work I crank up the radio, throw in my Christian Rock band of choice and begin my “quite” time with Jesus. My music takes me to a place that only God and I know about. I confess my sins, my needs, and my desires. I leave no stone unturned, no topic off limits. It’s just me and God. Recently I have been struggling with having severe panic attacks only while driving. The windows begin closing in the road elongates into a dark black hole and my breath becomes shallow and light. I have to focus so hard on not crashing or believing that at any moment gravity will cease to exist and I will fly off an overpass that I have lost my personal time with God. I KNOW that it is Satan parading in trying to take hold, showing me my mortal and worldly flaws. But you know what? After thinking long and hard [and sometimes hyperventilating...lol] I realize that God is in control of my life at all times no matter what. So if He thinks its necessary to have my car careen off the top of an overpass, so be it. Then what….I will finally get to see the sweet face of Jesus? I get to train with my guardian angel and the greatest Calvary known to man? Bring it. I love being on the good guy’s side, because no matter what…..He wins. Throw your fears in a bucket and light a match. Sacrifice it up to those of the world who bring you down, tell you that you can’t, and try pushing you down every time you make a stand for God. I leave you with one of the most profound quotes I have ever heard.
Mediocrity ALWAYS Attacks Excellence.
