1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,
2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
– John 2:1-2
Would You Be Invited?
As Christians, it is our responsibility to show the light of Christ to the rest of the world. From everything I have read in the Bible, Jesus was a fun guy to be around. He liked to tell great stories, He liked to work hard, He liked to go fishing, He served His friends by feeding them, He enjoyed a good stroll, He wasn't judgmental, and He always had compassion for people – even the people nobody else cared about. It's no wonder that he would be invited to eat with sinners, to stay at their home, and to be invited to the most important of celebrations – the joining of a new couple in marriage. People just wanted Him around – I'm sure He just made every gathering better.
How about you? How about me? Are we good to have around? Do we make the atmosphere better wherever we are? Oh, I know that at church we are all at our best and we love everybody, but what about when we are not at church? Would your coworkers invite you to their parties and gatherings? Here's the kicker – would you go? Would you be willing to subject yourself to crude language and possible drunkenness? Would you be the life of the party or would you make everyone feel uneasy because they know you are a "Christian?"
"What would Jesus do" is a popular saying these days but we need to apply it in all situations because if You take the Bible as truth (and I know you do), then Jesus would be the guy at the party that everyone wants to talk to. He would be serving the dip and starting the conga line, and finding chairs for all the ladies. He would be helping to clean up after everyone else has gone home, and He would be the first one on the next invitation list.
I think we need to start being a part of this world. Otherwise, how is anyone going to see Love in action? How is the myth that Christians are uptight and no fun going to be busted if we keep ourselves safely cocooned within the Christian community? The bible tells us that we need to shine our light from the hilltops but for some reason we hide ourselves away and the only light we shine is towards those who already have their own light. We need to be willing to let our light expose us to some things that maybe we are uncomfortable with so that Jesus can be shared – with everybody.
I'm not suggesting that we go out drinking and partying all night, but I am saying that we need to be such positive forces in our circles of influence that our un-churched coworkers and acquaintances want to be around us and they want their friends to get to know us. We should be such a good thing, maybe the only good thing, in their lives that they would make it a point to add us on their invitation lists. When we can do that, then we will show Jesus the way He deserves to be shown – as The God who loves people and desires to be involved in every aspect of their lives.
Prayer
Father thank You for the example that Jesus set for us to follow. I pray that I can be a very good influence in the lives of my coworkers and friends. Forgive me for not being willing to expose myself to things outside the church. How selfish I have been! Thank You for opening my eyes so that I can see that this world needs to see You through my willingness to be there. Help me to love like You love so that the light of Christ can shine brightly in my life - for everyone.
Have a blessed day and a great weekend everyone!
– Richard
13 When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come.
– John 16:13 (Good News Translation)
Hearing From The Holy Spirit
Early on in my Christianity, I was sitting in a Sunday night service at the AG church where I was saved. The pastor changed things up a bit and asked members of the congregation to share what God had been doing in their lives. I heard story after story of God's goodness and His grace but what I found most interesting was the stories told of how God spoke to someone or told them to do something. It seemed that almost everyone was hearing from God and I was concerned because I hadn't heard God speak to me yet - I was hurt because I didn't have the relationship with God that others did. Then an elderly man who was considered a pillar of the church stood up and in his slow Texas drawl said "You know, y'all have been jawing 'bout how God told you to do this and spoke to you about that . . .well," he continued, "I've been a Christian pert near all my life, and I ain't never heard God speak to me in an audible voice." He went on to say, "Y'all gotta be careful 'bout how'ya spin yer tales so that the new folks in this here congregation won't be 'spectin to hear from God ever time they git down on their knees!"
It was almost like he knew how discouraged I had become listening to everyone's wonderful experiences with God. After the service I went up to him and thanked him for sharing his wisdom and I explained how I was feeling. He took me under his wing and over the next couple of years, he taught me how to hear from God, but most importantly, he taught me how to listen for God. I'll be forever grateful to him for sharing his time and his wisdom with me.
I think that lots of people get discouraged sometimes because they don't hear from God, or they aren't sure that what they are feeling is from God. I can understand where they are coming from and I don't think the church does enough to help people acquire the skills they need to listen for God, so that when the Spirit does speak to them, they can know in their "knower" that it is from God.
The key, is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Having that special relationship with Him and being able to commune with Him is so important to being able to hear what He is saying. The Holy Spirit is our helper and He was sent to guide is through our lives and so we need to see Him as our confidant – our closest friend – the one we can ALWAYS count on. We need to learn to trust Him and to consult with Him about every detail in our life so that we get used to the relationship. The Holy Spirit of our God is the only way we are going to get through the rigors of our lives and stay on the narrow path to the Father. If Jesus is The Way to the Father, then the Holy Spirit is the GPS that keeps us on the right path.
So how does He speak to us? Through little feelings in our stomachs; through sudden thoughts; through other people's wisdom and example; through dreams and visions - He speaks to us in all kind of ways, so we need to start acknowledging Him and by doing so, the clarity with which He communicates with us will increase.
Thank Him for finding your lost keys; thank Him for remembering to complete the task that has been eluding you; thank Him for helping you throughout your day! As you learn to acknowledge Him, His voice will become apparent and you will soon know His voice like a child knows its mother's.
God wants to speak to you - and He does it through the Holy Spirit. Are you listening today?
Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to us in order to speak wisdom and joy and peace and to give us Your direction. How lost we all would be without Him. Help us to learn how to listen for His voice so that when He does speak - when You speak, we are able to hear Your plan for our lives. Father, You always know what we need and You always tell us how to achieve the success and to get over the failures in our lives, and You do it through the gift of Your Holy Spirit - Thank You for Your gift!
Have a blessed day everyone!
-Richard
