November 21, 2024

Thrive

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry
So living water flowing through
God, we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire

Just to know You and to make You known
We lift Your Name on High
Shine like the sun, may darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It’s time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your Word we’re digging deep
To know our Father’s heart
Into the world we’re reaching out
To show them who You are
So living water flowing through
God, we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire

Joy unspeakable
Faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable
Anything is possible

We were made to thrive

Songwriters: Mark Hall and Matthew West
Performed by Casting Crowns
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 
We were made to SHINE and THRIVE in this world
We were made to stand out in a very lost and lonely world…

I LOVE this quote by Joyce Meyer:
What does it mean to be more than a conqueror—You already know you’ve got the victory before you ever get the problem.

AMEN!!! We are victorious in every situation because of HIM!!  We weren’t made to JUST survive…we were made to THRIVE!!!

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8 ESV

Like a tree living by the water, we will NEVER run dry!!! What a promise!!! Can I get and AMEN!!! If that doesn’t give you some encouragement and hope…I don’t know what will! That is SO our God!!!

Because of Him we can have joy unspeakable!!!

Without having seen Him, you love Him;
though you do not [even] now see Him,
you believe in Him and exult and thrill
with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.
1 Peter 1:8 AMP

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Oh Heavenly Father, thank You for this awesome word…that we can have joy unspeakable and that we will NEVER run dry in this worn and weary land..Into your Word we are digging deep! May we show the world just Who You are by the lives that we lead. May We thirst more and more for you!!! In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!!!

All You’ve Ever Wanted

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I just looked up today and
Realized how far away I am from where You are
You gave me life worth dying for but
Between the altar and the door
I bought the lies that promised more
And here I go again

Lord, I know I let You down
But somehow, I will make You proud
I’ll turn this sinking ship around
And make it back to You
But all my deeds and my good name
Are just dirty rags that tear and strain
To cover all my guilty stains
That You already washed away

‘Cause all You’ve ever wanted
All You’ve ever wanted
All You’ve ever wanted was my heart
Freedom’s arms are open
My chains have all been broken
Relentless love has called me from the start
And all You wanted was my heart

I was chasing healing when I’d been made well
I was fighting battles when You conquered hell
Living free but from a prison cell
Lord, I lay it down today
So I’ll stop living off of how I feel
And start standing on Your truth revealed
Jesus is my Strength, my Shield
And He will never fail me

‘Cause all You’ve ever wanted
All You’ve ever wanted
All You’ve ever wanted was my heart
Freedom’s arms are open
My chains have all been broken
Relentless love has called me from the start
All You wanted was my heart

No more chains, I’ve been set free
No more fighting battles You’ve won for me
Now in Christ, I stand complete…

All You’ve ever wanted,
All You’ve ever wanted
All You’ve ever wanted was my heart
(All You’ve ever wanted was my heart)
Freedom’s arms are open,
My chains have all been broken
Relentless love has called me from the start
And all You wanted was my heart

All You wanted was my heart
All You ever wanted was my heart
All You wanted was my heart…

Songwriters: Mark Hall, Bernie Herms / Performed by Casting Crowns

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

There is SO MUCH TRUTH to this song!  Jesus conquered all these things 2,000 years ago when He died on the Cross. Our roles as believers is to continue to stand on the TRUTH, the promises, until we see it manifested in our lives.  No matter what we see…we must continue to believe, trust and stand.

This is our role for standing firm in our faith and strong in Him.  Where we are weak…God is strong.  We need to start proclaiming the Truth instead of believing the lies and living according to our feelings.  We need to start proclaiming what we want to see come to pass in our lives according to the Truth of the Scriptures and then having done all, continue to stand until the victory comes to pass.

As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations
in the presence of Him whom He believed—God, who gives life to the dead,
and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.
Romans 4:17

“As we continue to draw closer to the end of this age, it will become more and more important that we walk by faith! There will never be a time in our lives that we will not need to exercise our faith, so we need to keep it strong!”
Click here  for the entire article by Pastor Mitch Horton, Victory Church

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 NLT

We need to start speaking faith into our lives, NOT defeat!

…If you have been ensnared by the words you have uttered,
and have been caught by the words you have spoken…
Proverbs 6:2

Why have we been chasing healing when we have been made well? Or fighting our own battles when Jesus conquered Hell??? Those battles have been won! We only need to be still and rest in Him….

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Exodus 14:14 NLT

What do you need to lay down today???

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Oh, Heavenly Father, may we choose to lay down all of it today…knowing You are fighting our battles for us. May we choose to stop living according to our feelings and instead live according to the Truth revealed. In Jesus’ name AMEN!!!

Set Me Free

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

It hasn’t always been this way
I remember brighter days
Before the dark ones came
Stole my mind
Wrapped my soul in chains

Now I live among the dead
Fighting voices in my head
Hoping someone hears me
Crying in the night
And carries me away

Set me free of the chains holding me
Is anybody out there hearing me
Set me free

Morning breaks another day
Finds me crying in the rain
All alone with my demons I am
Who is this man
That comes my way

The dark ones shriek
They scream His name
Is this the One they say
Will set the captives free
Jesus, rescue me

As the God man passes by
He looks straight
Through my eyes
And darkness cannot hide

Do you want to be free
Lift your chains
I hold the key
All power on Heav’n and Earth
Belong to me

You are free, you are free, you are free

 

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the bog and the mire.
He set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing praises to our God.
Now many will hear of the wondrous things He’s done for me
and stand in awe before the Lord and put their trust in Him.

Psalms 40: 2, 3

Praise the Lord for ALL that He endured with you and me in mind! Praise Him for the Freedom that we have in Him!

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

The following article by Beth Moore is a great illustration on steps you can actively take on receiving Freedom in Christ.

Beth Moore: Break Through 5 Obstacles to Freedom in Christ

Speaker and Author Beth Moore exposes the 5 barriers that keep you from Freedom in Christ.

“…When I was 18 years old, I surrendered to God’s call to vocational ministry. But I really had no idea what I was surrendering to. Some years later, God gave me a mandate: “I sent My Son to set the captives free. You will go forth and ring the liberty bell.” This mandate sounded evangelistic to me, and I was certain my calling was in the area of discipleship. I shake my head and marvel now when I recall that I once thought the only people who were captives were the spiritually lost! But if anyone had told me then that Christians can be in bondage, I would have argued with all the volume a person can muster—when a yoke of slavery is strangling her neck! I was the worst kind of captive: a prisoner unaware. In fact, I had no idea I was in captivity until God began to set me free. Perhaps you’re also unconvinced that Christians can live in bondage. Don’t take my word for it; take God’s.”

(The full article can be read here at Charismamag.com)

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free from the chains that once held me.   Thank You that as Jesus passed my way the darkness could no longer hide and keep me in the bondage that once held me.  Thank You, Jesus, You have set me free!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!

Just Be Held

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hold it all together Everybody needs you strong
But  life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
 
And when you’re tired of fighting
Chained by your  control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
 
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling  apart, its falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just  be held
Just be held,  just be held
 
If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you  still
But if your eyes are on the Cross
You’ll know I always have and I  always will
 
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m  painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
 
Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where  you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your  heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let  go
 

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

 ~ Songwriters: Bernie Herms, John Mark Hall, Matthew JosephWest ~

~ Performed by Casting Crowns ~

 *  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

As we travel through life, we often come to a crossroad.  Most of us choose our paths without thinking beyond today or tomorrow.  We make our choices on what feels good, not thinking about the eternal  consequences.  Then once we are on the chosen path we become confused and sometimes angry with the outcome. Sound familiar?  I know…I have been there.  My choices twenty-five years ago affect me now, today.  These are through regrets, unrecognized dreams and heartbreak. If I chose to stay there, I can drown and succumb to the guilt and shame.  But I chose not to!  I chose to let it go and let God HOLD ME!

Feeling His loving, forgiving, comforting arms around me is my only true Father I have ever known.  There are no strings attached,;He does not want anything from me other than for me to serve Him with my whole heart and let others know of how He loved me.  As stained and ugly as I was, He loves me.  He wants to tear away the scars, and replace them all with His love, grace and mercy.  I do not deserve any of it.  Only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus am I able to enter the holy Presence of God, our Creator.  And for that I will be forever grateful.

 *  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

Father, thank You for loving me enough then, to send Your Son Jesus to atone for me.  Forgive me for the choices I have made that have not honored You. Forgive me for the words I have spoken out of fear, anger and disappointment.  Let me learn from Your examples in Scripture to be a better, mom, sister, daughter, wife and friend.  In Jesus’ name I ask these things, Amen.

Showing Mercy


SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 
Matthew 5:7 NIV

Two examples of showing mercy.  May they each encourage you greatly!  ♥

Our Merciful Lord

Blessed are the Merciful

Who Am I? I Am Yours!

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star, would choose to light the way
For my ever-wandering heart

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean…a vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am—I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the Voice that calmed the sea would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am…but because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done…but because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean…a vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am—I am Yours, I am Yours

I am Yours! Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear ’cause I am Yours, I am Yours

~  written by Mark Hall; performed by Casting Crowns  ~

~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~   ~~~

“WHO AM I?” have we not asked ourselves this question time upon time upon time? We, of ourselves,…we are not much. But, for those who have accepted Jesus as Redeemer and Savior…and made Him to be Lord of their lives, we are MUCH in and through Him! God’s eternal plan of redemption was to rescue back for Himself those He had created for fellowship! He tells us ‘You are Mine!’

But now, this is what the Lord says—
He who created you, Jacob,
He who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

“You!”  Yes, you.  And me, too.  Go back for a moment, please…everywhere in that verse, where it reads “you” place your own name…say it out loud. “I have summoned you, Coleen, by name; you, Coleen, are Mine.”

Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth tells me, ‘You are Mine!” Not due to anything I might have accomplished, or any accolade I may have received. Not because of any credential I might have, or even any good and righteous act.  Just because I am who God says I am!

Not because of who I am…but because of what <He’s> done
Not because of what I’ve done…but because of who <He is>!

Tomorrow we begin this journey through Ruth Myers’ book, CHRIST|Life, Embracing Your True and Deepest Identity.  Listen to how she encourages:

  • “In this book, we’ll see how He expands our self-image as we allow Him to. This will broaden our view of what is really possible for us. He superimposes a glorious, positive self-image over our false and negative views of ourselves. This helps to make triumphant living possible”  (page 7).
  • And, “The closer we walk with the Lord, the more vividly we’ll learn to recognize both the negatives and the positive about ourselves” (page 8).

We will come to recognize just who we are in Christ!  Oh, to trust and believe it—I am who God says I am.  I am His!

Praise Heart

We cannot praise God if we don’t know Him personally. It takes our relationship with Him for us to adore and admire His good works over our lives.

I stand in awe of Him because I personally know who He is to me and what He has done. He is so great, and so worthy to be praised. It is only when I realized this when I will truly worship, praise and admire and appreciate His works over my life.

For You are awesome God of Nations,
Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Alpha, Omega
You are worthy of all praise
More that these hands I’ll raise
I’ll live a life of praise!

from Life of Praise ~ Casting Crowns

When I say, “You are awesome!” it means I have run short of words— He is so wonderful! When I say, “Lion of Judah” it means I know He is reigning over every situation. Think of a lion the way it roars and what do other animals do when the lion is near? They flee for life. How about this Lion of Judah? At His name every knee will bow.

Lets just look at what He has done?  Read through this praise-filled psalm, Psalm 103.  He has done great and mighty things; looking from the time we were born to now; and the greatest thing of sending Christ to die on our behalf for us to have eternal life…don’t I have to jump with praise and live a life of praise?

What else do I want when I know He is worth it. He created me to praise Him again and again…He is mighty, awesome, excellent, great in battle!

There is a song I have composed (of course, have not taken to the studios yet!)…part of the lyrics says:

Adonai, I worship You today
El Shaddai, I worship You today
You are worthy of the praise
You are worthy of the glory
Adonai, I worship You today

And when I sing this song I feel His presence near me. Remember when our praises go up high to Him, His glory comes down and this song gets me closer to His throne.

It is the same with you, praise can be done anytime as long as you know Who you are praising, what He has done, and things He is yet to do—for they are awesome. Nothing compares to Him; hence He is the Alpha and Omega (He’s the beginning AND the end.)
He is our Rock of ages—solid rock. All other grounds are sinking sand hence us praising Him for He is the solid one never shaken even when the storm rages and it is because He is in me and I am in Him I don’t fear no storms and I am covered under this Rock. The Rock Who is Christ Jesus and this means if devil wants to attack he should start with the shelter (who is Christ) then come to me otherwise I am under maximum protection—hence my praise.

Father, I praise You and worship You for You are the great I AM!  In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN!!!

Creative Praise

SeekingHimLogo

“But I’ll praise You for You are holy, Lord!
And I’ll lift my hands but You are worthy of so much more!”

Life of Praise by Casting Crowns

What is a life of praise? It’s more than church on a weekly basis, its more than bopping our head along to an upbeat song on the radio. It’s even more than uttering a quick prayer when negative emotions creep into our heart. It’s not only moments of praise throughout the day. It is a life of praise, it is a continuous action, and it’s a reliance on our Heavenly Father. It is acknowledging Him simply for who He is. These are the lines of the song that stood out to me: “Not just for the things You’ve done for me. Not just for the change You’ve made in me. For you are my strength when I am weak. And I will lift my hand, but You are worthy of so much more.”  A life of praise is a way of being; it is a way of existing.

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 150:1-6

Sometimes I wonder how I can praise the Lord with my everything, and then I remember this verse. It lists so many ways that we can praise Him. Now I honestly don’t see anyone walking down the street with a “lute and a harp”, but He reminds me that we’re not limited to this. We can praise Him with our work, we can praise Him in the way we interact with others, the love that we show our friends and family, and with the gifts he has given us. I believe that our God is a creative God and since we were created in His Image, we are creative as well. Our lives are creative and our praise can be creative.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank You for the gift of creativity, please help us to use this gift to praise Your name. Remind us that there are so many ways we can give You praise and glory, so many ways in our everyday actions. Lord let us use our every breath to praise You. In Jesus’ Name We Pray.

Amen.

Worthy of So Much More

SeekingHimLogo

“I will serve You Lord, always for You are my strength…
But I’ll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more….”

As I listened to the song,  Life of Praise by Casting Crowns, the line “I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more!” jumped out at me.  I, sometimes, lift my hands at church during worship and I serve in the Children’s Ministry.  However, I got the feeling that the “…so much more…” being referred to here could not be summed up in the amount of serving I do.

I asked the Lord, “What is this ‘…so much more…’?”

I compiled a (mini) list of things God is worthy of:

Glory

O Lord , our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth!  Your glory is higher than the heavens.
Psalm 8:1

Praise

Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord ; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him.
Psalm 33:1

Glory and praise are obvious things that the Lord is worthy of!  After all, He is who He is. I felt a nudge to make this much more personal.

God is worthy of my:

Love

Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart,
all your soul, and all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37

Loyalty –

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

John 15:4

Obedience –

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalms 37: 23-24

Trust –

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
Psalms 20:7-8

Complete Devotion

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. S
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23:1, 3, 6

Time

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.
Luke 10:39

Feel free to add to this “mini” list!

Ultimately, God is worthy of everything that is in my possession, but being specific helps me to focus on actual areas.  Vaguely, saying, “I give you my all,” is easy for me.  When you start to put names to “my all” the obvious question is,  “Does He still get your everything?”

Time is a big one for me…I like to spend more time than I should playing endless hours of video games.

 * * * * *

Lord, help me to he a better steward of that which you have blessed with with. Help me to remember that I am meant to bring glory to you.

Amen.

 

Glorious Living w/ Coach Megan: Christ’s Ambassadors

GL header

2 Corinthians 5:20 and 21

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

*********************

 Merriam-Webster’s definition of Ambassador:

1: an official envoy; especially: a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment
2a: an authorized representative or messenger, b: an unofficial representative <traveling abroad as ambassadors of goodwill>

Being a Christ follower, I am who people look to in order to see what Christianity is like. If you are a Christ follower, you are, too. Our eternal home is in Heaven, and our job as ambassadors of Christ is to show people how amazing it’ll be through the way we live our life and how we interact with others…showing the love of Christ.

Why are we ambassadors? Jesus has instructed us to do so, in the Great Commission. In Mark 6:15 Jesus tell us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” That is all the reason we need, right? So then why is it so HARD to just do it??? Fear of rejection? Afraid you won’t have all the answers? Why?

We are commissioned to NOT keep the good news to ourselves – it should be contagious! In Matthew 10:27,  Jesus tells us “What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” If you are called to do something by the Lord and you choose to ignore that calling, not only are you not receiving the full blessing of God, but think of all the lives who are also not receiving it! God put you on this earth for a specific reason and puts you in the different seasons and places you are in for His purpose to be done on the earth. If you are not seeking Him to guide you through this life, to give you the boldness to be His ambassador, just think of the many lives you are not affecting!

Before we can be ambassadors, we need to know the person we are representing. Think about it…if you took a job as an ambassador of a country you knew nothing about and had never been to, you wouldn’t be able to do a very good job of representing it, right? It makes sense then that in order for us to do a good job of representing Christ to an unbelieving world, we need to first spend time getting to know Him. This means that we need to be spending time with Him on a regular basis—reading His Word, spending time in prayer, and growing closer to Him. He is craving this relationship with you…. all relationships need work. Are you doing your part?

Being an ambassador of Christ means being “like Christ” and having a servant’s heart. We need to strive to:

  • Be kind and compassionate.
  • Challenge what is wrong.
  • Speak out for truth.
  • Be joyful.
  • Refuse to conform to society’s standards.
  • Have self-control.
  • Do things only to please God, not man.
  • Be spontaneous and creative.
  • Think of others rather than yourself.
  • Live out life in all its fullness.

We must have integrity in our words and actions. Integrity means that what you say, what you profess to believe, and what you actually do, match up. This is certainly an intentional process. For us to be effective ambassadors of Christ, we can’t go around claiming to love God and then not show that we love Him by our actions. Actions speak louder than words, right? It is imperative that our actions back the Word of God that we are professing. We are not perfect, we are human…but we can strive to do our best, intentionally, everyday for His Glory!

We must love people without any agenda. We don’t love people so that they will become Christians. We show love to them because they are God’s creation and sometimes, as a result of that, they will eventually come to accept Christ. We shouldn’t give up on loving them if after a few months it has had no visible spiritual impact. Loving people doesn’t mean doing good deeds begrudgingly for them because we feel as Christians that is what we should be doing. If that is the case, we are acting out of duty, not love.  Sometimes it can be hard, but we need to remember the example of Jesus. Many of the people He showed love to turned their back on him (such as the time he healed ten lepers, but only one came back to thank Him). We are working for a heavenly reward, not an earthly one…and that must remain at the front of our minds and hearts.

We must encourage people not to want to stay “on the outside looking in.”  This means making them want to be a part of the Christian community we are a part of. In Romans 11:14, Paul says “I want somehow to make the people of Israel [the non-believing Jews] jealous of what you Gentiles [the early Christians] have.”  If people see contentment, joy, and genuine passion when they look to us they are going to be curious. If all they see is people with the same doom and gloom as the godless world around them, they won’t be interested. Would you?

We must be openly honest about our faith, not hiding it when it is inconvenient. In Matthew 5:15, Jesus says “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Because sharing your faith isn’t just about your words, it’s about actions, too. Here is a question to honestly ask yourself: If someone was watching your life 24/7 “Big Brother” style, how long would it take for them to realize you were a Christian? Would it be evident through the way you live your life, or would it take them until you went to church on Sunday to make the connection?

Hmmmmmm? OUCH!

Being an ambassador of Christ means being his hands and feet to a world that desperately needs God.

1 Corinthians 12:27 says that “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” You have probably heard the Casting Crowns song, If We Are the Body, which has a really challenging chorus for those of us who profess to be trying to be ambassadors of Christ.

“If we are the body,

Why aren’t His arms reaching, why aren’t His hands healing,

Why aren’t His words teaching, why aren’t His feet going,

Why is His love not showing them there is a way?”

If we REALLY are serious about being ambassadors of Christ, we need to reach out to the world through being Christ’s hands and feet.

Being an ambassador is what we have been called to do. It is not optional to the Christian life.

Ephesians 6:19 and 20

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 

 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Blessings,

Coach Megan 🙂