Can you still be a Christian when:
1) all of your friends walk away from you, because you are living for God. And what kind of Christian will you be? Will you continue to praise God, and be glad you still have Jesus, or will you belly ache about being without friends?
2) a sermon effects you personally (directly or indirectly) and it makes you feel bad becasue you are convicted in your spirit, but you know it is the truth because it is based on the Word of God? Will you thank God for the revelation, or will you rebel and run because you don't like what you heard?
3) you lose your home? Can you trust God for direction until He opens another and better door for you, or will you miss what is right in front of you by holding onto what you use to have in your mind? You may have let go physically, but did you let go mentally?
4) your car breaks down and you have to take the bus? Will you seize this opportunity of growth and exposure to seek out who you can bless, and what God has in store for you during this temporary transitioning?
5) someone hurts you intentionally or unintentionally? Do we really forgive as the Bible admonishes us to do? I heard one Christian say that they forgave, but they can't forget --- but if you keep talking about the hurt maybe it's because you haven't truly forgiven.
6) you are the one who has to clean up behind all of your neighbor's pets? Can you do it with a smile on your face, and a song in your heart?
I used the word "you" instead of we or us, because "you" is personal, and all of us need to take to heart all that was written above, and strive to be the Christians we are suppose to be. We can't say thank You, Jesus, and then turn around and cancel it out by complaining.
'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
1) all of your friends walk away from you, because you are living for God. And what kind of Christian will you be? Will you continue to praise God, and be glad you still have Jesus, or will you belly ache about being without friends?
2) a sermon effects you personally (directly or indirectly) and it makes you feel bad becasue you are convicted in your spirit, but you know it is the truth because it is based on the Word of God? Will you thank God for the revelation, or will you rebel and run because you don't like what you heard?
3) you lose your home? Can you trust God for direction until He opens another and better door for you, or will you miss what is right in front of you by holding onto what you use to have in your mind? You may have let go physically, but did you let go mentally?
4) your car breaks down and you have to take the bus? Will you seize this opportunity of growth and exposure to seek out who you can bless, and what God has in store for you during this temporary transitioning?
5) someone hurts you intentionally or unintentionally? Do we really forgive as the Bible admonishes us to do? I heard one Christian say that they forgave, but they can't forget --- but if you keep talking about the hurt maybe it's because you haven't truly forgiven.
6) you are the one who has to clean up behind all of your neighbor's pets? Can you do it with a smile on your face, and a song in your heart?
I used the word "you" instead of we or us, because "you" is personal, and all of us need to take to heart all that was written above, and strive to be the Christians we are suppose to be. We can't say thank You, Jesus, and then turn around and cancel it out by complaining.
'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
