Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Do we really care?

As a church we have been given one really important job. We are to reach the world with the life changing gospel of Christ. The real question we must ask ourselves is, "Do we really care about those around us?"

This is more than a yes or no answer. If you say you care and do nothing to share the life changing message of Jesus Christ, then the real answer is you don't care. I think the church has forgotten the God given mandate to make a difference in the world. Oh, we do things for ourselves and we generally take care for ourselves, but that's not the mission. When are we going to wake up and realize that our love for Christ should manifest itself in action? Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. A community that doesn't see the church involved in their lives is a church that has lost its effectiveness.

You may be asking, "How can I make a difference?" Here's the thing; you can't change the world unless you allow the Holy Spirit to change your life. Pray for a desire to reach out to people. There are many ways you can reach out. You don't have to have a "ministry" or be "in ministry" to reach out. Take a pie to a neighbor, do some yard work for an elderly person or a single mom. Help that person change a flat tire. Volunteer somewhere.

Every Christian is a minister and we are all called to make a difference. After all, we know the Way the Truth, and the Life.

Are you a hearer of the Word or a doer?

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Think about it.

Last week our great nation celebrated it's 232nd birthday. As I thought about the years, I fondly remember the bicentennial. The U. S. Mint celebrated 200 years of independence by minting the bicentennial quarter. When visiting Philadelphia on Navy business in 2000, I had an opportunity to stand where our founding fathers of the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. Thomas Jefferson penned the now infamous words in the preamble to our Constitution: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." Patrick Henry said, ""It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shall not fight alone. God presides over the destinies of nations. The battle is not to the strong alone. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, ALMIGHTY GOD! Give me liberty or give me death!"

I find it ironic that we live in a nation that so desperately wants to be independent, yet our early leaders were so dependent upon God. As we celebrate this great nation's independence, I encourage you to be completely dependent upon the God who loves you with an everlasting love.