Great news, HE “is” alive!

1 Corinthians 15: 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

 

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

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On Christmas Eve I stared at the fake tree with its twinkling lights in anticipation of this year’s grab. When the crack of dawn hit I said to myself “finally it’s here!” With joy I tore open my presents and played with games and toys my parents had so carefully wrapped.

 

Later that same day some of the toys were placed to the side because I was already bored with them. The same excitement, anticipation, elation and then boredom seemed to ring true for my Christian life. I mean all GOD expects me to do is tell people about HIS SON? Where is the excitement in that?

• Being bored with the “Great News” may mean I don’t really know what was done for me.
• Being bored with the “Great News” makes me look at GOD as a servant rather than my savior.
• Being bored with the “Great News” shows up in my life and others are not drawn to GOD rather they are repulsed by my hypocrisy.

I have met recovering cancer patients and alcoholics who have a new lease on life. They overcame an extreme situation and they celebrate it every moment they can. They have no shame in telling people they almost died and now they are alive!

 

GOD wants me to be excited about HIM the same as when I first realized I needed HIS SON JESUS as my savior from the penalty of my sins. Every moment I get a chance, I need to thank HIM or tell others about HIS SON.

• Telling people about JESUS is not repetitious if I truly cared for the person.
• Explaining the “Great News” in simple terms is challenging and requires thought and new approaches daily.
• Situations occur in my life and others that hinder me telling the “Great News”, this only keeps it interesting.

Yes, I no longer fit in the world and that is a fear for many. But HE has challenged me as HE challenged Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, to keep HIS humans from rejecting JESUS as the one and only savior to eternal life.

• Are you bored with the “Great News” about JESUS?
• Is it hard for you to be excited about hearing when people accept CHRIST?
• When you go to church are you preparing yourself to spread the gospel to someone else?

I'm conflicted and need help!

John 12:23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

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Sin is a controversial topic. Many people have heard me say "We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other while saying there's mud on you." Every human commits sin and I am no exception. I sin daily either in thought or in deed. But there is a difference in how GOD looks at humans who sin.

GOD looks at those who confess they are sinners as special people. When these people come looking for salvation they receive it abundantly. HE provides them with the HOLY SPIRIT who becomes their guide. While they remain sinners, they now have hope.

GOD also looks at those who do not confess they are sinners. They have no remorse for their condition and in most instances point out flaws in other people never once looking at their own condition. The Pharisees and pagans were in this group.

The religious people had a terrible time because they thought they were good when it was CHRIST that made a person good. The pagans who knew they were sinners, accepted CHRIST easier because they were saddened by their condition. Unfortunately there were some who liked their sinful acts and had no remorse or thought of letting it go.

CHRIST states that HE is the kernel of wheat who must fall to the ground and die to produce many seeds or Christians. The thing about a seed is that it's only value is to die to produce other seeds or to be eaten.

HE says to me that I must die to my life in order to keep it. What in the world does that mean? I think it means that each and every day I will make decisions that follow what GOD says or I won't. Every day I wake up with a choice, follow GOD or follow my own way of thinking.

The problem is my way of thinking is faulty. I want things "my way," "when I want it," "how I want it." When I fall into this trap nothing good comes out of it.

• When I follow my thinking, I justify my sinful acts.
• When I follow my thinking, I am not at peace.
• When I follow my thinking, I end up not pleasing anyone, not even myself.
• When I follow my thinking, I am full of blame.
• When I follow my thinking, I cannot hear what GOD is saying to me.

Why does GOD say over and over "Stop sinning" when HE knows I can't? Well, maybe HE knows I can stop sinning, at least long enough to hear HIM. The HOLY SPIRIT never yells, HE quietly speaks to me, persuading me to do better. HE guides me to look at the Bible each day. HE is the one who prompts me to pray and to forgive others when I don't want to.

• When I lose my life, I seek GOD's life.
• When I lose my life, I ask HIM "what does HE want me to do?"
• When I lose my life, I despise the sin I easily fall into.
• When I lose my life, I desire to serve rather than being served.
• When I lose my life, I no longer blame people, rather I look at my own sin in disgust.

Yes, I am saved! I believe JESUS died for my sin, now I am a seed. I too must die and give my life to HIM to do what HE wants to. It's up to HIM to 'give' and 'take away'. My life is HIS.

• What sin are you holding tightly onto?
• Are you tired of people blaming you for things?
• Are you energized by correction or does it drive you into rage?
• Are you seeking to serve or to be served?
• Can you hear GOD today?

Start the year off right, "follow HIM!"

Matthew 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

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I love the response of the people JESUS called. They were so sure they had found the Messiah that they dropped everything to follow HIM.

I love when I see people who are zealous for the LORD. It seems like they are contagious. It seems like whatever they face they seem to "know" they will be alright. I wonder what it is about these people. Why are they so positive?

I see that JESUS gives a purpose and that answers my question. HE says "follow ME and I will make you fishers of men." JESUS knows the importance of having a purpose. A life without purpose is a life without meaning or direction.

HE gave HIS disciples a solid purpose for their life. They weren't perfect yet their message is still the one you and I preach today. I get amazed by that!

• Can you be excited about the purpose GOD has given you?
• Do you believe GOD has chosen you for a special task that only you can do?
• Can you be excited this year about following CHRIST?