It sure is hard to draw a crowd anymore. Unless you have a Dallas Cowboys Stadium size big screen and all the action that goes with it, that is. It used to be that a name like Billy Graham would draw just as big of a crowd. In the 1850's the politicians in Chicago could draw a crowd to rival the Superbowl. But, people are so busy being entertained elsewhere that they need a really big name or a really big event to give up their time.
That's why I feel it is growing more and more important to build relationships with people in order to bring them to Christ; a task that is equally difficult to do. People value their privacy just as much as they do their independence and time. But, it is a task that is worth the effort. Many people are aware of the name of and man Jesus (according to the book UnChristian most of the teens and twenties coming up are aware of Jesus and His teaching), but not too many people trust those who follow Him. So, we need to develop relationships based on honesty and transparency. They think we have an agenda to make them one of us and that is all (again according to UnChristian). We must build relationships that show we care about them as people! That means we have the freedom to concentrate on one person at a time. We don't have to go out today and win the whole world for Jesus. If we are attempting to impact one person for Him this year, we will make a difference!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Unfinished Business
Exodus 40:1-16
When the Israelites had finished the work on the Tabernacle (an elaborate tent that would be used to house the presence of God and for the sacrifices of Israel to Him) some may have thought they were finished. But, God came to Moses and gave him further instructions. He told him to begin setting up the tent and all of the devices used for worship and sacrifice. Some of the Israelites may have been content with making these items, but God was not content until the first sacrifice was made. Incidentally, the setting up of the place of worship was to happen all in one day; the first day of the year.
The New Year is a good time to finish unfinished business. Whether it is a relationship gone south, a practice of piety you felt you needed to begin, giving in some area of your life, or painting the house. This month is a good time to take down all those projects from the shelf and dust them off. To ask for forgiveness from that one you offended. To forgive that one who offended you. To begin a sacrifice of giving to those who need more than you. To begin saying yes to God more and no to yourself more often.
Don't let the Devil hold it over your head and tell you you're a failure for not having finished. Just get in there and do what you can. Let God, through the Holy Spirit, give you the passion and the strength to finish what you started!
When the Israelites had finished the work on the Tabernacle (an elaborate tent that would be used to house the presence of God and for the sacrifices of Israel to Him) some may have thought they were finished. But, God came to Moses and gave him further instructions. He told him to begin setting up the tent and all of the devices used for worship and sacrifice. Some of the Israelites may have been content with making these items, but God was not content until the first sacrifice was made. Incidentally, the setting up of the place of worship was to happen all in one day; the first day of the year.
The New Year is a good time to finish unfinished business. Whether it is a relationship gone south, a practice of piety you felt you needed to begin, giving in some area of your life, or painting the house. This month is a good time to take down all those projects from the shelf and dust them off. To ask for forgiveness from that one you offended. To forgive that one who offended you. To begin a sacrifice of giving to those who need more than you. To begin saying yes to God more and no to yourself more often.
Don't let the Devil hold it over your head and tell you you're a failure for not having finished. Just get in there and do what you can. Let God, through the Holy Spirit, give you the passion and the strength to finish what you started!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)