What fazes you?

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41

Can you imagine being in a small gathering of believers, in the midst of many people who do not have a relationship with Jesus, but then, one of us stands up, begins to tell them of Jesus, and within a short time we now have over 3,000 new believers, born again saints, for us to embrace?  I can only think, “Wow!”  Is that not the case of every congregation worldwide, a few of us in the midst of a multitude of those without Christ?

In the Midst of Many without Christ - Witnessing Acts 2:5-40  

I saw this comment, by the late evangelist Leonard Ravenhill:
“Isn't it staggering when you think that one sermon on the day of Pentecost produced 3000 people? And we had some cities yesterday where 3000 sermons were preached and nobody was saved. And it doesn't even faze us.”

I have to ask, what does faze you?  The placid complacency of being in the midst of fellow believers who share the same theology and know your assigned pew, … or, is it when you experience gut wrenching nervousness as you share Christ, find someone new in your pew and you are are immersed in the process of love and fellowship that is simply summed up as:  making, baptizing, and teaching disciples?

Fazed when “nobody was saved,”

Owen <><

Your Great Battle or His Humility

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. —Psalm 131:1

What was King David expressing from his heart as he penned these words in the Psalm?  What comes out of David’s heart is humility, a rarity among us – yet, a requirement of all who profess to be a follower of Christ.  David displayed a character that is in conflict to the spirit of society!   We live in world where “bigger is better,” success is measured by precepts of pride.  R. T. Kendal states, “But the key to success in the world is the way of disaster in the things of the Spirit.” 

So, how do we handle pride? 

You have a choice. 
1) You go into your great battle, in the war against pride.  But, remains a prideful approach, exalting yourself to battle and conquer your weakness, and not allow God to work in you, defeating pride. 
Or
2) Live a life with your focus and all effort into submission, obedience to being Christlike – living in His humility. Jesus said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12, Like 14:11, 18:14).  Jesus did not say fight your battle against pride, he said, humble yourself, depend on Me – that’s success when God exalts, or lifts you up – that’s salvation fulfilled. And, why David said, "I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me."

To be filled with humility, is being filled with Christ, to completely rely on God for your life.  As Andrew Murray writes, “Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the Christian.” 

Owen <><

Finally 2013

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and receive honor, just as it did with you …”    2 Thessalonians 3:1 (CJB)

Beginning a new year of our Lord, I want to finally, brothers and sisters remind you of the importance of the message, the gospel of Christ – and, to pray for the message to be spread. 

Paul asked, “Finally, brothers, pray for us,” likewise, I ask that you, in the fullness of Christ, pray for “us” to deliver the message of salvation in Christ.  I add, if you’re a Christ follower, a Christian, then, you are one of “us.”  Thus, your challenge is to pray in faith, and then, act upon your prayer by faith of God’s empowerment to rapidly spread the message and give our Lord honor in doing so.  You and I – “us” – are to pray “that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly,” then, we go about doing this, not someone else.

Called, commanded, empowered, and spreading the message to honor the King,

Owen <>< 

SEE:  Matthew 28:18-20 – Mark 16:15-18 – Acts 1:8