Leave Me Alone Jesus!

When Jesus heard it, He said unto them, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17
As a believer when you are in your 'Holy huddle' on Sunday or hanging out with like minded friends everything is peachy keen and just a bed of roses. No challenges so to speak beyond differences in denominational theology. But when you throw yourself out into the 'world' not friendly to God 's people, it is a whole different story.

Scenario number one, an office party where co workers party hardy. You feel like a fish out of water. Scenario number two, you befriend someone who keeps referring to things of the Lord as religion and says they are not much into that. Scenario three, you find yourself wanting to hide your 'light' under a basket when you go out into 'the world' not wanting to be your true self. Scenario number four, friends wanting you to go somewhere that you just do not feel comfortable with.

If you have accepted Jesus as Lord of your life you are called to "be His witness to the uttermost parts of the Earth" it says in Acts 1:8.  You are also called to "not be ashamed" according to Mark 8:38. You are not called to run and hide like Jonah did in the book of Jonah starting with chapter 1. How will others ever know or hear about Jesus unless you are Jesus to them. You are not on Earth to just occupy space. Your mission if you choose to accept is to help win others to Christ!

PRAYER: Give me courage and Holy boldness to let your light shine through me. Help me know what to say when provided the opportunity. Help me remember this is not about getting people to join a church but to ask you into their ❤️ heart to be Lord of their life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

MAN ON THE MOON

43 years ago today Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. What a thrill it was as television cameras brought this event to us in our living rooms! Indeed mankind, with God's help, had accomplished "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" as was spoken by Mr. Armstrong as his feet touched the moons' surface. Also on this day 14 years ago The Miller family arrived from Mesa, Arizona to our new home state of Alabama. I recall as we entered the area from I-565 the giant Saturn V rocket at the U.S Space and Rocket Center looming larger than life.

Man certainly can accomplish much with the freedoms we have enjoyed in this country. The sky is seemingly the limit. When man does do something good he needs to make sure to remember who gave him the abilities and skills he has. It is not "to me be the power, to me be the glory. Wow aren't I something?" but instead people, when they accomplish great things or not so great things in man's opinion, need to remember there were many people who may have contributed to help them. Don't become puffed up and certainly say "thank you God!"'

Our youngest son was in several plays in high school and I recall each time in the program when they printed the actor's bio, he always said "thanks" to God. This as a mom made me smile. I have seen this in other programs to even include things like on Broadway or the Army Soldier Show touring the country and coming to my area next week. The performers who loved Jesus said so!! They realized their talents and getting to where they were was a gift from God.

So what big accomplishments have you done? Remember to let others praise you and to give God the glory! Proverbs 27:2(NIV) reminds us 'let someone else praise you and not your own mouth. An outsider and not your own lips.' This is not to say you can not share an accomplishment with close friends or family who love and care for you but the key is to pray for humility in all your deeds whether big or small. Truly humble people are a joy to be around.

1 Corinthians 10:31(NIV) says 'so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.' In the Old Testament in the book of Deuteronomy 8:18(NIV) it reminds us 'But remember the Lord your God or it is He who gives the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.'

Truly God is the giver of our freedoms and through freedom mankind is able to prosper, flourish, invent, create and help others. Many fine men and women throughout history have done outstanding things because of the freedoms in this country to "be all they can be" as the former Army motto used to say.

Remember today to ponder just exactly what man has done through the U.S Space Program and all the inventions that have come about over the years to make this country great and to help others nations. Indeed God is good and He reigns on high!

PRAYER: Today Lord help me in all that I lay my hand to. Help me to have creativity and to accomplish the work you want me to do. Forgive me Lord for ever boasting as I know all the praise and glory goes to you. In Jesus' name.Amen.

WOULD JESUS GO TO STARBUCKS?

 

I have shocked a few Christian friends I think when they hear I go to Starbucks. They remind me of this chains support for radical anti Christian causes and their dissing of Christians. But today while attempting to write, at yes,,Starbucks, a young girl at the table next to me engaged me in conversation. Basically I could not write at all. At first I was a tad miffed but then remembered that I was here to represent Jesus and be a witness for Him no matter where I was or how inconvenienced I was. So basically that is why I continue to go to Starbucks off and on. I do not think Jesus would just go to church but He would go out where the people were. Where do you find hurting people? Perhaps at Starbucks?

Today this young girl was fascinated  by what I was doing. I gave her my business card and proceeded to try to write. She was relating to me how she had been there for two hours and has no car and was killing time till the rain stopped so she could walk home. During the course of the conversation I found out that she liked vampires. Now that was interesting. She asked me what type writing I did and I told her a Christian blog. She eventually left but before she left she had asked me how I got the ideas of what to write and what was my subject for tomorrow. I never did say the title but maybe I should have.

Never the less, the point being that if we as believers seclude ourselves in "holy huddles" and only go to places deemed "okay" by the Christian world we may never have the opportunity to be a witness for Him and to be "His hands and feet." Now I am not saying it is okay to go to strip clubs. Common sense has to be applied. An interruption may be a God moment to a hurting or lonely person. Keep that in mind as you go about your day and interact with people around you.

Jesus hung out with tax collectors, prostitutes, drunkards, and all sorts of people burdened with a weight of sin. In Matthew9:10-12(NIV) it says 'When Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick."'

Where are you today? Do you only go to places that are "okay" or do you go about your day no matter where you are and shine Jesus light bright?

PRAYER: Lord today I thank you for the opportunities you place in my path to be a witness for you. Help me to stop for a moment dwelling on my own problems and try to reach out and be kind to a hurting person. In Jesus' name. Amen.