Not sure when I caught this phrase, but it is one of ’em that will make you think:

“You’re friends may know you are a Christian, but do they know that you are committed to Christ?”

An ABC News poll found that 83% of America claim they are Christian. A Barna survey in 2006 found that 77% say they are committed to Christianity, though 20% read the Bible, 5% ar in a Bible study and 51% believe Jesus sinned.

Obviously, there are a lot of so-called “Christians” around. The term is used so generically, it is sad (but that is for another discussion…) Is you faith in Christ distinguishable from the pack? It should be! We should stand out! We should not blend in to the crowd. Christians are a dime a dozen, someone committed to Christ is rare.

Think about how you act on a daily basis. What take your time? What do you like to talk about? What do you like to do? Are any of these Christ centric? If not, then you are just like the millions of other people who do not put Christ in the forefront of their minds, and everything they do. I am not pointing fingers though, as I also struggle, and probably am worst than most. In fact, I find it hard to write here every day, as you can tell from the posting dates.

Fact is, we could all do with a little more focus on Jesus and a little less focus on everything else!

I believe it was during a sermon by Living on the Edge Speaker, Chip Ingram; he was talking about work, either at home, or for someone. He had this qute, which struck me:

“If I approached my job the way I approach Jesus, I would be broke or fired!”

Isn’t that the truth. Every day I come in to work, sit down, and apply myself t what I need to get done. I admit, sometimes I get distracted, but overall, I have a very strong work ethic. Even Lynn does not like to call me at work, as I have a hard time talking, while working.

Now parallel that to my Christian walk. I apply almost no time to it. I am in a state of constant distraction. I never really apply myself, or sit down and spend time with God or in the Bible. There is always something else I am doing.

The question: “Which is more important?” I think I know the answer.

Lord, help me to apply myself to knowing you, and your doing your works.

One other point from yesterday…

It is not our responsibility to change the hearts of men. All we have to do is to tell someone about Christ. Whether they accept, criticize, mock or ignore…it is nothing that we can make them do. It is about the Holy Spirit moving them to a place to accept Christ.

Based on that, why are we scared to witness? All we need to do is state the facts, and our job is done. Seems simple enough… Odd’s are, it is one of satan’s #1 jobs to make us think witnessing is scary, since we are all nervous about doing it.

How about “resisting the devil” and acknowledge what witnessing really is; nothing more than a freindly chat about what we know. How much easier can it be?

Shouldn’t our first statements when we meet someone be, “Hey, what’s up? Where do you work? Got a family? What do you believe? Has anyone ever told you about Jesus? No? Let me fill ya’ in!”

The world sure makes it seem we are prying, but it is not! What we believe should be part of our normal conversation, as it is the most important thing to know about anyone!

Easy for me to say, hard for me to do…I am going to try and focus on the easy!

Praise God!

Yesterday at Church, our pastor brought up the story of Jesus casting out Legion from th man. Based on what he said, a legion generally consisted of a large group of soldiers, from the Roman times. In this case, the demons used it and mentioned the they “were many”. This means that this guy had a whole bunch of demons residing in himself, such that he could break iron and chains. This was one nasty fellow, who needed help!

The pastor brought up how when the demons were put into the pigs, the pigs had an even lower tolerance for the demons, and they committed suicide. Interesting to think that we are able to live with demons, but animals have no tolerance for them, even pigs.

Alternatively, a good question brought up was why didn’t the demons just control the pigs and use them? Well pigs are not really useful to demons, as man is. The whole goal of demons is to ruin God’s creation, and corrupt man. Since they were not in a man, and could not use him for their purpose, the pigs were just a part of creation they could destroy, otherwise useless.

Finally, I did think it was instesting that the demons had to ask prmission to go to the pigs. They could not just switch out themselves. This makes you recall satan asking God about Job and getting permission to do his worst.Â

Can sata do anything without God’s permission? Maybe the reason that people are so useful is that we have a free will, given by God, and satan can use that to do his bidding without “permission”. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think anything happens without God being in total control, but can satan just do what he likes, when he likes? I think not.Â

Don’t be a tool for satan to use. In James 4, it says, “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you”. You don’t have to fight satan, or beat him, just resist. In that same passage, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” What an awesome thing. Resist the devil, and draw near to God. Wouldn’t all our lives be 200% better if we followed this simple plan?

At BSF this week, during discussion, when asked about Debt, one of the guys pointed out that:

“Debt restricts God’s ability to use us for His purpose”

I thouhgt that was a real good statement, ’cause say we are in debt to someone for $25k in Credit and other things… Most of our time will be focused on eliminating that debt (time), worrying about the debt (mind) and paying off the debt (resources). If our time, mind and resources are focused on the debt, how can they be used by God? Sure, we are supposed to pay off the debt, but the key is not to get into debt in the first place. If we really trust that God will provide for us, this should not be a problem. Of course…easier said than done…

Also, during the lecture, it made me think about God’s love. We can never repay God’s lov for a couple of reasons. First, He paid the ultimate price on the cross, and if we were to pay that price, we would be dead…plain and simple…no coming back to finish paying the debt. Why would we need to finish you ask? Simple, God has continued to show His love for us every day since… There is not enough time (period) for a person to repay the love of God!Â

…BUT…

It doesn’t matter. He does not need repayment, he does not ask for it, or require it. All he asks for is our love, and our obedience.Â

What a great God!

Finally, have you ever heard the statement, “you reap what you sow”? Well, it seems that most wise statements have their origin in the Bible, and this is no exception. Unfortunately, they lose some of their “punch” over the years… In Gal. 6:7-8, this verse starts out with, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” When you read the whole verse, it gives a little more clarity. God will not be tricked, mocked or deceived. He knows your heart and your actions, and you will reap what you sow! A little scary…or comforting, depends on how you look at it!

After a sermon today about suffering, it made me think about how people argue over suffering and adversity, and whether or not these come from God or He allows it to come.  After thinking a while, I am not really sure it matters. If it is all part of Gods Will, then it really doesn’t make a difference. God has the ability to keep it from happening, so if as Christians we do suffer adversity or suffering, it is probably for our own good, or for some reason that only God knows. The comforting fact is that as Christians, He is in control, and we can rest in that fact during these trails and tribulations.

The biggest example suffering in the Bible is Job, IMHO, and I think that Job was righteous man, and yet went through tremendous suffering. Some may ask why? I would say that this is on of those times where Job did not know the reason. Now long after Job is gone and with God, his story has not only become a part of the living Word of God, but has been the perfect lesson for more people than anyone else in history.

God’s plan is perfect!