Saturday, October 15, 2011

Never Give Up On Anyone

But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away, for they tear the hand that touches them. -- 2 Samuel 23:6

Can someone who is always badmouthing someone else know Jesus? Can someone who tells lies about others on a regular basis really be saved? Can someone filled with jealousy and rage truly be a Christian? I don’t know.

Don’t get me wrong. Christians -- those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior -- are forgiven. And we are all sinners. No matter how long we’ve been Christians, we all mess up. We all backslide. We all do really bad things we wish we could take back. It’s part of being human.

But what about those people who don’t ever seem to have a heart-change? What about the people who just always seem so negative and out to get those around them? And it goes on for week after week, month after month, year after year. Can someone like that really be filled with the Holy Spirit? Shouldn’t those on the outside be able to see evidence of it at some point?

I never quite know how to deal with people who tell me they’re Christians but who behave like they aren’t. I want to think the best of people. Really, I do. But sometimes I wonder if I’m taking the easy road. Because it is easier to walk away, to pretend that everything is okay, to not question out loud what I’m questioning in my heart.

I know that some people who claim to be Christians really aren’t. I know that others who have memorized all the answers in a lifetime in church, really don’t have a clue about true salvation. It’s not a pop quiz they can pass or fail. It’s something that happens in your heart, deep in your soul, when you come to believe and to fully understand what Jesus did for you.

So I go back to my original questions: Can someone truly invite Jesus into his/her heart and not reveal an outward sign of that change? I don’t think so. But I don’t know. What do you think?

I’ve pretty much decided to let it go. The Bible tells us that God knows our hearts. So He knows. I don’t need to know. I might want to know but I don’t need to know. My responsibility is to talk with everyone about Jesus. And to pray that He will open the hearts that need opening.

I can’t give up on anyone. I just can’t. No matter how negative they are. No matter how mean spirited and hateful. I have to keep trying to show them the love that God has shown to me. There are plenty of times God should have given up on me. But He didn’t. So how

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Pour God’s Blessings Out

So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out before the LORD.

-- 2 Samuel 23:16

The Three were King David’s top fighting men. They risked their lives to get David water from a well but he refused to drink it. David viewed it as too precious to drink so he gave it to God.

What have you given to God today? No, I’m not talking about money. What have you given of yourself? Think about it. Have you sacrificed anything for God today? Have you gone out of your way for Him today? Have you blessed someone else with a blessing God gave to you?

I know some people are feeling real smug about now. They got up early -- sacrificing sleep -- and went to church -- giving God their time. They may have even put some money in the offering plate. Well, they’re thinking, “I did a lot for God today.”

Not so fast. We attend church to worship God. It’s not a sacrifice. It’s a privilege. And giving money, well, that’s just part of being a child of God. We’re giving back a portion of what He has given us.

So, let’s move on. What have you done for God today? Did you visit an elderly shut-in this afternoon? Did you anonymously give a single mother a gift card to take her kids out to eat? Did you offer to help at the coffee station at church? Did you pass out bulletins? Did you encourage someone who’s going through a rough patch?

Each of us has skills and talents that we use to further ourselves. We use those skills at work. We use them during our leisure time. But do you use them for God? Do you take those skills -- blessings from God -- and use them for His Glory?

There are some wonderful people who work the sound equipment each Sunday at church. They don’t get praises and recognition. They’re mostly hidden away in the back. Yet, the music wouldn’t sound so good if they weren’t using their skills to operate the equipment.

There are people who keep the children in the nursery. There are people who make coffee. There are people who drive the van to pick up people and bring them to church and then take them home. Some people teach. Some people clean. Some people count. Some people organize. Many different needs, many different opportunities. There’s a place for everyone to contribute, no matter their skills or talents.

A funny thing happens when you start giving back some of what God has given you. Church doesn’t become a chore. It becomes a joy. As we give to others, our happiness and contentment increase. When we don’t, when we hold those gifts close and don’t share them, we become bitter and angry.

So give a little of yourself to God today. Pour yourself out before God and watch Him multiply your blessings.