Do You Have What It Takes?

11/26/23

NOTE: If you get offended easily this is NOT the page you want to read BUT if you are emotionally mature enough to know you will NEVER “arrive” in your faith walk then proceed with caution!

I already know how this is going to come off to some of you so save your breath and contemplate why you may be feeling the need to take the perceived “attack” personally. I’m not writing this to make anyone feel better about their “Christianhood”. Matter of fact, I’m pretty much here to ruffle your tail feathers and set the mood for a Holy Ghost conviction provided you aren’t locked so tight in your “let-me-feel-good-about-myself” safe room that you can’t feel it. What you don’t realize is that “safe room” is it’s a prison built by the enemy using your ego as the general contractor.

We ALL want to feel good about our “standing” whether it be in our community, church, business and yes even our faith walk. YOU CAN’T STAND STILL AND WALK AT THE SAME TIME! Basically, if all you are doing is sitting in a pew (and MAYBE paying a proper tithe) you AREN’T WALKING!

There is a saying, “you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?” Talk is cheap. Anyone can SAY anything but that doesn’t make it true. We’ve all heard it said and have probably said it ourselves “actions speak louder than words”. When you look in the mirror, who do YOU see? What (or who) do your actions mirror? You can quote scripture, so can Satan. See, you can never be a Christian and not be a believer but you CAN be a believer and not be a Christian. Keep in mind Satan is a believer but 100% sure NOT a Christian! See I can SAY I’m a Christian but what do my actions tell you? Do I live my life like a true Christian or do I live it more like a less than enthused, arrogant, rich politician at an obligatory social function for the homeless? Need more proof? Read Revelation 2 & 3. God isn’t speaking to the buildings or their locations, He is speaking to US THE CHURCH. As you read those 2 chapters, I challenge you to find yourself in EACH of the 7 churches. As you do this, I want you to think about the word DENIAL (this is NOT a cajun pronounciation of the river Nile in Egypt):  

 D on’t

E ven

N otice

I

A m

L ying ………to myself.

When is the last time you did an anonymous charitable act for anyone? When is the last time you gave or did something for someone you knew could never pay you back? When is the last time you prayed for someone you hate or at least don’t care for; not for anything bad but for their good? When’s the last time you cleaned the house, washed dishes or mowed the yard for your spouse or parents? When’s the last time you served your husband his favorite meal and made his plate? When is the last time you left a note in your kids’ lunches or backpacks telling them character qualities that you recognize in them? When is the last time you read and discussed scripture as a family? When is the last time you gave of your time to your church; get over yourself we are ALL busy? When is the last time you complimented someone you don’t care for or a player on the other team?

The word Christian is of Greek origin meaning . Christ means “anointed” and tian means “little” so LITERALLY Christians means “little anointed ones”. Wanna take it a step further lets look at the fact that we look up to Jesus as a child looks up to their teacher or parents and tries to mimic them, so we too should be like the children and try and mimic Him. We should be His “mini me’s”. Ironically the word “Christian” first shows up in the book of…ACTS! How apropos. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch because their words and actions mimicked those of Christ.

What or who is at the center of your life? What is most important to you? What/who do you make time for? I’ve heard it said, and believe it’s true, whatever you focused on the most that day was your God for that day. Humor me. Did you obsess over the fight/argument you had with someone? Did you constantly think of that him or her you just met? Did you worry all day about how that bill was going to get paid? Did you spend ANY time with God today? I don’t mean listening to Jesus music I mean talking to Him and listening. I mean get in His word. Did you act on that thought or notion He gave you? We cannot expect new things by living the old lives we once lived. How different is your life, your thoughts, your behavior than “the old man”?

So, are you a fan or follower (this means you have do more than sit in the bleachers and cheer now and then)? Are you a believer or a Christian?

Christianity is about choices. Choose wisely.