“In as much as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the things in which you were instructed” (Luke 1:1-4)
Jesus Christ transformed the world with His mission to save the lost. The gospel writers record the redeeming power of God in the passion of Christ. Now the message of hope has been entrusted to us, will you answer the call to make Him known to a lost culture?
Imagine having a front row seat at history’s grand story of redemption with Jesus as the leading actor. That is what you get from the gospel according to Luke. Luke a historian and well-known physician in the first century, gives his readers an eyewitness account of the revolutionary life of Christ. The coming of Jesus is the most important event in human history and it continues to impact societies and cultures even to this day.
Not too long ago we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. As I meditated upon the significance of living in Christ, I began to think about the impact the gospel has had in my family and in my own life. It became apparent to me that many of us have not shared the joy of knowing Christ with our culture. And what an impact it would make upon our culture today if every Christian were willing and equipped to share their faith.
I am often reminded of the fact that we, followers of Jesus Christ have been made stewards of God’s message of salvation to the world. God did not entrust this message to angels but to us. That stewardship was given as part of Christ’s final commandment to His disciples. His charge to carry the gospel to the whole world is called the Great Commission.
Christ came and died a death that He did not deserve. He paid the price for sins that He did not commit. He offered His life as a ransom for sinners, bound to a sinner’s hell. Christ came to offer the hope of eternal life and has since undertaken the greatest recruiting effort in the history of humankind. He is calling those of us who have tasted the gift of salvation to become carriers of the message of hope.
Christ has given us the responsibility of bringing this message of hope to a lost world. People need to hear to hear that Christ is the answer to our spiritual poverty. They need to hear that God is able bring rest and comfort to their weary souls. They need to know that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow in Christ. According to Bible, God is not “willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). God’s desire for every human life is eternal life in Jesus Christ. I am often comforted by the hope that anchors my faith—Jesus Christ overcame death to give me victory over sin and death. Jesus is still the answer for the world and our culture.
PRAYER
Our gracious Lord, the call is too high for any of us. But we thank you that the Holy Spirit will empower us to fulfill the Great Commission. God, help us to answer the call to become passionate messengers of the blessed hope. I pray for those that have yet to come to Christ, may we be witnesses of your grace to them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Faith that overcomes Fear
“6For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (II Timothy 1:6-7, New American Standard Bible)
People across the globe are living in fear and are dealing with the realities of our time. In light of the recent events like earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and the economic instability around the world; more and more people feel powerless and live hopeless lives. God has given us power over fear! Fear says that you will not succeed and that you will not make it. Faith says nothing is impossible to those who believe in the only omnipotent and sovereign God of the universe.
The greatest weapon you and I have is the power to change fear into faith. Faith is when your spirit-man has been empowered with the tools to overcome setbacks, oppositions and the storms of life. Christ has overcome fear on our behalf and has given us the power of faith to live a life of victory. “And this is the victory that overcomes the world— our faith” (I John 5:4). As long as the fear reigns in your life, it is sitting on the throne. If the fear of failure, the unknown or the fear of the future is on the throne of your heart, then Christ is still on the Cross. Put Christ on the throne of your heart and place your fears back on the Cross; for this is where they belong.
Friends, you and I can destroy the anxieties and worries that have hindered us from developing and walking in faith. The Scriptures enjoins us to walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7, NKJV). If you don’t destroy the giant of fear, it will refuse to relinquish its grip. It will take an act of your will and God’s power to build the kind of faith that confesses like the apostle Paul, “16Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day…18While we do not look at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:16-18, NKJV). God has given us the power to abort the seeds of fear. He has given us His Word and His Holy Spirit as the means to increase our faith (Romans 10:17). God will not do your fears without you—but He will do it through you.
People across the globe are living in fear and are dealing with the realities of our time. In light of the recent events like earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and the economic instability around the world; more and more people feel powerless and live hopeless lives. God has given us power over fear! Fear says that you will not succeed and that you will not make it. Faith says nothing is impossible to those who believe in the only omnipotent and sovereign God of the universe.
The greatest weapon you and I have is the power to change fear into faith. Faith is when your spirit-man has been empowered with the tools to overcome setbacks, oppositions and the storms of life. Christ has overcome fear on our behalf and has given us the power of faith to live a life of victory. “And this is the victory that overcomes the world— our faith” (I John 5:4). As long as the fear reigns in your life, it is sitting on the throne. If the fear of failure, the unknown or the fear of the future is on the throne of your heart, then Christ is still on the Cross. Put Christ on the throne of your heart and place your fears back on the Cross; for this is where they belong.
Friends, you and I can destroy the anxieties and worries that have hindered us from developing and walking in faith. The Scriptures enjoins us to walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7, NKJV). If you don’t destroy the giant of fear, it will refuse to relinquish its grip. It will take an act of your will and God’s power to build the kind of faith that confesses like the apostle Paul, “16Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day…18While we do not look at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:16-18, NKJV). God has given us the power to abort the seeds of fear. He has given us His Word and His Holy Spirit as the means to increase our faith (Romans 10:17). God will not do your fears without you—but He will do it through you.
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