Demanding the best

Demanding the best

What’s the difference between Christians and non-Christians? Christ demands the best from us. Non-Christians run through life not even knowing the difference between heaven bound and a box in the ground.

My life in high school included lots of religious debate, mainly with pseudo-Christians, pseudo-Buddhists, and pseudo-Jews. Obviously the reason I preface everything with pseudo is because kids would usually say, “Yeah, my parents drag me to services, but I’m not really into it.” Then they would proceed to talk about their car, girlfriend, or the latest hot movie.

Why is this a problem? Kids don’t take benchmarks seriously, unless it revolves around a tangible reward. Heaven is a very non-tangible reward....to kids. They can see it, but their understanding of it is usually weak, and if challenged, they cannot really explain what it is. Why is this a problem?

Its the carrot. You guys have heard me talk about the carrot before. Heaven is the carrot that Christianity holds in front of the donkey (you) to get you to move that first hoof forward. Don’t take this as a knock. Its not. Its really just an accurate representation of a typical human being. As humans, we chase our food, we chase our sex, and we chase our money. Getting out of that cycle takes a really big reward, and heaven is the only one that fits the bill. Why is that?

Its the best. Its the best that can be offered. There is nothing better. Perfect circumstance. Perfect existence. Perfect joy. No pain. No enemies. No nothing, except exactly what makes you happy. And yet, guess what? The best forego heaven. The best sign up for tours of duty.

Do you really think the most effective souls are just circling God, enjoying His warmth and love? No. They are sent out on missions. Why? They request them. They care about the cause we all work for, and so they are sent to make a change in the system. What’s the system? A more accurate question is what’s not the system.

Understand one thing about your time in a physical state. Understand that its short, its not yours, and you will be held accountable for how you spent it. Levels of heaven? Levels of hell? Folks....no one really knows. No one. Wipe out the chance in the equation and just do the best you possibly can.

God needs the best. Be the best. Be the Jesus in the room.

I'm determined to keep fighting for Christ

I'm determined to keep fighting for Christ

I almost did not write a devotional tonight. Then I got a call from a wonderful friend and minister in Toronto, who wanted to relate to me the success he has been having with the folks I have been sending him for job counseling. The results? Absolutely phenomenal! In less than two weeks, I've sent him almost 20 referrals, and almost everyone is on their way to a better job situation. Does your local church do that?

I am just so fired up! God is working in so many awesome ways. I started the system on a whim, hoping to get a person every few days. But now it is around 10 a day! Gosh, it just shows what can happen when sincere Christians reach out and help those they can. I never expected to even have the resources to pull it off, but after I had the idea, the options started flowing from everywhere. People just...well...showed up! A counselor here, an expert there...even attorneys! Can you believe it?

Well, folks, every day I feel honored to be a part of such wonderful work. Christ is moving in powerful ways. I feel like there is no end to this particular part of the ministry. I have always had a passion for helping others, especially through the Internet, and success like this makes me feel like all the personal sacrifice lately has been worth it. Maybe the reason I don't have a conventional job is because God would rather have me doing this.

I would not be surprised. With the Lord, the real servants never stop working, but then again, we would not have it any other way!

The impossible is possible in Christ Jesus

The impossible is possible in Christ Jesus

What strikes your fancy? Do you want to stop wars? Do you want to heal the terminally ill? How about helping your friends and family through ordeals they might be facing?

You have more power than you think you have. You can travel in amazing ways. You can create in miraculous fashion. You can heal like a disciple of Christ would heal. You can do the impossible!

My little five year old daughter is always asking questions. I tell her about Jesus and praying. Every now and then she catches me talking about deeper subjects, but usually her questions are something like, "Do you help people, Daddy?" or "Dad, how do YOU work with God?" Deep questions really. I want to answer them truthfully, but at five she really wouldn't understand. You see, my work is off the charts, and yours can be too.

Right now you are probably locked into your present state of growth. The fact is that there is much more that you could be doing. Through the Holy Spirit you can move in incredible ways, change things in miraculous fashion, and most of all, create more value for the Lord. I know, value. It is such a business term, but it is the best way to phrase it. God wants value out of you. You are an investment in his eyes. He wants you to grow and prosper so you can better serve Him. Don't think so? Try not growing, and see where that takes you.

Folks, I really want the absolute best for you. But on top of that, I want you to get ready to move at a moment's notice, and move in miraculous fashion. I know that lots of folks talk about end times, but I'm not going to pretend to know when or how all of that will go down. I do know one thing though. It is better to be prepared than to be left mired in the sins of this world. I'm not perfect, but I'm actively trying to work with the Lord to create in the fashion that He wants me to create.

Anything is possible! Lie down, close your eyes, and pray for an hour straight with nothing else bothering you. Do things that you think could not be done.

This is a special life you are living. Do not cut yourself short!