Blind 2 Change

It's 2016, nearly August at that, and sadly, many still believe Christians to be of another world and out of touch with the one in which we all live. Somewhere, somehow, we've gotten grouped together an thrown under, which oddly enough, is what every other people group (whether religious, culture, economic, or social) seems to have a problem with when it happens to them.

As I shared with Matt on Thursday, Christians live in reality just like every one else.

We are nothing, but...

Real People, with
Real Problems, possessing a
Real Faith, serving a
Real God, who has a
Real Plan,  and a
Real Destiny, for
Every Person...

... who calls on the Name of the Lord.

The only thing that separates a Christian from a non-Christian is that one has made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, through redemption made available when Christ died on a cross. The non-Christian isn't inferior or less important as a result... if anything, they are more important because God is not willing that any should perish! And time, as we all know, is slipping away fast.

It doesn't make the Christian better; it doesn't make them out of touch; it doesn't make them any less real or the struggles they face any easier. It does mean we answer to a higher authority than ourselves.

As an aside... I've got the "rock-u-mentary" videos on YouTube playing in the background from a DeGarmo & Key concert from time long past, when Dana Key just stood and said the following:

"That's what distinguishes us from the world; not that we know the vocabulary of Jesus; but that we obey him."

The world does it's own, listens to it's own and follows it's own.
But for the believer, we listen, follow and do what God has set out for us to accomplish. Not for the applause and accolades of man, bur for the glory of God.

In the middle of all of that, are struggles, battles, arguments, sickness, career decisions, parenting problems, relationship woes... and the prayers of faith that draw us closer to God with the understanding that everything we encounter has a plan and purpose that may not make senses this side of eternity; but in the sovereignty of God will be effective for the advancement of the Gospel.

All that lies with us, is our response to God and our response to life as it unfolds before us, one day at a time.

It is not faith in Christ that causes blinders to the world, but that the enemy of every soul that would desire the world to have zero relationship with God and will do everything possible to blind the world to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

As stated by the character, Coach Grant Taylor, in the movie Facing The Giants, {one} may not want to make a decision for Jesus Christ, because it will change your life!

For those ready for a changed life, Jesus is the only answer.
For those set on life as it is, Jesus is not even an option.

But that won't keep Christ from knocking on the door of their heart.
Nor should it keep the Christian from sharing the love of Christ to those around us.

Pray, this #communitySaturday, that God would help us engage community to the truth of God and His Word and the love He has for us, by sending Christ in our place. May the sovereignty of God orchestrate events that would bring the lost and the dying to recognize the purpose God has for them. Pray the truth would be revealed that God loves us too much to leave us to our devices and desires. May the religious blinders fall where they actually exist, but more importantly, would the blinders of offense and frustration; fear and anger, doubt and disbelief fall to the side. May the love of Christ touch hearts and in fact, change lives.

Life is hard.
God is real.
Faith is the key.
For the glory of God.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

---