One Dynamic Message

Once again, on my way home this afternoon...not even praying, just commenting; God, I don't have anything for #missionsFriday.

Meanwhile, I'm listening to The Daniel Band, one of the premier Christian Rock bands from the 70's and 80's. The song, Fight Back (<<listen on YouTube) comes on shortly after making the aforementioned comment to God.

The chorus states: "Full of pride and self, I realized I needed someone else. Jesus, help me fight back".

Then it hit me.

One never truly understands how much they needed Christ, until after they have accepted Him.

Recognizing one's need for Jesus is a crucial step on the road to salvation; obviously.

But think about every other "need" we have in life. Some truly legit, some a matter of life and death, tons are more like wants, hence my use of quotes in the previous sentence. Needs come and go. You only need more space for a growing family until they are grown to the point that they are out. You only really need new shoes when the previous pair are no longer up to the task. (okay, that's a little too close there....sorry). Latest smart-phone, smart-tv, latest social media outlet, and so it goes.

Most of life's needs, once fulfilled, aren't needs anymore...at least not for a while. How long will it be before I have to buy 3 more pairs of work jeans at once?

Unlike all of these, the more one experiences God, through the love and grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives, the more one realizes two things:

1) How did I ever get this far in life without Christ?
2) I need God more today than I did yesterday.

Christianity is a dynamic relationship, not a static one. A system has to be working in order for create a cold environment or a hot environment. There's an energy; there's something producing change. Lukewarm is standing fixed, letting life do whatever it will while you do nothing and go nowhere.

Now more than ever, people are looking for meaning and purpose. Whatever better place to find it, than from the one who created meaning and purpose for every person, prior to their very birth. And that relationship is possible through the birth, death and resurrection of His only Son.

On this #missionsFriday, pray first and foremost, that the hardest obstacle would be overcome... recognizing one's need for Christ. Pray that while the speaker doesn't have to be eloquent or elaborate, the power of the message of Christ is that it is personal. He is not willing that a single soul should perish. Pray for eyes to be opened to see the truth, ears open to hear it and hearts ready to receive it. Pray that one's relationship with God through Jesus, His Son, would be dynamic. Not just transforming and awe-inspiring, but one of active and energetic faith; discovering the will of God and His plans, perhaps and ways. May we witness first hand, the works of God through sharing of His Story for all of humanity.

For the glory of God. By the grace of God. For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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