A friend shared this article by David Ryser, and I thought it was worth passing along. He makes some very challenging and convicting points. Thoughts, anyone?
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This point should also give us a wake-up call in terms of how we share the Good News with others. Most U.S. evangelism focuses on "what's in it for you and me" instead of on who God is--on glorifying Him simply because he is worthy: "In a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!' Revelation 5:12 Yes, this is very convicting of our own attitudes, too. It's not about you or me. It's about Him.
Thanks for sharing.
[P.S. I had to click on the words "look up" to add this comment. I don't get it?--It's probably just me, but I thought I'd mention in case others are confused.]
You're right. Jesus said if we lift Him up, He will draw all men until Himself. The prosperity gospel does attract people, but often they are not true converts and are disillusioned when they find out that adding religion to their lives doesn't solve all their problems. :P Ray Comfort has some excellent teachings on this...ever heard his parachute analogy?
But yes...I very much need the reminder to keep Christ central in ALL of my life. So easy to get the focus all wrong and think it's all about me instead of exalting Him.
Ah, that "look up" text is left over from when I had a star-themed LJ layout quite some time ago. Guess I never changed it, and I didn't think of how it might be confusing for folks who'd like to comment. I'll have to see if I can modify that with this current layout. Thanks. :)
That's the part that stood out to me, too. It's a sobering question, and I know from experience how difficult it can be to keep trusting when it seems that God is withholding the blessings and sending only pain. There's a song that asks, "Do I love You, Lord, or just the gifts You bring?" If He never gave me anything more, would I still follow Him? I want to say a full yes, but I know myself and my poor faith too well... :( PTL for His mercy!
The girl had an excellent point of illustration there! I never really thought of it like that but it makes sense. "Most of us came to Him because of what we were told He would do for us. We were promised that He would bless us in life and take us to heaven after death." I know that when I first became a Christian at the age of 13 it was mainly because I didn't want to go to hell but heaven. And I knew I had sinned. However, it was not without thinking of what God would do with me and for me.
Since then I've had many opportunities (?), circumstances that have forced me to choose if I would still love Him and trust Him, no matter what in all of the ugly. "Do I love God without any conditions? " YES! But I would not know that if I had not had to go through those things. and yet, this article has prompted even more soul searching.... Thank you for sharing Abigail!
Yes...God is good to continually help strengthen our faith and to refine our hearts. I was thinking just this morning how He does send the hard times as a direct answer to prayer. I ask Him to help me trust Him more, and He responds by sending situations which force me to trust Him. It's not "easy" most of the time, but He does know what is best for us!
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"In a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!' Revelation 5:12
Yes, this is very convicting of our own attitudes, too. It's not about you or me. It's about Him.
Thanks for sharing.
[P.S. I had to click on the words "look up" to add this comment. I don't get it?--It's probably just me, but I thought I'd mention in case others are confused.]
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But yes...I very much need the reminder to keep Christ central in ALL of my life. So easy to get the focus all wrong and think it's all about me instead of exalting Him.
Ah, that "look up" text is left over from when I had a star-themed LJ layout quite some time ago. Guess I never changed it, and I didn't think of how it might be confusing for folks who'd like to comment. I'll have to see if I can modify that with this current layout. Thanks. :)
Reply
I don't have any public comment on it, but that part stood out to me.
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"Most of us came to Him because of what we were told He would do for us. We were promised that He would bless us in life and take us to heaven after death."
I know that when I first became a Christian at the age of 13 it was mainly because I didn't want to go to hell but heaven. And I knew I had sinned. However, it was not without thinking of what God would do with me and for me.
Since then I've had many opportunities (?), circumstances that have forced me to choose if I would still love Him and trust Him, no matter what in all of the ugly.
"Do I love God without any conditions? " YES! But I would not know that if I had not had to go through those things. and yet, this article has prompted even more soul searching....
Thank you for sharing Abigail!
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