The Challenges We Face
Jerry Watts
2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 16:24 , Acts 1:8
We live in very 'challenging times'. We are challenged jobs, marriages, values, morals, ethics, priorities, money, and more. It seems that everywhere we turn there exist a challenge and with each challenge comes stress. This was brought home to me last Thursday when the man who pastors the church where my membership posted this startling statement online:
''One of the challenges of the modern church is that many in the body of Christ really don't care to be bothered by Christ, moved by Christ, or directed by Christ. As long as He can be served without interfering with our busy schedules, fine. But if Christ makes demands on our lives, He is expendable.''
(READ AGAIN) I see those words ''bothered by, moved by, and directed by Christ'' and I get a chill down my spine.
How long has it been since we have been 'bothered' by our Lord Christ? When someone or something 'bothers' you, it may annoy or irritate you, but what it really does is get your attention. Can you be honest enough to answer this question before God? How long since the expectations of Jesus on your life have even registered with you? We will see Jesus does, in fact, have many expectations. All you need to do is read the book of Acts and your eyes will be opened.
How long since he 'moved you'? To move literally means to relocate or advance from one place to another. It also means 'stirred'. In fact, years ago I preached a message entitled, ''Stirred by not changed'' and from the media both, Randy came forward and said to me, ''That's me! When I came forward before, I was stirred by what I heard but not changed.'' Here is the deal, when Jesus become the Lord of our life, he frequently stirs us, moves us, and yes, bothers us.
How long since you sensed his 'directing your life?' Please know that Jesus didn't die to leave you on your own and let you wander along in life. He leads, guides and directs his ow ...
Jerry Watts
2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 16:24 , Acts 1:8
We live in very 'challenging times'. We are challenged jobs, marriages, values, morals, ethics, priorities, money, and more. It seems that everywhere we turn there exist a challenge and with each challenge comes stress. This was brought home to me last Thursday when the man who pastors the church where my membership posted this startling statement online:
''One of the challenges of the modern church is that many in the body of Christ really don't care to be bothered by Christ, moved by Christ, or directed by Christ. As long as He can be served without interfering with our busy schedules, fine. But if Christ makes demands on our lives, He is expendable.''
(READ AGAIN) I see those words ''bothered by, moved by, and directed by Christ'' and I get a chill down my spine.
How long has it been since we have been 'bothered' by our Lord Christ? When someone or something 'bothers' you, it may annoy or irritate you, but what it really does is get your attention. Can you be honest enough to answer this question before God? How long since the expectations of Jesus on your life have even registered with you? We will see Jesus does, in fact, have many expectations. All you need to do is read the book of Acts and your eyes will be opened.
How long since he 'moved you'? To move literally means to relocate or advance from one place to another. It also means 'stirred'. In fact, years ago I preached a message entitled, ''Stirred by not changed'' and from the media both, Randy came forward and said to me, ''That's me! When I came forward before, I was stirred by what I heard but not changed.'' Here is the deal, when Jesus become the Lord of our life, he frequently stirs us, moves us, and yes, bothers us.
How long since you sensed his 'directing your life?' Please know that Jesus didn't die to leave you on your own and let you wander along in life. He leads, guides and directs his ow ...
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