I came upon another verse this morning that I don’t remember ever reading or, at the very least, paying any attention to. That’s another awesome thing about the Bible: it’s alive and speaks to you: when you need to hear, what you need to hear, and how you need to hear!
Philippians 3:19 NLT: “They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”
Who are they?
They are family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, grocery clerks, gas attendants, local farmers, the star athlete, politicians, a teacher, a doctor, your…
The vast population who don’t know or believe in God! The masses who know the word but give him no further thought! The ones who believe we live this life and then decay in the ground, lights out, and it’s over!
Those who live life to win, regardless of the path it takes to get there! I have the most toys, so I did win!
Those who do things in the dark, thinking the light will never shine on them! The liars, cheats, and swindlers who walk with no conscience. The bullies!
BUT,
What about “the they” who are ignorant?
What about any of these people from the list mentioned above who just have never had the opportunity to hear God’s message of love and redemption? Those we pass on the street every day who don’t have the hope of the Lord to get them through another day! Those who are wandering and don’t even realize it!
That’s where we come in! We, as believers, are to share the message of God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness! To open the doors of heaven and invite people in!
Psalm 96:3 ESV: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
And that’s how you do it!
Declare his glory! To recognize his sovereignty! Praise him for all he is and has been in your life, and share that praise in recognition with others!
His marvelous works among all the peoples! Bragging rights! We are free to boast and brag about all the life-changing, step-altering, direction-clarifying, path-clearing, game-changing miracles and blessings The Lord Jesus Christ has blessed you with!
Unless called to do so, God doesn’t expect us to stand behind a pulpit and preach! Unless called to do so, we don’t have to stand on street corners yelling his name to people passing by! We aren’t called to pack a Bible around and smack people with it!
We are simply called to share his love and mercy through our testimonies!
1 Peter 3:15 ESV: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Sharing the reason for the hope that is in you!
What has the Lord shown you, given you, blessed you with, hope fulfilled! That’s what you share. That’s your reason.
The world is very lost and highly confused! The truth is twisted, justice doesn’t seem to prevail, and frankly, it’s a mess down here!
We need to be loud and proud! We need to stand up for the truth we believe in! We need to be the voice in the wilderness! The light in the darkness! Will you join me in this quest? 😌
Maybe together, we can inform and help change the thoughts of the Ways of the Worldly!
Sunshine On My Shoulder 