Someone Has to Do Something

Someone has to tell an unsaved friend how to accept Christ as Savior before he does it.

Someone has to “be a friend” to an indifferent non-attender before he will get the church-going habit.

Someone has to “pick up” and bring people who prefer not to “break the church barrier” alone.

Someone has to forgive an enemy before God’s Spirit can work properly in a Christian fellowship.

Someone has to pray that the unsaved will be responsive to the urgings of God’s Spirit.

Someone has to be loyal to the services so that the church can be a real spiritual lighthouse in the community.

Then I realized I was “Someone.”

Christians Coming Apart from the World

“If Christians do not come apart from the world and rest awhile, they may just plain come apart.”

Religion and Salvation

“Many have a ton of religion, but not an ounce of salvation.”

Mistaken Identity

Two cars were waiting at a stoplight. The light turned green, but the man didn’t notice it. A woman in the car behind him is watching traffic pass around them. The woman begins pounding on her steering wheel and yelling at the man to move. The man doesn’t move. The woman is going ballistic inside her car, ranting and raving at the man, pounding on her steering wheel and dash.

The light turns yellow and the woman begins to blow the car horn, flips him off, and screams profanity and curses at the man. The man, looks up, sees the yellow light and accelerates through the intersection just as the light turns red. The woman is beside herself, screaming in frustration as she misses her chance to get through the intersection.

As she is still in mid-rant she hears a tap on her window and looks up into the barrel of a gun held by a very serious looking policeman. The policeman tells! her to shut off her car while keeping both hands in sight. She complies, speechless at what is happening. After she shuts off the engine, the policeman orders her to exit her car with her hands up.

She gets out of the car and he orders her to turn and place her hands on her car. She turns, places her hands on the car roof and quickly is cuffed and hustled into the patrol car. She is too bewildered by the chain of events to ask any questions and is driven to the police station where she is fingerprinted, photographed, searched, booked and placed in a cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approaches the cell and opens the door for her. She is escorted back to the booking desk where the original officer is waiting with her personal effects. He hands her the bag containing her things, and says, “I’m really sorry for this mistake. But you see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.

Then I noticed the: “Choose Life” license plate holder, the “What Would Jesus Do” bumper sticker, the “Follow Me to Sunday School” bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.

So, naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.”

Crosswalk.com

“Our aim is to offer the freshest and most compelling biblically-based content to Christians who take seriously their relationship with Christ. Crosswalk.com is built around four primary content areas: Faith, Family, Fun and Community. Each category is further subdivided into areas of significance to many Christians, including Bible Study, Devotionals, Marriage, Parenting, Music, etc.

Within this framework, we work hard to provide timely, relevant, life-enhancing material from qualified, respected Christian sources, including major ministries such as Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answerman and Insight For Living.”

http://www.crosswalk.com

Finding the Real Us

• Matthew 7:15-27
• We spend a lot of money on decorating, adding ornaments, etc.
• We do this to ourselves also– it can be hard to find the real ‘us’ under the layers we sometimes create.
• When your dealing with trees, it may take some time, but you can always tell what kind of tree it is eventually– usually by what it produces (it’s fruit).
• Hypocrite= a play actor; the real person behind the mask; a pretender.
• Storms always reveal the quality of the work.
• Some people have religion without a relationship– you can be active in the church and not be personally involved with Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
• Romans 3:23 – We’ve all missed God’s mark.
• Romans 6:23 – Eternal life is a free gift.
• Romans 5:8 – Christ’s love won’t let you go.
• Romans 10:9-10 – Confess and Repent
• Romans 10:13 – Ask God to save you and He will.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made – I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed; my present makes sense, my future secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to right, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or even rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, delude, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, and let up, until I stayed up, stored up, prayed up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, reach till all know, and work till he stops me. And, when he comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my banner will be clear!

- Author Unknown

The Game of Life

I found this powerful image in a very old book. The idea is very cool. We, just like the young man, attempt to “play the game” using our own wisdom and our own methods, but the enemy is able to capture them. The game finally begins to change when the young man reaches for the cross.

The Game of Life

You'll Find Jesus There

“Tomorrow morning,” the surgeon began, “I’ll open up your heart.” “You’ll find Jesus there,” the boy interrupted. The surgeon looked up, annoyed. “I’ll cut your heart open,” he continued, “to see how much damage has been done.”

“But when you open up my heart, you’ll find Jesus in there.” The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. “When I see how much damage has been done, I’ll sew your heart and chest back up and I’ll plan what to do next.”

“But you’ll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You’ll find Him in my heart.” The surgeon had had enough. “I’ll tell you what I’ll find in your heart. I’ll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I’ll find out if I can make you well.” “You’ll find Jesus there too. He lives there.”

The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery,” Damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy – painkillers and bed rest.

Prognosis,” here he paused, “death within one year.” He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.

“Why?” he asked aloud. “Why did You do this? You’ve put him here; You’ve put him in this pain; and You’ve cursed him to an early death. Why?” The Lord answered and said, “The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow.”

The surgeon’s tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. “You created that boy, and You created that heart. He’ll be dead in months. Why? ” The Lord answered, “The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty. I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb.”

The surgeon wept.

The surgeon sat beside the boy’s bed. The boy’s parents sat across from him.

The boy awoke and whispered, “Did you cut open my heart?” “Yes,” said the surgeon. “What did you find?” asked the boy. “I found Jesus there,” said the surgeon.

- Author Unknown

Do Not Envy a Sinner

Do not envy a sinner; you don’t know what disaster awaits him.

The Children of Israel

At the Henry Street Hebrew School, Goldblatt, the new teacher, finished the day’s lesson. It was now time for the usual question period.

“Mr. Goldblatt,” announced little Joey, “there’s something I can’t figure out.”

“What’s that Joey?” asked Goldblatt.

“Well, according to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?”

“Right.”

“And the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?”

“Er–right.”

“And the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?”

“Again, you’re right.”

“And the Children of Israel fought the Egyptians, and the Children of Israel fought the Romans, and the Children of Israel were always doing something important, right?”

“All that is right, too,” agreed Goldblatt. “So what’s your question?”

“What I wanna know is this,” demanded Joey. “What were all the grown-ups doing?”

Favorite Bible Verse Mix Up

Someone gave a speech this week about how his faith is “important” to him.

In this attempt to convince the American people that we should consider him for president, he announced that his favorite Bible verse is John 16:3. Of course, the speech writer meant John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – NIV), but nobody was familiar enough with Scripture to catch the error.

Do you know what John 16:3 really says?

“They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.”

*Note: This error is typically blamed on presidential candidates, but as far as I know, has never been proven. I include it here as ironic fiction.

Fun Things to Do During a Boring Church Service

• Pass a note to the organist asking whether he/she plays requests.
• See if a yawn really is contagious.
• Slap your neighbor. See if they turn the other cheek. If not, raise your hand and tell the preacher.
• Devise ways of climbing into the balcony without using the stairs.
• Listen for your preacher to use a word beginning with ‘A’ then ‘B and so on through the alphabet.
• Sit in the back row and roll a handful of marbles under the pews ahead of you. After the service, credit yourself with 10 points for every marble that made it to the front.
• Using church bulletins or visitor cards for raw materials, design, test and modify a collection of paper airplanes.
• Start from the back of the church and try to crawl all the way to the front, under the pews, without being noticed.
• Raise your hand and ask for permission to go to the rest room.
• Whip out a hankie and blow your nose. Vary the pressure exerted on your nostrils and trumpet out a rendition of your favorite hymn.
• Chew gum; if the sermon goes on for more than 15 minutes, start blowing bubbles.
• Try to indicate to the minister that his fly is undone.
• By unobtrusively drawing your arms up into your sleeves, turn your shirt around backwards.
• While people are locating the announced congregational song, step out in the aisle and begin waving your arms as if directing the hymn.
• Sit close to the front, and during the prayer, turn around backwards, point, and count softly how many people do not have their heads bowed and eyes closed.
• See how many hard candies you can stuff in your cheeks before your mother catches you.
• Begin coughing and get louder and louder until you get to excuse yourself and leave the room.
• Choose a different song than was announced and begin singing it as loud as you can.

Lean On Me

As the road ahead seems rugged, And the path is getting steep, I feel that I can’t make it, So my heart begins to weep. Then I turn to see who’s coming, To join me on my way. I see it is my Lord, And He slowly turns to say,

“Lean on me, When you have no strength to stand. When you feel you’re going under, Hold tighter to My hand. Lean on me, When your heart begins to bleed. When you know I’m all you have, Then you’ll find I’m all you need.”

Then when I felt that no one cared, If I lived or died, And no one bothered asking why I’d go alone to cry. When the burden got so heavy, I could barely face the day, I felt His arms around me As I gently heard Him say,

“Lean on me, When you have no strength to stand. When you feel you’re going under, Hold tighter to My hand. Lean on me, When your heart begins to bleed. When you come to know I’m all you have, Then you’ll find I’m all you need.”

Satan's Beattitudes

If the devil, whom we don’t hear much about today, were to write his Beatitudes, they would possibly go something like this:

• “Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church, they are my best workers.
• Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked, I can use them.
• Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to Church, they are my missionaries.
• Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone’s nerves, they are mine forever.
• Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children.
• Blessed are those who have no time to pray, they are easy prey for me.
• Blessed are the complainers, I’m all ears for them.
• Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself, I’ve got you.”

Praying for the Sick

A young boy called the pastor of a local “corner” church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family and was aware they had been attending another church down the road. So the pastor asked, “Shouldn’t you be asking Brother Simon down the road to come by to pray with your mom?”

The young boy replied, “Yeah, but we didn’t want to take the chance that he might catch whatever it is that Mom has.”

You Took My Place

One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat! You took my place!”

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit. You took my place!”

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing. Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change.
Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?”

The visitor replied, “I took your place.”

Opening the Bible

Two old friends met one day after many years. One attended college, and now was very successful. The other had not attended college and never had much ambition.

The successful one said, “How has everything been going with you?”

“Well, one day I opened the Bible at random, and dropped my finger on a word and it was oil. So, I invested in oil, and boy, did the oil wells gush.

Then another day I dropped my finger on another word and it was gold. So, I invested in gold and those mines really produced. Now, I’m as rich as Rockefeller.”

The successful friend was so impressed that he rushed to his hotel, grabbed a Gideon Bible, flipped it open, and dropped his finger on a page.

He opened his eyes and his finger rested on the words, “Chapter Eleven.”

We Are But Dust

A visiting minister waxed eloquently during the offertory.

“Dear Lord,” he began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face, “Without you we are but dust. . . “

He would have continued but at that moment my small daughter, who was listening intently, asked quite audibly in her shrill little voice, “Mom, what is butt dust?”

Things People Won't Say When They See a Christian Bumper Sticker or Fish on a Car

9. “Look! Let’s stop that car and ask those folks how we can become Christians.”

8. “Don’t worry, Billy, those people are Christians. They must have a good reason for driving 90 miles an hour.”

7. “What a joy to be sharing the highway with another car of Spirit-filled brothers and sisters.”

6. “Dad, how come people who drive like that don’t get thrown in jail? Can we get a bumper sticker like that, too?”

5. “Stay clear of those folks, Martha. If they get raptured, that car’s gonna be all over the road!”

4. “Oh, look! That Christian woman is getting a chance to share Jesus with a police officer.”

3. “No, that’s not garbage coming out of their windows, Bert. It’s probably gospel tracts for the road workers.”

2. “Oh boy, we’re in trouble now! We just rear-ended one of God’s cars.”

1. “Quick, Alice, honk the horn or they won’t know that we love Jesus!”