Living Large - Encouragement Café - Mar. 5, 2014
Living Large
Café Menu for Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Today’s Special is: A Life Pleasing to God
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Carolyn Dale Newell
Main Ingredient:
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God…
– 2 Peter 3:11-12a NKJV
Entrée:
If you want to learn how to make lots of money or take a luxurious vacation, this is not the article for you. This is about living large in God’s eyes, which should be the goal of every Christian.
We are living in the last days, and that should have a profound effect on us. We need to tell others about Jesus. We need to warn them about the coming judgment of God. We will not be popular when we do this, and we may lose some friends, but we have been given the great commission. We should have so much compassion for the lost that we are willing to risk those things if it means that one may come to Christ.
Witnessing is two-fold. You not only need to talk the talk, but you have to walk the walk. How can you accurately give the gospel when you have sin in your life? Why should anyone believe a hypocrite? Now, no one is perfect, but you must be striving for a holy life.
Second, the knowledge of the second coming should have a purifying effect on your life. Do you want to be found in sin when Jesus returns? How would you feel if you are slacking off in service to Christ when the rapture happens? That should be how you feel all the time because nothing is hidden from God.
Paul says,
“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV).
In God’s eyes, living large is a sacrificial life - holy and conformed to the will of God and not this world. Let’s examine our lives and get busy with telling others about our soon coming King.
Take Out:
We all need quiet time in the Word of God in order to grow in sanctification. Find a time when you are not likely to be interrupted and stick to it. We need to pray, asking God to reveal our sin and cleanse us. We will never reach perfection until we reach heaven.
“Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16 NKJV)
A holy life is our desire.
Witnessing does not require a lot of training or scripture memorization. People need to see that they are lost before they will realize that they need a Savior. God will give you the strength and courage you need to do this.
Dessert:
Dear Lord, I want to live the life that is pleasing to You. That is truly my heart’s desire. Please show me my sin, and cleanse me. Help me to do better. I need courage to witness to others. Put someone in my path today that I may witness to and prepare their heart to receive it. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
WayoftheMaster.comis an evangelism resource and training site that helps Christians "share their faith" (evangelism) effectively, biblically--the wayJesus did.
© 2014 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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