"Hi Cindy, You are making some very good points. I went to a Women in Faith weekend this fall and my small group is reading "Laugh your way to grace"; both of these pointed out how great it is to include humor in our relationships with others, and that humor can help us to bring in more disciples as well. You might consider adding funny anecdotes, even funny things that your kids say, experiences you've had, etc. It makes it more informal and for me, more inviting. Just a thought. Keep on keeping on! Have a terrific week!"
That is fantastic advice. However I have a couple of problems with delivering that here in this blog. First, Janine’s husband (my brother) got his share and mine of the humor in the family, leaving me with a very serious disposition. Second, the message God has put on my heart is not a funny one.
So, here is the story behind this blog. Over the past few years the challenges in my life became too much for me to handle, so I now am blessed with opportunities for respite – a chance to get away from the challenges and refresh and recharge. This summer I was enjoying some respite at the home of my dear friend Lisa, in Hamilton. We have been very close friends for over 20 years. While there, God burdened my heart with the following Scripture.
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!' (Mt 7:21-23)
There isn’t anything humorous about this message. Jesus says that MANY who believe in Him will be turned away from heaven. Not a few, not some, but MANY. These believers include people who have performed miracles in his Name and have driven out demons. These believers were religious, and yet Jesus tells them He never knew them.
Many people that believe they are going to heaven will die only to discover they were wrong. God wants this message delivered to those whom He loves, so they can respond to the true message of salvation – but so many messengers are interested in making the gospel inviting at the cost of not delivering God’s full message.
As my heart began to comprehend God’s pain over this truth, His message continued. I received a constant flood of Scriptures, which I was madly trying to type fast enough to keep up with the torrent. I was still up at 2:30 in the morning typing away. This is not at all normal for me. I have struggled with chronic fatigue for 15 years -- I am never awake at 2:30 in the morning.
I came home from Hamilton with only the beginnings of God's commission on my computer. Less than 2 days later, I had broken my right ankle by simply stepping wrong. All my plans for the summer were smashed because I was unable to drive – including plans to visit Janine and family. God gave me sign after sign that He was giving me time to finish compiling the message. He had put on my heart. I shared my experience with my small group, and they asked to be included in it. Over the next several months I shared the message (basically an organized chain of Scriptures) with my small group. All of us experienced wonderful and exciting transformation from what we learned and shared together.
This blog is a stepping stone to sharing that message with a wider audience. This blog is not really designed to meet the needs of non-believers. It isn’t seeker-friendly or terribly inviting. However, what I present here comes directly from the Scriptures. I pray that you will be able to know with certainty whether you are on the wide road or the narrow road – based on the full message of the gospel. Do you have religion or do you really have Jesus? On Judgment day are you certain He will know you? What do you base that on – a quick prayer, a family history of being Christians, a legalistic obedience? This blog, and more so the book I am writing, will present the whole truth of what the Bible says about this topic. I am not the judge, just the messenger. I will post some Scriptures about grace and the peace and joy that come when you understand and respond to the entire message of the gospel. However, there are already a lot of messengers sharing those messages.
I don't know why God gave me this call, but I believe to the depths of my soul that He did give it to me. I have learned about spiritual gifts over the past few years. Two years ago, God made it clear that He has given me a gift with His Word. I have memory problems in every area of my life, yet I can remember His Word. During every Bible study or small group God gives me relevant Scriptures to share. I have used deep Bible study to address my clinical depression, long before I knew anyone who knew anything about spiritual healing. I used to be incredibly arrogant, thinking this gift was by my own study and effort, but I now humbly acknowledge that it is a spiritual gift from God. At this time, He has called me to use this gift in a very specific way to build up the body of Christ.
In the first three centuries of the Christian church, the church grew by leaps and bounds, in spite of terrible persecution. The early Christians (disciples) multiplied even though they knew they could be killed for their faith. Today Christians in Communist and Muslim countries follow Jesus in spite of imprisonment and torture. The numbers are growing in spite of a message that guarantees incredible difficulties. In North America the Gospel is presented in comfortable and inviting ways with little or no mention of hardship. Our North American churches are dwindling and closing their doors as people leave in droves. Something I encourage you to think about.
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