I have often wondered how I would have responded if I had been one of the twelve disciples. As I read about their journey with Jesus I find myself cringing inside! Jesus was not about being politically correct, permissive, traditional or making people comfortable. He was about the truth of the Gospel and the Kingdom.
When I was in elementary school my family attended Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington. Pastor Wagner closed the service in prayer asking the Lord that people would be miserable until they got right with God. I was in shock. I peaked around to see if anyone else was surprised. That was the first time that I could remember hearing someone pray that way! I thought that I was supposed to pray that people were happy, healthy and comfy!
As a disciple I would have been the one asking Jesus if He had to be so radical and extreme in His delivery. As a child I would have prayed that you got everything you wanted. Wouldn't that be the best way to attract people to the Lord? As you can tell God didn't put me in charge of Advertising and Marketing. God does not need me to SELL Him or PRESENT Christianity in a clever or inviting way! God alone knows what it is going to take to draw people to Himself.
Today I sit before you in a wheelchair with ALS! After hundreds of prayers on my behalf I have asked the Lord again if this is the best way to Advertise and Market how powerful He is? As always He just graciously reminds me that is His job! He knows what He wants to do in the hearts of the people I love! You may hate me because I am not praying that we are happy, healthy or comfy. I am, however, praying that we are right with God! PRICELESS!
Psalm 23
The Divine Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Song: Trust His Heart By: Babbie Mason