What’s the Matter, Cat got your Tongue?

 

     Did you hear what Pastor Ken did the other day? You will not believe your ears when I tell you.  Keep him in prayer, he really needs it…

      I really had you thinking. You were really looking to get to the juicy stuff quickly, weren’t you?  Well tough luck, you are not going to get nonsense like that from this Blog, or even these lips.

      I am wondering, why if we get an email or hear a story from someone that is of a humorous, scandalous, degrading, controversial, or just down right disgusting, we have no problem telling everyone about it, or sending it on to everyone we can think of without remorse…   

      I look at the flip side of that coin, why is it when you get an email or hear a story that speaks about God’s Word or His Great Commission, we tend to sensor it and only speak about it when and we feel it is ok. If we even say anything at all.

      As we know the GREAT COMMISSION teaches us;

Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT) – ¹⁶Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!  ¹⁸Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

      Jesus lets us all know that He has all of the authority, and He has given us the authority to go and make disciples of ALL nations.  Also, we are to teach these new disciples to obey ALL the commands He has given us.  There is nothing here that says “go forth and spread rumors about anyone or make them feel inferior.”

      Well if you did not know, the Bible also speaks of those who do not take God’s Great Commission and choose to do their own thing.

 Proverbs 11:9-14 (NLT)

 ⁹With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.  ¹⁰The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die.  ¹¹Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.  ¹²It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.  ¹³A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

      Jesus spoke specifically about these things in Leviticus Chapter 19 when he was speaking to Moses, you can click here to read the chapter but here is verse 16; “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.”

      I know that you have heard these things many times. I mention them because it is time to change.  Forgive me, I am not without error in these things, I have done these things and I have to change my way of thinking also.  Let’s look at some modern day examples where this could make a real difference;

      Have you ever heard something at church that could bless someone else, you then think about it and talk yourself out of calling that person?  What did that do for that person?  How would you feel if that person did the same thing to you, and you found out about it, how would you feel?  How much does a phone call really cost?  How much could it cost, if the Holy Spirit placed in your heart to speak to that person?

      What if you heard that a person you know, they do not even have to be a friend, truly has a need and you know about it, and you could help?  What would happen if you STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE and just help?  Doesn’t the Bible say if you sow a seed you will reap what you sow?

Galatians 6:7-8 (CEV)

⁷You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. ⁸If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life.

     I am challenging each of you to step out of your comfort zone and invest some time in people.  You did not hear me say invest money. You did not hear me say give away the ranch. I asked that you invest time into people.  The Bible does not say you have to sow money, as far as God is concerned, whatever you invest, as long as it is for the betterment of His Kingdom, it is worthy of sowing. 

     I am sure you have either seen or heard of the movie; Pay it Forward.  It, sort of, works like the movie.  Look beyond your own desires.  Look beyond your own problems.  Look at the needs of someone else, and bless them with time.  It may be time praying for them, it may be time finding the right people to help them, it may be taking the time to driving them around to wherever they need to go. Whatever it is, INVEST THE TIME.

     You are probably asking, why I am challenging you to Invest the Time!  The answer is simple.  First of all, as God’s Word says, you will reap what you sow.  As a matter of fact, you will reap more than you sow.  The second reason I am challenging you, is because if the person you invest in does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they will see Jesus in you and be encouraged to do the same (Pay it Forward).  They also may be encouraged to ask you questions like; “Hey, why are you doing this?”  This is an open door to share your faith with this person.  Maybe even encourage them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

     OK enough for now. Who is on board?  Who is up for the challenge?  Who is the first person you are going to invest time in?  I look forward to many comments of people telling their testimonies.  Feel free to share, and encourage others to join in…

 God Bless and to God be ALL of the Glory!!!