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Differences and Similarities: Hope

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God created every human being with the unique ability and desire to HOPE. We all know that hope brings us a buoyant feeling. If we struggle with depression and cannot find hope on our own, we long for someone else to lend us THEIR hope. Hope is what gets us through difficult times.

One major difference between followers of Jesus Christ and those who do not follow Him is our SOURCE of hope. You see, a nonbeliever knows what hope is. She experiences hope. But she often cannot trust her hope.

For example, she may hope the doctors test results come back favorably. But hoping merely in circumstantial change is a very unsure way to live.

On the other hand, the source of all Christian hope is Jesus Christ. We dont just hope for a change in circumstance, we actually talk to God through prayer and ask Him to intervene. Whether He does or not is entirely up to Him. But our HOPE is secure because HE is secure.

In the Bible, the Psalms are filled with reminders that God, the source of our hope, is faithful. Wont you share the reason for your hope today?

Differences and Similarities: Love

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Christians want to reach others with Gods love by sharing the message of Jesus Christ. But sometimes we think the differences between us are just too great.

My friend, today I want you to remember that we are all human. And as humans made in the image of God, we all have the capacity to give and receive love. LOVE is something everyone longs for.

Now, what distinguishes Christians from nonChristians when it comes to love? Quite simply: the ability to extend love when our feelings are against it.

How do we do this? By the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says, “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

This is what enables us to love difficult people – even our enemies – with Gods love.

Those who do not know Jesus Christ are intrigued by the way Christians can extend such nonsensical love. I challenge you today – dont just love someone, but explain the source of your love. Tell about Jesus Christ.

Differences and Similarities: Peace

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Do you remember the first time you came face-to-face with the reality of death? When it moved from being a distant concept to an unavoidable fact that YOU TOO will indeed one day pass away? Facing this reality, Christians and nonChristians respond in different ways.

I have felt the fear that takes over the hospital room of a dying person who does not know Jesus Christ. I have also known the peace with which a dying believer approaches death. There is nothing more dramatically different than feelings of terror and those of perfect peace. That moment when we face our own immortality we realize what we really believe.

If you follow Jesus Christ today, you walk in a peace thats incomprehensible to your non-believing friends and neighbors. But, friend, this is not a gift to hoard! Gods peace is for each of us. In the Bible Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”

Lets share the reason for our peace today. Tell someone about Jesus Christ and His perfect peace – both in the face of death and in everyday living.

Differences and Similarities: Perspective

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Christians arent perfect. Ill be the first to testify to that. But one benefit we have in Jesus Christ is the eternal perspective He offers us.

When stresses and problems come our way, as they do in everyones life, a believers reaction is significantly different from a nonbelievers. The defining difference is the perspective with which we approach these problems.

As frustrating and painful as people and circumstances may be, Christ-followers know that this world is not the be-all and end-all. We live today in light of eternity! Its a joyously free feeling to not be trapped by earthly burdens. We know that heaven is our true home.

This perspective is not something nonbelievers can understand. All they are living for is here and now. But the Bible says, “this world in its present form is passing away.”

There is so much more to life than the present! Wont you reach out and tell someone about the reason for your lack of fear and worry? Wont you tell someone what Jesus Christ has done for you?

Reaching Widows

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My wife and I know a woman in England, named Emma. She felt God asking her to befriend an elderly neighbor, who was a widower. It wasnt easy, because this old man was pretty arrogant and rude. Apparently, no one liked him. But at one point he became sick, so Emma visited him in the hospital. Over time, this belligerent man was softened by Emmas kindness.

One day, Emma shared with him about her relationship with Jesus Christ. Then she asked if he would like to receive Jesus, by faith, into his life. Without hesitation he said, “Yes!” That 84-year-old man died shortly after his conversion, but now hes in heaven!

It certainly wasnt comfortable for Emma to reach out to that elderly man. But God called her out of her comfort zone, and she obeyed. Imagine what would have happened if Emma hadnt followed Gods leading. That man probably would have died without knowing Jesus Christ.

In Luke Chapter 10, Jesus told His followers to first, love God “with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and then, “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Is there a widow in your neighborhood, or community, whom you could befriend? It often takes so little to show them Christs love. And yet, as Emma can testify, your simple act of kindness can have eternal results!