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Drawing Near

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I really admire a man named Robert Levy. He’s my son, Andrew’s, father-in-law. Robert’s a very powerful businessman, but his main purpose in life is leading people to Jesus Christ – which is what I respect most about him.

Robert is a true man of God, but that didn’t happen by accident. I believe it’s because He purposes to spend time with God every morning. Before anything else, he’s up at 5:00 am to spend time with God.

Do you want to be someone like that, too? James 4:8 tells us: “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” Those aren’t just words that James wrote because they sounded nice – they’re true! It’s a call from God. It’s an invitation from the King.

God longs to be near you, to change you, and use you for His glory. When we make one small move toward Him, He rushes to us with open arms!

The Lord Jesus said that he wants to be a close friend of yours. But you need to make the choice to spend time with Him, reading His word, and listening to the Holy Spirit. Then, as you walk with God, people will notice.

They’ll think, “There’s something different about her – maybe I’ll ask her about the struggle I’m going through.” By spending time with the Lord, you will have his quiet power and confidence to witness to the lost and lonely people in your world.

A Guilty Conscience

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When I was 12 years old, I received Jesus Christ into my life at a Christian camp. I’ll admit, I didn’t understand everything that happened when the missionary Frank Chandler led me to receive Christ.

I hadn’t committed any of the ‘big sins,’ so to speak. But, I knew I needed forgiveness. I needed to be reconciled to God because I was guilty.

I had a foul temper; I had a dirty mouth, as a boy, so when my camp counselor asked me where I would go if I died tonight, I said, “Hell.” I knew it; I deserved it. I didn’t need him to point the finger. Even as a boy I had guilt on my conscience.

In fact, whether they admit it or not, all human beings live with a guilty conscience. I’ve been amazed from talking with people who say they’re atheists. They tell me that they don’t believe in God. Yet when they start talking about evil in the world and why bad things happen, it’s obvious they’re struggling with their own guilt, too.

No one can escape it, until they come to Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1 reminds us: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The next time you’re talking to a friend about the Lord, remember she may be struggling with guilt, too! So be prepared to share the Good News that the blood of Jesus Christ is the answer to a guilty conscience and lead them straight to Christ.

Building Community

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I remember the story of Keith Green. He was a highly influential American singer and songwriter from the 1970’s. Before he gave his life to Jesus, though, he was heavily involved in drugs and eastern philosophies. But one night he was invited to a Bible study at a friend’s house.

The true fellowship in the group impressed Keith. He saw people full of joy and love as they studied the Word of God together. And that’s where the Lord really began to tug at Keith’s heart. Later he paraphrased Matthew 18 like this: “It’s time to quit playing church and start being the Church.”

Keith was “burdened with reaching the lost, and broken with the true message of the Gospel.” And he had witnessed himself the power of community in reaching lives with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Living out the Gospel message in Christian unity is a powerful way to make an impact on our world. Psalm 133, you remember what it says… It says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”

When you and I live together in the joy and peace that only comes from Jesus Christ, the world, like Keith, will sit up and take notice and our neighborhood will notice too. The world will pay attention when there’s unity. Jesus said that in John 17 and I’ve seen it to be true all over the world.

Service

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You may have heard the saying, “Practice random acts of kindness.” I like it. But did you know that there is an entire movement based on this concept? There’s actually something called the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Their motto? “Do kindness.”

People reach out to others in an effort to make life better for them. Some raise funds to help kids who use wheelchairs. Others give out hamburgers to hungry people on the street. One little girl collected books, toys, and stuffed animals to give to kids in the hospital. She wanted everyone to have a friend to hold onto. That’s touching. It’s a great concept.

Jesus calls His followers to something on top of good deeds. He calls us to evangelism! “Go and proclaim the Good News” he said. The heart of Christ is that others would know Him and experience the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, reaching out in love and kindness to others is certainly something God expects every Christian to do, everyday. But it should never replace the call of the Great Commission.

Evangelism is social action. It is the greatest act of kindness in the whole universe. We should share with others how to experience a personal relationship with Jesus and with God the Father, giving them the hope of eternal life and heaven when they die. So, do good deeds on a practical level and do the greatest good deed… give people the Good News of the cross and resurrection of Christ.

Words with Power

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I have a very successful friend named George, who used to be a pretty nasty character. He enjoyed making people uncomfortable. Once he was on a plane trip and a college woman was sitting next to him. Just for the fun of it, George opened up a Playboy magazine right in front of her. She noticed, and then opened up her Bible.

After a few minuets she turned to him on that airplane and said, “Sir, can I ask you a question?” He said, “Sure.” She asked him: “do you know where you’re going when you die?” He said, “I hope I’m going to heaven.” The girl replied, “Hope? Don’t you want to know for sure?” He said yes. So she shared the Good News with him.

He didn’t make a commitment then and there on the plane. But, two years later he was driving on a highway in Pennsylvania on a long road trip. He suddenly felt a conviction for his sin. He remembered what the girl shared with him on the plane. So, right then and there, he made a commitment to the Lord. He changed, I know George! That college woman will probably never know, until she gets to heaven, what an impact her words of truth had on that man.

As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians, “Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction.” Remember to keep sowing seeds. It’s our job to be obedient in sharing our faith. The Holy Spirit does the rest.