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A Demand for Sacrifice

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This week Im trying to talk to you about reaching your world, through the words of a famous old hymn, called So Send I You. Here goes verse 2, “So send I you to bind the bruised and broken, or wandering souls to work, to weep, to wake, to bear the burdens of a world a-weary, so send I you, to suffer for my sake.”

You know, witnessing for Christ is a wonderful experience- it is positive, it is joyful, and many times it brings fantastic and beautiful results. But theres one thing we must never forget. It is also a demand for sacrifice.

It is also sometimes suffering. Many a person has died physically just for sharing the Good News and the love of God in Jesus Christ. Many of us have not been physically beaten up, but we have been insulted or psychologically manipulated, or made to feel inferior, or extremist, or as some people say, a fundamentalist- just because you share the love of God and the cross of Christ, and His resurrection, and His power to change their lives. But we must be ready for that.

My mother always taught me that verse in St. John, “In the world you will have tribulations, but cheer up, I have overcome the world.”

So when you share the Good News you must be ready to expect somebody to look down their noses at you. But on the other hand Jesus Christ says, “ah, you are doing it for my sake, I love you, I will reward you.

A Grand Adventure

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There are a lot of good things in life, especially as a Christian — wouldnt you agree? And theres nothing wrong with those good things. But there is more to life, much more, than just the blessings of following Jesus. Theres a greater potential – a “best” life that God has for each one of us.

“So Luis,” you may ask, “how do I begin to experience this type of life?” That life comes when we realize that were not only here to enjoy Gods gifts and blessings. Were also here to be a part of Gods exciting rescue plan for the human race!

To live this life, you must allow Jesus to be involved and infused into every part of your life. This happens by staying close to Him on a daily basis, reading His Word, and letting His power work through you. You have to know Christ in a deep, personal way in order to speak convincingly about Him to others.

Philemon 6 says to be “active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

If you want to experience the kind of life that God has intended for you to live, jump into His plan. Let Him use you in the great adventure of saving souls – theres nothing better!

The Indwelling Christ

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I was born and raised in Argentina. And as a boy I went to an excellent church. The Bible was taught fantastically well – but, there were a few things missing.

We all worked very hard at being good Christians. All-night prayer meetings every Friday night, for one. We loved them – but after six or ten months, we began to feel, wow, this is such an effort to keep up! A lot of my friends began dropping out of church altogether.

Then, when I was 25, I finally realized that it wasnt about what I was going to do for God. Its what He will do in me, and through me. I finally understood that its all about me relying on Him and His power. Its not about me — its Christ living in me, and working through me with His strength! That was the beginning of a great liberation and success in leading others to Jesus.

What about you? Are you slugging it out for the Lord, but lacking joy and freedom? Thats not the way God intended for us to live.

Galatians 2:20 tells us, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” As you submit to God, and rest in His supernatural power, He will work through you to influence your world for Jesus Christ!

Strength in Christ

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Gods best isnt always what the world considers best. One of my favorite illustrations of this truth is the story of Joni Eareckson Tada.

Joni was paralyzed in an accident when she was a teenager. But instead of being bitter, Joni settled her disappointment with God and said, “OK, the Lord somehow has a plan for my life that is better than my dreams.”

Joni eventually met and married a fantastic guy. Today she sings, and she paints beautifully with a brush in her mouth. Joni also ministers to people in a way she never could have if she still walked. Shes being used of God to touch millions of disabled people, all over the world.

Is there someone, or something, that has crushed your hopes and dreams of a perfect life? God doesnt make mistakes! Whatever youve gone through, whatever your disabilities, or insufficiencies, or insecurities, God can use them for His glory!

In Second Corinthians 12 Jesus says to the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Ask God to use your weaknesses in a way you could never imagine for his Kingdom.

God Doesn’t Waste Pain

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Are you going through a difficult season of life? Do you wonder why bad things happen to good people? Today I want to encourage you that the pain youre experiencing is for a purpose beyond what you can imagine.

Second Corinthians chapter one tells us that “The God of all comforts … comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

I learned this truth early on, as I watched my mothers reaction to my dads death. I was 10 years old when my dad died. His death left a terrible vacuum. But my mom rested in Christ, quoted the scriptures, believed that God had a purpose, and didnt despair. I learned a lot from my mom during that time.

Now I can see how my dads death, although incredibly painful at the time, has been used by God in powerful ways. For one, I can relate to others who have also lost loved ones. As I comfort them with the hope of Jesus Christ, many have come to know the Lord as their Savior.

So, whatever youre going through, remember that God knows whats best. Wait on Him and trust that in His timing, Hell use it for good in your life, and perhaps your experience will lead another to Christ.