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Pain

Sacrifice 

Pleasure

Stuck

The average American encounters hundreds of commercial messages each day, and because of this we've been programmed to think life was supposed to be easy. It isn't. Life is supposed to be meaningful and we can't gain a sense of meaning without conflict.

When Jesus asks people to follow him, he's asking them to enter into a challenging, counter- intuitive life. When Jesus says "I have come to give you life more abundantly", he's not talking about a life of comfort, he's talking about a life of meaning. He's calling us to the challenge of following him, a challenge so purposful and hopeful that suffering for his sake becomes a reward.

If we think of Jesus as a product that promises a comfortable life we will always feel God is letting us down. But the problem isn't that he's not doing what he promised, the problem is we misunderstand what he meant by an "abundant life".

Jesus is not a product that will make your life perfect, he's a living being that wants a relationship and relationships are hard.

Can you imagine the Apostle Paul, doing an infomercial for the product of Jesus?

"Hi, I'm Paul and I want to tell you about the product of Jesus. I used to have a job and money and friends and lots of power. And then I got the product of Jesus and lost my job, my friends, my money and my power. Today, I'm secretly shuffled from town to town where I'm routinely ridiculed, imprisoned, tortured and occasionally bitten by snakes. You too can have the product of Jesus by calling 1-800..."

There could even be a doctors warning at the end of the infomercial: The product of Jesus may cause temporary blindness. If your blindness lasts more than three days seek medical attention.

Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow him. That's conflict.

Donald Miller

I have read this over and over and over today: 

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

This stuff that we go through is hard sometimes, but I believe and I will persevere! I will pray through it.

Bro. Jim praying with a bus passenger. — at Love In Action International Ministries.  This man was headed to Charleston, SC and asked for prayer for travels and for family struggles.  Blessed to have been there.

Check out what these guys are doing.  They are on fire for the Lord.  

www.loveinactionministries.com

Also… this is the night I met Curtis Moore.  He prayed for me and blessed me by his upbeat spirit and love of Christ.

Praying for those that hurt us the most is really hard… and totally necessary!!!

Ultimately the release from the bondage of unforgiveness is our reward and reason for us to endure.

Praying hard this morning!

Last Cab Ride

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. 

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said.

I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..' The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove

aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

At the plant where I work, forklift drivers are required to wear seat belts at all times. This is because even a minor collision can be fatal. Still, safety rules can be frustrating when you are in a hurry. I was working alone one evening, tired and eager to finish my tasks. Knowing the safety coordinator had already gone home, I was tempted to ignore the seat-belt policy. Who would know? But I obeyed anyway — not because I feared getting in trouble, but because it was for my own good. Paul feared that his friends at Philippi might live differently if no one held them accountable. He acknowledged how they had obeyed him while he was with them and then explained that it was even more important that they remain obedient in his absence. I can relate to that. It is easier for me to be Christlike when I know others are watching me. But when I am alone or around strangers, I am often tempted to compromise my values and revert to bad habits. Just like the seat-belt policy at work, God’s rules about how we should act are for our own good. When we are tempted to compromise, we can remember that each act of obedience draws us one step closer to Jesus — and he is always paying attention to us.

Thought for the Day:  Being a follower of Jesus is a full-time job.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us the way to live. Strengthen us when we are tempted to compromise our integrity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Author:  Johnathan Kana (Texas, USA)

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When you start to feel disconnected from God, just tell Him. "God I feel so far from you, please come near to me" He will. I promise. Press in... part of your assignment is to hold a space where heaven can rule and reign, through and around you. This takes work. Its not a work to prove that God loves you, that you've earned His love. No, that all comes through Jesus. We earn the FULL love of God through Jesus. But if we want to be the powerful mighty people of God we've been called to be we must PRESS IN. It is a battle. It is a war. Don't be so surprised! Don't be so weary! Say it, "God I feel so disconnected from you. I'm sitting here and I need you now!" He will come near to you. Don't just 'tack Him on' to your day. Set aside time everyday to talk to Him. Really talk to Him. Really have relationship with Him. Read His word.... The religious spirit also reads His word & is not in relationship with Him. That's dangerous! Understanding Bible verses and even knowing the Greek and the Hebrew won't save you or bring you into deep intimacy with the Father. I love the Greek & Hebrew. I LOVE studying God's word. But it is HIM that I want! His presence. Him. His touch. Relationship with Him is what keeps me vibrant. Reading His Word when I am in Him & having relationship with Him REWRITES the Book! HA! It becomes ALIVE, daily! It's what keeps me alive. Not church membership. Not a prayer meeting. Not a Bible study. I love my local church. I LIVE to pray and intercede. I love studying my Bible. But a deep intimate relationship with the holy Trinity and living IN heaven while I'm ON the earth, this is what I was created for and so were you. THE LOVE OF GOD settles the matter. Seek HIM. Seek His righteousness. Stop trying to be so good and stop trying to earn His affection. RECEIVE His affection. RECEIVE His love. This makes you altogether good AND powerful! Lean in. Press in, my friends. Take the time. IF you do this... if you pursue relationship with Him above everything else in the entire world.... your entire world will change. Your work will be brighter. Your communication will be better. Your brain will operate more fully! You'll dream again! He is my DNA. He is my all. Nothing has any value to me apart from Him. And with HIM?!?! OH MY GOODNESS.... life is a blast! Through its highs and its lows and its challenges and its victories. Life in a loving deep relationship with Him.... is worth it all. Love you! Have a great day today.

Sandi Krakowski - Word for today 10/4/13

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