Monday, November 18, 2013

November 20, 2013

"However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

For over forty years I have been addicted to the thrill of being a life-changer. It still amazes me that a God like Him can use a man like me to change the eternal destiny of another human being! But He has, and He does, and He will continue to do so! There are people will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus who may have ended up in eternal agony if I had not shown up in their town!

That is an incredible blessing for which I am profoundly grateful!

The reason the Lord can use me to be a life-changer is because He changed my life! He changed my life through some life-changers who had their lives changed by the mercy and grace of God! As they witnessed to me about their life-change and showed me how I could experience life-change I chose the change!

In the context of this Scripture text, Jesus has called seventy-two of His followers who have had their lives changed to go out and be life-changers. When they went out in His power and shared His good news they saw lives dramatically changed! As they returned to Him to report the amazing life-changes they had witnessed they were overwhelmed with  great joy!

So was He!

God calls you to a changed life for two basic reasons:

1) You need a fundamental spiritual transformation

2) He needs to use you to fundamentally change the lives of others.

Have you been changed by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith?

Do you confidently know your name is written in heaven?

If you are sure you have had a spiritual life-change, who's life have you changed?

Life-changers have their lives changed in order to be used to change the lives of others!



November 19, 2013

"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Luke 10:17

All this month I have been teaching on three Biblical foundations for an attitude of gratitude. I believe a thankful spirit is one of the most important attitudes of a Christ-follower.

First, it is important to get your heart and mind around the significance of God's mercy and grace through Christ Jesus. 

You can be thankful that by His mercy He doesn't give us what we deserve and through His grace He lavishes us with wonderful blessings we don't deserve! If you aren't moved by that truth you will not have a capacity for gratitude.

Do live in amazement over His mercy and extravagant grace in your life?

Next, you must have fresh vision of Who Jesus is rather than Who you want Him to be. In Luke Chapter 8, you will find that He demonstrated power over four things that cause us to fear and despair. As His followers saw His power in those areas they were deeply moved by their new awareness of Who He is.

Do you need a fresh vision of Jesus in your life?

Finally, thankfulness results from the thrill of knowing you are in God's will and He can use you to change lives.

I find it amazing that a Holy and powerful God is able to use someone like me to change the eternal destiny of another person! But he can and He does!

Do know that thrill?

These are by no means the limit of things to be thankful for but I believe these to be the most basic understandings that form a foundation for an attitude of gratitude.

As you begin counting your blessings this season, those are a good place to start!