What does it really mean to be a Christian? For many, it’s merely a description and has very little, if anything, to do with their lifestyle. However, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is a commitment to be Christlike. Once you make this commitment and truly allow Jesus to be Lord of your life, you will experience radical life change — permeating the core of your being and affecting every area of your life.

Being Christian, or Christlike, should be evident in the way we think, talk, behave, and treat others, and even in the way in which we spend our money. If not, we must ask ourselves, “What’s the point?” Unfortunately, too many so-called Christians are just looking to feel better, as opposed to being better. But Jesus wasn’t humiliated and crucified, for us to carry the name “Christian” and continue to live the same as before.

If you’re a Christian, you must allow the Word of God to affect every area of your life, exposing anything that doesn’t reflect or honor God. The Bible says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Let’s renew our thinking to line up with God’s Word and honor Him with our lifestyle. As Christians, we are to be set apart and called to make a difference, but first we must change our minds.

Just a thought,

PSS

Until we are willing to change our minds, there will not be change in our lives. Many of us have good intentions, but we must be willing to change our minds if we are ever going to truly serve God and follow His ways. However, it’s your choice to change — to choose right or wrong. Once you change your mind, then you will live the life that Christ laid out for you.

We all change our minds from time to time. For instance, I might decide to go somewhere, but I change my mind and go somewhere else. See, some of us don’t serve God because we haven’t changed our minds. We haven’t come to a place where we will do whatever it takes to do the right thing. Change isn’t always easy, but to change for the good, it is always worth it.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, let’s purpose to obey God and make decisions that are pleasing to Him, then we will experience life change that will truly bless our lives. 

Just a thought,

PSS

A week ago we celebrated Palm Sunday, the day when the crowds were hailing Jesus as King and shouting, “Hosanna!” But when He didn’t do what they thought He should do — when He didn’t meet their expectations — by Friday, they were yelling, “Crucify him!” Although they succeeded, He later rose from the dead. As a result, we now celebrate Easter — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

At one time, we were all dead in sin, headed for eternal damnation and separation from God. Because Jesus rose from the dead, however, we can have eternal life. This is the Good News. But many reject Him because He doesn’t measure up to their expectations of who they want God to be. As a consequence, they live according to how they feel, which is so deceptive and misleading. As Ravi Zacharias said, “Jesus does not offer to make bad people good but to make dead people alive.”

If we truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we must choose to follow Him and live according to His Word. Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, to celebrate the Good News, purpose to live according to His Word, His will, His way.

Just a thought,

PSS

One of the things we should all do is volunteer our time to help and serve others and organizations. To volunteer means to freely offer to do something that you don’t get paid for. Volunteering not only helps us to become less selfish, but it is also healthy for us. As Christians, however, we must change our perspective from that of being a volunteer, to that of being a servant.

As you begin your journey with God and start to volunteer, it shouldn’t stop there. Although volunteering is good, it should grow into servanthood. As a servant, you want people to be blessed; and you’re not concerned about keeping score. Instead, you allow God to keep score; and you focus on serving — doing whatever is asked of you (see Hebrews 6:10).

Volunteering is an action; serving is an attitude. Volunteers keep score; servants make sacrifices. Volunteers are time sensitive; servants are need sensitive. Volunteering makes you look good; serving makes God look good. Volunteering is about convenience; serving is about commitment. Volunteers focus on what they give; servants focus on what Jesus gave.

Let’s stop fighting over preferences, and purpose to be a servant of our Lord Jesus. The Bible says, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28 NIV). By following Jesus’ example and growing in your faith, keep believing that God will make you a servant. As you serve God and other people, it will bring the greatest joy to your heart.

Just a thought,

PSS

So many Christians believe God is here to fulfill our dreams and make us happy; but when we think that way, we will miss the truth about our salvation. In fact, God came into our lives to fulfill His will, His desires. God gave us eternal life and freedom from sin. In return, He expects total devotion, total loyalty, total commitment and total obedience.

Many believe that God’s only role is to give them what they want — that serving Him means that He wants only for them to be happy. The truth, however, is that this is God’s story to be told — His will to be done. It’s really about His will, not ours; but God requires serious obedience. Therefore, in order to be a devoted Christian, we must learn to deny ourselves.

Our walk with God is not about our convenience; it’s all about self-denial. Remember what Jesus said in the garden, “Not My will, but Your will be done.” When God’s will is done in our lives, then we will be fulfilled — not the other way around. Total devotion to God means keeping His commandments (His Word). When we are fully devoted, it’s all about putting God first.

Just a thought,

PSS