come before him with joyful song.
Know that the LORD is God,
our maker to whom we belong,
whose people we are, God’s well-tended flock.
Enter the temple gates with praise,
its courts with thanksgiving.
Give thanks to God, bless his name,
good indeed is the LORD,
Whose love endures forever,
whose faithfulness lasts through every age.
Psalm 100
Maybe you’ve heard this old expression:
“If you’re happy, let your face know.”
As children of God, we have the most awesome, unbelievable treasure of all time! Eternal life through Jesus Christ! How can we not be positive about life? God has blessed you with the gift of life, and the gift of faith. Yet so many Christians are walking through life like expressionless zombies. While I am a big fan of zombie flicks (guilty pleasure), I daresay that I would not be attracted to a zombie should one ever cross my path. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I would run in the opposite direction as fast as my legs would carry me. So it is with people who meet up with Christian zombies. With that in mind, I offer you this piece of advice:
•DON’T BE A CHRISTIAN ZOMBIE!
Learn to smile more. Practice that wry smile that will make other people wonder what you’re thinking or what you’re up to. That’s the one that is more likely to entice someone to ask you what you’re smiling about. Then…Bingo! An opportunity to share your story. See? More Smiles = More Jesus.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Saint Paul asks the question: If God is for us, who can be against us? It may seem like a rhetorical question, but I believe it has an answer. Do you know what the answer is? WHO CARES?? That’s the answer to the question. If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us. And I can tell you most assuredly, God is for you. God only wants what is best for you at all times. Please don’t make the mistake so many make and think that God wants to fulfill your every desire. That’s not how God works. Why? Because God knows not all of our desires are good or holy or within His will. Because of our fallen nature, many of our desires would do nothing more than lead us away from God. What kind of loving parent would do things intentionally that they knew would push their children away? Things they knew would be harmful to their children? Our God would never do that! Because God is a loving Father, and a loving Father always wants what is best for his children.
A Plan for Your Life
Have you ever felt like the whole world is against you? I think we all feel that way at one time or another. I have struggled with depression. It’s a nasty, joy-sucking malady. During a few of my nastier bouts, I truly felt alone, like the whole world was against me. But that was only in my own mind. Nothing could have been further from the truth. My wife, my family, my friends were all pulling for me. Most of them didn’t even know I was suffering. Many who suffer from depression are very good at hiding it. At least, they think they are. I guess the reason for me telling you this is to let you know that even when you think the whole world is against you, you’re wrong. God has put people in your life who love you and care about you deeply. Remember, God is always for you.
My friend, you have been put here for a purpose. In fact, you are holding this book in your hand for a purpose. God has a plan for your life, and that plan is not a small plan. God wants great things for you! In saying this, I feel it necessary to offer some perspective. The world’s definition of “great” may differ wildly with God’s definition of “great.” Too often, we think in terms of the world’s definition. We think that “great” means getting noticed - noticed by the world, of course. But the truly great things we will accomplish on this earth are things that are noticed by God, things the world may never see.
Let me give a quick example: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa was known the world over. We all know about how she inspired millions of people and built hospitals and orphanages and founded an order of nuns who have helped countless souls. But if you asked Mother Teresa about the great things she had done, I’m certain that none of those things would have crossed her lips. She would probably tell you the greatest things she did were things like holding the hand of a person dying of malnutrition in the street. Or comforting a victim of AIDS. Or reminding someone of how much God loves them. Things that were never noticed by folks with cameras and microphones.
Yes, God has great things in store for you. Let’s always remember to use God’s definition of greatness. Stop comparing yourself to others. Because just like you, the plan that God has for your life is unique. Nobody else’s plan is like yours, and your plan is like nobody else’s.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD,
plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Life Lessons
These are tough times we’re living in. Too many of our neighbors are unemployed or underemployed. Real estate values and 401(k) balances continue to sink like a little kid’s stomach who has been summoned to the principal’s office. To many, the future looks bleak. This cannot be the attitude of the Magnetic Christian! When we allow ourselves to fall prey to the gloom-and-doomers, we chip away at our faith in God. We negate God’s word! Who are you going to believe – will it be some talking head on the TV or radio or Internet telling you all is lost? Or some politician who screams that if you don’t support his or her plan, your future is in jeopardy? Or will you believe God Almighty? Let’s see, last time I checked, God Almighty has more credibility than any talking head or politician or anyone else who wants to tell you your future isn’t as bright as a supernova! So, we’ll trust God on this one.
Now we know that our future is bright. But what about the present? What about those hard times, those situations you may be going through right now that are sapping your strength, draining your energy? How are we supposed to look at all this? Once again, St. Paul comes to the rescue!
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Life is full of lessons. In fact, I believe that is one of the main purposes for life - to learn lessons. Remember, God has a purpose and a plan for your life. He has planted greatness within you. However, that doesn’t mean life is going to be without trials. Jesus spoke often about how His disciples would be hated, beaten, even killed. When you think about it, it’s a wonder Christianity ever got off the ground! I mean, who really wants to sign up for that kind of duty?
Jesus: “Oh, by the way, everyone will hate you, you’ll be beaten up, and chances are pretty good that you’ll die a painful and horrific death.”
Disciple: “Hey, Teacher, look at the time! Seems I’ve got a…uh…dentist’s appointment! Yeah, that’s the ticket! I’ll check back with you later.”
Luckily, that’s not the way it went down. Things still got very hairy for those first Christians. But they knew God has a reason for everything, and that, in the end, everything was going to work out according to God’s great plan. Do you know the same? Do you believe that no matter what happens, the good, the bad and the ugly, God will somehow work good from it? If so, then I would say that is something to be positive about!
When confronted with difficulties,