“I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”. Luke 15:10
A little over a week ago our youngest son, Mark, prayed and asked Jesus to come into his heart. What a precious moment it was as we sat on the couch in the living room while Leslie led him in the salvation prayer. I am so happy I was there that morning to witness the special moment.Luke and Matthew were already at school. Leslie was sitting on the couch in our living room reading her Bible when Mark came in and snuggled up on the couch. They got into a conversation about Jesus and the Bible and Mark decided he wanted Jesus to come into his heart. Leslie called and I came just in time to hear his little prayer. These are the moments that Christian parents live for.As I have reflected on that moment I think about the influences in young Markey’s life. I have asked myself, what led him to that moment? I think about what he learns at home and church and school. How did he come to the realization at the age of 5 that he needed a personal relationship with God?I don’t want to give the impression that all our family does is sit around the house praying and reading our Bibles. Trust me, our home can be just as crazy as everyone else's. But, what if Leslie wasn’t reading the Bible that day? What if instead she was watching TV, reading the latest magazine, etc.? Would it have led to the crucial conversation with Mark? Probably not.Whether we like it or not, we influence the world around us. What is your spiritual investment right now? How are you impacting your family, friends, the people you interact with each day? How are you investing in yourself spiritually? Take time this week to make some positive spiritual investments in your world and watch what God will do!
Never stop praying.1 Thessalonians 5:17
Here is something I read this week from P. Douglas Small of Project Pray Ministries. www.projectpray.org Practical Prayer Ideas- Do you know that 75% of Christian couples do not pray together? Break the trend – ask your spouse to pray with you today! Pray to be more like Jesus.
- Go to a secular bookstore, not to purchase new books, but to pray. Walk the aisles. Look at the titles. Pray.
- Prayer walk your house. Pray in every room. Ask yourself, “How can our home itself more fully honor Christ?”
- Find a vista point. Pray for peace in and over your city.
- Go to the census website and look up statistics on your city or county. You may discover that the world is at your doorstep. Ask God if the Great Commission applies to people groups living next door?
- Give a gift today – the gift of joy or kindness, perhaps to someone you don’t even know. Give a “God bless you!” A smile. A prayer. A heart-felt “Thank God for you.”
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.Psalm 92:1
Do others know what God has done in your life during the last 7 days? The last 30?When was the last time you verbalized what God is doing in your life? Sharing our ongoing testimony is an essential ingredient in a vital and growing relationship with God. There are tremendous benefits that come from sharing what God is doing in your life.- Others hear and are able to rejoice with you.
- You are reminded of God’s faithfulness and goodness.
- It increases faith.
- It inspires.
- It encourages.
- It energizes.
- It helps us and other get through tough times.
- It demonstrates God’s presence and power in our lives today.
- And… God gets the glory!
Take time today and this week to tell a friend or family member what God is doing in your life. Share with your small group. Then email the church office (mail@christianlifechurch.org) your praise report of what God has done for you! Let us rejoice with you and be reminded of the goodness of our God.
Another book from My Bookshelf I want to mention quickly is The Echo Within by Robert Benson. Written out of his own lifelong search for and response to the calling voice of God, Robert Benson recounts his discovery of the meaning of vocation, work, and purpose through the ups and downs inherent in family life, professional choice, and spiritual experience.
This book is perfect for anyone beginning a new career or sensing a needed change in their life or wrestling with a transition suddenly thrust upon them. Robert Benson delivers wisdom, humor, and heart in what he’s learned about listening for The Echo Within—and how it can help us discover our calling.
My Book Shelf – Every now and then I like to share with you what I’m reading. My hope is that it will be a blessing and help to you as well.Dinner with a Perfect Stranger & Day with a Perfect Stranger
by David GregoryOne of the keys to the success of the Christian life and of the Church is the balance of evangelism and discipleship. Unfortunately, many times these important aspects are seen as mutually exclusive. However, there are a couple of books that I want to share with you that are tremendous tools for both evangelism and discipleship. Written in the form of novels, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger and Day with a Perfect Stranger present the opportunity to listen in on an intriguing, humorous, informative, and moving discussions between Jesus and the average people that cover Christianity, family relationships, creation, work, other religions, human suffering, an much more about life. These books teach us the truth of Christ and also act as an apologetic to the unbeliever making it a great witnessing tool. These books are so good I make them required reading for my Life of Christ class at the college. If you want to develop your faith and be able to answer the questions people are asking, check these books out. You won’t be disappointed.
