Friday, July 2, 2010

What WOULD Jesus do?

My brother-in-law recently updated his facebook status with this:

Tip: Those cute little "WWJD" and vanity Jesus plates are canceled out by your aggressive driving. WWJD? Not drive like a {expletive deleted} I bet!

I commented back:
Jesus didn't drive. He walked every where. Even on water. ☺

He retorted:
oh my bad. I thought the 2nd 'W' in WWJD stood for 'would', not 'did'. So in that case... What (W)did Jesus Do? Probably not walk like a {deleted}.

My brother in law is an atheist. As Jesus put it, "In this world, you will have trouble." And my brother-in-law has experienced troubles. And he blames God. I wish I had the words to show him how much God loves him. How, yes, he would still have trouble even if he accepted God, but would also have the peace and hope that comes from a Savior.

What WOULD Jesus do? You know, I don't know. Jesus had a knack for always doing what was least expected. He worked on the Sabbath, healing. He sat alone with a woman, and a Samaritan woman at that. He was a king born in a stable.

What WOULD Jesus do? I don't know. There are a lot of things I wish Jesus would do, that He hasn't done. But that doesn't change who He is. "What would Jesus do" is a funny little phrase that we use to determine how we should act as Christians. We don't know what Jesus would do, and even though we think we know what he should do, we often get that wrong too.

What Would Jesus do? I only know what he did do. He did say, "In this world you will have trouble," but he continued, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." He died on a cross, taking on my sins, and yours, so that we may have eternal life. He doesn't end the trouble of this world. Christians don't lead a charmed life. But we have hope of overcoming the troubles of this world. We have hope of eternal life. We have hope.

What Did Jesus do? Enough.

Chatty Kelly

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Wait Training

I don’t particularly enjoy exercising. Okay, I don’t at all enjoy exercising. There are many kinds of exercise programs, but there are basically only two types of exercise. Aerobic exercise is meant to increase and improve oxygen consumption by the body to create endurance. Weight Training is meant to increase and improve muscle tone to create strength. But what about Wait Training?

I don’t particularly enjoy waiting. Okay, I don’t at all enjoy waiting. Anyone who has waited on God for anything knows how long and painful waiting can be. But is God training us? What is the purposed of this Wait Training? Could it be to increase our strength? Our faith? Our hope?

Meet me over at Titus 2 in Action , where I am a guest contributor every other Wednesday, to see areas where you might need improvement.

Titus 2 in Action




Chatty Kelly

Monday, June 28, 2010

Spirit in the Sky

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky, That's where I'm gonna go when I die.
When I die and they lay me to rest, Gonna go to the place that's the best.
Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum, 1970


Do you ever think about death? Not in a morbid or morose way, but when a family member dies do you consider where they may end up, in heaven or hell?

How about when you die? Do you think you are going to the "place that’s the best?" What place is the best? Do you think heaven is a boring place where you’ll float around with wings and play a harp? I don’t think so! The bible paints very vivid pictures of heaven and hell, and clearly heaven would be the place that’s the best.

Hell is described as gloomy dungeon, a place where the fire never goes out, a place with weeping and gnashing of teeth, a bottom less pit where your soul is destroyed.

Heaven, on the other hand, is a place of great joy where we will worship God, there will be treasures and rewards, there is no death, sorrow or crying, and there is great beauty there.

The Bible is clear that there is a heaven and a hell. We all deserve to go to hell, because we are all sinners. However, we can go to the place that's the best, simply by believing the Jesus is God's son who died on the cross for our sinners. Confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9).

Then when you die and they lay you to rest, you can go to the place that's the best!

Musical Musings
1. Do you believe in the existence of heaven and hell?
2. Are you assured that you are going to the place that’s the best?
3. If you're not sure of your eternal life, why not pray the prayer below. Then talk to a faith filled friend or pastor to help you become sure of your eternal life.

Karaoke:
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life. Amen.

Rock On: Read about the rich man and Lazarus’ experience with heaven & hell in Luke 16:19-31.


Chatty Kelly