We always talk about physically looking like the world… but does your blog look like the world? Are there things on your blog that look like the non-Christian crowd? Is your blog full of cursing, sexual jokes, and filth? Worst of all, is it tangled with some bible verses?
If your blog looks like the world, imagine how people look at what it’s like to be a Christian. “ Oh wow, I can be Christian AND get into some of my sin?”
Do we want to be that image? Do we want people to just see a person bathing in aspects of the world? Or do we want to be the image of Christ?
my pastor gave me this book when I did my profession of faith a couple weeks ago and I just felt like I had to share this one passage; I highly highly recommend this book whether you’ve been Christian for a while, you just got started, or you’re skeptical and hurting
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Diane listened as the others in the group asked for prayers for their family members and friends facing challenges or illness. She had a family member who had been struggling with an addiction for years. But Diane kept her request silent. She couldn’t bear to see the looks on people’s faces or hear the questions or advice that often followed whenever she spoke the words aloud. She felt that this request was usually better left unspoken. Others simply didn’t understand how her loved one could be a believer in Jesus and still struggle daily.
Although Diane didn’t share her request with that group, she did have a few trusted friends she asked to pray with her. Together they asked God to set her loved one free from the very real bondage of addiction that he might experience freedom in Christ—and that God would give Diane the peace and patience she needed. As she prayed, she found comfort and strength from her relationship with Him.
Many of us have earnest, persistent prayers that seem to go unanswered. But we can be assured that God doescare and He does hear all our requests. He urges us to continue to walk closely with Him, being “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). We can lean on Him.
ROMANS 12:9-21 ESV
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
In Romans 12, Paul builds on his theological teaching from chapters 1–11 and now begins to provide practical application for a gospel-based life. Salvation produces internal results with external impact. In response to our salvation, we are to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” (12:1–2). The internal results are a proper sense of self-awareness (v. 3) and spiritual enablement (vv. 4–8) producing the external impact of service in Christ’s kingdom (vv. 9–13, 15–16) and to the world in which we live (vv. 14, 17–21). Paul’s clear message to the followers of Christ in Rome is that what we believe should have a profound influence on how we live.
As fun as it is to imagine yourself meeting famous Christians in heaven, I don’t think there’s going to be celebrity status in heaven. When you get there you realize that all people are equally worth talking to and getting to know, that worldly prestige is petty, and since everyone is fully sanctified at that point, no one there is a role model (except Christ).
What I’m saying is it’s not like Billy Graham gets to heaven and is suddenly mobbed by 5 million people, which is a mathematical problem I worried about for way too long
So you’re saying I’ll be able to at least maybe to say “what is up my Billy Graham crackers?” In relative peace?
What im saying is yes but it might take you about 120,894 years to get around to it
I seem to remember a story wherein someone was taking a tour of heaven, and they came across a big celebration because a great saint had just died and was coming to heaven to receive their eternal reward. “Oh, who’s the party for?” the tourist asked. “Some famous preacher? A great missionary? The head of some charity foundation?” “No, it’s for Mrs. So-and-So. She was a housewife. Her whole life she was kind and generous and forgiving and she was good to the neighborhood children.”
Aw, first time sending an ask to me!? Yay!! I apologize for the delayed response in answering this.
I believe an “open door” from God will give you peace. If you don’t feel comfort and/or peace about dating right now, I don’t think you have to. God knows your heart and His timing is always PERFECT. I think that He will send a guy your way when you are prepared to date and prepared to get married and all of that.
Don’t be afraid to pray about it! Just because a door opens doesn’t mean that God opened it! I believe that when God opens a door, you’ll KNOW it is from Him and you will be led to walk through it.
I hope that this helps and makes sense. God Bless you!!
AngelMihe 