All Christians Need To Rise Up & Witness

I am not simply out to market my book, "The Judgement Line," which releases on 09/08/09, this is extremely important to me but of greater importance is the message contained within the book itself. It calls Christians to action to witness to others in the world who do not, or have not received the good news of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Before our Lord, and Savior left this earth He met with His faithful disciples one last time on the mountain called Olivet there He charged them to,”Go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who is not saved will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16, NKJ) Jesus did not say become a Christian and hide it from the world in fact He did say, "For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38, NKJ)
Jesus never intended us to sit in the pew each Sunday listening to the words of the gospel, then hide His words within our sinful hearts, and get up to leave the church never to think of them again until the next Sunday. He never intended us to decide who could, and could not attend our church. What makes us better than anyone else that walks through the door? Certainly not the clothes we wear, the amount of money in our checking account, nor the color of our skin. No matter who it is, or what they have done they should be welcome, and invited to attend our Churches. None of us are any less guilty of sin then the other. Jesus Christ was the only man who walked this earth whose heart contained no evil, no sin. As a matter of fact why do we think we can contain Jesus, and our heavenly Father, within the walls of a church? God is everywhere, and Jesus said. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20, NKJ) My point is we need to be out I the world witnessing to others by word, and deed.
If the person next to us grabs their chest and drops to the ground do we look at the way they are dressed first before we try to save their lives? No, we ask them if we can help, and if they are not conscious we attempt to help them either by starting CPR or calling the Rescue squad on our cell phone. So why is it we deny them the news that we are saved through Jesus Christ. Jesus had no requirements of those who came to listen to Him, nor did He refuse to feed or heal them. Even those He knew would go home immediately and forget His kindness, He denied them not. When He healed the ten lepers do you remember how many came back to thank Him? One, how sad is that? But Jesus continued to offer the same love to every individual that approached Him, the same love that He offers to you, and me today. I have to say it, “How awesome!” Jesus still loves me the same today, as He did yesterday, and as He will tomorrow. So why can’t we treat our fellow human beings the same? We can if we offer them the same gift Jesus has offered to us, the gift of grace, and mercy. So what if they don’t act like they are listening. So what if they are strung out on drugs, or dressed in weird or dirty clothing, at least we offered them the same love Jesus offered us. After all where were we when He found us? Don’t remember, think about it then look at the person next to you one more time through the eyes of Jesus, they don’t look so bad do they?
Action point: Go and witness to the world, and until next time I wish you God’s love, and blessings.

All In God's Perfect Timing

Weary of the sinful people of this world, and filled with sorrow for what He knew was yet to come, our Lord and Savior walked to the garden upon Mount Olivet one more time, with His disciples at His side. He had tried to warn them, prepare His children for what was to come and yet still they had no idea He was to be God's perfect sacrifice for you, and for me. At the entrance to the garden called Gethsemane he instructed Peter, John and James, the sons of Zebedee to accompany Him while the others were to remain watchful at the gate lest the evil one pass through in an attempt to steal their souls away from Him too. As He ventured further into the garden with His three faithful disciples by His side one last time His spirit was restless, and filled with despair, had he prepared them enough to face His death, and resurrection? Filled with foreboding He instructed the three to shelter themselves with prayer while watching for the evil one to approach, he had already asked for Peter yet Jesus refused to give up on the fragile soul of His faithful friend, no Judas was enough He would not give up another to the sinful master of this world!

He turned and left them to pray, He went only about a stones throw away and falling prostrate upon the ground, He cried out to His Father above, "Abba Father." His cry so mournful filled with the groans of human despair. "Father take this cup away from me if it is Your will, yet not My will let Yours be done." The Father heard His groans of pain and to His Son's side He sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Him, and in utter despair His sweat became like great drops of blood falling upon the garden's ground. He finally managed to control His human side, composed He returned to the three disciples only to find them asleep. Get up he commanded, "Peter could you not wait, and pray with Me in this time of my great despair?" The three disciples shamefully apoligized. But, Jesus hearing the approach of the Sanhedrin guard led by Judas, turned to face the multitude. Judas came to him and with a kiss our Lord, and Savior was betrayed, handed over to the high priest to be tried, convicted and crucified upon the cross at Calvary. Then three days later He rose again in His glorified body and He revealed Himself to be a King, the greatest of them all for He is Jesus, our Savior and Sacrificial lamb, and some-day soon in the clouds He will return for you, and for me, if we only believe. Reborn through the blood of His great sacrifice we shall follow Him into eternity, praise God the Father, and all glory to Him for saving our souls from eternal torment. God always had a plan so we will join the chorus in heaven shouting halleluiah, and Amen.

Nadine M. Riggs