Souls

The Bible tells us that in the end “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (Matthew 24:12). Most of us don’t want to admit that problems exist in the American church, but they do. Since 1990 the number of people in America that call themselves Christians has declined 9%, from 86 to 77 percent. Additionally, many of those that call themselves Christians are nominal in their beliefs, not having a true understanding of what salvation means.
Churches suffer from a cycle of turn and burn in which a small amount of people get involved beyond showing up for a weekend service. This often leads to overworked volunteers that stop and sometimes never return to service again. The end result is that the church loses many chances to spread the gospel.
The enemy has done a good job of neutralizing us and removing our passion for souls. We forget that God has given us the opportunity to tell people about Jesus and that without Him they are eternally lost. Honestly, a heart for people does not require much, it’s really just building friendships over time and then sharing from your life. It’s never been our job to “save the world” or even “get people saved”, that’s God’s role. We are just the vessel, the voice; pointing to the eternal savior Jesus.
“…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

Bady Company

Yeah, it’s more than a popular band from the 70's & 80’s. Anyone can say the right words and act the right way for a short period of time, but the genuine person will eventually be revealed.

You see, if the person you are relating to has bad character, it will rub off on you. Don’t be deceived to think you are stronger than them, that you can resist, you can be salt and light to them. Your sin nature will attract to theirs and like a bug to a bug light you WILL get zapped! I like what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Who you connect with is who you will become, just give it time!

The bottom line is that we need wisdom in our relationships. Wisdom helps us make good choices at the right time. It helps us to say the right words in the right way so that those that hear them will receive them and be better off because of them. Wisdom helps us avoid embarrassing mistakes and from jumping to conclusions without knowledge of the facts. True character is discerned through wisdom. Wisdom is not concerned with doing but with being, thus it’s not easy to spot. So look for people with steady demeanor and attitude. Are they humble or self-centered? Are they genuine or deceptive?

Humility is the primary key to wisdom. You can’t gain or enact wisdom without it. Also, does this person hide in the shadows of life using excuses as their flash light to draw your attention away from the real problems? A genuine person will admit when they are wrong and learn from it. They are sincere and seek the other person’s good over their own. Remember, the decisions you make each day are the individual building blocks to your life. Make no mistake, if you lay a block the wrong way, it will have to be fixed or it will limit how high you can go.

I leave you with the Apostle Paul’s words to the church at Colossie. “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Colossians 1:9)

Character comes from Wisdom!

So you think your a real man!

How many of has can recall that moment that changed our lives. Usually in today's society it's a phone call. For me it was just that! Last Christmas my father called me to inform me that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As I hung up the phone I was flooded with thoughts and emotions. I could hardly think and all I was feeling was I am going to lose my dad!

Men, particularly in my family, approach life with an unbreakable attitude. We call it being a man! Thus we hid our real thoughts and emotions and take on anything that comes our way. We live life as business as usual taking each day and knocking it out. Then we visit the doctor one day, or we feel something that is not quite right in our “normal” routines. Combat pilots will tell you that it is not the bandit you see, but the bandit you don’t see that will get you. How true! Cancer is a unseen bandit and often it comes at you from your six in which it has a perfect shot to take you out.

You want to be a real man and take on all life can dish out, then make sure you take care of yourself and ultimately surrender your life to Christ. Cause in the end we all face our eternities.