Live Boldly Continued…

Recently I had a conversation about rough neighborhoods. Yes, this is random but we were talking about why Christian's don't move into the "rough" areas in town. As Christian's, we are called to be the Light. To be His Light. 

Think of dark areas in your town. Is someone carrying/living the Light in that area? If we can't think of anyone, why aren't we? Why don't we carry the Light in the dark places of town? Fear, rejection, failure? In believing these lies are we not in turn saying to God "You're not powerful enough"? We think "It's too dangerous, they are too lost, they will not listen." Our job is to do what He has asked us to do, not question it. If He has called us to proclaim the Gospel to everyone, why are we not going to the areas that might be considered "rough"? 

I feel like us, as Christian's, tend to get comfortable in our own little neighborhoods and forget the ones who are lost and dying in those "rough" areas. Christian community is important and I completely understand that. We need that to encourage and build each other up. Yet, we get too comfortable in our community. We forget to be the Light in the darkness because we are too scared to go there. 

When I was in South Africa I remember going to see the squatter camps. I felt my heart break into for those people. My first thought was "How can I help?" My second thought was "It has to be very dangerous there." I went from one extreme to another. How can I help, what can I do, use me Lord, to I'm scared, how will I make a difference, what use is one person? Oh, how we have missed the mark. Jesus tells us it may be dangerous, it may be hard, it may be sacrificial. In knowing all of these things and also knowing how BIG and Powerful our God is, why do we not dive head first in faith and say OK, let's do this Jesus? 

Live Boldly...

It's 1:05am and my mind is racing. Jesus is teaching me new things and I feel the need to share. Having Grassroots coffee at 7:50pm probably wasn't the best idea, but hey, if I didn't drink it, I wouldn't be up writing this to you. 

Why do we not live dangerously. Don't misinterpret what I'm saying here. Why do we not live knowing our God is strong in us? Do you hear me? There is a HUGE "we" in this because He is teaching ME this now. I was listening to a song tonight by Bethel Music called Strong In Us. Here are a few of the lyrics:

"He is the Risen One, the same Power that raised Him up is the same Power that lives in us."

Think about this. Dwell on this. The same Power that raised Jesus up from the dead is the same Power we have inside US. He is in US. He is strong in US. 

I am quick to put limitations on God. I am quick to not give Him enough credit in His Power. I am quick to humanize (is that a word?) Him to where I hinder myself from the things He wants to do through me. He has such amazing plans for US. His plans are HUGE. I feel sometimes we don't dream big enough, pray big enough or love big enough. All of these things we are capable of doing because He is in US. I feel as if I am being repetitive but guys are we really grasping this concept? Maybe it's just me finding all this out for the first time. Or finally listening to what He has been saying to me for a while.

I have a hard time stopping and listening to Jesus. I avoid Him at times because I am too afraid of the GRAND things He has for me. Yes, this does sound crazy. I am scared of what GREAT things the Lord has for me. Lies race through my head. Will I fail? Will I stray from what He wants me to do? Will I not be good enough in the task. These are all lies. It's not the "I's" I should be focusing on. He will not fail. He will not stray. He is better than good enough. When will I realize all of these doubts and limitations I am putting on myself, I am also putting on the Lord. He is fully capable of doing anything He wants. And He wants to use me!

In my bible study Beth Moore says this:

"Beloved, Satan is a liar! (Can I get an amen). He knows if you and I take this thing about God's love seriously, we might become a John or Paul in our generation. Oh, let's glorify God, spite the devil, and do it! It's not too late. Take your pulse. If your heart is still beating, it's worth healing. Here's the catch, however: God's method of healing a condemning heart is to love it to death…then create in us a new heart. A healthier heart. A heart filled with faith instead of fear. His perfect love the only thing that will drive out that fear of ours." 

In reading this we should ask the Lord to "create in us a new heart". He has the power to fully restore us. Why don't we let Him? He has the power to fill our hearts with faith instead of fear. Why are we hindering Him of this?