But even as a devout Christian today, sometimes it can be difficult to forget that we are walking on the same earth that Jesus Christ once did. This very earth, full of cars, skyscrapers, technology, governments, and spectacular entertainment was once inhabited by our Lord. He did this and died for us out of the greatest love. And we should be looking to walk this earth the very same way. Being a follower of Christ entails more than just following the rush of cars into the parking lot every Sunday morning. It entails actually living the way he did. Let's face it, that's hard to do. It's hard enough to feed a family of six these days but Jesus fed thousands with a little bit of fish and bread.
So what are we supposed to do then? Quit our jobs and leave town for a nice 40 day desert vacation? Hey, if that's what the Lord wants, then go for it. Otherwise, wake up each and every morning, give thanks to the Lord and praise Him! Thank God for every good thing in your life! Ask God each day for something new and then believe you have received it!
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
-St. Mark 11:24
Jesus told us to do this. So, um, what are you waiting for?
Don't hold anything back either, ask God for everything. Ask Him to pay off your mortgage. Ask Him to heal any disease. Ask Him for that new car that you need. Ask Him for peace in your life. Ask Him to remove the fear and shyness that prevents you from expressing your love to Him. Ask Him to show you how to pray. And then God will show you what to do. You need to believe it and then you can receive it.
Don't limit yourself to Sundays either! Sundays are a day of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord and attending church is vital. But the other six days of the week are perfect for putting his Word into practice. Be kind and generous to people you normally wouldn't associate yourself with. Be a lender, not a borrower. When someone brings up the Lord, talk to that person about God and how Jesus has made your life complete. I know Jesus has made me feel whole. I want nothing, for God has provided me all that I need.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
-Psalm 23:1
Furthermore, show true love and compassion for people. No matter who they are, God created them and loves them just as much as He loves you. I remember one day realizing this and when I did, it changed my entire perspective on life. I had a revelation that God wants us to pray for each other because He loves EVERYONE. Yes, that includes murderers, rapists, thieves, and other criminals. God weeps for them because we were all born to be followers of Christ. He weeps for victims too. He loves EVERYONE. So pray for everyone and love everyone. Don't hate a single human being for what they have done. Hate what sin has caused them to do. Turn away from the desires of the flesh and look to the awesome power of the Holy Ghost.
It is through the Holy Ghost where one can truly achieve a Christ-like life. Since receiving the Holy Ghost, I look at each person a little more carefully now. This means when I am paying attention to the leadership of the Holy Ghost, I treat everyone with love. In my recent blog entitled "Love Thy Neighbor," I explained how I try not to exclude any person from receiving the same treatment I give close friends and family. It's hard to explain how I feel but just imagine having a deeper understanding or compassion for each person and who they are. The only way to truly know what it's like is to live it.
I urge everyone to seek more than just knowing about God. I urge everyone to read their Bibles and treat what you read as a training manual for how you should act. Live like Jesus did. Don't be greedy, don't be jealous, don't be apathetic, and treat each day like a great opportunity. A great opportunity for what? To put a smile on another person's face; to give someone else something they could use that day whether it's a friend to lean on or a friend to laugh with. Don't exclude people because they "don't fit in." Instead, find out why you "don't fit in" with them! Let your heart do the talking rather than your mind. They always say, "think before you speak." Well, I am here to tell you to, "pray before you think and then you may speak."
Believe in and walk with Christ and God's amazing love will be manifested in your life.
For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
-St. John 16:27
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
-Romans 13:14
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