I applaud all the BRAVE women on the Rahab side of the story! So many brave ladies have crossed my path lately. Like Rahab these brave women have been stepping out and trying to follow Christ. Maybe you are one of them because you are going to a church for the first time, moving to a new city, stepping away from a wrong relationship, protecting your children, overcoming an addiction, starting a Bible Study or making career adjustments just to follow Christ. It can be difficult, but like Rahab…God sees you, loves you, and has big plans for you. Be Brave!
Sometimes it is hard to know…are Christians actually “for” anything? We seem to make such a reputation for ourselves about what we are “against” more than showing God’s love. We seem to forget that God loves people and accepts them at the point they come to Him. He doesn’t ask them to get cleaned up and be perfect before He loves them. He accepts you just the way you are, but loves you so much that he won’t leave you there…just like Rahab!
It amazes me daily the way God’s Spirit draws people to Him…in spite of how we (Christians) act! Sometimes when we have been a Christian a long time or in church forever it is easy to be tempted to become a “holy huddle”. Look around you and your fellow Christians…would it be easy or hard for someone new to feel accepted and loved. Would they have to change their dress, attitude, social status, race or language just to talk to you? Even wilder…would you knock on their door? Do you go out of your way to make others feel comfortable? Do you watch for the "Rahabs" and go the extra mile to befriend them? If not, why not? Here’s the challenge…Be Brave. Make a shift. Look for it. Jesus came for ALL of us and let's face it...hung out with sinners.
Be Brave – whether you are on the Rahab or Spy side of the story – Be Brave! We all have the free gift of GRACE and need to show it to others! God has big plans for all of us and wants to use us in mighty ways…Be Brave!
Sometimes it is hard to know…are Christians actually “for” anything? We seem to make such a reputation for ourselves about what we are “against” more than showing God’s love. We seem to forget that God loves people and accepts them at the point they come to Him. He doesn’t ask them to get cleaned up and be perfect before He loves them. He accepts you just the way you are, but loves you so much that he won’t leave you there…just like Rahab!
It amazes me daily the way God’s Spirit draws people to Him…in spite of how we (Christians) act! Sometimes when we have been a Christian a long time or in church forever it is easy to be tempted to become a “holy huddle”. Look around you and your fellow Christians…would it be easy or hard for someone new to feel accepted and loved. Would they have to change their dress, attitude, social status, race or language just to talk to you? Even wilder…would you knock on their door? Do you go out of your way to make others feel comfortable? Do you watch for the "Rahabs" and go the extra mile to befriend them? If not, why not? Here’s the challenge…Be Brave. Make a shift. Look for it. Jesus came for ALL of us and let's face it...hung out with sinners.
Be Brave – whether you are on the Rahab or Spy side of the story – Be Brave! We all have the free gift of GRACE and need to show it to others! God has big plans for all of us and wants to use us in mighty ways…Be Brave!
JJ
2 comments:
Love what you said about what Christians are 'For' and not always just talking about what we are 'against' - soooo true! Also love the term 'holy huddle'! You are good! Man - this time last week I was waiting on you to get here - bummer - we miss you!
ya know, i am so glad i am part of my church...
i brought my friend to youth group...well, lets just say...she's "different"...she's kinda goth, emo, punkish...and everyone accepted her and loved her and she fit right in!
i wonder, though...what we would do if she had just wandered in without me there to guide her through, ya know?
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