Stop what you are doing and listen

A modern disciple is called to believe without having seen. This requires trust and conviction. It may even be a higher degree of faith than those who saw, and believed. Today's follower is also given the responsibility to investigate His Word and find the facts, then to transfer the fictional and unlikely imaginations of men, to their proper place…in the trash bin.

In John 15 Jesus describes discipleship, thinking not to elevate his own position; He elevates the Father's position. Why? Because that is how you are to present His message. Throughout His ministry, He does not glorify Himself, but glorifies the Father. This is one of the lessons a follower learns. Do not seek glory for yourself, but glorify only the Father which is in heaven. You, as a follower of Christ, testify that the Son brought forth the Father's message of Good News and that freedom from sin had arrived. Until then, sin had remained. No matter what the sacrifice was, it was no good before God who is fully Righteous and perfect. Therefore, a perfect sacrifice was necessary. A sacrifice of flesh, in that the flesh must be eliminated (fleshly pursuits rejected) in order to gain righteousness and forgiveness of sin. Mortal man could never ever attain this.

So the Truth stepped out of His dwelling and entered human environment to become the penalty for sin, Gods son being the perfect sacrifice in the flesh which God required. What did The Father say when Jesus went to John to be baptized? "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Likewise, you must also give a sacrifice: a giving of time, compassion, understanding, assistance, alms to the truly needy... "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you". John 15:16

How much love do you have for your neighbor? How faithful are you, if you deny service to others? What is service? Personal giving is not something that restricts you, or is a burden to you, but rather it is a freedom that most people today do not know. Your life is so complex and busy, that you forget how to give unselfishly. But the Lord watches you, without blinking!

The next time someone calls with or speaks to you of a need, be a follower of Christ and stop what you are doing and listen. HELP your neighbor, friend, relative or even a stranger. It will be counted to you for righteousness to bring the Love of Christ into another person's life......and you never know; that one act of random kindness and love can make all the difference in someone's life. It is the Lord's Presence within you that seeks those you may help....and He will bring them to you in your path, so that you may demonstrate your testimony before others.