Coaching at RashidatO.com | Social Activism at Whereveryougolove.com
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Our ministry host was adamant to advise us that people of the Philippines already know Christ. Immediately he challenged us to figure out how to inspire a lasting conviction that is based on a relationship with Christ.
Once upon a time, there was a group of people who decided to travel the world together. They wanted to share with all whom they met that they had learned of a treasure that was greater than all treasures yet found.
Early in their journey, they met a group of people who had interesting behaviors.
“Excuse me. Excuse me! What are you all doing?” we said.
“We’re airplanes!” said the group.
“What? Just because act like an airplane and raise your arms and make zooming noises doesn’t make you an airplane,” we explained to them.
The group shrugs and gathers to think about what we told them, be decided to continue on our journey. As we started to walk away the group starts again with some very unusual behavior.
“Ummm… Hello Friends! What are you doing now?” we said.
“We’re chickens!” said the group.
“Hmm no that doesn’t work either. Just because act like a chicken and you flap your arms like wings and make cuckoo noises doesn’t mean that you are chickens!” we explained.
Again the group shrugs and gathers in a circle to discuss what we told them. We turned to continue our journey, but immediately the group starts acting weird again!
“Ooookay! What in the world are you doing now?”
“We’re crabs of course!”
“Just because you act crabby, walk sidewards, and clasp your hands doesn’t mean that you are a crab.”
The group shrugs and gathers in a circle. We start moving before they have even gathered, but it didn’t matter because immediately heard…
“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”
We turned around to see people running in circles around the group and others getting head on the head with Bibles and falling on the ground. Our jaws drop at the sight!
“Wooow!!! And what are you all doing now?!?” we said.
“We’re Christians!” said the group.
“Covering your shoulders and knees, speaking “Christian” words, and talking about God does not make you a Christian!” we explained.
Frustrated the group asked “so what DOES make us Christian?”
We got some food and asked them to sit down. This was our chance to share our treasure with them!
“To be a Christian, it to be like Christ! Jesus Christ did not go around worshipping Himself. He didn’t spend time doing religious activities. He did not condemn people and He did not put on a show.
Jesus had and modeled how to have a relationship with God.
First, He loved God. He accepted God’s love. And He generously shared God’s love with any and everyone who would accept it.
Second, He grew in relationship with God by communing with Him. He prayed and listened to God.
Third, He submitted Himself to God’s Lordship. God walked alongside Jesus through all His life, through His ministry, and through His sacrifice. God gave Jesus direction on how to live His life and Jesus walked in a lifestyle of obedience to God.
We are Christians because we accepted the gift of salvation from Jesus, but we also submit ourselves to the Lordship of God.”
The group thought about it and pondered the question “are we doing in these 3 things?’
We did this skit for the students at the university and challenged them with a couple follow up questions…
Are you just reciting the words and performing in ways that you have seen other religious people do?
Do you have a relationship with God where you ask God for guidance in your life and willingly submit to anything He asks you to do?
If you have the option between a yummy pizza and some delicious popcorn which would you chose? What if God asked you to choose the option? The Devil does not get us in trouble by asking us to choose between good and evil. Instead, the Devil cunningly tempts us with something that is not inherently bad, but it is the opposite of what God is asking us to choose at that time. When God asks us to choose Pizza we should not be choosing popcorn. We should be submitting to God’s will and choosing pizza.
Even though this was a message for the students, how are you doing with this?
If you can’t say yes to these questions or conviction is setting in, consider dedicating or rededicating your life to Christ. He wants you. The fact that you are reading this means that He intentionally wants you to think about this; He is pursuing you. I would like to walk alongside you as start a committed, uncompromisingly life with Christ. Please send me a message! I’d love to talk!
#WhatBreaksMyHeartInThePhilippines #Philippines
