God’s Love

 

Just a reminder this morning of how much God loves you. “For God so loved the world that the gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 – NIV)

 

How blessed you and I are because of this great love!

 

Today’s repeat blog post is a good reminder of how we are to share God’s love with others. Have a blessed day!

 

I’m a Candle

 

What I have found in a recent survey is that I have not successfully discovered how to use my own power to spread influence around the world. For the time being, I am a candle. Take a look at what was said about me.

 

“You are a flameperson of great potential! There is a power inside of you that is waiting to come alive! It may not yet have been fully expressed in the world but do not despair because your best days are yet to come!”

 

According to this scale, there is only one way to go. Up. I was below the mark…not too far that I can’t see the opportunity to become a “flame.” Just one point separated me from doing so.

 

So what does this really say about me? That I can’t do it on my own. I know that without God on my side, Jesus being an example and without God’s Spirit leading and guiding me, I wouldn’t be able to achieve a thing.

 

However, maybe this survey does help me to see that I need to push myself just a little bit more. Maybe I need to rely on God’s Spirit a lot more. Maybe I need to learn more. Maybe I need to have my spiritual eyes open a little wider. Maybe…well, just maybe I need to get out of the way and let God do His thing through me.

 

I don’t really want to be a “wildfire” in this world, but I do want to be a “wildfire” in God’s Kingdom. I want Jesus to shine through all that I say or do or believe or think. I want others to see Jesus in me. I want Jesus to be the wildfire that others are drawn to.

 

I may be content to be a candle or even a flame in this world, but when it comes to my faith in Jesus, I cannot be content with this low ranking. I don’t know how to actually analyze and come up with a formula to figure this out, but what I do know is that the Bible gives us examples of how we should live.

 

John the Baptizer lived in a way to point others to the Messiah. Some thought John was the Messiah, but his words proved otherwise. “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16 – NIV) I believe John was a wildfire for Jesus and that his words and actions pointed others to Jesus.

 

We saw a dramatic change in Peter after the Holy Spirit came upon him at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). In his address on the Day of Pentecost, Peter pointed the crowd to Jesus with words of repentance (Acts 2:38). Again, the Holy Spirit was able to use this wildfire Peter to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Of course, Paul was yet another wildfire who took the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul came onto the scene in Acts 9 with his conversion. From that point on, his life was focused on spreading the message of Jesus to anyone who would listen. His life was a wildfire for Jesus that could not be quenched by anything (Romans 8:38-39).

 

And why do you suppose these men were able to be wildfires for Jesus? Because they knew the Light of the world on a personal level. Yes, they had personal interactions with Jesus, but they knew who Jesus was. And we can have that same relationship with Jesus.

 

Jesus shared His Light with all of mankind. Listen to His words. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 – NIV) When we walk with Jesus, His Light shines in us and through us. In turn, we are able to be a wildfire in this world.

 

Even a candle can start a wildfire.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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