As we approach the New Year, I want to share that you all are important to me and to my family. Whether we are close acquaintances or connected through a group I care for and love you!
A while back I asked God how I could best serve Him. Trigeminal Neuralgia and Migraines now limit my interactions outside the house and on the internet. But guess what? God doesn’t give a hoot how believers reach the world for Christ, just that they do it.
God’s reply was simple and direct, “Testify!”
“15 And then he told them, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16 (NLT)
If you know me, it’s no surprise that I am excited for Christ’s return! I am not afraid about what’s to come because of the presidential election, etc. My forever future is based on knowing our Abba Father is in control; not politicians, false religions or dictators.
In 2017 I encourage anyone who claims to be a believer of Jesus Christ to pick up their cross and follow Him. Please, please don’t keep your faith in a box collecting dust. Trust God to use you for His glory. And don’t expect others to do the job that you signed-up-for when you accepted His gift of eternal salvation. I believe we are each qualified to use our talents and spiritual gifts to testify about Christ’s unconditional love. Nowhere in scripture does God tell us to sit on the sidelines and sing, “Kumbaya My Lord.”
As my fav songwriter, Rich Mullins wrote:
Faith without works….
It’s about as useless as
A screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain’t happenin’
One is your left hand
One is your right
It’ll take two strong arms
To hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose
Just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show
For your alleged faith
James 2:14-26 (NLT)
So, this believer is going to be more vocal about her faith online and that includes social, political, national and international events.
Undoubtedly, some of you will dislike my posts and I’ll lose your friendships. Although, that saddens me, I won’t forfeit my love and relationship with Jesus Christ.
“15 But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 New Living Translation (NLT)
Friends, I can’t emphasis how much God loves us, but perhaps this Bible verse can.
“16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NLT)
Praying that each of you have a blessed 2017!
Love always,
Linda
Linda Wichman 