This is the devotional I shared with our group of guys during our spring break mission trip:
Standing out For Christ
Think about all the people you've ever come across during your lifetime. Now think about how many of these are truly different and unique from the rest. The majority of people in our society can basically be lumped together into the same group. 99% of the people we encounter in our lives will be about the same, being people that are caught up in chasing the world and all it has to offer: money, fame, sex, drugs, alcohol, material possessions, etc., looking for happiness in all the wrong places. John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. They either fail to realize or refuse to believe that there is something greater out there, and that is a relationship with God. Their God set path is being blocked and prohibited by the temptations of the world and many will find their way through the gate of destruction. Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." They fall for the lie that the world is continuously telling us, this being that the instant pleasures pleasures these temptations provide can fill that empty void in their life and in their heart. Now we consider the remaining 1% of people, the ones that truly stand out in faith and belief, soaring above others like an eagle. Isaiah 40:31 "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." These are the light providers in a world full of darkness. These people stand out fearlessly from the crowd without hesitation because of fear of what others may think or say. They trust what God is placing in their hearts and give Him total control over their life, never going a moment without Him in their hearts. It's not doing things that intentionally draw attention to yourself, or purposely trying to be different from the group. It's simply a different motivation for your life, the LOVE of God that allows one to stand alone with Christ when the world is telling us to do otherwise. It effects the way you live your everyday life, and gives you the ability to carry yourself in a Godly manner without the fear of persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." While the world is constantly trying to pull us into that 99%, we know that God hand crafted each one of us individually to be world changers. 1 John 4:4 "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." If someone can find it within themselves to trust the path God has them on then they will receive an abundance of blessings, happiness, love and peace. Proverbs 28:20 "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." They will witness miracles just as we have this week and be taken to heights that even the most expecting failed to consider possible. With man impossible is a reality, but our God turns unrealistic into reality and doesn't let the realm of possibility limit what He can do and what His followers can do. Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Everyone is looking for a way to fit in but God's children were created to stand out. Once you've opened your heart to God and given Him total control over you life, many things that you once thought we're important in your life will quickly diminish in value. Today's world is caught up in the words on social media, the money in bank accounts, and the brand name on your clothes. These are things that define success in the world, but in Gods world the only way to success is through our savior Jesus Christ. So don't fear standing out for Christ and if God is placing something in your heart then go with it because He makes no mistakes. "Psalms 118:6"- one version says mere mortal, because as followers of Christ we are more than human, we are walking reflection of the light and live not for the world we currently live in but to glorify the world we will eternally live in. The absence of fear is the presence of God. We as the 1% have to continue to act out in faith so that we can eventually turn that 1% into 2, 3, 5, even 10%, and make it our mission to drag as many souls as possible through the narrow gate of life. For example there's two men on this trip that I spent time with for the first time that exemplify what it means to stand out for Christ. Frank Gaskins has no fear when it comes to spreading the word of God and acts with his heart and not his mind. He has every reason to be home enjoying a great living and being an average person and Christian. But it's obvious to see that Frank's passion for salvation burns deep within and that there is simply something different about Him. What's really different about Frank is that he doesn't care what the world thinks about him and blocks out the negativity surrounding him so that he can spread the positivity, which is the Love of our God. Michael Jackson is also a perfect example of being that 1%. He's made mistakes in his past, but at some point opened the door which Jesus had been knocking on, letting him into his heart. He's now got a life devoted to helping others improve as people and Christians, knowing that it's ultimately about sowing as many seeds as possible in the fertile soil of Gods love. Michael stands out amongst a crowd simply by letting the light shine through his infectious smile and personality. A guy once told me everyone's trying to be a tough guy, but if you really wanna be a tough guy then serve for The Lord, pray when you feel the need, even when the world says it's not okay in public, use social media as an outlet for Gods word instead of a place for individual attention, spend time reading a Bible and not Internet gossip, how about not having sex until your married. With this being said look no further than Frank and Michael if you need a true role model, modern day Biblical figures who use their gifts to change the eternal destinations of others, and no further than the group on this trip for the 1% that can change the fate of this world one soul at a time. This trip has been unbelievably inspirational for me, and even though the mission was to change the lives of others, which definitely did, it has helped change mine as well and strengthen that relationship with the most important person in all of our lives. The moment when one of those prisoners raises his hand in faith and salvation is greater than anything money can buy or any athletic achievement you can gain. My hope is that everyone in this room as well as all 92 men that made decisions in the various prisons don't let fear keep them from standing out amongst the crowd and continuously act In faith, leading countless others to salvation. Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"
Standing out For Christ
Think about all the people you've ever come across during your lifetime. Now think about how many of these are truly different and unique from the rest. The majority of people in our society can basically be lumped together into the same group. 99% of the people we encounter in our lives will be about the same, being people that are caught up in chasing the world and all it has to offer: money, fame, sex, drugs, alcohol, material possessions, etc., looking for happiness in all the wrong places. John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. They either fail to realize or refuse to believe that there is something greater out there, and that is a relationship with God. Their God set path is being blocked and prohibited by the temptations of the world and many will find their way through the gate of destruction. Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." They fall for the lie that the world is continuously telling us, this being that the instant pleasures pleasures these temptations provide can fill that empty void in their life and in their heart. Now we consider the remaining 1% of people, the ones that truly stand out in faith and belief, soaring above others like an eagle. Isaiah 40:31 "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." These are the light providers in a world full of darkness. These people stand out fearlessly from the crowd without hesitation because of fear of what others may think or say. They trust what God is placing in their hearts and give Him total control over their life, never going a moment without Him in their hearts. It's not doing things that intentionally draw attention to yourself, or purposely trying to be different from the group. It's simply a different motivation for your life, the LOVE of God that allows one to stand alone with Christ when the world is telling us to do otherwise. It effects the way you live your everyday life, and gives you the ability to carry yourself in a Godly manner without the fear of persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." While the world is constantly trying to pull us into that 99%, we know that God hand crafted each one of us individually to be world changers. 1 John 4:4 "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." If someone can find it within themselves to trust the path God has them on then they will receive an abundance of blessings, happiness, love and peace. Proverbs 28:20 "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." They will witness miracles just as we have this week and be taken to heights that even the most expecting failed to consider possible. With man impossible is a reality, but our God turns unrealistic into reality and doesn't let the realm of possibility limit what He can do and what His followers can do. Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Everyone is looking for a way to fit in but God's children were created to stand out. Once you've opened your heart to God and given Him total control over you life, many things that you once thought we're important in your life will quickly diminish in value. Today's world is caught up in the words on social media, the money in bank accounts, and the brand name on your clothes. These are things that define success in the world, but in Gods world the only way to success is through our savior Jesus Christ. So don't fear standing out for Christ and if God is placing something in your heart then go with it because He makes no mistakes. "Psalms 118:6"- one version says mere mortal, because as followers of Christ we are more than human, we are walking reflection of the light and live not for the world we currently live in but to glorify the world we will eternally live in. The absence of fear is the presence of God. We as the 1% have to continue to act out in faith so that we can eventually turn that 1% into 2, 3, 5, even 10%, and make it our mission to drag as many souls as possible through the narrow gate of life. For example there's two men on this trip that I spent time with for the first time that exemplify what it means to stand out for Christ. Frank Gaskins has no fear when it comes to spreading the word of God and acts with his heart and not his mind. He has every reason to be home enjoying a great living and being an average person and Christian. But it's obvious to see that Frank's passion for salvation burns deep within and that there is simply something different about Him. What's really different about Frank is that he doesn't care what the world thinks about him and blocks out the negativity surrounding him so that he can spread the positivity, which is the Love of our God. Michael Jackson is also a perfect example of being that 1%. He's made mistakes in his past, but at some point opened the door which Jesus had been knocking on, letting him into his heart. He's now got a life devoted to helping others improve as people and Christians, knowing that it's ultimately about sowing as many seeds as possible in the fertile soil of Gods love. Michael stands out amongst a crowd simply by letting the light shine through his infectious smile and personality. A guy once told me everyone's trying to be a tough guy, but if you really wanna be a tough guy then serve for The Lord, pray when you feel the need, even when the world says it's not okay in public, use social media as an outlet for Gods word instead of a place for individual attention, spend time reading a Bible and not Internet gossip, how about not having sex until your married. With this being said look no further than Frank and Michael if you need a true role model, modern day Biblical figures who use their gifts to change the eternal destinations of others, and no further than the group on this trip for the 1% that can change the fate of this world one soul at a time. This trip has been unbelievably inspirational for me, and even though the mission was to change the lives of others, which definitely did, it has helped change mine as well and strengthen that relationship with the most important person in all of our lives. The moment when one of those prisoners raises his hand in faith and salvation is greater than anything money can buy or any athletic achievement you can gain. My hope is that everyone in this room as well as all 92 men that made decisions in the various prisons don't let fear keep them from standing out amongst the crowd and continuously act In faith, leading countless others to salvation. Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"
