Live It

Make 2014 a year for sharing

“For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.” – 2 Peter 2:21

With the day before you thoughts shift to the true purpose.  Is this all there is?  In the next 17 hours am I going to make an impact in the world or am I going to just go through it?  What will those around you remember about your contribution to today?  Did you wake up to do something other than what you did yesterday?  Who is going to benefit from your contribution to society today?

Most of us get up in the morning and prepare for the busy day ahead.  When you really step back and think about what you are doing with your time, who is truly the benefactor of your contributions?  The company you work for, your family, your friends at the bar or perhaps even yourself.  Tonight you’re going to come home, change into your jammies, watch a little TV and then climb into bed.  When your head hits the pillow, will you have made a difference, or will you have simply participated in the dreams of someone else.

Today is your opportunity to do something greater than anything you have ever done before.  Why aren’t you excited about it?  Why aren’t you willing to do something different, something amazing, something that would improve the life of others?  Are you afraid of change, fearful of risk, unwilling to take a chance or simply content in the monotony of the life you have been given?  Life was never intended to be mundane.  You had dreams, you had visions and desires to pursue life without abandon and conquer the world.  Where did those dreams go, where did that person go who wanted something more?

You’ve chosen your path in life and you are making choices every day to continue on this path or to do something greater.  The world is really messed up and the majority of us are perfectly fine sitting on the sidelines complaining and waiting for someone else to solve the problems.  In essence we have become complacent and accepting.  We are so engaged in our own fear of failure that we are unwilling to stand up for what we see all around us.  We have become content and immune to the evil that surrounds us on a daily basis, while our addictions to pop culture and political correctness grow.  We are callous to the news and media, because it is all negative.  Abortions, murders, drugs, adultery, scandals, pornography, perversions and the like are just another part of life that we’ve become oblivious too, because we are more concerned about our own existence than that of those around us. 

This is not new, but it is more widely accepted in today’s culture than it has ever been in the history of the world.  We have hardened our hearts to what goes on outside of four walls called home.  We have chosen to turn a blind eye to the ugliness of the world and press on with our comfort and prosperity.  I am asking myself this one question today: “Is it worth it?” 

He died so that I could have life.  He chose to take the beatings, the ridicule, the torture so I could have a life worth living.  Because He chose to die on my behalf, shouldn’t I be doing something worthwhile, with what He provided me the opportunity to do?  Giving my life to Jesus Christ, meant taking on His presence, His purpose and His love for others.  It meant turning from the evil in this world and through Him bring peace, love and righteousness to those around me.  I read the Word every morning and dwell on it, but once the leather cover is closed again, life has a way of taking over and His presence is once again pushed behind the priorities of this world. 

Shouldn’t we be living out what the Good Word says we should do?  Have we truly come to a place where the Holy Bible has become just another piece of media, or is it still considered the Holy Word of God Almighty.  If you like me, agree in the later, then isn’t it time to wake up and do what it says we ought to do?  I’m tired of living for man, aren’t you?  There is so much more to do with this day than just exist in the same mundane way you existed yesterday.  Find a purpose bigger than your immediate perspective and change the world with the love and guidance He has given you.  LIVE don’t just exist.



© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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What Are You Doing Here?

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” – Mark 8:31

“He will not make it through the night”, the Doctor told the family in the waiting room.  One by one they filed into the room for their goodbyes.  As the boy’s father stepped to the edge of his bed, he grabbed his son’s hand and began to encourage him.  “You’re going to be okay.  We’ll beat this, you just hang in there and do what the Doctor’s tell you.  Soon we’ll be back on the bikes and riding trails again.  I love you son.”  The tragic accident, several weeks prior, had left the son in a coma with significant internal damage, and the father with several broken bones, cuts and bruises.  At that moment though, the father would have given anything to take his son’s place or reverse time.  Staring into the scarred and bruised face of his 17 year old son, he broke down and apologized profusely.  “I’m so sorry.  I’m sorry, please forgive me.”

We are all going to face a situation where we are not in control of the outcome.  The Lord gives life and the Lord takes it away.  Most of us would never sign up for a specific date for our death if given the option.  Let’s face it, it is the one inevitable event in life, and yet very few want it.  With the realization that this life will end, we are given the opportunity to prepare for it, and prepare those around us as well.  For the most part, when death comes upon someone, a believer, their future is nothing but glorious wonder in the presence of our Savior.  There is nothing sad or fearful about it.  The sadness remains for those who are left here with the memories, the hole in our heart and the longing for one more hug or smile or “I love you.”

Jesus has told you exactly what will happen in the coming days, months or years.  Just as He told the disciples at Caesarea Philippi of His coming events, He has told us.  Just like Peter though, many of us refuse to believe that it will truly happen.  There is this small doubt in the back of our mind telling us that this life we have is comfortable and good enough.  We accept that Jesus walked the earth, died and rose again.  We accept that He is the Son of God.  Yet, we struggle to accept the rest of His word as truth.  Why is that? 

We spend our time trying to control what Jesus is capable of doing in our lives.  We realize what He has called us to do, but we shape it into actions that are easier and more in line with our objectives in life.  Just as Peter rebuked Jesus in front of the disciples, (Matt 16:22) “And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall never be unto thee.”   We are doing the same thing.  Even though it is clear in His word what we should be doing, we are telling Jesus, “I know you have told me the truth, but I am going to do it this way.”

If we took the scriptures literally and actually lived by the Word of God, what would this world look like.  If we truly understood and followed His call on our lives, how much more effective would we be in this world at bringing people to Christ and eternal life with the Father.  Death would become a celebration for the soul moving on to be with the Lord, rather than a mourning of our loss.  I challenge you today to begin to live as if you were dying.  Who would you want to share Jesus love with if you knew you only had 1 week left?  Is sharing Jesus love with the world even on your bucket list?  If not, why not?  Are there more important things you need to do in this life?  Just something you should contemplate over the weekend.  

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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Help them See

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." – Romans 10:16-17

It’s frustrating at times to see the word that I hold so dear fall upon deaf ears.  I cannot recall a time when I did not believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Oh sure, there have been many days when one would look at my life and say, “What a hypocrite”, and they would be 100% right in their assessment.  One of the very reasons my faith is so strong is the simple fact that I cannot live without sin in my life.  As hard as I’ve tried to live the perfect, peaceful, righteous life; I’ve fallen short every single day.  At best, I may make it 10 minutes without some unrighteous act or word or thought, and then I’m right back in my humility of relying on His grace and love again. 

I’ve often had the intent of reaching out to a few of those, whom I know do not have faith in God, and shake them until they saw the light.  Fortunately, for me and for them, calmer heads prevailed and patience endured.  I have learned from my quiet moments with the Holy Spirit in the morning that you cannot force God’s love upon someone.  It is something that must be sought after and found.  It is not a check box on an application, but an acceptance of something that is everlasting.  There will always be those that refuse to accept the sovereign authority of God Almighty, and view His loving presence as a set of pressing rules and guidelines for their life.  The pride and arrogance of these individuals separate them from the reality that they are in need of salvation.

This is why it is important for you to always be ready when the Lord opens that door of opportunity for you to share His love.  In each of our lives we will have struggles, pain, resentment and sorrow.  This is not unique to the Christian life, this is common across all of mankind and always has been.  There are times when you will need to present the love and grace of the Father to someone who is lost and struggling to find their way.  I cannot tell you when these events will happen, but they will.  Being prepared though is your responsibility.  Being in the Word daily, to hear His guidance and love; and familiarize yourself with His teachings will be essential when the opportunity comes up, and it will.  It might be your spouse, your children, your family, your co-worker or your friend, and you will be given the opportunity to share His love with them.  Don’t be unprepared, don’t be caught off guard.  Be ready to stand for Him when you see those around you falling down in their own attempt to survive life.  You be the witness and help them see.     

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
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