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| "It's Time To Talk"
Ryan Warren
I have people I care about, many times, I care about them so much I can't put them into words. Man I love my family. Do anything for them. Move. Embarrass myself. Give them anything I have if they needed. Kind of that saying that, "If they told me to jump, I'd ask them, 'How high?'" Then there are the ones outside of my family.
Friends. Ok I'll say it, and many of you may feel the same way I do about some friends. I could name a few right now. Matt Miller. Brad Allen. Dan Murray. Kolby King. Martin Pittman. Danny Cullins. Kyle Farley. These are a few of the people I consider family. The same things I'd do for my family, I'd do the same for these and others.
One of the best things about having people like this is that whenever I need to talk, (that happens a lot with me...) they are always able to listen, most often without being bored out of their mind, and give me the advice, or comfort I am searching for. A huge resource these people are in my lives, and I praise my Creator for putting them in my life.
Without a doubt the single greatest thing I share with these people, is the connection I have with them through Christ. What a blessing. That they are to me and I with them. The relationship I have with each of them is grounded on a base of Godly example and influence.
I was thinking just today about how much I love these people. Then it occured to me, that I also have people that I "love" that don't know today where they are going to spend eternity. If i asked them, "What's in store for your life after this time here on earth?" I doubt they could tell me. I know some of them could for sure. My heart was broken. Just the thought of me saying and feeling an emotional love for them, and letting them get closer to hell each day than heaven broke me. Why havent I done something? Why had I continued to ignore the thing that meant more to them and me than anything. Eternity.
I was suddenly at a loss for words to express the realization I made. If God had not spoken as quickly as He did, my entire day would have been the way the past 5 minutes or so had gone. Assurance, inevitably followed. I loved the way He put it.
"I can promise you this, if you pray for the salvation of your friends, I will hear your prayers and be overjoyed. Prayer will be your source of strength and motivation, Use it."
Thanks. That's all I could say. Then it hit me. In a way, I was still had quite a bit in common with my friends and relatives that didn't know Christ intimately yet. The same God that created me, and fellow believers, also created my other friends. The one who did not know Christ, and had not given their lives to Him. Just as God desired for me to choose Him, He also longs for everyone else to do that. We have been given more than a mission, our own friends eternities are at stake. It's time to choose. Time to truly be concerned with our friends.A concern like none before, a true one. It's time to pray and act. Time to let God use us to resuce our friends from the direction they're headed.
In the book of Colossians, in chapter 4, verse 2 through 6; it gives a bold challenge and an awesome promise to those concerned about the lives of people around us.
"Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah- for which I am in prison- so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should also be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person." (Colossians 4:2-6)
Devote ourselves to prayer? Be thankful in it? Open doors? Prison? Be wise about how I speak to those who don't know Christ? Know how to answer each person? Stay with me on this, I promise it's worth it. You will see the effects of doing this when your friends and family's hearts are changed...
If you pray to God that He use to change their lives, and are pointing to Him throughout the entire thing, I promise that God will hear the words you speak and the feeling in your heart, and will begin to place a burden and a longing in the hearts of the people you care about. God desires to bring all people to Him. They are His creation and He loves all of them. Through prayer, it will be easier to open up to these friends and family members and share the message that God has for them and the plan He has for them.
Each person is different. The one thing that every lost person has in common, is that if they don't know Christ, they will not be able to experience the everlasting life reffered to in the book of John. Even though we may not know exactly what eats up each person daily, what they struggle with from the time they wake up until the time their head hits the pillow at night, we know that they truly do not have a true hope for tomorrow or the rest of their lives, until they experience and know Christ. This is motivation enough. It's time to help the people you love, and with God's inspiration and guidance, you can.
It's worth it. You can see that just in the passage of scripture. If people are willing to sit in jail, and still be concerned with the lost people of the world, and sit on prison and praise the God that is in control of everything, the least we can do is to forfeit our selfishness and let God use us to reach others. Each of you have the luxury of not being thrown in jail for sharing your faith. Some people in this world must live with those circumstances. Not you. Share. It's time to help. Help.
That's just what each one of those friends and strangers, as well as mine are saying. "Help!" Even though they may look like they have it all together, what they have is meaningless unless God is a part of their lives, and they have chosen to believe in His son. With every look they give you, it could even be a smile, they are asking you to help them. I would rather hear their plea for help now, when I can do something about it, than for them to cry out while they are seperated from us in Hell, painfully crying out... "Help!"
I know for sure I don't want them to be in Hell and say, "You knew... you knew all along. You knew what would help me and keep me from this... and you never said anything. Day in and Day out... you casually spoke and joked around with me, played sports with me, watched movies with me, came to see me in the hospital, cried with me, learned with me, ate with me... and you never said anything..."
I can think of nothing more tragic and heartbreaking than for our friends and family to continue dying on this earth, and be facing an eternal death and we not introduce and prove to them that there is a hope out there that they need and long for...
It's time to talk. It's time to help. If the time is now, go pick up the phone. If the time is now, ask to meet them somewhere. If the time is now... prove that you love them.
Prove it. Pray that God change their lives. Don't let one more day pass. Help them... Tell them. Speak... Let God speak to them for the first time through you...
May you be strong and may God use you to do great things here on earth as you win souls for the heaven that awaits us!
The Bread Has Been Broken,
Ryan M. Warren
1 Peter 5:8-11
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| "In Our Corner: Real Life Wrestling"
Ryan Warren
The other night, I found myself doing something totally rediculous, and yet somehow, learned something from it. I was eating dinner, and browsing t.v. channels, a few friends sat down, and before you know it... we were submerssed in the terribly fake world of wrestling. I know. Believe me I know. We figured out real quick just how absolutely hilarious it was that we could see just how fake it was. After getting a laugh or two at the terrible acting, and for lack of a better word, unbelievable physical activity, we decided to stop the maddness. We talked for a while about how it looked so much more real when we watched it when we were younger. It was so easy to see that many of the punches didnt connect, (which was probably a good thing), it was easy to tell that every time one of them opened their mouths, that it was rehearsed and scripted. Really, really unrealistic.
Then last night, essentially the same group of friends were just talking and watching different t.v. shows, I had the honor of being in charge of the remote. I was flipping... ok, no Room Raiders... No Lizzie McGuire... No Home Shopping for us... oh wow. I stopped and I think mine and a few buddies of mine jaws dropped. Two guys were literally beating each other senseless. Ultimate Kick Boxing. It's called "Pride" fighting. These guys were small, one was like at least 6'4'' 245, and then other guy was about the same size... so they were pretty small guys. Right. The went at it for a span of about 6 seconds or so, it was a highlight reel, and then one of the guys left hook totally landed and left his opponent on the floor. I guess you could say there was a winner.
I decided right there my calling wasnt to be an Ultimate Kick Boxer. I stand right at 6 foot. I weight all of 173 pounds. Needless to say, there is a good... more than a good chance I would get destroyed. Actually, I can pretty much gaurantee that with one hook to the side of my face, my next stop would be the ground. I can live with that, not having to pound gloves with a 6'4'' fighting machine. Yea, I can live with that.
On Wednesday, I got out of my only class that day around 10 or so. Called my mom and we talked a bit. I walked around campus, went and got some food, then made it back to my room. I wasnt happy. I told her I was tired of this already. Tired of my room, tired of the routine I had already found myself in. She gave me some good advice, and we got off of the phone. I wasnt happy. I tossed my phone on my bed and retreated the best way I knew how. I sat down on the floor. I wasnt happy. To say the least, I was about to destroy the rest of my day by making the choice to give in to not being happy with my surroundings and my agneda for the day. God had shown me that I was being destructive. I dont enjoy being upset, but I just wasnt in a good mood. I had my own Fighting Machine that I needed help dealing with. He wasnt 6'4'' 245 pounds, he was a master of deception and corruption. He had studied my weakness, and was exploiting it. And he had me right where he wanted me. Down. Down on myself. Down on what the events that were meant not for him, but rather to show him yet again, that he had already lost the fight he was trying so hard to win.
Passage from the New Testament ( I John 1:5-2:6)
The goal and mission of Chirst was to destroy the power of the devil. He lived in the same world as we do today. A world where there are people who doubt, lie, cheat, steal, are sexually immoral, and take the lives of others. As far as those type of people existing are concerned, not a lot has changed. Jesus' message was one to show a better way. A way that would allow people to stand against and resist the power of Satan. The Sunday School definition would be something like, "Embracing Righteousness, and Denouncing Evil." Taking a firm hold on Christ and the guidance He gives, and by doing that, you can loosen the hold that sin and Satan has on certain aspects of your life. That's why the life of Jesus was one of a Redemtion Plan. Thats why there is such a warning and description in First John in the New Testament. Walking along the side of the one who has conquered death and struggle and fear. Took the sins of the world on and triumphantly won, desires to win every day in our lives....
Facing a monster? Maybe he's not 6'4'' and weighs more than the car you drive everyday, but he's there. And youre not winning. Maybe youre outnumbered. Maybe you are backed up in the corner and there isnt anyone behind to support you. Your in the circle all alone and battered and bruised. Your head hurts. Your hands hurt, legs are give out and your heart is breaking. There's someone who wants to be on your team and help you out in the fight.
If youre a Chirstian already, and like me, find yourself struggling and you try to come up with your own answers sometimes, and you already have Chirst on your side and all you have to do is ask for him to take over... do it. Dont try to take on the opponent by yourself. You wont win. You'll be broken, dissapointed and unsuccessful. Ask the same God who created and saved you to take over the battles you have. Walk in the same Light that is reffered to in First John. Your time is now to conquer the pain that is in your life, dont continue to dwell in it, be set free by the partner on your side of the ring. You are both battling the same adversary. You, I, and Chirst as well. The battle has already been won in the setting of eternity, but the daily ones are the ones you keep falling short of simply because you do not want to ask for help. Youre on the ground so ask for Him to pick you up and battle the rest of the way together....
The Bread Has Been Broken,
Ryan Warren
1 Peter 5:8-11 | | |
| "The Heart of the Problem"
by: Ryan Warren
I read a story the other day about a girl who was at her back door at her house, the girl was like 6 or 7, and she was looking out into the back yard. Her mother was upstairs and the child was alone, and with them being the only ones in the house, the mother said she felt safe giving the little girl some freedom to be downstairs for all of about 45 seconds she said. The girl was at the door, when a dog came up to the back of the door and, being the innocent girl that she was, thought that letting the puppy in would be a good idea. Before she opened the door, she only saw the puppy as being small, harmless, and abandoned.
The mom returned from upstairs only to find her daughter on the ground by the door crying and holding her hand, and a dog running on the back porch. As the mother noticed foam on her child's arm, and foam from the dogs mouth, she knew that it could only be one thing. Her daughter, in less than a minute managed to get rabies from the seemingly harmless dog. The mother was terrified.
I can only imagine what the little girl thought. What looked like a harmless situation turned into something big. She could even see the dog on the other side of the screen door and still had no idea of any harm coming to her. Imagine the shock. I would venture a guess, because I can remember how intellegent I was with dog diseases at that age...(right...) that the little girl had no idea of the danger and harm the dog could possibly cause, and eventually did. There is so much truth in this story, that I couldnt help but learn a lesson, from the mother, the daughter, the dog, and the other elements of the story.
Most of the trials in my life that I look at are ones that I have almost myself created with underlying motives. Many times the heart of the problems in my life, are a direct reflection of the problems in my heart. I'll say it again, for my benefit and yours, The heart of the problems are usually problems of the heart.
If I tell a lie, what is the underlying motive? Fear? Bitterness? Rebellion? Control? Pride? Honestly, it could be one of these things are it very well could be all of them. When a parent yells or screams or physically abuses their child, or someone else, what is the underlying motive there? Anger? Self-Rejection? Heartache? Abandonment? Once again, cuold be all of them, or just one. For the person who wraps themselves up in sexual sin and promiscuity, what is the foundation there? Perversion? Self-Hatred? A love for the world? Lust? A third time, could be all or just one.
There are different weaknesses for different people, however, they all have one thing in common. They all have underlying factors that influence such behavior. A person doesnt cannot just blame their actions based on their action alone. No, absolutely not, their are pillars of deception and hatred amongst everyone of them that seeks to destroy and individual, and ultimately, their lives.
There is a passage in the New Testament that deals with problems such as these. It's found in Chapter 10 of the Book of John, and in verse 10. Here it is.
(translation from The Message)
"A theif is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better than they ever dreamed of..."
Interesting how far away and oppositte the two forces are. I love how plain and simple the words are used to show the truth of it. I love the word real in that passage. Real, opposing such thoughts as stealing, killing, and destroying.
For just as that dog was outside the house and the little girl had no knowledge of danger, he still presented it. Danger and harm were still there, whether she knew it or not. That dog was uncapable of being something good for that girl in the state that it was in. With such a sickness as rabies and no shots, that dog presented nothing good for that little girl. The girl lacked knowledge and was taken advantage of because of it. God says in Hosea 4:6 that "My people are destroyed because of their lack of knowledge..." As children and people of God we must carefully watch the doors we open in our own lives, as well as others. Surely there must be some way for us to be able to gain knowledge of threats aimed against us so that we may be able to combat them and flee from them, never allowing them to take a hold of us. There has to be some way.
When you look back at John 10:10, it is important to take in the warning of what the thief (Satan) comes to do. He is in an all-out state to do nothing but tear you down and rip you apart by using those things. There is a way to return form those things, and there is a way to gain the knowledge needed so that surprises on the other sides of doors will not take advantage of you easily.
Maybe youre like that little girl and you just, dont have the knowledge or awareness of the problems at the door of your life, and you give into it because it looks harmless... Then you give into it and find yourself cornered and alone... dealing with something you think is way bigger than you... and it tears you up and beats you down...
Because of there being an advocate for us in our time of struggle and trial, we have the ultimate tag-team partner in our corner. God, in the form of His word. Because He took form as man and cam to this earth and lived the way we are supposed to, we have an example to live by. We also have his word to assist us when we need help figuring out what it is we truly need to be striving for.
Just as the underlying motives lay out for the sins and dissapointments in our lives, such is the case when succeeding on this earth too. When we win daily in our lives, we win by doing things of God. In opposition to sin, and defeating motives...
When a person has peace in their life what is it because of? Having love and compassion for people just as Christ did here on earth? A trust and hope for the future and all of eternity? I know some of my best days are when I think of the ultimate outcome that is for this world and all of eternity. When someone Experinces restoration and a fruitnfulness in their life, what is it because of, what are the underlying concepts of it? I truly believe that when we are in full submission to the plan and will of God, (we gain this through prayer and a Godly lifestyle), we are able to show joy, peace, hope, faith, and righteousness. Then, relationships are more honest, gentleness is easier to come by, and acceptance in our lives is filled within us.
I don't know what it is in your life that makes things hard to deal with on a daily basis. Maybe you have struggled with a sin, or lifestyle long enough and you are ready to be done with it. You cant take it anymore. Enough is enough. But you have some underlying problems that you cant uproot and get out of your life. You cant shake the stronghold that has become that part of your life, and it's killing you, day by day, and it doesnt make you happy. It tears you apart. Is it the way you talk to your friends? Do you lay awake at night, thinking of all the lies you told just in that one day? Are you in a relationship that isnt healthy and its causing you to disrespect yourself? There is a way to get out of it, a way to change what youre going through. I promise it will help. God gives us a unique and sure-fire way to get out of the mess and stronghold we find ourselves in. Through a full submission of that area in your life and a longing to gain knowledge through His word, I gaurantee that you will be able to come of of the grip you find yourself in. Don't hate yourself for what you have done. Just know that God, has created a way for you to escape from it. All it takes is a thirst to know Him more, so He can direct where you need to be headed... closer to Him.
The heart of the problem is a problem of the heart... I pray change will happen in your life
The Bread Has Been Broken,
Ryan M. Warren
1 Peter 5:8-11 | | |
| "Toys, Strangers, and Walking the 'Right' Way"
By: Ryan Warren
I was walking to my first class I had this morning and realized I had no clue where I was going. Here I am, I've been on campus for a whole semester, and still dont know where the Math and Computer Science Building is at. You can imagine how much like a stooge I felt. The only thing I could do is call a friend. I called one, they didnt pick up. I called another, they didnt answer either. I just keep walking, thinking that I might just find it miraculously. I kept walking towards the University Center and about 3 minutes after I made those calls, my phone rang. Thank you...
After He and I had a little laugh at me, he gave me some directions as to how to get to my class, and sure enough he was right. I trusted him, and look where it got me. I owe him one. Got there on time, and now I know how to get there everytime.
I looked back at that little story just played out this morning and remembered a time when I was 6 and in almost the same position. Only in Wal-Mart. You can probably guess where this is going...
The trip to Wal-Mart started out great. With a promise of a toy and standing on the edge of the shopping cart while she pushed it. I was pumped of course. I remember asking if I could go to the toy section (my favorite) and start looking. I remember her saying, "I don't know if that's such a good idea, but if you want to, then go on ahead. Be careful. I'll be over there in a minute"
I was off. Out of all of what she said, I remember, "Then go..." I heard nothing else. I got to the toys, the whole beautiful mess of them. G.I. Joes. Ninja Turtles, Batman, Superman, He-Man, all sorts of men. Then, I traveled over to the Legos. Now, I wasn't too impressed with some of them because they required a lot of planning and work, where as the Ninja Turtle would have taken 2.3 seconds to open, and maybe less than that to break... yes.. I'll admit, I made them do some crazt stuff...
I was there in the toys probably a little under 10 minutes when I decided that I was going to be my own super hero and go and find my mom and try to surprise her with me finding her. That's where I went wrong. I headed back to where she was before, she wasnt there. I lowered my eyebrows and started back to where I was... (checking out different things on the shelves as I went.) I made it abck to the toys knowing she'd be there. No mom. No sign of her. I remembered in a G.I. Joe episode that my favorite Joe, "Duke" was tracking "Dr. Mindbender" and Duke tried to sniff a scent out of the air to see if Mindbender was close. Although it worked marvelously for Duke, little Rhino was a little unsuccessful in his attempt. (didnt see that coming...)
I couldnt find her. I stood there. Arms crossed. Head down. Trying to think. But I couldnt. I couldnt think of anything else other that the fact that I was in a whole mess of toys, and at Wal-Mart and I wasnt happy. I wasn't happy because the only thing I wanted to find wasnt a G.I. Joe, or a new Batman action figure. I needed my mom. Just like I needed that College class 13 years later...
I was stuck in the middle of that ailse. (now sitting down... lol). Then a voice. "Ryan Warren your mother is at the front door waiting on you." I glanced up. I noticed I wasnt the only one in the ailse, so I tucked my head down and began walking with it that way out of there, (i only managed to knock a few toys down I remember.) Then after walking a bit, I realized... "Where's the front? I don't know where the front is from here." So I just stood there. Until, just like this morning, someone who knew where I needed to go showed up for me. I remember him. One of those Wal-Mart Greeters you see up at the front. "Well son where ya headed, you look a little upset," he said. "Where's the front? My mom's up there." Thats all I said. Apparently, this man realized that I was serious, a 6 year old, right next to the toys needed something other than that.
I made it to the front. With the help of the man. My mom didnt say one thing when I got there. I walked up and she just smiled and said, "Ok, let's go." As if nothing had happened at all. What a relief. No lecture? No talking to? Nothing at all? Sweet. Even though I still felt bad, I was glad she didnt say anything like that. And to my knowledge, she never, ever did.
Paul in the book of Romans talked about such an experince, and what God had to say about such things in accordance with who He was and is. Take a look at this:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
Well thanks Paul. Don't set the bar too high will ya? When I first read this verse today for the first time in a while, I said, "Yikes. That makes a little sense, but what EXACTLY does walking according to the Spirit mean today? I chose to look at this way.
When one walks in the spirit, they possess certain qualities. The Holy Spirit enables believers to
1) Stay on the right pathway 2) Make the walk step-by step
3) Be aware of distractions 4) Understand why we are here and where were going
When I looked at each of these after reading in the Bible more and more I realized how closely me being lost these two particular times could have been paralleled when applying these steps. These, are things I need to make true in my own life. Day in and day out.
I should have just stayed with my mom the whole time, and waited for the time where I could go and check out the toys, even if it meant taking her along. I should have waited, then I wouldnt have lost her in the first place. There was my first mistake...
When I went to the toys, I enjoyed myself for a while, then grew bored. How often do we go and experience things that we feel will deliver the ultimate at the time, and then we are let down? I can think of nothing more tragic, and usually, those things are seperate from God. Or in my case at 6 years old, my mom...
When I headed back to find her, what did I do? I let everything on the shelves distract me from what I knew deep down that I needed. How scary it is to know that even thogh we can realize what we need, Satan is still going to try to keep us away from finding God. Or in this case, the "cool" things on the shelf kept me from finding my mom...
Had I stayed with my mom. I would have never been able to feel a sense of being lost. Even if we both were in a part of the store and she didnt exactly know where we were, I still would have felt fine. She provided security. She provided me with a sense of belonging, because I was with her. Nothing else would have mattered. But it was my own selfish desire to flee from here and travel to the toys. Being with God in all situations can help us to know EXACTLY why we were created. To have a realtionship with Him and be loved by Him. Nothing else matters.
Have you stepped away for a while and tried to experience something you thought would deliver the ultimate? Any doubts about why you are here or why the things you emphasize only bring you emptiness? Upset? Is your head down, in the middle of the ailse where everything you "knew" would bring you happiness and it has let you down?
Trust me there is a way to the front of the store. Christ. Whether you have never accepted Christ, or you've been a Christian since you were a little guy like I was in the store, if youre hurting, if youre lost, if you want to find purpose. Look to Christ. Just as that man in Wal-Mart showed me how to get back to my mom, Christ can show you back to your Father....
Give up the shallowness that you have made your life. It's never too late to change directions and make a committment to the God that created you, loves you and has a purpose for your life...
The Bread Has Been Broken,
Ryan Warren <'))))><
1 Peter 5:8-11 | | |
| "Christ Rose From the Dead: Accept It"
Part 1
by: Ryan Warren
I remember a time when I was in the 4th grade. Now, keep in mind, I have never been able to sing as good as Mark Schultz, or even either one of my dogs... (sad but true... I usually just hum or pray for whoever is about to speak...), but there was a time where I came to the harsh reality of it. I recall singing in a choir at church when a buddy of mine leaned over and said, "You know, you could just move your mouth and pretend to be singing..." I was pretty upset about it. But I still did it.
That's when I stopped singing. It carried over. Carried over into church. I did'nt sing in the service anymore. Just stopped. I carried on doing that for a while. What was so hard for me about the whole thing was that as much as my singing talent lacked... I loved doing. I loved the way you could express your thoughts and prayers through song. I still totally feel that way. But, I was crushed everytime I went back to that way of thinking, that I should just move my mouth when I was going to sing. I still deep down desired to sing because I remember how happy it made me when I did. I just couldnt do it...
One of Jesus' disciples went through something similar to this. The same disciple who once said He would die for his teacher (Jesus) ended up losing desire for that and denied that same person 3 times. Heartbreaking. I can only imagine someone doing that to me. "Ryan, you are probably the best friend I have, can I do anything for you? Is there anyway I can prove that I truly want what's best for you?" And then the next day when someone asks them how they could get a hold of me, that same person who proffessed our friendship, tells them they don't even know me anymore.
Even more heartbreaking than that, a member of Jesus' inner circle of disciples betrayed Him. Went against everything that Jesus had taught on love, and faith, and resistance of evil.
The rest of the apostles ran as fast as they could, to get as far away as they could. They were scared. They were in a sense, thrown into chaos. The very thing that had brought the Message of salvation had been taken from them, beaten, and put on a cross, and now in a grave... How hard it must have been to experience a heartbreak such as that...
There is a better ending to the story besides just that. Just as there is with my views on singing and worship today. A chapter in the story dealing with a fufillment of a promise.
In the book of Acts (5:29-32) in the New Testament, it talks about the bold stand taken by the Apostles after those hard times they faced after Christ's execution. Take a look...
"Peter and the Apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the same one you killed by hanging Him on the cross. God set Him high on his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to those things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey and accept him, corroborates (makes certain) every detail."
Peter and the other Apostles who spent a few days mourning the loss of their closest friend and teacher, weeks later were found defending the very thing they had denied. Interesting. What could have caused such a change? What made them take a 180 degree turn away from the thoughts they had and choose to defend the one thing that had brought them more hope than anything else...
Fufillment. Fufillment of a promise. Fufillment of a statement made a time ago to them. Jesus predicted His own death and came into this world for that very reason. The Apostles were dramatically changed upon seeing their Savior, and ours, risen from the dead. Jesus made Himself known to many people after His ressurection. More than 500 people witnessed Him alive after being put on a cross and thrown into a tomb.
Believe it. Christ rose from the dead. There is too dramatic of a change in too many people's hearts and lives then and now not to believe it. The same people who denied knowing Him after He was taken from them, defended every word that He said for the rest of their lives. Devoted themselves to that very purpose. Christ made everything real for them. He explained the importance of faith and believing in one very powerful stroke of beauty. He conquered death and fufilled His promise...
I now sing more and love music more than I ever have. More and more each day. I stopped "mouthing" while singing when I was in the 9th grade. All thanks to someone who explained to me that God desired for me to sing with everything I have. Whether I, or anyone else thinks it's good or not. Someone made it real for me. He put aside all of the doubt and denial that had been placed in my heart years before then. And now I can boldy say that because of someone fufilling that in my life, I can relate to Peter and the rest of the disciples...
So whether you're like Peter and the Aposltes... and for a couple of days you felt dissapointment and doubt so severe that the thought of it completely broke your heart... Or you have struggled with something for years... I urge you to look at the power of the Risen Savior and the promise that He made to you and I both... He said He would raise again and conquer death and He did... He does every day the sun rises and His promises are more confirmed with each time I pray or reflect on Him...
The Bread Has Been Broken,
Ryan Warren <'))))><
1 Peter 5:8-11 | | |
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