Saturday, August 25, 2007
THE DIFFERENCE
What kind of difference can one person possibly make. Well that question is just what I want to dedicate this blog to. If you have any true stories about just one person making a big (or little for that matter) difference for the good I would like you to send it to my e-mail sherryd846@yahoo.com and if I like it I will post it.
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Since no one else is commenting or coming up with any stories about how just one person made a difference for the better I thought I would start it out with an example. JESUS! He was one person who through self sacrifice made a HUGE difference so that all might be saved. WOW! See what a difference one man can make.
I don't know if I have any stories...I might...I'll have to let you know if I think of one. Good luck!
Since I found this blog, I have been trying to think an dsee if I knew any stories about one person that made a difference. COme to think of it, I know several, and I can try to keep giving them to you if you only say the word!
Right now I will refresh your memory on the Church of God missionary Faith Stewart. She was a very sickly woman and no one wold allow her to go to her desired field of labor in India because of her health. But finally she was permitted to go, and alone she started the great work of rescuing little Indian girls from the temple brothels where they were married to gods such as rocks and others, and were victims of the wicked priest's passions. Many were saved, and who is to say that there is not a true Church of God in India because of her efforts? Later the mission board carnally pulled her from her field of labor and she eventually made her way to Cuba, where she opened homes for boys and girls, and today there are several congregations there and many here in the States are saved because of her efforts. One man and God can move the highest mountain!
I believe that we all make a difference in this world wether we choose to or know we are or not. It's just from our everyday decisions we make to reach out to someone in need, not passing judgement by first apperance, and always living by the golden rule. We can touch lives with just the smallest act of kindest, destroy them with the smallest act of cruelety. We all should all open our eyes everyday for the opportunity God gives us to make a difference for the good of others.
The Apostle Paul...who's job in life was killing Christians. Who, when on his way to Damascus to kill yet more, was spoken to by the very God he persecuted. The apostle Paul made a big difference when he gave his heart to the Lord that day, made a 180 degree turn in the opposite direction and spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior. It is because of Paul, as a willing vessel of God - who inspired every single word, that we have the word of God...our beloved Bible. Many peoples and nations can come to know the mind of Christ because of the apostle Paul's willingness to go against all odds, against all that people might say he could not, should not, ought not to say and do. I can guarantee that all the wonderful people that will be mentioned on this blog "The Difference One Can Make" will all have certain similarities: perserverance through persecution; speaking out and speaking up about what they know is right...and against what they know is wrong, even when people don't want to hear it; a willingness to serve others..a selflessness; a strong vision of the goal to be accomplished; a belief that it will all be worth it if even only one person's life is made better in the end. Is it not odd that all these characteristics are those of a Christian? I was asked the other day, "What do you consider a Christian"? I was saddened that people have to ask what a Christian is these days...but the meaning of the label is "Christ like". Sadder still...that the name is sometimes worn only over the heart..just as a label. Christ died that we could be called Christian by His Father...because it is what is truly in our hearts, not a name tag we wear on our coats. One person can make a BIG difference. Sherry wrote something very though provoking...and it goes along with the thought "One Person Can Make A Difference"...good or bad. If we say we are "Christians"...but our life shows that we are not "Christ like"...than we make ourselves a liar and we make Jesus a liar. The blog Sherry wrote that just fits perfectly with my thoughts is pasted here:
Taking the Lords name in Vain
I was doing my devotions to end my night with God. I had it put on me awhile ago that God wanted me to write a paper about taking the Lords name in vain. Well he brought that back to me tonight so I thought I would post some of the thoughts. I am going to write a paper and when I do maybe I will post it. But until then here are a few thoughts.
Definition of 'In vain'
a. without effect or avail; to no purpose: to apologize in vain.
b. in an improper or irreverent manner: to take God's name in vain.
When people think of taking the Lords name in vain the first thing they think about is saying "God" or "Jesus" in an improper way or as a swear word. Well I believe that that is part of it but what about going around and saying ' I am a Christian' and then lying to someone or about something or 'I Love God' then you go and steal something or go around gossiping and telling lies about someone. Is this not also taking the Lords name in vain? When we say we are a Christian we are professing that the Lord Jesus Christ has saved us 'from' our sins and that he lives in us. Do you think that Jesus would do these sorts of things? If he lives in us and we have HIS spirit then why would we do such things?
(Exo 20:7) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
God does not take these things lightly
Lev 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
Sual who later became the apostle Pual was taking the Lords name in vain without even being aware of what he was doing until Jesus came to him Read Acts 26.
Lets all be careful and make sure that we are not taking our Lords name in vain.
The apostle Paul did not know what he was doing was wrong, because he didn't believe in God...UNTIL, God spoke to him. When God spoke to him and Paul realized the gospel was true...he had two choices 1) Continue in his own way and have his 'own relationship' with God without having to follow EXACTLY what God expected everyone else to do or 2) Realize that God isn't playing around and God doesn't owe it to ANYONE to ask a second time, so you better follow now while God is still speaking to you. Thank the good Lord that the apostle Paul chose the latter and we can all have the Blessed Old Bible to grow in the good things of God and to get the mind of Christ! One person makes a difference. Let us all strive that the difference we make is for the good...and if it is not, that we would make a whole hearted change in our own lives...and start that 'better difference' with ourselves. Good question, Sherry!
God made a difference in my life. He took away my sins and I have never lied again.
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