God is WITH us!
God would have Christians do His things and experience the blessing of His hand, His favor and power in our life. This is what the rise up life is all about.”
We must humble ourselves. We must open our hearts to God and ask Him to change our soul. God strongly supports this willing-heart. We are talking about letting an Almighty power impact our life for the better. But, we must expect and accept His new things.
It’s like the young man that stands just inside the border having entered a new country.
Standing just inside the border, he peers deeper into Christ-land. Full of wonder about this new beginning and yet a sense of apprehension about the familiar land he is leaving behind. He glances over his shoulder. “It was such a dark land,” he thinks almost out loud.
Turning again to his new destination, he begins to walk. Very slowly at first, one small step at a time, as a hope and joy begin to spread across his face. He’s remembering. He says out loud, “YOU are WITH me!”
Think of this young man as an immigrant. If he has crossed the border but he doesn’t understand the government of the new land, the principles of this new country, or what’s required to take advantage of the opportunities that are there, he will soon discover that his life hasn’t changed much as all. Not for him. Not that it couldn’t if the Land is a good land. This man may even begin to start looking to return from where he came. Not because the new land isn’t a land of promise, but because he didn’t get the memo– the full message of the truth of the gospel and the grace of God.
This should never be the case with Christians. For one thing, we have a guide–the Spirit of truth. This Spirit is WITH us representing God in the earth. We can honestly look toward heaven and say, “YOU are WITH ME!”
The story above is a picture of the NEED for DISCIPLESHIP for a new Christian or the one seeking MORE in their Christian life. This next step is based partly on what you heard when you gave your heart to the Lord. You should have heard that God will never leave you or forsake you. We are not on our own. Jesus said to his disciples during the time he was here, “I will not leave you orphans.” He speaks this to each of us today, if we are just listening.
You should have also heard that God will be working WITH you to change your life for the better if you will just get to know Him and do what He says.
Christianity should hold a big promise in your heart of a better life both NOW and LATER.
Christianity, or what the Bible calls being “in Christ,” is going to change any pilgrim who stays plugged into the relationship with God. This will normally take the form of a relationship with a Christian church and the continuing practice of hearing God for yourselves and doing what He says. Christian fellowship is the greatest encouragement along this path.
But “what exactly does all this mean for my life?” this pilgrim might ask. “What MORE does God need of me?”
You may have these questions now having just become a new Christian. Or, as I said before, you may have “missed the memo” 10 or 20 years ago, but you’re here now asking the right questions.
Also, many Christians, years ago, believed A LIE. They became convinced that their life was not meant for MORE than a life of suffering for Jesus sake. Jesus does not need us to suffer for His sake. Persecution? Probably. Suffer the voluntary loss of short term physical pleasures? Most likely. But God does not intend His children to have a life without blessing and joy and the ability to make others sit up and take notice of how good He is.