Renewed Perspective

Today, I'm asking for your involvement. As I told you Sunday, one cannot go on a mission trip and not be changed, but one also cannot hold back praise when God works in one's life. To keep it to ourselves would be "beside the point." God has really impressed several things on me lately. Number one...His Word is alive and active among us. He is up to something! Number two...He is looking for us to be real. I may be blunt in saying this, but I'm a little tired of people coming to church just for what it can do for them. I hear, and yes...even at LifeSong...some say how they won't come to such and such event if it doesn't meet their needs or if it isn't in their realm of interests. As the old 80s saying goes, "well, gag a maggot!" Let's be challenged to live beyond that, ladies. How about let's get out of the mindset of what the church can do for us, and let's just start being the church. In the end, the result will be more abundant than if you are depending on your activities at church to make you feel good. The end result will be lives changed for the glory of Christ. I have talked about it before, but people are just looking for what is true and genuine if you call yourself a Christ-follower.

This morning, on the Today Show, a man spoke of his personal journey to find out why religion is so divisive, when it is supposed to be the chord that binds us together. He was challenged by a trip to Africa where he saw people giving their whole lives up just to see that one person might have a chance at life...a better quality of life. He said, in the end, he discovered that we here in America care more about being right than being genuine in our love. He, at the end of the interview, summed it up in a nutshell.
He reminded us that Jesus told His disciples that the greatest commandment is to "LOVE one another." (Does this sound familiar to you, LifeSong?) His challenge was to have us as a nation return to that. You know what the ironic thing is? This man was not saved. He is just a man searching for truth as to why Christians aren't real in what they say they believe. Ummm! That ought to shoot you square between the eyes. He really spoke words of truth, except for this. He did not talk of relationship with Jesus as being the difference. It's no wonder why. If Christians are showing no more than religion, then we are failing. We must be showing relationship, because certainly if we do, we would be showing love, right? Chew on that a little while will you?
I said chew on that! Don't read any further until you ask God if that was a word for you.

Number three...I believe that God is calling us to be change agents. We can't do that unless we have been changed by the One who gave His everything for us. He "loves us with an everlasting love," ladies. Doesn't that just wash over you like a refreshing spring? I can love ANYONE because of that great love.
I tell you...Being on mission in Las Vegas changed me. Maybe you don't care to hear about it. That's ok. I am always amused by the fact that if someone doesn't share your experience, then they really don't care much about what happened to you or what you learned. Not a problem. We share it anyway because we brag on the One that did a work in our lives. I want to celebrate with you when God changes you. That is what life is all about. We must share Christ's victories. We must thank Him for His great mercy and grace. What is Christ doing in your life right now that you want to thank Him for? Maybe He's given you victory in a particular area and you want to share it. Now's your chance. Write us here at AROMA and tell us how God is using you or working in you right now. We'll post these testimonies and have us one big "Thank You Jesus" party! Come on now. Write us and let us rejoice with you. Please specify if you would like to remain anonymous, and when describing your situation God is working in, use discretion in sharing names or places. We will proofread these for content before posting, so email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net We are so excited to hear what God is doing in your life!