Are we too nice? By Tim Pearson

Mark 3: Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. 10He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. 11And whenever those possessed by evila spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!”

This past week we have had been blessed with some excellent words by Richard Woods on knowing God in a more personal way, so that we are able to wait on Him to hear His voice, have peace, know that He always with us, seeking Him with all our heart and expecting divine appointments.

Our next week`s God`s word is going to encourage you to really take time out to hear God`s voice. This is a “must have” if we are to dig deeper in our relationship with Jesus and to take hold of the many promises He has given us, in living the lives that we are meant to live.

One of my concerns with the way that Christianity is heading in the UK is that we have become complacent, conformist, religious and frankly quite boring! There are too many rules and regulations (both inside and outside the Church) that have suppressed our expectancy that signs wonders and miracles will happen, just as they did in the scriptures. Are we not told to cast out demons, heal the sick and raised the dead! So why dont we see this happening?

Could it be that we living out a British version of Christianity, which is terribly nice, but not very effective? Jesus was not a nice guy; He was powerful, confrontational, challenging, direct, caring, loving, emotive, brave, humble, angry, peaceful, companionate, knowledgeable and awesome in His authority. As His followers, His present day disciples, should we not be pushing boundaries in our everyday lives and displaying the same characteristics as Jesus?

Just think what a different world we would live in, if the Church acted and behaved as Jesus did! I am not advocating a revolution in your Church, ( well not just yet!) but to ask yourselves; what could I do to change my life, my Church and become more like Jesus, and in doing so, live out my faith, so that the people around me know that I am a disciple and expect things to happen!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me if I have not stood on your word, lived out my faith as much as I know you have longed for me to do. Give me your strength, power and authority to make a difference in the part of this world you have placed me. Let nothing get in the way of fulfilling your plans and purposes.