Shining As Stars Series

Now being a child of God; that should be different. That should not make us a bunch of spoiled brats, but children who respect the place given us by the King of kings and Lord of lords; a place in His Kingdom, a seat at His table, our names in the book of life. And even if the world is watching our every move, we should have no fear of what picture they may get, as long as we are behaving in a way that honours our name, CHRISTIAN, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances. Because not only is God watching us, but the world watches too.

Christians should stand out in the crowd for their good and moral acts of God’s will.

In fact, we should SHINE, like stars in the universe. Two thoughts here. First, that stars are almost innumerable. When I look up into a clear and dark sky, as my eyes adjust to the light I see not just thousands, but millions of stars; points of light in a sea of blackness. That is what we are to be as Christians, points of light in a dark and depraved world; points of hope in a world that at times seems utterly hopeless with all its wars and famines, disasters and fear of danger and points of refuge when people realize that the only truly safe place to be is in the arms of God as one of His children. A place that, even when everything around us falls apart; our health, our finances, our friendships, and other circumstances, knowing that we are here on this earth but for a little while, we get to spend eternity with God in His Kingdom, that brings peace to my heart, and it can bring peace to all of us.

We hold the word of life, not death; hope, not hopelessness; joy not sorrow. All in spite of living in a world filled with these things. We live in a world that needs to know that there are people who really care about the other people in this world, not just ourselves. They need to know that the church is not a building or an institution; it is the people of God, gathered in His Name and for His glory, not ours.

How far are we as Christians ready to go for Jesus? We as a church must be, like Paul and like Jesus, willing to go all the way, even to the point of death if it were to ever come to that, in order that God’s work is done in this city, in this country, in this world. If we won’t hold out the word of life, who will? If we won’t reach out to the helpless, who will? If the message of God’s love and forgiveness is not heard from this group of people, what message will this community hear? Who will tell a lost soul about Jesus if I am not willing to do so? What will people say about me, moreover what will God think of me? I need to be aware of the deep and desperate need of those who have not put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I need to do something, anything, in order to show someone that God loves them, and so do I. We as a church are charged with getting the word out to this community.

If we have anything to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, it is that we have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of the Father and the life we now live by His Spirit. The best gift we can give is to share that gift with someone else who doesn’t have it yet. Will we do that this Thanksgiving?