Saturday, November 7
At the beginning of the week, I shared a story about the 2004 Presidential election in Ukraine. I hope it was a reminder to pray for peace in that country, and especially for our partner church, Salvation Church in Poltava. But back to the story: Slowly, thanks to their deaf neighbors, people in that country began to realize that they had been deceived. But once they knew, they had to choose how to respond. They could have said, “It’s too cold to go stand in the streets. And what if I’m arrested or even killed? Besides, I’m just one person. What good could I do?” Today, perhaps you are realizing for the first time that you have bought into the world’s values and messages, but that there is a better way. Now the choice is up to you.
If you’ve never given your life to Jesus, I don’t want to minimize the monumental nature of the decision I am asking you to make. I know it’s scary to walk through a door into a room you’ve never been in before. You may be wondering if you can live the Christian life. You may be wondering how your friends are going to feel about your decision. You may be afraid of any number of things. All I can tell you is that Jesus IS the door. This world has stolen life from you for long enough. Come in today and experience abundant life.
Then there are people who have made a decision at some point to follow Christ, but they don’t feel like their lives are abundant. Perhaps that resonates with you. Years ago I read the story of two newlyweds, Doug and Sylvia Whitt. They got married in small-town Illinois and spent their first night together in the nicest hotel in town. They got in late at night after the reception was over. They noticed that the bridal suite looked awfully small. There was a lamp, a sofa, and some chairs, but that was it. No bed! Then they did some more detective work, and discovered that the sofa folded out into a bed. It was very late (and they had—ahem—other things on their minds), so Doug and Sylvia decided not to make a big deal about it. But the next morning when they woke up with sore backs, Doug decided to speak to the front desk. He gave the poor desk clerk an earful. Then the clerk said, “Did you open the door?” Doug went back to the room. He opened what he had thought was a closet to find a huge, beautiful bedroom, complete with fresh flowers and chocolates.
Too many believers never fully experience abundant life because they don’t grow. They walk through the door of Jesus and say, “Okay, I’m saved.” And that is that. But in order to experience the fullness of abundant life, you have to pursue Christ. You have to grow in Christlike character. You have to learn the joy of worship. You have to establish fellowship with a church of believers. You have to find your unique ministry and do it with all your heart. Is your life abundant? If not, come to Jesus and let Him show you the life you were born to live.
If you are already experiencing that abundant life, be grateful for it! And sing along: Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
