Devotional Thought
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Border Wars
Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” On the political front we hear repeatedly about the “Border Wars.” About illegals, crossing over into the USA, and trying to hide out here. Getting jobs and trying to “live the American dream.” The Webster’s Dictionary defines a border as, “a line of separation; the edge or boundary of something.” During my ministry, as a Pastor, I have met many people who have confined themselves to certain borders. For some, it is the relational borders of an unhealthy relationship. For others, it is the confining borders of fear. Perhaps the hardest to break are the emotional borders of a comfort zone. And for Christ followers, I have seen countless people confined within the spiritual borders of simply attending church and going through the motions of religion without ever experiencing the abundant life that a relationship with Christ should bring. The reality is [according to Christianity Today], there are more than 2 billion people on this planet who follow Jesus because Christianity is a faith intended to be lived beyond borders. The spreading of Christianity can be traced back to the final words that Jesus spoke on this earth which are recorded in Acts 1:8. He said, “But you will receive power, that is not your own power, but rather it is the Power you get when the Holy Spirit comes on you; then He Declares That YOU, will be MY, witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, Then, to the ends of the earth. In this one statement, Jesus made it clear to His followers that He did not come out of the tomb of death just to be kept within the borders of their own personal experiences or comfort zones. The same is true for us today. Jesus did not rise from the dead to be confined within the four walls of our church buildings. The Good News of His death and burial and resurrection should be shared with everybody, everywhere. The disciple’s life is a life beyond borders ! What borders have you built around your faith? Dear LORD, help me today as a believer and a follower, to cross the borders of my comfort zone, and Share the Glorious Gospel of the Good News that you are Alive and, you have gone through Death for our Salvation you were buried but you resurrected from the dead and have ascended back to the Father with your blood for our Redemption... but not for us only, but for the world. May I tell even today, someone who needs to know, that they can break free from the shackles of sin, and cross that border to live the abundant life. Thank you LORD, that I’m free from the border of past. Others can be today. Give me now the boldness to share this message and someone accept You today! Amen. Looking Forward Titus 2:14 |
