Why The "Panicking Christian"?

Like most Christians, I occasionally find myself in a borderline, all out panic about something which I already knew, but seem to have forgotten or that I only knew in my head, as opposed to my heart. And mercifully, God decides to show me what is really going on or what it is that I needed to know, before I completely lose my mind.

So the writing within is just that. It is that which God has shown and taught me while I was typically in one of those times in my life. Since the way in which He has chosen to reveal things to me tend to be fairly easy to follow and understand, I am sharing them via this format. That said, I take no glory for any of this. It is God whom has given me the ability to write, and it is He who has given me the content to write as well and He who saved me by His glorious grace in the first place.

Friday, April 21, 2017

And Your Challenger...

Day 1

This challenge involves social media (Facebook, twitter, etc).

Today, you will start praying through your entire friends list.  Some of us have quite lengthy lists, so this may take more than a day to get through but I encourage you to continue at it until you have gotten through it at least once.

Pray for each person to be blessed - mention each one by name. Other things include (but not lmited to): that they come to know God, that He reveals Himself in new ways, that they feel His love for them, etc. Do not pray against anyone and try not to be overly specific with situations - leave God lots of play room/ don't try and limit Him.  If you come to someone whom you feel you have something in your heart against, pray to release them and forgive them.  Don't rush this - if you feel you are starting to rush along, stop and come back later.

This may seem kind of simple but you might be the only person who will be praying for <whomever> today, or ever, for that matter, so it is a bigger deal than you realize.  Also, You may think  that those in "vocational ministry" positions (pastors, etc) on your list have lots of people praying for them but that is not necessarily true either.

Day 2

One cannot underestimate just how much power there is in an unexpected encouraging word or kind action.   There have been lives changed, and even saved, due to the words or actions of someone unexpected or a stranger.  Today, you are going change lives.

As you go throughout your day, make an intentional effort to speak a word of encouragement or kindness to someone and I want you to do it for someone that you either do not know (at all, or well) or towards someone you feel does not deserve it.  Do not falsely flatter someone, just say something honestly nice.  You may also do something nice for someone. Something as simple as holding door open can sometimes make a huge difference. In addition to just "being nice", I want you to either add a "God bless you" or "God loves you" - because He does, and you are doing this as an extension of that as opposed to just feeling like being nice today (you are associating your words and actions with God's love as opposed to good manners, etc).  You do not, however, take it any further than that - there are no strings attached, after all.  God loves everyone - today, show people love; encourage them, say or do something that lifts them up and makes their day a bit brighter.

Some suggestions for people, if your stuck:  cashiers, sanitation/janitorial workers, transportation workers, and, in your church, elders/deacons - all people who tend to not get shown much appreciation for what they do.  And do not stress out about mentioning God - a simple God bless you will suffice - baby steps, after all.

PS:  I also want you to make a point of doing this for someone very close to you as well - sometimes we can take people in our lives for granted.

Day 3

Someone you know - immediate / close family or friend - has something wrong. It might be something small, like a headache or it could be something bigger. Should they mention this thing when you are together (physically) sometime over the next 24 hours, I want you to ask if you can pray for them. If they know you, they will likely say "sure" and expect you to maybe remember to pray at some point for them. But I am not asking you to do that. I am asking for you to ask them if you can pray right then for them and, should they agree, I want you to reach out, and pray for them, then and there.

Maybe you step out and do it and the headache (for example) stays. At least they know you actually prayed for them, since they were there for it. Then again, maybe it goes away ... that changes things a bit, for both of you.

The Final Challenge

Here is your final challenge:  keep doing these.

None of these things - praying for people both in private and in person, encouraging people and sharing God's love, forgiving people and seeking His leading - are odd or over the top - they are all normal, practical Christianity.  Unfortunately, we sometimes can find ourselves lulled in complacency and start believing that if we go to church now and then, or a Bible study or even post "inspirational" pics on social media that somehow we are living our faith.  That is not quite true.  Our God is active and alive, therefore, our faith should be as well.

So yes, keep doing these things as often as you can - even if you do have to stick to doing them on day 1, day 2, etc, the important thing is that you start, and continue, to do these things.

May God bless each and every one of you and give you wisdom, insight and boldness as you do each (or any) of these challenges that have been set before you this day.

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