Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PUZZLE (05/28/20)
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TITLE: My Longest Lasting Conundrum | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jim Harrison
06/03/20 -
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I also realize that not everyone will internalize the Good News, which is Jesus Christ, and open up the door of their hearts. For me, this has been a puzzle of life, this free gift from the Son of God. It's my prayer that the unsaved will recognize that it's time to get RIGHT or get LEFT before it's too late.
When I first gave my life to my Lord Jesus Christ, I was all in. Yes, I indeed saw the light, and my eyes opened, and everything appeared brighter. I was going around as if I was a "Human Dynamo," a forceful, energetic individual, and this force I applied turned out to be the wrong approach. You see, I had not asked to be led by The Holy Spirit, and that was a terrible mistake. Even as a new convert, I should have realized that this was the wrong tactic and one that I should relinquish from my Christian Experience. I was sincerely puzzled, and it became difficult for me to witness for a day or two. Finally, I called upon L.C., the man who nurtured/discipled me in the faith, he was always there for me. L.C. became my new Christian Life Coach in the faith.
A small group of other men who were at various levels in the faith and I were meeting in L.C's finished basement for Bible Study. I spent my first seven years learning how to dig out those nuggets in the Word of God.
Between our Pastor, L.C., and other godly men, I continued to stay grounded. Well, I'm not perfect; there were times when I needed to be pulled aside by L.C. or another godly man that I respected would say something like you need to check yourself. Even to this day, I have an Accountability Partner. One of the things that I was asked, " What kind of disciple (follower) of Christ do you aspire to be? At this stage in my walk with Christ, I wasn't sure how to reply, all I remember is my mind started racing. I was told that three types of Disciples followed Jesus: 1- The Curious: Wanted to see Miracles; 2- The Convinced: They believed in his works, but they were not truly engaged; 3- Committed: They knew Jesus was the "Christ" - "The Son of God..." Our only way to Eternal Life. Now this question deserved an immediate and yet a thoughtful reply from me.
In this life, if we are observant, we can see distress and hopelessness on faces. If we are about our Heavenly Father's business, He will nudge us as to who we should share the Good News with. Something to also recognize is that our God uses " Ordinary People," and that's You and Me.
Have you ever wondered how one draws close to God? I have been reading the Book of James continuously since April of 2020, and maybe I can give you an assist. I have concluded, at least for me, that I must be intentional about becoming a Doer of the Word of God and not just a Hearer. (1) I must Yield to the Authority and Will of God the Father. (2) I must be vigilant and not allow satan to entice nor tempt me, (3) I need to be aware of what surrounds me, in other words, what am I taking in because I wish to lead a pure life. (4) Recognize that when I take a moment to reflect on the things that I have done, my sins of the past, I weep, as I do feel heartfelt sorrow. (5) Lastly, I have come to learn that if I humble myself in the presence of the Lord, he will lift me up as in 1 Peter 5:6. You see, humbling oneself means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone. We must put the time in working with his power according to his guidance, not with our own independent effort. Even though I/We don't deserve God's mercy, he reaches out to us in love, and he gives us the importance and dignity, despite our human frailties. I sincerely wish that there was an easy answer to my puzzle as to why the unsaved are so stiffnecked.
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