Pastor John E. Russell
Senior Pastor
Downriver Christian Community Church
Melvindale, Michigan

Friday, April 15, 2011

What's Your View?

Every one of us sees things differently. Some see the glass as half full, and some see it as half empty. It all depends on our attitudes, our perspectives, or our way of understanding things. Let's take a moment and ask ourselves how we view our world. Is it half empty or half full? Is it good or bad? Getting better or getting worse? Can we make a difference or not? Should life be enjoyed or endured? Is there a purpose to life or not? I could go on and on comparing the opposite ends of the spectrum, and I'm sure there are many people who would find themselves on one end or the other - or somewhere in between. A lot will depend on our worldview - whether we believe that God is real, in control, and ordering events or whether life is purely controlled by chance and we are just accidents of nature, wandering about with no purpose and no destination.

What's your view?

The culture we live in is shouting out loud and clear that God is either not real or not involved. We are told that right and wrong are whatever we say they are. We are told that we came from nothing and are going nowhere, that no one way of life is better than any other, that animals and even plants are just as important as people are, and that the government is our provider and protector. And the list goes on and on! These are the times we live in.

Do we see how contrary today's views are from God's Word? We, as a society, are so far removed from God's standards and God's truths that if someone were to study the popular culture of today, he might not even recognize that God ever existed.

What's our view? Where do we get our viewpoint from? The only place that is safe and that won't lead to disaster is God's Word.

When we start to to take God's Word seriously, it may seem like we just came from another planet, at least compared to our popular culture. Sometimes we may feel alone, but let me let you in on a little secret - we are not alone! Not only is God with us and not only has He filled us with His Holy Spirit, but there are also other believers everywhere around us. God has strategically planted His people everywhere, and each one of us are one of those strategic plants, created to be used at just the right time to do God's work.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Others may not understand the times we live in, but we must. God's Word - His truth - is desperately needed.When we step up to the plate and interject God's truth and His love into certain situations, we can change the course of history in ways that may be farther reaching than we could ever have imagined! Don't think, "Oh it's only me, what can I do?" It's not only you - it's God in you - and we can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength. Don't sell yourself short, and don't sell God short!

Let me ask you another question. How much difference can one person make?
Think of:
Paul
Esther
Moses
Abraham
Joshua
David
Jesus
and so many more.

What's your view of yourself? Can you do this? Is it in you to make a difference? Do you have what it takes?

What it takes is God in you! Christ in you, the hope of glory!

I'm sure you can see that this world is in desperate need of help. Guess what....You're it!   You are the help it's been waiting for!

Go change the world!
Pastor John

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