Overcoming the World

How many times do you feel pressured into doing what everybody else is doing? Does your life revolve around keeping up with those around you? We live in a fast paced world, that demands all of our time, are you finding it hard to keep up? Why don't you try being different from the world, do things God's way. Don't hear me wrong I am not saying when you follow Christ that you won't face any problems, in fact Christ says the opposite. He says in Luke 14:27 that "whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." The faithful follower Peter states "let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (1 Peter 4:19) We are called as Christians to live a life different from the world, are you? Are you different from the world? Listen to what John says "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17) Are you overcoming the world or simply conforming with it.

Concern For the Lost.

How often do you share your faith with others? Are you concerned about the lost and unchurched people in the world? There are people all around us that need to hear the Good News that the gospel teaches, "That while we were sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). As Christians we are commanded by Christ to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20).

Christ is counting on us to take His message to all the nations, to the ends of the earth. If you are a Christian you should have a great concern for the lost people around you, those that work with you, those that live in your town, state, country and world. Christ had great concern for those that were lost. So many times we count on the pastor or a select few in the church to bring others to Christ, but it is the duty of all Christians. We should all be striving to become more Christ like and that means that we ALL should be taking the gospel to everyone and every country.

How I can help? What can I do? These are questions most of us face when looking at the number of unreached people in our world. There are lots of things that all of us can do. Here is a list of just a few things that we can do.

• PRAY- pray for those that are lost, pray for those that are on the mission field, pray for God to send workers to the nations.
• Give- you can give money to mission programs such as Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong. You can also give to your local mission centers like Pregnancy Care Centers.
• Get Involved- You can go to the nations, let God use you to deliver the Good News to the lost people. You can get involved in local mission projects, donating time and talents to your local missions.

People are waiting to hear the Good News, they are waiting for someone to tell them about the love of Jesus. Will you tell them?

For more information http://www.imb.org/main/default.asp