A Different Perspective Official Podcast

Sometimes, it’s the things that we can’t see, that can have the biggest impact on our wellbeing. Our blood pressure. Our cholesterol levels. The supernatural realm. All things we ignore – at our peril.

Fathers are funny animals. They want the best for their kids. But when their children rebel, when they don’t play the game, that blessing dries up quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

Let’s face it – life can be a bit dry. A bit on the parched side. Maybe we have an inkling that it shouldn’t always be like that, but somehow that can be so hard to believe.

It’s easy for someone to say, “You should be a blessing to other people.” But what if we’re too busy, or we just don’t have anything to bless other people with?  Really – then what?!!

One of the things that Jesus always managed to do – was turn everything on its head. Love your enemy, is just one of his startling sayings. And the same is true, when He talked about God’s blessing.

When we hear someone talking about God’s blessing, it’s easy to think “You beauty” – and we unroll our shopping list for God. But if we want to experience God’s blessing, we need to understand how He works.

They say that God is a God of Blessing. Hmm. So how come there’s so much suffering in the world? What went wrong? How come I have to suffer? Where’s God’s blessing then?

They say that God is a God of Blessing. Is He? I mean – does God really want to bless you and me and if He does, how does that happen?

It’s one thing to be an Ambassador of Christ – that’s what those who believe in Jesus are called to be. But there are Ambassadors …. and then there are Ambassadors. You know what I mean. And the thing that makes the difference – is what’s going on in their hearts. In fact, it makes … all the difference.

When we have a need – a real need – something we can’t do or fix or resolve for ourselves – what we need, is a helping hand. And if we get that helping hand – the person who’s attached to that hand, well, they go up in our estimation. They earn the right to say things that others can’t to us. Funny thing happens through a helping hand.

Have you ever met someone and … all they do is talk. They never seem to stop long enough to listen – only to figure out what they’re going to say next. They’re … well, boring.  Sometimes I think though when we’re telling others about Jesus, we think we have to be like that – all talk.  If only we could learn to preach with our ears.

If someone believes in Jesus – they’re called to be an Ambassador of Christ. Now – the stock in trade of an Ambassador is diplomacy. But what does that mean and how do we use it – when God is making His appeal to a lost and hurting world – through us.

Anyone who believes in Jesus – is also meant to be an Ambassador of Christ. Now – that’s not an easy role. Sometimes being Ambassador requires some tough talk.  Other times it’s about diplomacy – the question is, knowing when to call a spade a spade, and when to be more … circumspect.

There’s nothing worse than a hypocrite. One of the things we’re called to be, if we believe in Jesus, is Ambassadors of Christ. But if how we live our lives – what we say, what we do – if our lives don’t measure up – then what sort of Ambassadors are you and I going to make? When people look at us – what do they see?  An Ambassador, or a hypocrite?

Imagine having a job where you had to try to convince people of something you yourself didn’t really believe. That’d be a tough gig don’t you think. And yet that’s how many a Christian feels when it comes to telling others about Jesus. Because if they themselves haven’t experienced the powerful difference that He can make in their lives – on the inside – how can they possibly tell others about Him?

Most of the people who believe in Jesus have a sense that part of that involves sharing their faith – sharing their Jesus – with other people. That somehow, we’re meant to be Ambassadors of Christ. But you look around at the culture in which we live, and you have to ask yourself – does anyone really want to know?  How do I share the Good News of Jesus in a world like this?

Many a Christ follower has this feeling that something is missing. Oh – they may well be warming a pew on Sundays … but is their life really making an eternal difference here on earth? Jesus said something outrageous - He said that we would end up doing things even greater than the things He did while He was on the Earth. Question is – did He mean that about thee and me? Hmm?

Most of us are immersed in the cultures in which we live. And that’s as it should be. But there’s a risk for the person who believes in Jesus, in getting to thinking that they’re a local … a citizen of this earth.  They’re not – they’re a citizen of Heaven and what’s more, an Ambassador of Christ.

We recently received a prayer request from Julia – a young woman who’s trying to live out her faith – except that her family’s giving her a hard time. Does Jesus have anything to say to help her live out her faith from a position of strength?