Many years ago, I remember listening to a man on the radio
named Paul Harvey. He had a rather unique way in relating a significant truth
in a brief story that would always have you hanging onto every word. He
would then take a break and come back on a few minutes later with the
"rest of the story."
During an interview one day, when asked about his beliefs
and how that shaped his worldview, Paul Harvey responded by saying, "do
not ask me what I believe; watch what I do, that is what I believe."
That statement had a tremendous impacted on me over the
course of my life. What I do is really what I believe, because it’s my beliefs
that drive my behavior. This is very true among the church today. What we
really believe is what we will do. I think Jesus talked a bit about this
when He discussed obedience in John 14:15 where He tells us, “If you love me,
you will obey what I command.”
In John chapter 20, we see three different forms of belief
in Jesus. John runs with Peter to the empty tomb, and after seeing the empty
tomb and vacant grave clothes the Bible says that John," saw and
believed." John saw first hand the tomb and believed based on the
evidence.
Mary's experience was somewhat different. She lingered at
the tomb after the disciples left to go back to the house. She actually turned
and looks at Jesus, but did not recognize Him until He spoke her name. Then out
of the emotion of the weekend and especially the moment she responded with belief,
“Rabbi!" She heard her name called and responded with belief that it was
Jesus, alive just as He said!
A bit later Thomas, who missed the first encounter with
Jesus, stood face to face with the risen Lord and touched His hands and side,
and the Bible says Thomas responded with a confession of Jesus as, "my
Lord and my God." Thomas chose to respond only after seeing physical
proof.
All three of these individuals believed Jesus had risen and
was the Christ. Each one needed a little different nudge to respond. Jesus
knew each one's need and provided exactly what each one needed. The
amazing thing is He still does that today! Jesus is still about custom
conversions in today’s world!
Many of you reading this blog will agree that we believe in
Jesus. The question is am I responding to what I believe? Are you doing the
things that allow those around you to see what you believe?
As Paul Harvey was fond of doing, the rest of the story
needs to be told. You and I have been given the powerful Gospel message to
share. You and I have been placed in a world that desperately needs to hear the
message of hope found only in Jesus! Will those around you see what you believe
and ask you about it? Will you share the rest of the story?
Come on, let's reach the world with the Gospel message and
teach the Word that sets us free in Christ!
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Just a reminder that our "Jewels of India" fundraising banquet to raise money for children's ministry is this Saturday, August 4th. The dinner will start at 7pm. If you're in the Stillwater, OK area please stop by for dinner, fellowship, and an opportunity to hear about what God is doing in India. Hope to see y'all there!
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Prayer Requests
-Please pray for 4 new baptisms on July 31st in Kolkata. Pray that these new believers will grow in their knowledge of the Lord, and will be bold in their testimony of how God has worked in their lives.
-Pray
for the funding of the Nile Project in Bangalore to feed, clothe, and show them the love of Christ.
-Pray for our ministry partners Pastor Johnpaul and his wife Sudha
Rani; Pastor Babu and his wife Suji; and Pastor Paresh and his wife Arnika as
they faithfully press on in the Kingdom work.
Pray for the Unreached Bania, Chetti of India
Population: 686,000World Popl: 695,000
Main Language: Tamil
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%
Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry.
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