Pastor Ron Biddle
A great people and their leadership over the years have engaged in a process of building lives and families in the Creek County area, and yet—many stopped attending church during COVID—never to return; some turning their back on God completely.
Approximately 50 years ago, the United States was engaged in a war many considered senseless. The United States’ economy was a fiasco, we had high unemployment, the potential opportunities for a good education was scant, racism was rampant, homelessness spreading, and politicians were corrupt. Faithbased organizations were rising up and involved in the Spiritual dream. The legal system was politicized and bent toward injustice for the poor. Police brutality was commonplace, slum housing was offensive at best, and children were being raised in a world with little hope. 50 years later, we are still building, the struggles continue, the dream seems blurred, some of the same problems exist— new ones have emerged.The promise and the dreams are still captivating, but 50 years later, people still sit on the sidelines and complain.
Are you a Spectator or a Participator? What are you doing to make a difference? To make a difference requires that you do something. You have to participate. You must get involved! You ought to be plugged in as a concerned, intercessor, a consistent prayer warrior. It requires you to be a person of prayer that alters your attitudes, habits, behaviors, and conduct. To make a difference requires that you are committed. It requires that you do something. You have to do something! It requires that you reach out to others; to be a helper. It demands that you give of yourself.
Jesus never called anyone to an involvement only status. Jesus does not ask for, He requires, “commitment.” Commitment is a promise, a vow, and an obligation. Real commitment requires us to give all that we have and all that we are. Some appear committed; they talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk. They have a half-hearted conditional commitment.They say things like: “I’ll come to church, but only on Sunday Morning;” “I’ll come to church every time the doors are open, but don’t expect me to tell others how Jesus changed my life;” “I’ll do anything for God—if it doesn’t cost me anything.”
You can talk about Christ, or you can walk with Him. You can know about Christ, or you can know Him.
Action and responsibility are both rooted in commitment. Allow me to lay out five basic premises to live by: FIRST - always remain dissatisfied - We should never be satisfied with where we are; always striving toward holiness and being Christlike.
SECOND – always have devotion - devotion to God requires single mindedness; Seek Him First!
THIRD – always know the direction you are heading - keep your eyes forward on the goal; keep your eyes on God; don’t keep looking back or clinging to the past. The world will disappoint!
FOURTH – always have determination toward the goal to win the prize—train yourself to be ready for the race—give it 100%. Most of us have done things we are ashamed of, but because our hope in Christ, we can let go of past guilt, and move on.
FIFTH – be disciplined - if we are disciplined and obey the rules, we receive the reward.
So, are you a Spectator or Participant? Are you committed or just a spectator? Today is the beginning of the New Year. How will you choose to live in 2023? Will you walk-the walk, or will you just talk-the-talk? Will you have a half-hearted conditional commitment, or will you return to the Creator who loves you with an unconditional love?
Always in His Service, PastorRon Pastor, Fellowship Church of the Nazarene