Who's In Control?

        As Christians we have been called not to be conformed to the status quo, nor to live our lives out in mediocrity, but to be victorious world changers.  We have been called to make such a contribution to society that those around us will be changed.  God has called you and me to help Him establish His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. 
        Throughout the Word of God we are exhorted to be strong in the power of His might: "Let the weak say, I am strong…Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might…Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits."  The Word of God is full of accounts of people who were dynamic heroes of faith who out of weakness were made strong.  God has called His children not to be mastered or controlled by emotions, attitudes, or circumstances. Rather, they are to be the master, to rise up and take dominion and live a victorious and full life. 
        Theodore Roosevelt said this about success: "It is not the critic who counts nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly who errs and comes short again and again (because there is no effort without error and shortcoming), who does actually try to do the deed, who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.  Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
        Why is it that many Christians are content to stay in that "gray mediocre twilight?"  I believe it is because they have a difficult time reconciling the spirit of faith and the act of faith.  The "spirit of faith" means, God is a sovereign God who is in control of events in this world and orders history according to His will.  The "act of faith" means that God will do nothing to overthrow the forces of evil until He finds a man or woman who will stand in the gap to intercede, who will boldly act upon and proclaim God's Word, and go forth to do God's will.  I would say that all Christians have the "spirit of faith," because they believe that God is in control.  But, very few know the "act of faith" because they are not committed to stand in the gap to do God's will. They have a difficult time trusting in God for some of the most minute things.  Many are good at talking about God, but they have a hard time acting on His Word. 
        Jesus said, "You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14).  A friend is one who is dependable and trustworthy. He will stick closer than a brother and will take action to keep friendship alive. A friend won't run away when the going gets tough.  Find out more online at www.JoyChristianMinistries.com.