At the beginning of this year the Wall Street Journal published an article that announced a new purpose for the nearly extinct species that is the payphone industry. By July of this year 500 of these spots that once were the bridge between people through audio will now become bridges for people through wireless internet. Previous payphone hubs will now be hotspots for free wireless internet with a goal of eventually having over 7,500 of these Wi-Fi distributors throughout the city.
This is a very practical decision in my opinion. It takes something like the payphone industry that has become nearly nonexistent with the overpowering adoption of cellular phones and realigns it with a renewed purpose. The ingenious thinkers behind this idea saw that something wasn’t working and so they are attempting to better fit the need of consumers. What in the world does that have to do with the present day church? Directly there is no relation but metaphorically it is a great example of what modern day Christians should look like. Please understand I am not saying that our beliefs, convictions, or conduct should change. We base each of those things from the word of God and it is “forever settled in Heaven” (Psalms 119:98). Our focus should be, however, how to become better at fulfilling the need of Jesus in our culture because he is needed more than ever before. To fulfill the necessity of Jesus in our present day, we must be willing to answer the call on each of our specific lives. You can't create your own calling and you can't copy someone else's. You are called to your own mission field. The comfort does come in knowing, however, that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). We only fulfill our true purpose when we answer his call for our lives. This brings me to the question I will leave you with. Have you answered your call or is your call still waiting? Answer The Call, Coburn Hoffman
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Romans 12:1-2 NKJV - [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The Bible is clear that we are to be holy and sanctified (set apart) to God. He in no way intends for us to be conformed to or to pattern ourselves after the world and its way of doing things. In John 15:19, Jesus told His disciples that they were not of the world, but that He had chosen them out of the world and in 1 Peter 2:9, the Apostle tells us that we are a chosen generation, and a holy nation that has been called out of darkness. Right now in our world there is much darkness, anger, frustration, confusion, hatred and division. Every social media post incites disputes and confrontational responses. Protests and violence have become the norm. Battle lines have been drawn on social, religious and political issues and the war is raging. THE CHURCH must stand apart in these turbulent times! Let us be the ray of hope that this world needs. But how can we make a difference if we act just like the world? How can we eliminate darkness if our light is burnt out or covered up? Romans 12 continues: [9] [Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ... [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ... [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. [20] Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We will not overcome the world and its evil by taking part in their behavior. We will only overcome violence with peace, hate with love, and division with unity. Now, more than ever before the church must cling to what is good. Hold on to it and don’t let go! I do not mean to imply that we should not stand for what we believe, but simply that we do not let our behavior mimic that of the unbelievers. You have been born into God’s Kingdom for times such as these, so think twice before you post or respond to a post and make sure that it is representative of the mind of Christ. Check your attitude often to ensure that it aligns with God’s Holy nature. Become a friend to someone who you completely disagree with and show them the love that Christ shows to you. Do and say everything as unto the Lord. Bless others (both within and without the church body) every chance you get. Live in peace and let God fight your battles. Combat this dark, hateful, evil world with light, love and goodness. It is time for the church to stand apart from the world, to be the church and to overcome evil with good. In Christ, Patrick A. Thomson |
First Thoughts
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