Turning the world upside down...for Jesus

Church Family,

First, I want to pray that all of you will have a safe, happy, and joyous Thanksgiving with the warmth and presence of family and friends, those who love you. Know that I do love you too.

The love that we share generously with each other should emanate from a love that we have from and for God because of what God did in sending Jesus into our lives to save us. And, our love is continuous by the abiding presence of the promised and delivered Holy Spirit into the lives of each believer.

It is not a natural relationship by any stretch of the imagination. It is supernatural.

And, when the supernatural interacts with the natural, we should not be surprised that things, people, and situations change.

Read this passage from Acts 17:5-7:

"But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason's house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.'"

Beloved, in following your Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, do you find yourself sometimes at odds with other people because your thoughts, words, and actions challenge the status quo?

If so, it may be because Jesus came to let the world know that the status quo is status no and has to change.

And, the one thing that people tend to abhor and reject is change.

Jesus came to change the world.

He is the light of the world.

If he is the light of the world, that means that without Jesus the world is operating in darkness.

Have you not seen enough evidence in this world that the status quo is operating in darkness?

So, what does that mean for you?

It means that your very presence in the world as a Christian, as a Christ follower, is to be that light in the world as Jesus was and still is the light in the world...through you.

Wherever you go, whether with many or if you go alone, you are supposed to standout as a difference maker.

I encourage you to be what you are. Do not hide your light in the shadows. Let your light shine so that men, women, boys and girls can come to the true light, Jesus.

Why? Because the status quo thinks that you are turning the world upside down.

They need to know that surrendering to God in the name of Jesus and being guided by the Holy Spirit is the only way to turn the world right side up.

Be who you are. Do what you can do...not as a child of the upside down world but as a child of the right side up God.

I love you and pray that your day and days will be filled with the knowledge that God loves you most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain