Tag: Joy

Not Dead Yet: A Joyful Rebellion

Today’s a new day!

There is something beautifully rebellious about waking up each morning, opening your eyes, taking a deep breath, and whispering, “Thank You, Jesus.”

In a world that expects you to quit…
choose joy.

In a culture that celebrates outrage…
choose peace.

When pain tells you to give up…
choose hope.

Every smile in the middle of suffering is an act of defiance.

Every prayer whispered through tears is a declaration that darkness doesn’t get the final word.

Every act of kindness in a cynical world is a revolution.

I’ve learned that joy isn’t pretending everything is okay. Joy is looking straight at the storm and saying, “My God is still faithful.”

My body has given me more reasons to complain than I can count. There have been diagnoses, setbacks, fear, uncertainty, and days when simply standing up felt like climbing a mountain.

But here’s the beautiful truth:

I’m not dead yet.

So I still have a purpose.

I still have someone to encourage.

I still have songs to sing.

I still have prayers to pray.

I still have love to give.

I still have a Gospel worth proclaiming.

The enemy may have tried to silence my voice, but he couldn’t silence my praise.

He may have attacked my body, but he couldn’t steal my hope.

He may have shaken my world, but he couldn’t move the Rock on which I stand.

So every day I laugh…

Every day I worship…

Every day I love people…

Every day I forgive…

Every day I choose gratitude…

That is my joyful rebellion.

Because joy confuses despair.

Hope frustrates fear.

Love outlasts hate.

Grace overwhelms guilt.

And Jesus has already won.

If you’re reading this while carrying a burden no one else can see, don’t let your circumstances write the final chapter.

As long as God has given you breath, He has given you purpose.

As long as your heart beats, your story isn’t finished.

So stand up if you can.

Smile if you can.

Sing if you can.

Pray when you can’t.

And if all you can do today is whisper the name of Jesus, that’s enough.

Because the greatest rebellion against darkness is a life that refuses to stop believing in the Light.

Not dead yet.

Still praising.

Still believing.

Still loving.

Still becoming.

Still following Jesus.

And by His grace…

I’m just getting started. ~OC

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Learning To Live From Those Preparing To Die

Today’s a new day!

As I have walked this long and often difficult health journey, I have discovered something about myself that may seem surprising.

I love talking with people who know they are nearing the end of their lives.

It isn’t because I have become fascinated with death. It is because, in many ways, those conversations are more about life than death.

There is something profoundly beautiful about the honesty that often emerges when someone knows their time is limited. The masks begin to fall away. The need to impress others disappears.

The pressure to maintain an image no longer matters. They are no longer trying to convince the world—or themselves—that they have it all together.

Instead, they simply tell the truth.

They admit their fears. They acknowledge their regrets. They celebrate what mattered most. They talk about family more than finances, relationships more than résumés, and faith more than fame. They have come to understand that life is not about accumulating things or building a reputation. It is about loving well, living with purpose, and leaving behind something far more valuable than possessions.

One of the greatest lessons they teach me is humility.

They know the world will continue after they are gone. Businesses will keep operating. The sun will rise. New memories will be made. Life moves on. That realization doesn’t seem to make them bitter; instead, it often makes them grateful. It gives them clarity about what truly deserves their time and attention.

Walking through my own health challenges has changed how I hear these conversations. When your own body reminds you that life is fragile, you begin listening differently. You stop assuming there will always be another opportunity to say what needs to be said, to forgive, to love, or to pursue what really matters.

You begin asking different questions.

Am I living with integrity?

Am I investing in people more than accomplishments?

Am I chasing significance or simply seeking approval?

If I knew my time was short, what would I wish I had done differently?

My sincere hope and prayer is that everyone reading this enjoys a long, healthy, and productive life. I hope your years are filled with purpose, meaningful work, deep relationships, laughter, and joy.

But I also hope you won’t wait until the final chapter of your life to embrace the wisdom that so many discover only then.

Spend time with those nearing the end of life’s journey. Listen more than you speak. Their perspective is a gift. They have little interest in pretending, competing, or impressing anyone. They have learned that authenticity is far more valuable than appearance and that love always outlasts achievement.

The people I have met in this season have reminded me that the greatest measure of a life is not how much we accumulated, but how faithfully we loved, how generously we served, and how honestly we lived.

Perhaps that is the invitation for all of us.

We don’t have to wait until death is near to become honest. We don’t have to wait until our health fails to appreciate the gift of today. We don’t have to wait until the end of our story to begin living the life we were created to live.

If we are willing to listen, those preparing to leave this world may become some of our greatest teachers. Their final lessons are not really about dying.

They are about living.

And the wisest thing we can do is learn those lessons while we still have time to put them into practice. ~OC

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Healing Prayer

Jesus, Our Amazing Healer

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we come before You with grateful hearts, praising You for Your endless love, Your mercy, and the healing found through Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26), and nothing is impossible for You (Luke 1:37).

Jesus, throughout the Gospels You touched the blind and they received their sight. You spoke to the lame and they walked. You cleansed those with leprosy, restored the brokenhearted, raised the dead, and brought hope to those who had none. Your compassion never failed, and Your power was always greater than sickness, fear, or despair.

Lord, we stand on Your promises today. Your Word declares, “Praise the Lord, my soul… who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2–3). We believe that You still heal hearts, minds, bodies, and souls according to Your perfect will.

Father, bring healing where there is pain. Bring strength where there is weakness. Bring peace where there is anxiety. Restore what illness has stolen. Encourage those who are weary. Comfort those waiting for answers. Let Your Holy Spirit surround every hospital room, every home, every caregiver, and every person crying out to You.

Your Word reminds us in Jeremiah 17:14, “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the one I praise.” We place our trust completely in You.

As James 5:14–15 teaches us, we pray in faith, believing that You hear the prayers of Your people. May every healing become a testimony that points others to Jesus Christ, bringing glory to Your holy name.

Lord, even in seasons when healing comes differently than we expect, help us remember that Your presence never leaves us. Your grace is sufficient, Your strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and Your plans are always good.

We rejoice because You are our Savior, our Redeemer, our Great Physician, and our Living Hope. Thank You for every miracle You have already done and every miracle still to come.

A Short Closing Prayer

Jesus, thank You for loving us so completely. Fill us with faith, courage, and hope as we trust in Your healing power. Let our lives reflect Your goodness, and may everything we do bring honor and glory to You. We rest in Your unfailing love today and always.

We pray all of these things in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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Our Citizenship in Christ

Today’s a new day!

Today I’m reminded of something I deeply love about the Church.

It has never belonged to one country.

It belongs to Christ.

That truth has been evident since the very beginning. Jesus didn’t come to establish an earthly kingdom defined by borders, flags, political parties, or national identities. He came to establish an eternal Kingdom made up of redeemed people from every corner of the earth.

One of my favorite pictures in all of Scripture is found in Revelation 5:9:

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy… because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'”

What an incredible image.

Around the throne of Jesus there won’t be one nation represented above another. There won’t be political divisions or cultural superiority. There won’t be earthly labels separating us.

There will simply be worship.

People from every tribe.
Every language.
Every people.
Every nation.

All united by one Savior.

I’m grateful for the freedoms many of us enjoy. They are tremendous blessings that should never be taken for granted. But I’m also grateful for my brothers and sisters around the world who faithfully follow Jesus under circumstances I can hardly imagine. Some worship in beautiful church buildings. Others gather quietly in homes. Some sing openly without fear. Others whisper their praises because following Christ could cost them everything.

Yet we are one Church.

One Body.

One family.

The Church has always been much bigger than any nation and much greater than any government. Kingdoms rise and fall. Borders change. Leaders come and go. But the Kingdom of God continues to grow, one transformed life at a time.

That reminds me where my deepest identity truly belongs.

It isn’t found in my citizenship.

It isn’t found in my political affiliation.

It isn’t found in my nationality.

It is found in Jesus Christ.

As followers of Christ, we’re called to love our neighbors, pray for our leaders, serve our communities, and be good citizens wherever God has placed us. But above all else, we remember that our ultimate allegiance belongs to the King of Kings.

As Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20:

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

May we never allow earthly differences to overshadow our heavenly unity.

May we celebrate the beautiful diversity of God’s family.

May we pray for believers across the globe with the same love we have for those sitting beside us each Sunday.

And may we live every day remembering that before we are anything else, we are followers of Jesus.

The Church has never belonged to one country.

It belongs to Christ.

And one glorious day, people from every tribe, every language, every people, and every nation will gather around His throne with one voice, proclaiming:

“Worthy is the Lamb!”

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Dear God, We Give You This Moment

Today’s a new day!

This past Friday, the church Laura and I are currently attending experienced an unimaginable tragedy. The sixteen-year-old grandson of the founding pastor lost his life in a diving accident.

There are moments in life when words seem painfully inadequate. No explanation can remove the grief. No sermon can erase the tears. No answer can completely satisfy the questions that arise when a young life is taken far too soon.

My heart breaks for his family. It breaks for his friends. It breaks for this church family and for everyone whose life was touched by this remarkable young man.

Today, I simply pray:

Jesus, surround them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Hold them close when the silence feels overwhelming. Be their comfort when words fail. Be their strength when every step feels impossible.

Scripture reminds us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Those words are not clichés. They are promises for moments exactly like this.

As believers, we don’t grieve without hope. We grieve honestly. We cry. We ask questions. We lean on one another. And we cling to the One who has already conquered death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

While none of us can fully understand why tragedies like this happen, I believe God is able to meet people in the deepest valleys of life. Throughout history, He has brought hope where there was despair, healing where there were wounds, and faith where there were questions. I pray He will do that again in our community.  

My prayer is that, even in the midst of heartbreaking loss, people throughout our county will encounter the love, grace, and presence of Jesus in a way they never have before. I pray that those who have drifted from God will seek Him. I pray that those who have never known Him will discover the hope found only in Christ. I pray that our churches will become places where the hurting are welcomed, the broken are loved, and the Gospel is lived with compassion.

Revival has often begun not in moments of comfort, but in moments when people recognized their desperate need for God. I pray that our response to this tragedy will be to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, pray more earnestly, and point more clearly to Jesus.

Today, there are no easy answers.

Only a Savior who weeps with those who weep.

Only a Shepherd who walks through the valley with His sheep.

Only a King who defeated death and promises eternal life to those who trust in Him.

So today, as one church family, one community, and one body of Christ…

Dear God, we give You this moment.

Bring comfort where there is sorrow.

Bring peace where there is anxiety.

Bring hope where there is despair.

Bring healing where hearts have been shattered.

And may Your love shine so brightly through Your people that many come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Please join me in praying for this precious family, for the church family, and for everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss.~OC

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Discipleship, Relationships Over Numbers

Today’s a new day! 

Over the past few years, I’ve had countless conversations with fellow Christians after church services, over coffee, in Bible studies, and during everyday life.

Different churches.

Different denominations.

Different backgrounds.

Yet one theme continues to surface again and again.

“I love my church…but I still feel alone.”

Those words have stayed with me.

These conversations haven’t come from people who are angry with the Church. Quite the opposite. They faithfully attend, faithfully give, faithfully serve, and genuinely love Jesus.

Yet many quietly admit they feel disconnected.

One friend shared, “I’ve been attending for three years, and I still don’t feel like anyone really knows me.”

Another said, “I know hundreds of faces, but I don’t have anyone I can call when life falls apart.”

Someone else confessed, “I leave encouraged by the sermon, but I still feel spiritually isolated.”

As I listened, I realized these weren’t isolated stories.

I was hearing the same longing over and over.

People aren’t asking for bigger buildings.

They’re asking for deeper relationships.

They’re not looking for more programs.

They’re longing for genuine discipleship.

It made me wonder if, in many churches, we’ve unintentionally traded disciple numbers for attendance numbers.

Attendance matters. Every person who walks through the doors is someone Christ loves deeply. Churches should celebrate every new visitor and every opportunity to share the Gospel.

But attendance has never been the ultimate mission.

Jesus didn’t say, “Go and gather crowds.”

He said, “Go and make disciples.”

Discipleship is personal.

It requires time.

It requires listening.

It requires walking through life’s joys and hardships together.

It means knowing someone’s name, hearing their story, praying over their struggles, and encouraging them to keep following Christ.

That kind of ministry can’t always happen during a Sunday morning service.

It happens in living rooms.

Around dinner tables.

In small groups.

Over coffee.

In hospital waiting rooms.

During phone calls.

Through tears.

Through prayer.

Through simply showing up for one another.

Many of the Christians I’ve spoken with aren’t criticizing their churches.

They’re grieving what they feel is missing.

They long to belong to a spiritual family, not simply attend a weekly gathering.

They want someone to notice when they’re absent.

Someone to ask how they’re doing—and genuinely wait for the answer.

Someone to help them grow in their faith.

The beautiful truth is that many churches are already pursuing this vision with humility and faithfulness. Pastors, elders, deacons, small-group leaders, and volunteers invest countless hours loving and discipling others, often without recognition.

But every church can continue asking an important question:

Are we creating disciples, or are we simply creating attendees?

Imagine what could happen if every mature believer intentionally invested in one younger believer.

Imagine if every newcomer was invited into authentic relationships instead of remaining anonymous.

Imagine if every church member saw themselves not just as someone who attends church but as someone who helps build Christ’s family.

The Church has always been at its strongest when believers walk together.

The world is filled with loneliness.

The Church should be filled with belonging.

My prayer is not that churches become less focused on reaching people.

My prayer is that we become equally passionate about walking with them after they arrive.

Because attendance may introduce someone to the Church.

But discipleship helps them become more like Jesus.

A church can fill every seat in the sanctuary and still leave people feeling alone. But when believers intentionally disciple one another, no one has to walk their journey of faith in isolation.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Church. Help us to be more than people who gather once a week. Make us a family that loves deeply, serves faithfully, and walks alongside one another through every season of life. Give us eyes to notice those who feel unseen, hearts that welcome the lonely, and a renewed commitment to making disciples as Jesus commanded. May our churches be known not only for full sanctuaries but for lives transformed through authentic relationships centered on You. It’s in the mighty and precious name of Jesus we pray. ~OC

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Living Out Answered Prayers

Today’s a new day! ~OC

Have you ever stopped to think about the prayers you prayed years ago?

The prayers whispered through tears.


The prayers spoken in hospital rooms.


The prayers prayed while driving to work.


The prayers prayed while wondering if God was listening.

Today, I want to encourage you to pause for a moment and reflect on something important:

You are currently living out at least one of the prayers you used to pray.

Maybe you once prayed for a spouse, and now you’re blessed with a loving marriage.

Maybe you prayed for children, and now your home is filled with laughter.

Maybe you prayed for healing, and while your journey isn’t over, God has brought you farther than you ever thought possible.

Maybe you prayed for a new job, a new home, a church family, financial provision, restored relationships, or simply the strength to make it through another day.

Whatever it is, there is a good chance that something in your life right now was once a desperate prayer.

The problem is that we often become so focused on what we are still waiting for that we forget what God has already done.

We can become consumed with the next prayer request, the next challenge, the next mountain to climb, and overlook the countless ways God has already been faithful.

Throughout Scripture, God often instructed His people to remember.

Remember His faithfulness.

Remember His provision.

Remember His miracles.

Remember how He brought them through difficult seasons.

Why? Because remembering strengthens our faith for whatever lies ahead.

When we reflect on answered prayers, we are reminded that God has never abandoned us. 

The same God who carried us through yesterday is the same God who walks with us today.

Maybe you’re still waiting on some prayers to be answered. Perhaps you’re praying for healing, restoration, breakthrough, direction, or peace. Don’t give up.

Take a moment today to look back before looking ahead.

Look back at the doors God has opened.

Look back at the battles He has brought you through.

Look back at the blessings you once only dreamed about.

Look back at the prayers that have become your reality

Gratitude changes our perspective.

When we recognize God’s faithfulness in the past, hope begins to rise for the future.

So today, instead of focusing solely on what you don’t have, thank God for what He has already done.

Celebrate the prayers He has answered.

Celebrate the victories, both big and small.

Celebrate the fact that His grace has carried you this far.

You may not be where you want to be yet, but by the grace of God, you are not where you used to be.

And that’s worth thanking Him for.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for every prayer You have answered, even the ones I have forgotten about. Thank You for Your faithfulness through every season of my life. Help me to remember Your goodness, celebrate Your blessings, and trust You with the prayers I am still waiting on. Strengthen my faith as I reflect on all You have already done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Either Way I Win

In 2019, after almost eighteen years of major health battles and being told on multiple occasions that I only had hours left to live, I experienced a beautiful miracle from God.

At that point in 2019, doctors believed I only had weeks remaining. The situation looked impossible. The circumstances seemed hopeless. Yet Jesus stepped into the middle of the story and reminded me that He always has the final say.

It was a true miracle.

Since that miracle, however, my journey has not been without additional challenges. I have endured multiple serious battles with COVID and also suffered a stroke. Today, my health journey has entered its twenty-fourth year.

Over those years, countless people have prayed for my complete healing. I am deeply grateful for every prayer, every encouraging message, every act of kindness, and every person who has stood beside me during difficult seasons. Those prayers have meant more than I could ever adequately express.

But as I have prayed about my health and spent time talking with Jesus, I have found myself reflecting on this journey from a different perspective.

I think about the many patients I have met over the years.

I think about the hospital rooms.

I think about the waiting rooms.

I think about the difficult conversations.

I think about the opportunities God has given me to pray with people, encourage people, and remind people that they are not alone.

Some Christians have viewed my health journey as something negative. They have looked at the diagnoses, the treatments, the setbacks, and the ongoing battles and wondered why God has not completely removed them.

But I have never viewed my journey that way.

I have always seen it as an opportunity.

An opportunity to share the love of Jesus.

An opportunity to share the hope of Jesus.

An opportunity to remind hurting people that God is still faithful even when life is difficult.

As I think about this, I am reminded of others whom God has used powerfully despite significant challenges.

I think about the Apostle Paul, who prayed for the “removal of his thorn in the flesh”, yet God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul went on to impact the world with the Gospel despite his ongoing struggles. 

I think about Joni Eareckson Tada, whose life and testimony have inspired millions around the world.

I think about Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs yet continues to share the Gospel with millions across the globe.

I think about Billy Graham, who faithfully preached Christ throughout seasons of physical weakness and aging.

I think about Eric LeGrand, whose courage and faith have encouraged countless people through adversity.

None of these individuals allowed their struggles to define them. Instead, they allowed God to use them right where they were. 

Their stories remind us that God’s power is not limited by our circumstances.

Throughout my own health journey, God has repeatedly shown me that my willingness to continue sharing the love and hope of Jesus during difficult seasons has encouraged others who are walking through storms of their own.

Sometimes we assume that our greatest ministry will happen after God removes our struggle.

But what if God wants to use us in the middle of the struggle?

What if the very battle we are asking Him to remove is the place where He is doing some of His greatest work?

What if our pain becomes a platform for His glory?

What if our scars become evidence of His faithfulness?

I still believe Jesus heals.

I still believe miracles happen.

After all, I am living proof that they do.

And maybe Jesus will choose to perform another miracle in my life on this side of Heaven.

Maybe He will completely restore every area of my health.

I certainly welcome the prayers everyone continues to pray for my healing.

But perhaps God is using this season exactly as it is.

Perhaps there are people I can reach because of this journey that I could never reach otherwise.

Perhaps there are conversations that happen because of these challenges that would never happen without them.

Perhaps Jesus has me planted exactly where He wants me.

So if God leads you, please continue praying for my healing.

But also pray that Jesus continues to use me.

Pray that I remain faithful.

Pray that I continue to encourage others.

Pray that I continue sharing His love and hope wherever He opens a door.

Because whether I receive another miracle here on earth or whether God continues to use me in the middle of this battle, my victory is already secure in Christ.

If He heals me completely here on earth, I win.

If He uses my story to bring hope to others, I win.

If He uses my struggles to point people toward Jesus, I win.

And one day, whether through healing here or perfect healing in Heaven, I will stand in the presence of my Savior completely restored.

Either way, I win.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

And that is a victory no illness can ever take away. ~OC

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Two Questions Every Christian Should Ask Themselves

Today’s a new day! 

There are two questions that have been on my heart recently, and honestly, they are questions I need to ask myself as much as anyone else.

Question #1: When someone looks at your life, would they want to be like you?

Not because we’re perfect.

Not because we have all the answers.

Not because we’ve never failed.

But when people see our lives, do they see something different? Do they see the peace of Christ in the middle of chaos? Do they see grace when others are harsh? Do they see hope when circumstances seem hopeless? Do they see a faith that remains steady when life gets difficult?

The Apostle Paul boldly wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

That is a challenging statement. Could we honestly say the same?

When people watch how we treat our spouses, our children, our neighbors, the cashier at the grocery store, or even those who disagree with us, are they seeing Jesus reflected in us?

The truth is that our lives may be the only Bible some people ever encounter. Every conversation, every action, every response to adversity is an opportunity to point people toward Christ—or away from Him.

None of us get it right all the time. I certainly don’t. But our goal should be to live in such a way that others are drawn not to us, but to the Savior living within us.

Question #2: Do you have a passion to praise and serve Jesus?

Christianity was never meant to be a once-a-week activity.

It was never meant to be a religious checkbox.

It was never meant to be a routine without relationship.

Jesus gave everything for us. He carried our sins to the Cross, conquered death through His resurrection, and offers us eternal life. How can we not respond with passionate praise and wholehearted service?

Praise isn’t just singing songs on Sunday morning. Praise is thanking God when life is good. Praise is trusting Him when life is hard. Praise is lifting His name when the diagnosis comes, when the bills pile up, when the storm refuses to leave.

Service isn’t just what happens inside church walls. Service happens when we encourage someone who is hurting. It happens when we pray for others. It happens when we meet needs, show compassion, and become the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world.

The question isn’t whether we attend church.

The question is whether our hearts burn with a love for Jesus.

Do we wake up looking for opportunities to honor Him?

Do we seek ways to serve others in His name?

Do we long to know Him more deeply today than we did yesterday?

A Personal Reflection:

As I ask these questions of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I must also ask them of myself.

When people look at my life, do they see Jesus?

Am I living in a way that inspires others to draw closer to Him?

Do I still have a passion to praise Him through every season?

Do I still have a desire to serve Him with whatever time, talents, and opportunities He has given me?

These aren’t questions meant to bring condemnation. They are questions meant to bring reflection and renewal.

Perhaps today is a good day for all of us to pause and ask God to search our hearts.

May our lives be a testimony of His goodness.

May our words point people toward His truth.

May our actions reflect His love.

And may we never lose our passion to praise and serve the One who gave everything for us.

Lord, let my life be a reflection of You. Help me live in such a way that others see Jesus in me. Rekindle my passion to praise You, serve You, and follow You faithfully every day. Amen. ~OC

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If The Twelve Disciples Applied For Church Membership Today

“Think about this for a moment: the twelve disciples of Jesus could not pass a background check to get into most churches today.”

That statement may sound shocking at first, but take a closer look at the men Jesus chose to change the world.

Peter was impulsive and publicly denied Christ three times.

James and John earned the nickname “Sons of Thunder” because of their fiery tempers and desire to call down judgment on people.

Matthew was a tax collector, viewed by many as a traitor and a sinner.

Thomas struggled with doubt.

Simon the Zealot was associated with a radical political movement.

And Judas would eventually betray Jesus.

If these men submitted applications to many modern churches, some would likely be rejected before ever making it through the front door.

Yet these are the very people Jesus chose.

Jesus did not build His ministry around people with perfect resumes. He built it around people whose lives would be transformed by grace.

The Gospel has never been about finding people who have it all together. It has always been about redeeming people who know they don’t.

Too often, we can be tempted to evaluate people based on their past failures, mistakes, addictions, broken relationships, or reputation. We forget that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future when Christ enters the story.

The church was never meant to be a museum displaying perfect people. It was meant to be a hospital where broken people encounter the healing power of Jesus.

Imagine if Jesus had looked at Peter’s denial before calling him. Imagine if He had focused on Thomas’ doubt instead of his potential. Imagine if He had rejected Matthew because of his profession.

The early church would have looked very different.

Thankfully, Jesus sees beyond our failures. He sees who we can become when His grace takes hold of our lives.

This doesn’t mean sin doesn’t matter. It doesn’t mean character is unimportant. Transformation is real, and discipleship matters deeply. But we must remember that transformation is often a process, not an instant event.

The disciples were not finished products when Jesus called them. They were works in progress.

So are we.

So is everyone who will walk through your church doors. 

The next time you encounter someone whose past makes you uncomfortable, remember the men Jesus chose. Remember that the kingdom of God has always been built by redeemed sinners who encountered extraordinary grace.

After all, if God can use fishermen, doubters, hotheads, tax collectors, and former rebels to turn the world upside down, He can certainly use us.

The church should never become a place where people are judged solely by where they have been. It should be a place where people discover who they can become through Jesus Christ.

Grace saw something in the disciples that the world could not see.

May we learn to see people the same way. ~OC

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