Given..... You know, I am baffled by comments that were made by Christ. Like in John, when He says that you and I will actually do even greater things than he achieved. Or, in Matthew, Luke, John, Acts when He invites us to declare His glory and to be His witnesses to every corner of the earth. Or, in His incredible stories (Fateful Tales), when he asks us to care for the needy, hungry, imprisoned, orphaned, widowed, homeless, and thirsty. Jesus actually thinks that we, as His followers, will make a difference in this world. He seems to think that we will make a huge difference.

The more that I read Scripture, the more that I realize that this actually is possible. He 'gives' us stuff, life, freedom, hope, salvation, and passion in order that we might actually give our lives away ('our' lives are actually His life!). Better, He actually knows that we will accomplish 'more' because He will take up residence in our lives. Jesus will exercise His life through us. Amazing!

If I can be a bit vulnerable, I just cannot fathom making a significant difference in this earth. I can't, until I realize that Christ formed me.... made me..... gifted me..... challenges me to develop all that He has given me...lives through me..... and then holds me accountable to what I do with all that I have been given. He holds me accountable because He lives in me!

As we venture through 'fateful tales' this year, I am amazed by what Jesus demands from us. Jesus has epic expectations from His followers. I think that He thinks that God's character and heart will actually explode in the life of His followers. As Jesus tells profound stories, I think that He is saying to us (Christ-followers), 'if you wonder if my Father lives in you, then you must ask whether your actions reflect His actions and His heart and His passion?!' You must evaluate. He will ask for an account of who we are and what we have done.

Matthew 25 is not a series of stories about working our way into Jesus' economy and grace. Matthew 25 is a series of stories that ask us whether we see the characte of God growing in our lives. Romans 8 writes of this intense plan of God's. He has actually predestined or predetermined that we will be conformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. I love the determination of our God! If His character is not increasing, then we probably need to wrestle with whether God actually lives in us.

I am praying that, as we fall deeply and radically in love with Jesus, the things that deeply move Him will also move us... together.... for His glory alone!

Drop a comment below. Enjoy today!

For the Glory,

Mark