"For Jesus' Sake"

 We sang the songs,

And prayed the prayers,

And heard the Word,

And shared our cares,

   And now gone home,

   And wondered some,

   What difference does it make?

We go each year,

Spring season same,

Christ is raised,

We praise His name,

   But day to day,

   Is it okay?

   We give less than we take.

It’s not for guilt,

I write this down,

Lord knows I don’t,

It goes around,

   When, after all,

   We hear His call,

   The Spirit won’t mistake.

It’s kinda like a cowboy real,

No matter where he’s at,

His lifestyle comes from what he feels,

Not just his boots and hat.

   The cowboy way,

   He lives each day,

   It’s something he can’t fake.

And some will know,

And then will say,

The risen Christ,

Is real always,

   With all they do,

   They play it true,

   And live for Jesus’ sake.

“But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says…” (James 1:22, NLT)

Christianity was never meant to be a spectator sport. To be engaged spiritually means we choose to apply the truth of God’s word to our lives on a daily basis. We don’t earn salvation because it is based on grace, not works. But if we’ve received it, God calls us to put into practice what He tells us. The Spirit will energize our efforts, and we will be empowered to do what God says. But, the bottom line is that all of us are called to practice God’s presence on a daily basis. It’s a lifestyle of surrender as we learn to walk in the Spirit. We can, and therefore we should.

Lord, help us to put into practice the truth that alone can set us free, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Weller, donweller.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.