Have you ever been alone-really alone?

Many people can answer yes because they feel that way every day. I'm not reffering to people who live in a remote cabin on a mountaintop far from civilization. I'm talking about those who feel alone in a crowded mall, or in a church full of people..

I'm reffering to people who simply cannot find anyone to connect with. Perhaps they are new to community. Maybe they have lost a spouse. It could be that they simply feel alone because they think of themselves as different, unusual, and left out of normal communication with others.

Have you ever been alone, really alone? If so, there's good news. If you have invited Christ into your life as Savior and Lord, you're never alone...

" Dia yang tidak pernah menderita itu hanya telah hidup separuh kadar.. "

" Dia yang tidak pernah gagal itu tidak pernah berusaha atau mencari.. "

" Dia yang tidak pernah menangis itu tidak tahu erti ketawa yang sebenarnya.. "

dan...

" Dia yang tidak pernah meragui itu tidak pernah berfikir.. "

A nationally known radio commentator once went on a tirade againts Christians.  He ridiculed their views of the endtimes, particularly the return of Christ fo His church.  He said that ' the evaporation of 4 million people who believe this nonsense people whould leave this a better place. "

It wasn't long before the network apologized to any listeners who were offended.  But the commentator himself refused to say he was sorry.  He received hate mail, venomous condemnations, and even death threats from professing believers.  This convinced him more than ever that the world would be better off without people filled with this kind of hatred.

It's unfortunate and sad to see christians become so enraged.  As Joseph Stowell, President of Moody Bible Institute, said, " There's too much mean and not enough mercy."  When followers of Jesus spend more time condemning their enemies than praying for them or showing love to them, they lose their spiritual credibility.

Jesus expects us to stand out from the world by letting our " light so shine before men, that they may see [ our ] good works and glorify [ our ] Father in heaven " ( Matthew 5:16 ).  One way we live that out is by obeying His command to love our enemies ( v.44).

It's easy to love one who loves in return,  There's no test of character - nothing to learn ;  The real lesson comes when we follow Christ's call,  To love those who'd rather see us take a fall.

What is night for the Minnesota Twins baseball team in 1987!  They had just defeated the Detroit Tigers and won the American League pennant for the first time in 22years.  More than 50,000 people, young and old, crowded into the Metrodome to welcome their victors home from Detroit.  Banners were waving, horns were blaring, the crowd was cheering.  There were even tears of joy. 

The players were surrounded by members of the news media.  One reporter in the crowd called out to Greg Gagne, the Twins' star short-stop , and commented, " This has got to be the greatest moment of your life."  Quietly Gagne replied, " Actually, no.  That was the moment I asked Jesus Christ into my life. "

We enjoy high moments when some hard-won goal has been reached or a victory has been achieved.  But as Christians, we realize that our times af triumph are less than dust and ashes compared with the moment we accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviou.  It's a decision that changes our destiny forever ( John 3:15-16 ).

Have you experienced that greatest af all moments?  If so, you have reason to celebrate.  If you haven't, you can make that destiny-changing decision right now.

 

It's YOU DECISION

Your sin separates you from God, but His perfect son died in your place, and rose from the grave.  Turn in faith to Jesus Christ and accept God's forgiveness.

 

WHAT YOU DECIDE ABOUT CHRIST DETERMINES YOUR DESTINY.