Monday Morning Perspective

Easter Monday...sitting here with LOTS to ponder this morning!!!
Nothing I love more than a powerful evangelistic Easter message and that's exactly what we got yesterday at Millbrook and the response to salvation is evidence enough that that is why we do what we do!! We spread the simple message of Jesus to everyone we know and we do it boldly and unapologetically.
I love how Eddie brought the message from Acts 17.  He compared Paul's audience and enviornment to ours today...and people say the Bible isn't relevant?  People and culture have changed very little.  I love how Eddie described the city...idols everywhere.  Is that not true today??  They may not be statues but they are all over the place and we don't have to look far to see them.  An idol is anything that captures our attention and I could be here all day if I started naming those.  Even distractions themselves can be idols when we obsess over them instead of giving them to God quickly and let Him handle them.  I've had a few idols myself with the name distraction over them.  What about sports figures or celebrities we are intoxicated by...their lifestyle, their status, etc.  What about sports themselves...since that's a huge part of my life with my boys.  We yell for our team to the point of being obnoxious.  We yell at refs at the "injustice" we feel against our team yet when it's time to stand up and cheer Jesus or yell about real injustice in the world, we shrink back and talk about not wanting to be a fanatic.  Being a fanatic for Him is never wrong!
What about the groups Eddie brought to our attention.  The religious group worried about looking good and not so much about growing in Christ-likeness.  Or the Epicureans who were all about giving in to whatever made them feel good at the moment.  Or the Stoics who were negative and critical.  Then the Athenians and foreigners...all about the latest trends and ideas, whatever is in we are all about it.  Hmmmmm, and the Bible isn't relevant??  They are all alive and well and living all around us.  The question is, where are we in all of this?  Which group do we fit best with or find ourself most comfortable around?  My prayer is that we would repent, because we have all been in probably all of these groups at some point, and receive the grace and mercy that God pours out as evidenced by the cross and resurrection.  It's only a problem when we refuse to see the error of our own ways and dig our heels in refusing to allow God to change us into the likeness of His Son.
Thank you to my husband who boldly proclaims the message of Jesus even when it convicts and not just on Easter!!