Page 2: "This manual is not intended to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your motor vehicle. Rather, it is meant to provide you with invaluable information that would, under normal driving conditions, take most car owners months to discover for themselves. Information that has been painstakingly gleaned from many hours of vehicle operation."
"Refill the fuel tank before the gauge registers E (Empty)." |
It is trendy today that when you buy a new car, that a salesperson, usually
a specially designated one, goes over all the features of your new vehicle at
delivery. After the hassle of the F and I guy trying to sell you insurance for
your undercoating, and more useless trim for your fenders, you are ready to go
drive. But wait, there’s more, you spend another half hour not paying attention
to how all the buttons and gadgets work, just so you can work the radio, or
adjust the air conditioning, or turn on the lights, or.....Many cars don’t come
with owners manuals any more, they are online, but you can access them while
driving, from your i-phone, while driving a car designed for safety, pioneered
by Mercedes Benz, also the leader in electronic devices. CRASH! I just used to
tell the new owners to find a teenager, they know how it all works, dump the
phone, and drive. And I can see how older drivers are intimidated by new cars,
on one 2003 S Class there were 39 buttons on the dashboard, but still no on/off
button for the radio. It adjusted by speed. So many would just hang on to
their older cars, and feel safe and secure living in the past, the future had
become today, and arrived too soon. And even on new motorcycles, like the Tiger
Explorer I recently toured on, it has cruise control, programmable ABS, traction
control, and a multi function computer, along with an electronic throttle.
Twist and go has become twist and shout-AAHHHHH!!
Talking with a man on the street, Tim he was homeless, he had just gotten
out of prison after 34 years. Not sure of his crime, but the world of today was
much different than when he went in. He and some others like him were having
trouble being homeless, as they didn’t fit in with the homeless. He told us he
had never paid rent, written a check, or filled out paperwork, and felt
disadvantaged. He had more than paid for his debt to society, now society, the
outside world, turned on him. He said his friends and he weren’t bitter, but
needed assistance. But no one was there to help, and they were frustrated. When
asked if there was one thing we could do to help, he said “we need some
adjustment classes, so we can get work, get places to live, and get
assistance.” When we returned, “would you go if they were available,” his
answer was a resounding “yes!” No hesitation, YES! Just like the new car, they
needed to be oriented with society, and many can’t, don’t, or won’t, and go back
to jail. In some places it is so bad, there are homeless camps of ex-cons in
front of parole offices. Where are the well meaning politicians now? These
ex-cons like many others, have become NIMBY’s, Not In My Back Yard. Out of
sight, out of mind, just not sure who is out of their mind. Is anyone
listening?
When Jesus gave the great commission, to preach the gospel, we think of
only evangelism. But He really was keying in on discipleship. We give the
great commission precedence over what really is God’s purpose for all, to be
conformed to Christ Jesus, to be transformed to His likeness-Romans 8:29.
Salvation is just the first step, and many stop there. We are so concerned with
salvation-yes it is the most important, that we forget about those after they
are saved, much like the cons hitting the streets. OK, they’re saved, now
what? As Christians we talk different, our language is different, and we sing
songs, pray, and have different views than from when we were lost. But without
discipleship after salvation, many go back. Some don’t grow at all, or some get
bad doctrine, and if not for God seeing their salvation, we would never know
it. Lost and saved, all at the same time. We forget that each one has a
purpose from God, and is valuable, yet we don’t encourage new believers classes,
or if we do, after few weeks give them a certificate and tell them they are
matured. The truth is we will always be going through a maturing process until
death. The word mature means death. Only when we die physically and ascend to
heaven will we be perfect. When Jesus said “greater things you will do than I,”
He meant that as the church, we all have a part to play, and when empowered by
the holy spirit, we can do all the things He could and did. Using the
spiritual given to us via the spirit, we can see the lame walk, miracles occur,
raise up helpers, those who welcome, and those who teach. No one is more
important than the other, but without discipling, how will they know? How do we
know? How do we know how much we are missing? Read the great commission again,
as you go, making disciples. Hmmm?
Older Christians, take in those who are younger or weaker, disciple them as
Jesus took you in and discipled you. Younger ones, less mature, find one who
you can follow, who follows Jesus, and have him teach you. In fellowship,
worship, teaching, and discussing the word, you will find growth you never knew
was available. How many times I hear “I didn’t know that was in the Bible,”
from older saints. So we all need to be involved, I know I do, and am. A new
life in Christ is much more than a new car, and we too comes with an owners
manual. The Bible. And the more you read it, the more you know, the closer you
get to God. And the more you see Jesus for who He is, a friend, counselor,
healer, master, and savior. And you get to know yourself in His terms, and see
sin differently. You change to become more like Jesus because you want to, not
have to. And unlike those who are new to the street, you have a family who
welcomes you, and wants to love you. But without discipleship, it is
hard.
The vision God has given me is to equip others to equip others, to equip
others with the gospel. Pass these devotions on, share them with others. Use
them to be encouraged in Christ, and get into the Bible more. Jesus chose 12,
who spread throughout the world, adding many every day. And each one had the
ability, just as we do , to do the same. The same Jesus of 2000 years ago is
still at work, He never left or denied you, and has given you gifts to use for
the kingdom. Along with the blessings that come with them. If you truly wish
to be transformed to the likeness of Jesus, pray and ask God to direct you to
someone, and then let Him. Be ready and involved for your new life in Christ,
and get every blessing available. Get involved. Hang on for the ride of your
life. No need to just hang on, or hang out like Tim, the ex con, he too was
looking, and hopefully we can help him. Too many Tims like him out there,
seeking, and not finding. Being given a new gift, freedom, but still in bondage
to the old life. You who believe have a new life in Christ. Start your period
of adjustment today, get closer to God. The family welcomes you and we need
you. Tim needs you, and Jesus needs you. You are that special He gave His life
for you, now can you give your life over to Him?
We are the church, welcome. We are the first family of Jesus. And it only
gets better. But wait, there’s more to Jesus....be conformed to Jesus today.
Do I hear a resounding YES!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com