Get a Grip On Yourself

When Paul was speaking with Festus and King Agrippa in Acts 26, Festus yelled at Paul during his sharing of God's Story, and he had this to say, "Paul, your crazy! You've read too many books, spent too much time staring off into space! Get a grip on yourself, get back in the real world!"
Jesus-followers really are crazy according to this world's standards. Most of us do spend far too much time staring off into space, wondering what Heaven will be like, and we have a hard time getting back in the "real" world, because this world just won't last!!!!
The end of Acts says this, "Paul lived for two years in his rented house. He welcomed everyone who came to visit. He URGENTLY presented ALL matters of the Kingdom of God. He explained EVERYTHING about Jesus Christ. His door was ALWAYS open."
What would this look like? If Jesus-followers forsook it all for the sake of the call that Jesus has given us. To die to ourselves daily, take up our cross and follow Him. I beg God to help me follow Jesus everyday. It is a struggle to get up and share Jesus daily (when I do it). But when God does it through me, it's so natural, like this is what I am supposed to be doing.
There is an urgency about the gospel. Paul thought that there was an urgency about 2000 years ago - therefore, we should even more so place an urgency on the gospel! Love people, the people that don't DESERVE the love - because forgiveness was given ever so freely!
TODAY - French class, went to Mt. Royal (the top of the city) and painted (practicing a sketch board)..... Let it all go! Seriously - Let it all go - follow Him - this earth is fading away - allow Jesus to revolutionize your heart and your life!
"Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said "Come follow me" and they came
With reckless abandon they came

Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe and none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call

Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea
No turning back for the water cannot help but flow
Once we hear the Savior's call we'll follow wherever he leads
Because of the love He has shown
And because he has called us to go we will answer

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die

Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey..." - Steven Curtis Chapman

Abandoning It All,
Dwight