God
Said . . . I Said
GOD SAID: Nice touch.
I SAID: Thanks. But . . . what are we talking
about?
That WWJD bracelet
you're wearing.
Oh. Yeah, I have got five.
I know.
You can match them with just about anything in your closet,
can't you?
Yeah. Cool, huh?
You've got a pretty
good collection.
Yep.
Too bad it's not
more.
Well, I'll get a few more eventually.
After all, they do cost.
No, I'm not talking
about adding more bracelets to your collection.
But, you're right, there is a cost involved.
Uh oh. I've got a feeling we're not on the same
page, are we, God?
Nope.
Look, I'm kind of in a hurry, Lord.
So if You have something to say, could
You just say it?
I already have.
Guess I didn't catch it.
Let's go through
it again, okay? Check out
1 John 2:4-5.
Uh. All right. Gimme a sec.
It's under your bed.
What?
Your Bible.
How'd You know that's what I was look . . .
I'm God, remember?
I know everything.
Oh, yeah. Okay. Here we go:
'Someone may say, ' I am a Christian;
I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.? But if he doesn't
do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do
what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more.
That is the way to know whether or
not you are a Christian?
So . . . lay it on me, God. What are
You saying?
I'm saying it sure
would be nice if that WWJD bracelet you're wearing, was more
than a fashion statement.
But if it were . . . it would cost.
Hey, wait a sec! I'm not just wearing this as
a fad!
I know what it stands for.
I believe in it.
Believing in a phrase
. . . and living the lifestyle are two different things.
I'm listening.
Well, to really live
out the WWJD lifestyle may cost you some dates.
Guys?
And maybe some friends.
The girls?
And maybe your time.
My TV shows?
WWJD means asking
yourself,
'What would Jesus do' before anything and everything you do.
Well, yeah . . . technically.
Excuse me?
I mean, yeah . . . we all know that's what the
letters stand for.
But . . .
But to take it seriously.
I mean to actually ask ourselves that
questions ...
well, that would change everything
? or at least a lot!
Check out
1 John 2:6.
Okay.
Got it right here.
'Anyone who says he is a Christian
should live as Christ did' .
Hmmm.
So what's it
goanna be?
A fashion statement or a lifestyle backed with commitment?
But God,
I'm not sure You really understand.
If I truly asked what would You do
. . . well,
You probably wouldn't go to the movie
I'm goanna see this Friday with Brian.
Not that particular
one, no.
And
You probably wouldn't want me hanging out with Kari as much.
She shoplifts.
And since
you're not doing anything to confront her or trying to introduce
her to me, she's pulling you down.
Yeah, I'd like you to quit spending so much time with her.
God, if I
start asking myself that question . . .
If you don't,
and you continue to wear that bracelet, you're a phony.
That's a
bit harsh, don't You think?
Read My words again.
The ones in 1 John
2:4.
Read the last part of that verse. 'But if he doesn't do what
Christ tells him to, he is a liar' .
Ouch.
Yes . . . ouch.
I died for those words.
I know.
I also died
to give you the power you need to put those words into practice.
I'm not that
strong, God.
I know. I made
you, remember?
I realize you're weak.
I know your temptations.
But I can equip you with everything you need to become all I
call you to be.
You
know what this means, don't You?
There may be a few Friday nights I'm
home alone.
No, not alone.
I've promised never to leave you.
I would love to spend this Friday night with you.
Is this for
real?
So real I shed
my blood.
But
. . . Friday night . . . alone with God?
Oh, my child,
the things I want to do in your life.
The dreams I want to give you!
The vision I want to create with you.
I have so much in store for you, your mind couldn't comprehend
it all if I told you everything right now.
Wow. For
me? That's kind of exciting!
For you. You're
that special.
I dream big dreams for you.
I'm pretty
good at dreaming, too, God.
Yes, you are.
But My dreams are even bigger than your imagination! Check out
Ephesians 3:20.
Okay, here
it is: 'Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work
within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to
ask or even dream of 'infinitely beyond our highest prayers,
desires, thoughts or hopes' .
And what about
Jeremiah 29:11?
Old Testament.
Got it. 'For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.
They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope' .
Wow.
My child, I
love you way too much to let you slide.
It hurts me to watch you settle for WWJD being a mere piece
of fabric wrapped around your wrist when it's meant to be so
much more.
I'm sorry,
Father. I never really thought about it.
You see, I
went through more torture than you can even fathom . . . just
so you could live WWJD instead of simply wear it.
This is a
lot to swallow.
And I did it
because I love you.
But Father,
I don't deserve a love that great.
And you know
what?
If you had been the only person in the entire world,
I still would have gone through the crucifixion just for you!
Jesus, will
You forgive me?
I'm so sorry. I never meant to take
your death for granted.
I don't want to be a phony.
I want to be genuine and full of You.
I want people to see a difference in my life.
I'm sorry I've taken You for granted.
Jesus, fill me.
Saturate me.
Control me.
Let me be putty in Your hands.
Remake me in Your image.
Yes!
I need to
hurry to my piano lesson right now, Lord.
And as soon as that's over, I have
an important appointment.
Oh?
With my Bible
and my heavenly Father.
We need to talk about my friends, my
time and my entertainment.
Guess what?
What?
That's exactly what
Jesus would do!
Author Unknown
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