Ezekiel 33:10-11 (NKJV)
10 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?”’ 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
How, then, shall we live? By caring for others as God cares for us. By being an awesome friend which is something special. I have a friend for about 15 years who has become my spiritual accountability partner and much more. We met at a Church Men’s Group when I was early in my faith walk. There was always something special about this man. It was obvious that he was strong in the Lord. I even took a course called Evangelism Explosion where he was my mentor. We visited people who had come to the Church at their homes and tried to answer their questions about their faith. Mostly, it was letting the Spirit speak. Anyway, he was like a Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) to me then and now. We became more than mentor/mentee pretty quickly. In fact, we meet for breakfast weekly to support and encourage each other and have for these 15+ years.
Today, at our breakfast, it occurred to me how awesome a friend he is to me and to so many others. He shared with me some of the tasks he has taken on to serve others where he now lives as an indicator of the challenges he faces and requests my prayers the God will give him the strength to continue to support others. He is an example of the person I want to be when I grow up. I would like to be that person now! I am working on it with God’s help. The lyrics of the song “Live Like That” are below and there is a link to the YouTube video. I suggest you watch it yourself. There are questions about how you should live. If you belong to Christ, you should live the way Christ tells you through this song. I know my friend’s heart has been changed and he is living with abandon. Pray for me that I may also live with abandon!
What will people say of you?
Does your action point to Jesus?
Is your worship more than just a song?
Are you proof that Jesus is who He said He is?
When they see you, do they see Christ?
I want to live like Him. I want live with abandon never holding back. I want to live like my friend, like Barnabas. But I cannot do it on my own. I need Christ within me to make it happen. Ask Him!
Lord, please work within me to make me more like you. Thank You for putting my friend in my life as a living example of what it is like to walk with you. Thank You for these 15 years and please give us many more to fellowship in your name. And most of all, help us to do and say things that point others to You. In Your name we pray!
Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfosSggwQS0
Sometimes I think What will people say of me When I’m only just a memory When I’m home where my soul belongs
Was I love When no one else would show up, Was I Jesus to the least of us, Was my worship more than just a song
I want to live like that, And give it all I have, So that everything I say and do Points to You
If love is who I am, Then this is where I’ll stand, Recklessly abandoned Never holding back I want to live like that
Am I proof That You are who you say You are, That grace can really change our heart, Do I live like Your love is true
People pass, And even if they don’t know my name, Is there evidence that I’ve been changed, When they see me, do they see You
If love is who I am, Then this is where I’ll stand, Recklessly abandoned Never holding back. I want to live like that.