Set apart?

(09.14.21– Rebirth – James 1:16-18)

My friend, may I ask you a question? We look like everyone else but do we possess some sort of power that sets us apart from those who don’t believe in Christ?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Years ago a movie came out that had America talking: The Day the Earth Stood Still! It was at the height of a flying saucer scare. Starring Michael Renny as the alien who lands his saucer-shaped spacecraft in the heart of downtown Manhattan, the movie stirred the hearts and imaginations of millions. Renny had come to earth to warn its citizens that our constant wars were becoming a threat in the galaxy. To demonstrate his sincerity he caused all commerce and industry to a halt for 24 hours until we "woke up and changed our ways." What was so compelling was Renny himself. He looked like us and talked like us. Nonetheless, he was an alien; an alien when killed that could be brought back to life. That's what made the movie so compelling; the thought that people like us but different, more powerful and advanced, were out there. In a sense, the fascination resided in the fancy that perhaps, someday we would also become like them.

Perhaps it's not such a far-fetched thought. The Bible tells us that you and I are made a new creation in Jesus. We look like everyone else but do we possess some sort of power, like Renny, that sets us apart?

Here's a story: London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and thrown trash around the interior. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage. "Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site." When we become God's, the old life is over (2 Cor. 5:17). He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build. (Ian L. Wilson, Sermonillustrations.com)

I guess, like Renny, we are very, very different from those who don't know Christ. Through baptism and the working of faith in our hearts, God has destroyed the old creation in favor of a very new one. Although we look and sound like everyone else, we have something they don't have; we have the power of the living Christ within us. We are able to literally move mountains with that faith, performing feats of "mysterious" courage, perseverance, and love that are alien to an unbeliever. This indeed sets us apart from all other creation for God has deemed that you and I be totally reconstructed with the ability to live, like Renny, even after death has touched us. What a remarkable movie that would make–the day the earth will really stand still when all the "aliens" are reunited in heaven with their Heavenly Father; aliens no more!

We pray. Heavenly Father, although we look and sound like everyone else Lord, we have something they don't have; we have the power of the living Christ within us. Forgive us Father when we forget this and gravitate toward the corrupt culture we live in. We are able to move mountains with that faith, performing feats of "mysterious" courage, perseverance, and love that are alien to an unbeliever. It sets us apart from all other creation for You have deemed that we be totally reconstructed with the ability to live even after death has touched us. What mystery and what glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Set apart?

(09.14.21– Rebirth – James 1:16-18)

My friend, may I ask you a question? We look like everyone else but do we possess some sort of power that sets us apart from those who don’t believe in Christ?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Years ago a movie came out that had America talking: The Day the Earth Stood Still! It was at the height of a flying saucer scare. Starring Michael Renny as the alien who lands his saucer-shaped spacecraft in the heart of downtown Manhattan, the movie stirred the hearts and imaginations of millions. Renny had come to earth to warn its citizens that our constant wars were becoming a threat in the galaxy. To demonstrate his sincerity he caused all commerce and industry to a halt for 24 hours until we "woke up and changed our ways." What was so compelling was Renny himself. He looked like us and talked like us. Nonetheless, he was an alien; an alien when killed that could be brought back to life. That's what made the movie so compelling; the thought that people like us but different, more powerful and advanced, were out there. In a sense, the fascination resided in the fancy that perhaps, someday we would also become like them.

Perhaps it's not such a far-fetched thought. The Bible tells us that you and I are made a new creation in Jesus. We look like everyone else but do we possess some sort of power, like Renny, that sets us apart?

Here's a story: London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and thrown trash around the interior. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage. "Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site." When we become God's, the old life is over (2 Cor. 5:17). He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build. (Ian L. Wilson, Sermonillustrations.com)

I guess, like Renny, we are very, very different from those who don't know Christ. Through baptism and the working of faith in our hearts, God has destroyed the old creation in favor of a very new one. Although we look and sound like everyone else, we have something they don't have; we have the power of the living Christ within us. We are able to literally move mountains with that faith, performing feats of "mysterious" courage, perseverance, and love that are alien to an unbeliever. This indeed sets us apart from all other creation for God has deemed that you and I be totally reconstructed with the ability to live, like Renny, even after death has touched us. What a remarkable movie that would make–the day the earth will really stand still when all the "aliens" are reunited in heaven with their Heavenly Father; aliens no more!

We pray. Heavenly Father, although we look and sound like everyone else Lord, we have something they don't have; we have the power of the living Christ within us. Forgive us Father when we forget this and gravitate toward the corrupt culture we live in. We are able to move mountains with that faith, performing feats of "mysterious" courage, perseverance, and love that are alien to an unbeliever. It sets us apart from all other creation for You have deemed that we be totally reconstructed with the ability to live even after death has touched us. What mystery and what glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.