By Faith...that is the way that Christ has asked us to live this Christian life.

Faith, the opposite of fear, is moving beyond your feelings, stepping out into the unknown, trusting that your foot will land on the solid Rock of Christ.

My life has been one that has many times been characterized by fear...but the perfect love of Jesus is casting it out. Three months ago I began working as a youth pastor in the worst neighborhood of Spokane, Washington. My desire was to build a youth group from the kids in the hood, but I didn't know how I was going to do it. Armed with nothing except the word of God and my testimony, I began to walk the streets with my friend Cord, praying that God would lead us to the right people. The first night we walked the streets, Jesus led us to 4 kids. We were excited. The next night we met 7. The third night we met 20. The following weekend we took 23 to Silverwood theme park. Last weekend we took 12 kids white water rafting. I would brag about it, if it had anything to do with me. . .but its beyond me...its miraculous!

Tonight, is a great example. We're walking through West Central, there on the porch of a house is a young man...he speaks to us with a glare... "Whats up?" We stop and introduce ourselves. Soon his cousin comes out of the house. The four of us began to talk. A few minutes later, two teenage girls and another young man walk up...several minutes later, a car pulls up, and out gets the first young guy's mom &  sister. A few minutes later another car pulls up, and up walks another cousin. What did we do? Nothing. We walked down the street stopped and said hello. Within 10 minutes we went from meeting one young man, to sharing Jesus with 8 people. 2 hours later, after a game of basketball, many questions, and some prayer, we said goodnight to two of the young guys we met there...

Why am I telling you this?  Because I want to challenge you. I want to challenge you to get into the battle. Think of this world as the colliseum...down in the arena, there is a bloody battle going on. Men fight for thier lives, and the lives of their comrades...surrounding the battle scene, are the spectators, screaming their approval, or criticizing their favorite warrior who just doesn't seem to be fighting as well today. Sometimes the crowd goes wild with applause, as a soldier conquers a foe...sometimes they boo, as a soldier suffers a horrible wound or falls...there in their clean white clothes, and their pretty hair, and their bloodless garments, they watch, and speculate what they would do if they had been on the battle floor. This is an example of the church today. A few men and women recognize that the battle for lost souls must be fought...that satan is enslaving millions of souls...and as Jesus has called us to engage...they enter the battle, and at times are victorious, at times they are wounded and fall...yet they fight on courageously, devoting their lives to save even a few through Christ. But most who call themselves followers of Jesus, sit on the sidelines...call it a church pew...or a board meeting...or finance committee, or some other meeting, or a job, a career, or some other venture, and convince themselves that they are doing their "Christian duty"...but rarely if ever would they consider actually sharing with the poor and destitute of the world, or actually openly sharing Christ with someone.  Why that would require change...in themselves, in their routine, in their tradition, in their hearts, in their reputation.  No, its easier to maintain the status quo, sit on the sidelines, expect the pastor, or some zealous "new believer" to get into the battle...and then criticize them, analyze their methods, their behavior, and yes at times cheer them on with a pat on the back and another christian platitude of "we're praying for you!". Where are you? Are you a Christian...do you "believe"...even the demons believe and tremble...are you in the battle, or are you a spectator? When's the last time you shared your testimony...when's the last time you stood up for Christ outside the walls of your comfort zone called Church. Love the Lord your God with some of your heart...oops I mean "love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself!" Sounds simple...are you doing it? Am I? Get into the game. The feelings of embarrassement that you feel when you actually began standing up and speaking for Jesus...they will fade as you see Jesus working miracles...that discouragement or laziness that is plaguing you...that is satan working to keep you focused on yourself...that desire to build a kingdom on this earth, run up a flag, stake your claim...well Jesus was tempted with that too...but He says to take up your cross and follow Him...and He told satan to "get behind Me, it is written, worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve!" Jesus is coming soon...its time to get into the battle and fight...justice, mercy, truth, Love, salvation...the hurt and lost people of the world need these things...these things come through Jesus...Jesus works through people...stand up, strap on your armor, and get into the battle!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind...you therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."

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