I used to be a little bit intimidated by people with “good” testimonies. You know the ones where the people used to be involved in some gratuitous lifestyle of sin and debochery BUT then Jesus transformed their lives! I love those kinds of stories… but they bear little resembence to mine. I’m a guy who met Jesus when I was 13 and just kinda grew up with Him.
About a week ago I watched an interview with a man who had one of those “good testimonies”. It was pretty graphic and the guy seemed to enjoy telling all the details. When it came time to explain how he he met Jesus and his life changed, he lost his smile and seemed to express remorse. NOT at the way he had conducted his life prior to meeting Jesus but at HOW MUCH he was giving up FOR Jesus! He mentioned it twice…He was actually impressed with himself for what he had given up!
I literally threw my shoe at the TV! (ok so I “figuratively” threw my shoe at the TV!) “Well, bless his snot-nosed, self absorbed, arrogant little heart!” HE is giving up a cushy lifestyle of sin and doing God a favor by following Him? I don’t think so! By the time the interview was over (with the host almost consoling him for his sacrifice, yuck) I was seething.
That is until the Holy Spirit reminded me that I often get impressed with my own sacrifice for Jesus…I just look better doing it. I hide it better than most. That is why the following verses are so piercing to me… Paul writes:
Philippians 3:7-10 whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a]Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,…
GREAT MODEL FOR US TO FOLLOW…
PAUL: Is baptized and called to be an Apostle (Acts 22:14-21) Told he would suffer for Christ’s name (Acts 9:16) People plot to kill him (Act 16:19-25) Angry mob threatens to kill him (Acts 22:22-24) knows that following Christ condemns him to die (1 Corinthians 4:9) Faced depression and dispair (2 Corinthians 1:8-10) Been to prison, recieved 39 lashed 5 times, beaten with rods 3 times, shipwrecked 3 times, spent night in open sea once, been in danger from, rivers, bandits, own countrymen, Gentiles, the city, false brothers, known hunger, sleeplessness and cold (2 Cor. 11:23-27) I get a little embarrassed about my own committment to Jesus when I read the Apostle Paul’s passion and selflessness in his faith.
I N T E N T I O N A L Marriage 
Brent Hardee
March 3, 2011 at 6:23 am
I was convicted by the Holy Spirit last night at Wingmen. I have not been spending time with God and have not been spending time in The Word. Today is the day I change that. No more hitting the snooze button time and time again. I am making a daily devotional a part of my morning routine. The first part, in fact.
pindellb
March 3, 2011 at 6:51 am
You know immediately I thought of when Peter stated in Matthew 19-27, Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” This was right after Jesus stated it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. If it were me Peter said that to, I would have probably answered him saying, “Right Peter, you gave up two catfish and a boat.” What really am I giving up to follow Jesus? Walking a wide road to destruction, a life of unfulfillment and want? Oh by the way, that really big hole in the heart that only Jesus can fill? Yeah, I’ll take following Jesus! I say that happily and excitedly! I can take that attitude with me through the rest of today! May God bless.
Stephen Lavigne
March 3, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I was finally able to get alone in my “red leather chair with my black leather bible” and fully read your devotional today. This is all brand new to me…I literally still have a brand new car smell on me; I am that new to the Bible, not just faith but the Bible. Reading about the Apostle Paul’s commitment and passion to serve and teach about Christ, really makes you think about your own faith and commitment. Great reading! Thanks Hixon!
Hixon Frank
March 12, 2011 at 8:25 am
That is awesome Stephen. I am proud of ya. Keep growing and striving…. God will absolutely reward your pursuit of Him!
Andy Severance
March 11, 2011 at 10:54 pm
This immediately reminded me of going to see Wayne Watson in Lubbock at, I think it was Trinity down on the south loop. I went with someone, it might have been you Hicon, or maybe it was Greg. In between sings he gets serious, starts talking about how he could tell us stories about drinking, and drugs, etc, etc, the he suddenly says, none of it would be true though….and I got the same impression, that he was trying to point out that some people indulge in their stories a little too much. It actually ended up being humorous because he had created such a somber and serious moment then punctured it thoroughly….
Hixon Frank
March 12, 2011 at 8:23 am
I remember that concert! Very well! You nailed it!