Intro Music…

 

Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well!  I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #30!  

 

I just want to thank you for tuning in, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment.  I want to take a quick moment to thank some new listeners for tuning into the show last week – welcome aboard and we’re glad to have you!

 

And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord - He’s is always right there beside you.    If you find ANY value in these episodes, the greatest thank you of all is to pass the work to at least one person you know to help spread the word.

 

I want to give a shout out to our strong Christian Men’s group on Facebook known as “Men Who Follow Christ.”  They’re official sponsors of this show. If you’re a man of God or striving to be one, join us today on the Facebook Group, Men Who Follow Christ”.   And, although this group is for men, we do recognize the need for women to have a place like this so we support our sister page at: www.facebook.com/groups/theweepingwomenofchrist/

 

So, without further ado, let’s get ready to invite God in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds.   

 

So here goes, here is today’s topic: “How your one, small, Christ-like act can have a worldwide ripple effect.”

 

I think it goes without saying that our lives are busy.  If you are one of the extremely rare few that have life’s that seem dull or boring, then count yourself in the same group as those that are busy beyond belief and who don’t have enough hours in their day to get everything accomplished that they want.  Both groups are not making enough time for the things that matter most to God.  Am I right?  If you’re bored and aren’t active, you’re not using your gifts or talents to help further God’s Word, nor plant seeds or harvest.  If you too busy with things, you’re not using your gifts or talents to help further God’s Word, nor plant seeds or harvest.  Hey guys, if the shoe fits – kick it off!!!  I was one of those groups, in fact, I was I both groups for the first 41 years of my life…both sides of the fence producing no fruit. Sometimes, it was because I was lazy, other times, I was putting anything and everything above God, while even other times, I was subconsciously busy at life in this world, but not busy at doing things for God’s Kingdom.  Can anyone relate here?

 

Before we see how God and His Word instruct us how to live, how to produce words from faith, and how we are to be laborers in His harvest, let me break down a concept that is rarely discussed or encouraged.  I don’t hear this in the church – never had and perhaps never will.  I hear a lot about missionary work, which is phenomenal.  It’s needed, it helps and it is God’s calling for some.  But how do we contribute to a mission that’s halfway around the world?  Where is our ‘works’ in that?  

 

Here’s what I don’t hear – how one little, inconvenient but deliberate act of work through faith can produce a world of change amongst many.   This would be the same concept and outcome as the 5 loaves of Bread and 2 fishes feeding the multitude of thousands.  

 

Certainly, you all have heard of the ripple effect, in some form, shape or another, correct?  The theory is, is that one action can multiple it’s effects over time just by the first action that was taken.  It’s a theory that, one small action can produce reactions that extend around the world.  Think small pebble tossed in the middle of a giant lake that produces a 360-degree ripple in the water that extends to the land and then produces another ripple that goes back out.  That pebble is you, my friends.  God is the one ready to propel you.   Now picture a handful of pebbles being thrown in the middle of a lake – many ripples, creating other ripples, creating other ripples, until they’re unable to be counted.  They’re multiplying to quickly for the human eye to be able to detect or perceive.  Those handful of pebbles are you, my friend.   The ripples are a result of your action and the effects of those actions.  Make sense?

 

Ok, so let’s get some context from the Bible, that helped convict me that my life was no longer my own to live for my glory, my excitement, my privilege, my happiness, my pleasure, but for Gods and Gods alone.   I was blown away to discover that the world is at enmity with God and God is at enmity with the world.  And that you’re either of the world or of God, but cannot be of both.  You know, the devil doesn’t come as this monster or beast that wreaks havoc on you (although that ultimate what he’s after in hope’s you’ll end up in hell with him), he comes disguised as an angel of light – with everything you ever wanted, or hopes of it anyway.  The more comfortable he can make you, the lest chances you are to cast that pebble or handful of pebbles into God’s pond to create the ripple effects God wants you to have when you become born again and a child of God.  If satan can do that, he has succeeded.  All to often, the road to hell is paved with the best of intentions.  Let’s not continue to pave the road to hell – let’s be those that help bridge the gap between the lost and the saved, the children of this world and the children of God, and those that need to be watered and harvested vs. those that are truly lost.

 

What does God say that backs this up?  That’s what I want to know and share with you all.  Never take my word for anything, nor anyone else’s, to include those that proclaim their faith and service in the Lord.  By their fruits you will know.  Take the Word of God as your roadmap, your almanac, your instruction manual, your mirror, your guide and your EVERYTHING – anything else is simply, man-made.

 

The following verses are shared so you know, if it’s been a long time or the first time you’ve read these from the bible, how God views works and how to turn the words into acts of kindness to produce the fruit of the Spirit, to be in obedience to God, to live a life worth living for Jesus, and to produce a faith that is not dead, thus creating the ripple effect of love, which covers a multitude of sins, as the Bible so clearly states.

 

 

Ephesians 2:8-10 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

James 2:14-20   

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ...

Titus 3:14   

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

James 2:20-24   

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Matthew 5:16 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Titus 3:8 

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

James 1:22-27 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. ...

Hebrews 10:24   

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

James 2:25-26   

And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Ephesians 4:32   

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Luke 6:27-31   

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

John 13:34   

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 John 3:18   

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Matthew 25:34-40   

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Luke 6:35   

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 Timothy 6:11   

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ...

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Hebrews 6:10   

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Matthew 5:43-48   

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ...

Hebrews 13:2   

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Galatians 6:9   

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

There are millions and millions of ways to provide Christ-like acts – it’s the ones you don’t take advantage of that do not count.  There is no Christ-like act that won’t cause a ripple effect.  It may go unnoticed by you, but not by Christ.

 

God is counting on you to be His laborer, for He has said, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  In the same Bible, we find Him that say many will try to enter through the narrow gate, that only few will find.  What honor it is to help some be one of the few?!??!?!?  

 

·      One kind word can make someone’s day.

·      One smile at a store towards someone can change their entire mood.

·      One dollar to a homeless person can provide them a meal and humanize them for a time.

·      One thank you to someone that’s working hard to help you can go a long way.

·      One mention of God to someone can be the first time in their life someone has.

·      One private message to someone saying, I just wanted to say Hi and even though you don’t know me, I want you to know I’m here for you no matter what.

·      One silent prayer of blessing and forgiveness as someone is angering you will help turn the tide.

·      One smile and a wave at a child may be the only one they receive that month.

·      One hour of your week to go volunteer at a local homeless shelter or charity can help support hundreds

·      One $3 bible handed to a homeless or beggar can change their eternal destiny

·      One loving correction to someone in an online chat room can help steer them in the right direction.

·      One post of encouragement can help someone on the verge of suicide.

·      One deposit of unwanted canned goods at a local pantry can help feed a family

 

You see, God looks at your heart.  What does YOUR heart reflect?  Do you see yourself in your heart, or do you see others in your heart? 

 

Who are YOU pleasing with your time – God, yourself, this world, or others in need?

 

What is your faith producing – works or nothing?

 

What is your life – a race against time, an investment in yourself, a wasted series of days and weeks, or one that is filled with good works unto the Lord.  It can’t be all – one cannot serve two masters.  Which master do you serve?

 

The point of today’s episode is to throw a pebble in your shoe to create an awareness of what we do with the time God has given us, once we become His children by being born again.  The enemy is working overtime to create a life of creature comforts and selfish motives so that you are the one your serve, and not God.  It’s real easy to do – just ask ME!  I never realized that I was my idol for the first 41 years of my life, one that would’ve costed me an eternity in hell had I died before He pulled me out of the fire I was headed towards.  It’s easier to take God’s hand and help those in need to produce the works that back up your faith, than it is to produce nothing, which shows your faith was dead to begin with.  

 

My final statement is this:    The more rocks you throw into the middle of the lake, which represent your works (acts of service and kindness), the more that will produce the number of ripples that only God can count and use to perform His miracles.

So, my final question to you is then this:    How many ripples does YOUR faith produce?

So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by God through today’s message and scripture. I’d like to ask you a favor only IF you received any value out of today’s show – would you tell at least one person you know – call them, text them, email them, talk to them – tell them to give this show a listen.  

 

Check out the show at shaken-awake.com, email me at ben@shaken-awake.com or call or text me directly for any reason at (407)-493-3208 (repeat).  If you have ideas for the show – LET ME KNOW!

Next week!!!!  Tune in Next Sunday evening – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as we dive into another important topic of our day, which is, “The Great Deception is upon us – the Devil’s Clever Misdirection”

Next weeks episode is another powerful and DO-NOT-MISS episode – thanks for joining!  

Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.  

 

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