SueAnn Porter

He comes up with some really good ones!

FOUR WAYS YOU SHOULD BREAK THE RULES

By Joel Nelson
All your life a bunch of rules have been shoved down your throat. It’s  time to break some of them. Here are four ways to break the rules.
1. Talk to Strangers
When you were a weak, wimpy little kid, your parents were constantly  preaching to you the rule “Don’t speak to strangers.” At that time, that rule had some merit to it. But now that you’re a two hundred pound six  foot tall man, for example, don’t you think that somewhere along the  line that rule was repealed as it applies to you? Break it!
“15 And he said unto them, Go yoü into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
ALL the world, not just your small little circle of friends. EVERY creature, not just people you already know.
“1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and  many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence has this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the  carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of  Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were  offended at him. 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not  without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in  his own house.” (Mark 6:1-4)
You will have a much easier time preaching the Gospel to total strangers than your friends and especially your family. Jesus’ experience is a  prime example of this.
2. Jump on the Bandwagon 

 In a few days Super Bowl XLVI (Sunday February 5, 2012) will be upon us. You have been taught the rule “Be loyal to your team. Don’t jump on the bandwagon.” If your favorite team is not in the Super Bowl, it is time  to break that rule. Start rooting for either the Giants or the Patriots, whichever team has more fans in your area.
“15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15)
Rejoice with the fans of one of the two Super Bowl teams that their team made it into the Super Bowl. Go watch the game with them, and cheer on  their team. At game’s end, if their team happens to have lost, weep with them as well.
“22 A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

 

Rejoicing is good for your health; do some! What did you want to do  instead — sit home all alone with your broken spirit and watch your  bones dry?
And remember this — riding on a bandwagon is a lot easier on your feet than walking!
3. Be Heard

 

You were taught when you growing up that “Children should be seen and  not heard.” Look in the mirror — you’re not a child anymore. Now that  you’re all grown up, you’re supposed to be heard as well as seen. Talk!
“6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise,  Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring  Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe  in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall  they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach,  except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of  them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good  things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias says, Lord, who has believed our report? 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:6-17)
By following that rule and being a quiet little church mouse, you are  sending thousands of people to Hell by your sin of omission. Break that  rule!

 

4. Go Public About Your Faith

 

People tell you that “Religion is a private matter” and “Do not tell  people what you believe in.” Actually, religion in the sense of trying  to earn your way to Heaven should be a very private matter — because it is bogus. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus, not of works.
“8 For by grace are yoü saved through faith; and that not of yoürselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
However, faith in the Lord Jesus is a public matter. Jesus is very serious about that.
“32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)
If you have faith in Jesus, then, for the sake of those around you, be open about it.
“14 Yoü are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let yoür light so shine before men, that they may see yoür good works, and glorify yoür Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
If you don’t have faith in Jesus yet, then get it, for your sake.