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GoodWordUSA is a
Christian site devoted sharing the faith of Jesus Christ. God loved
all of us enough to give us His own Son. Jesus did more than come
here to die. He came to tell us the truth about God — and to show
us that truth as He walked among us. He didn't ride around in
fancy cars (or chariots), did not have beautiful escorts, did not have His
hair styled or His clothes picked out by fashion experts, and did not have
fabulous houses to live in. He lived a plain and simple life as He
walked through the land. He was so ordinary in His appearance that
He was able to slip among the crowd and disappear on more than one
occasion.
Our Christian lives
should reflect the understanding that material wealth and worldly
fame do not matter very much. This entire world is passing away, the
Bible says. Our real homes are in another place, in another
time. Our lives here, then, should be dedicated to God Himself, and
to the life and truth of God that's only found in Jesus Christ.
Millions of very special people still know very little about God's love
for them. Whole families and communities and societies — living right
now — have never heard the name of Jesus. We owe it to them to tell
them what God has done for all of us in Jesus Christ.
This web site exists to
encourage your faith. GoodWordUSA is aimed first at America,
because this is where we live. But its overall focus includes
the whole world.
We who live in the
United States and Canada are rich in material goods. You may feel
poor, as I often do, but we're rich compared to most of the people in the world.
We have money and houses and cars and expensive bicycles, we have
computers and TVs and boats and all kinds of other toys. We go out to eat.
We redo the carpet in our houses. Our cities have shopping malls, and
escalators, and all sorts of things that millions of people have not even
imagined.
There are Christian
missionaries and mission organizations and publishing houses that are
reaching out to people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And you can
help them. You can even reach out to people in your own area.
And I don't mean to simply give them food, shelter, and clothing — although we should start there.
We need to share Jesus with
them. We need to give them Christian Bibles and other helpful literature. We
need to help them find or build good churches — not just buildings, but
groups of people where they can gather for fellowship, and grow in the Lord together.
We need to be a part of what God is doing right now.
GoodWordUSA is all about this active kind of
Christian faith: a faith that has hands
and feet, eyes and ears, and a heart that beats for others. You're
the light of the world, Jesus said. Do not hide your light away in a
church building somewhere, where it can only be seen by a few people once
or twice a week. But let your light shine for the whole world to see. Let Jesus Christ shine in you and through you to people
everywhere. Be a part of what God is doing in Africa, in India, in
China, in the cities of Europe, in the lands south of us — and right where
you live and work everyday.
Have you ever thought
about publishing a local Christian newspaper? You can learn
more about this and other local outreach ideas by
clicking here.
Share your money with
honest Christian groups that are doing something to help the moms
and dads and children everywhere. Sponsor families and children in
far away places. Send cards, letters, and gifts of encouragement to
the missionaries your local church group is supporting. And then
find some other missionaries to reach out to as well. Be fully alive in Jesus
Christ. Give of your wealth, your time, your skills. Teach
your children and your grandchildren to be real and healthy and active
Christians — the kind of people that change the world.
I urge you to pray each day,
asking God to help you find good and effective ways to reach out in your
own community, and around the world. And then listen to Him as He
speaks. Encourage your local church to do more and more and more for
the kingdom.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we should be willing to die poor in order to make others rich in
Christ. No one will ever regret such a life, such a passion.
God's best in Jesus Christ to you and to all
those you love and care for.
Jim
GoodWordUSA
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