How’s the Weather?

How’s the weather where you are?

What a great conversation starter! Weather is obvious. We all experience it. And, unlike taxes, politics or death, it’s OK to discuss the weather.

God does amazing things in the weather. God also does amazing things in His children – but we don’t talk about that as readily because sometimes we think faith is private; just between us and God.

But faith isn’t private or hidden. Our faith is on display every day, in every conversation, in every situation, in every decision — everyone sees it, just like the weather.

We can’t control the weather. We might turn on the AC when it’s hot, or the heat when it’s cold, but that doesn’t change the weather. Neither can we change our hearts. We may try to change our actions when others are around by cranking up niceness or dialing down anger and yelling, but only God can change hearts. God changes our hearts — he regenerates our hearts with new life — when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 NIV

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear  your name.” — Psalm 86:11 NIV

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him…” — Colosians 2:6 NIV

It’s possible to know Jesus and not be saved. It’s possible to know Jesus and not have a regenerated heart. Do you know that you are saved? Has your heart been made new?

Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, but it is a gift that you must receive by choice. You must choose to believe that Jesus is who He says He is: God who came into the world.

“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” – John 8:23-24, 58

Then you must choose to accept that Jesus died in your place — as your substitute – to pay the penalty for your sins; a penalty that you could never pay.

“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” – Romans 4:25

You must take these truths for yourself, apply them to your own life, and then you must submit to Jesus as the Lord, the final authority over your life.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Once you receive the gift of salvation God begins to change you from the inside out. This is accomplished as you avail yourself of His Word, His Holy Spirit, fellowship with other believers and as you respond to Him in obedience. People will notice, they will see your faith — it’s inevitable. You are not who you were.

People will see your faith when the storms of life overtake you and yet you don’t slide out of control because you are standing on solid ground.

People will see your faith as you reveal a servant’s heart — one that is free from guilt and shame; washed as white as the snow.
People will see your faith as you calmly trust in Jesus rather than explode with the volatility that previously defined you.

People will see your faith when you respond with warmth, love, compassion and forgiveness, bringing God’s light and warmth into a cold world.

People will see your faith as God brings new life out of the thorns that used to envelop you.

How has your life changed since you met Jesus? Are you surprised at how much God has changed you?

Rather than ask, “How’s the weather?” allow me to ask, “How’s your faith?” Please comment below and share how God has changed you, and how that is as obvious as the weather.