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I was reading through the book of Mark this morning in the Holman Christian Standard version of the Bible when I came across a text which stated Jesus was amazed. I have read this book many times, and it had never caught my eye. Jesus amazed?
Throughout scripture we see where Jesus amazed many people by His love, miracles, deeds, and wisdom. But what could possibly amaze the Son of God who was, who is, and who forever will be. He drew the blue prints of all creation, and He knows the plans of all eternity. Jesus amazed?
If Jesus was amazed in Mark, I wondered if He was amazed at any other time in his recorded life. After finding the Greek root word, thaumazo; meaning to wonder, to admire, and to marvel ; I found Jesus to be amazed a second time in a different situation. Still, Jesus amazed?
In Mark 6:6, Jesus is amazed at people’s unbelief in who He was. Even after His teachings, healings, and miracles they had no faith. Jesus found this lack of faith to be amazing! Next, in Matthew 8 and Luke 7 we find the story of the centurion. The centurion had such great faith that he told Jesus to “say the word, and [his] servant will be cured.” (v. 7) The centurion recognized Jesus as a man of great authority. He humbled himself before Jesus and had such great faith in Jesus’ ability to heal through simply commanding it to be so. This great faith is what amazed Jesus.
After considering these two extremes of faith and faithlessness, I thought of Jesus’ words to the church of Laodicea in Revelations 3. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.” It seems Jesus is amazed by people who believe or do not believe, even though the life and death consequences of the two are equally extreme. However, to be in the middle of the two; undecided or uncommitted, obviously makes Him sick.
Today’s xfactor4life challenge is to make the decision: believe or don’t believe, go or stay, follow or turn around, do or don’t. Whatever it is; BE AMAZING to Jesus. To be anything else only makes Him nauseous. As for me, I believe.

I began listening to an audio book today titled What is the Mission of the Church? I felt compelled to create a personal definition of Missions before venturing too far into the book.  Below is what I put together:

Missions (of the church)- Missions is the life journey, yielded to God’s call, of an individual Christian’s life, which is lived out in complete trust, obedience, and love of God, where God given talents and spiritual gifts are drawn on to love others through word and deed in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Note the word “individual.”  Those with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are all called to missions.

What is your definition?

This week, the U.S House of Representatives voted to re-affirm the Official U.S. motto of “In God We Trust.”  I will admit I was somewhat concerned when I heard about the vote taking place.  The thought of America possibly no longer claiming to trust God was disturbing.  I was thankful when I heard the news about the re-affirmation vote winning by a landslide.

 However, where has America come when we need to vote on if we are going to continue to trust God as a nation?  Trusting God is not a political choice, but a personal choice.   This is an incredible x-factor, or variable that can influence a person’s entire life.  Americans have come to trust in many gods, but from a Biblical worldview there is only one true living God, and the only way to Him is through His son Jesus Christ. 

 It is interesting that all other religions acknowledge Jesus Christ as a good man, a leader, a moral teacher.  If we respect Jesus and hold Him in such high regard, then we must count Him as trustworthy.  Jesus said “He is the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Further, the apostle John wrote, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

 Make the motto In God We Trust a personal statement.  The vote of trusting God through His son Jesus remains with you.  How do you vote?

Welcome to xfactor4life.com!

We are most familiar with the term “x-factor” as it may be used by sports announcers and even more so by the new talent competition television series. However, at xfactor4life.com the term is meant as a life challenge.
X-Factor is defined as “A variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.” “X” is a variable which is something that is alterable, changeable, and inconstant. But even in the fickleness of the variable, (x) still has great influence on the outcome of the equation.
Just as in mathematics, our daily lives often encompass many variables which are exhibited as choices. Should I do this? Should I do that? If this (x), then that (y). Each decision, regardless the perceived importance, carries an impact on our lives and the lives of others. At work, (x) may influence a salary. If I work harder (x), then I will earn more money. If I spend more time with my children (x), then they will do better in school. If I read my Bible more (x), then I will be closer to God. Unfortunately, (x) can have negative influences as well. If I do not go to work (x), then I will get fired. We can go on and on.
Examining life from a Biblical perspective to result in an existence of remarkable influence is what the X-factor is all about. Join us at xfactor4life.com each week as we journey together to explore life’s variables in order to maximize our influence in the life we have all been given.

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