5.4.2012 SECOND-HAND BELIEVER?

open your eyes - keith green

1.open your eyes to the world all around you; open your eyes, open your eyes
this world is much more than the things that surround you; you must arise and open your eyes
sometimes we're too busy to share; but Jesus wants us to care, to care

2. open your arms to the naked and shivering; open your arms, open your arms
we need a little less talking and a whole lot more giving; we're so safe and warm, we can open our arms
and love a little bit stronger and pray a little bit longer, longer..oh

chorus
Jesus says when we love someone in His name we're loving Him
Jesus says when we touch someone in His name we're touching Him
Jesus says when we feed someone in His name we're feeding Him
Jesus says when we reach someone in His name..He says, it's all for Him, it's all for Him
and we need to show them the light; we've got to pour out our lives, our lives.

3. open Your eyes (hearts) to the ones who are desperate; open your hearts, open your hearts
they may never repay you but their souls are worth it; new life you impart when you open your heart
Jesus loves all men the same, so we've got to go out in His name, His name

outside of larry norman, keith green, who died in an airplane crash in the 1980s, is one of the few prophetic voices whose music God used to change my heart and my life. before singing the above song (i did not type it totally correctly wanting to get as many of the words in without having to type all the redundancies.) he said something to this effect,
this generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls around the world. (matthew 28.18-20; mark 16.15)...pray, how 'bout me not sending my money this time, how 'bout me going! IT'S SO EASY TO WRITE A CHECK. it's so easy. but God can't cash out of state checks in heaven...HE NEEDS Y-O-U.

i am a second hand believer. Jesus was constantly proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to people FACE TO FACE. constantly teaching people, talking to people, healing people...FACE TO FACE. i really don't have a whole lot of face to face contact with people. the little i have i am not doing what Jesus did. but i'm good at writing checks.

WHEN I WAS HUNGRY, you gave Me food; WHEN THIRSTY, you gave Me drink; WHEN I WAS A STRANGER, you took Me into your home; WHEN NAKED you clothed Me; WHEN I WAS ILL you came to My help, WHEN IN PRISON you visited Me. matthew 25.35-6  i occasionally write a check but there is not one flesh and blood needy person that i am currently helping in these ways. will He say to me in judgement, 'the curse is on you; go from My sight to the eternal fire that is ready for the devil and his angels'? v41 won't checks count at all? do i really NEED to meet real needs of real people myself?