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Dad used to say, "Use it or lose it"


Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn’t shut me up; they gave me a platform! Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his prize. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose. (Philippians 1:21)

You never know what your 'platform' will be, do you? You might envision one thing, but God has a different avenue for you to explore and use as the platform by which he is glorified through your life. Paul was in prison and those who had grown close to him in his ministry were concerned that he would no longer have a 'platform' for ministry. He turns that fear around with these words: "...they gave me a platform!" Christ's messenger in life - his prize in death - no losing there, is there?

What we may not realize is that God's message within us cannot be shut off by anything man can do to us. Everything God wants to do in and through us will be done - no matter the 'platform' we may be given. The 'audience' may change. The 'method' may need a little different approach. BUT...the 'message' is still the same! There is no denying the power of Christ in a person's life when the 'platform' changes and the commitment to the message remains as steadfast and solid as ever, is there?

I wonder what 'platform' you have today and how it differs from mine. It could be you are younger, in the workforce, and 'out there' with tons of people each day, influencing and challenging each other. It could be you are retired, free to go as you please, seeing far less people, but still able to make an impact. The important thing is that we use the 'platform' we have been given. We use the power Christ brings into our lives - allowing his message to be seen and experienced through us.

What seems to get you excited and moving in life? Chances are that could be the beginning of your 'platform'. It doesn't take a license to preach and a pulpit to make an impact in this world for Jesus. It takes a commitment to his commandments, a willingness to get to know his Word, and a desire to see others find his grace. The 'platform' is up to God - we just need to be willing to be used wherever that 'platform' may be! Just sayin!
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