What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it. Luke 15:4
A recent Barna study found that although 61% of American millennials consider themselves to be Christian, just 2% of them were found to hold a biblical worldview.
A biblical worldview, as defined by Barna, includes believing that absolute moral truths exist, and that such truth is defined by the Bible, as well as firm belief in six specific religious views.
Those views are that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life; God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and He stills rules it today; salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned; Satan is real; a Christian has a responsibility to share their faith in Christ with other people; and the Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.
Only an estimated 9% of adults in both the Elder (75 and older) and Boomer generations (56 to 74 years of age) hold a biblical worldview. Among Generation X (37 to 55 years of age), the percentage of subscribers to a biblical worldview drops to 5%.
While millennials have shown the most radical shift away from the Bible, other generations did not fare much better. Only an estimated 9% of adults in both the Elder (75 and older) and Boomer generations (56 to 74 years of age) hold a biblical worldview. Among Generation X (37 to 55 years of age), the percentage of subscribers to a biblical worldview drops to 5%. A nation that is at war with itself to adopt new values, lifestyles, and a new identity, is a war for worldview dominance.
The secret most people, even Christians, don’t understand is Jesus. We are lost without Him. He relentlessly pursues us until we are found by Him. We are like sheep who have turned off the path, going our own way, doing our own thing. Wandering around lost. Not realizing that we are lost until we look up and find that we are. Then the good shepherd, leaving the 99, pursues us and finds us. And rescues us from our lostness.
Amazing grace. How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I Once was lost, now am found. Was blind, but now I see. This is what our nation and its people need. Will you share your faith with them?
***
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Like Daniel, we face opposition that does not understand our faith or believe in our God. They need and deserve our compassion and our witness. But they will receive neither unless we live with such integrity that they see the unmistakable imprint of Jesus on our lives. If skeptics are going to find fault with us, let them say that we are too committed to our Lord. Is this what the world would say of you? Jim Denison
— o —
15 QUALITIES OF WISE PEOPLE:
Wise people…
…bring joy to their faith (Prov. 10:1).
…work hard (Prov. 10:5).
…accept instruction (Prov. 10:8).
…treasure knowledge (Prov. 10:14).
…listen to others (Prov. 12:15).
…stay calm when insulted (Prov. 12:16).
…think before they act (Prov. 13:16).
…walk with those who are wise (Prov. 13:20).
…look ahead to see what is coming (Prov. 13:20).
…act cautiously and avoid danger (Prov. 14:16).
…make learning a joy (Prov. 15:14).
…are hungry for truth (Prov. 17:27).
…manage their anger (Prov. 29:11).
…generously shares with those less fortunate (Prov. 22:9).
…walk with integrity (Prov. 11:3).
Be wise.
***
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
Takers live better, but givers sleep better. Ken Whitten
But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23
You are who you hang with. Bob Sprinkle
The Church’s Greatest Need Is the Word of God.
God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Plans. John 16:7
Jesus’ message is both personal and preset to us this day. Kelly Knouse
God is more interested in changing people than in condemning them. Ken Whitten
Christians are called to a higher standard than those of the world. Bob Sprinkle