Christian Credentials: Qualifications
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:10-14 (NKJV)
In terms of a solid, Christian background, I’m uncredentialed! *
I finally committed to Jesus at 51 (in late 2006)– astonishing me and everyone else.
While I opted in relatively LATE, my immersion was a full-throttle dive.
I read the Word of God diligently.
I prayed to heed His Word devotedly.
God had my full heart, mind, body, and strength. I wanted to give Him my business, too. So…
Shine (which began in 1982) made an unprecedented transition to a 501C-3 non-profit… as Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.
From then through today, God raises an army of action stars. Shine’s role? To provide their Basic Training… for the unprecedented mission fields of film, fashion, music, and theatre.
These expanding hotspots of escapism, narcissism, idolatry, lust, and greed… fueled condemnation and fascination among the faithful all over the world.
Most of them didn’t get the Master Plan. They HATED or LOVED man’s marvels too much!
While dedicated saints took mission trips to impoverished nations everywhere, the black hole of media kept growing.
Under the slick hand of 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2), entertainment increased exponentially.
The goal of this hole? To swallow the world… and all people not anchored to Jesus.
But our Great God has a different goal: Christ can save the world!
'That mortality may be swallowed up by life' (2 Corinthians 5:4).**
Christian Credentials: Qualifications (Part 1)
* I hope to be compared to the lowly tax collector in today’s key Verses… rather than the distinguished Pharisee.
** FOOTNOTE: Am I credentialed to write about God? By my religious education, NO. By God’s Spirit and Word speaking through me? That’s for you to judge.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2014 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.