stand up for Jesus – My God, My Music, My Life

When my oldest daughter Kayhla was four years old she stole a pack of gum from the grocery store. We were grocery shopping and when we got home, she had it in her pants. Of course, she didn’t know it was stealing but I had a choice. I could laugh about it and let her have it or I could take her back to the store and let her give it back to the manager and explain what happened. I took her back and explained what happened and everything was okay. It is something we remember to this day. I call that a teachable moment. What would you have done?

Now I have a question for you. Who invented the radio? Growing up you no doubt heard Marconi. All the school books say he did so it has to be true. They are wrong. Nikola Tesla invented the radio.

Kylie brought home her science book and we were going over it together and when it came to Marconi invented the radio I told her that was wrong. She asked “how can it be wrong if it is in my school book?” I told her about Tesla inventing it and showed her on the internet. Being the smart nine year old she is she said “you can’t believe everything on the internet.” I told her she was right but to trust me. I did a report on Tesla in high school and college and I know it is right. I did some more research to show her that even the US Government Patent Office declared Marconi’s patent invalid in 1943.

Kylie went to school the next day and told her teacher the book was not correct. Her teacher looked it up on the internet and was astonished that she had never heard of Tesla before or that he had invented the radio. Kylie told me when she went up to her teacher her hands were sweating and she felt like she was going to get sick. She stood up for the truth.

‘In December 1901, Marconi established wireless communication between Britain and the Newfoundland, Canada, earning him the Nobel prize in 1909. But much of Marconi’s work was not original. The Brandley coherer increased the distance messages could be transmitted. The coherer was perfected by Marconi. However, the heart of radio transmission is based upon four tuned circuits for transmitting and receiving. It is Tesla’s original concept demonstrated in his famous lecture at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1893. The four circuits, used in two pairs, are still a fundamental part of all radio and television equipment. The United States Supreme Court, in 1943 held Marconi’s most important patent invalid, recognizing Tesla’s more significant contribution as the inventor of radio technology.’ – Tesla Society

He also invented AC current, developed the technology for the light bulb forty years before Edison (his had neon lights) and the theory for our current smartphones – in 1926.

Tesla

So, why am I giving you a history lesson on Nikola Tesla? Because most people have never heard of him. They don’t know what he did and how it has impacted our lives today. Sound familiar?

Most people have not heard of Jesus Christ. They don’t know what he did and how it can affect their lives today and in the future. Some people that have heard of Jesus say he isn’t really God. That He was just a man, even though there is a ton of evidence from non-Christian sources to the contrary.

‘Let’s summarize what we’ve learned about Jesus from this examination of ancient non-Christian sources. First, both Josephus and Lucian indicate that Jesus was regarded as wise. Second, Pliny, the Talmud, and Lucian imply He was a powerful and revered teacher. Third, both Josephus and the Talmud indicate He performed miraculous feats. Fourth, Tacitus, Josephus, the Talmud, and Lucian all mention that He was crucified. Tacitus and Josephus say this occurred under Pontius Pilate. And the Talmud declares it happened on the eve of Passover. Fifth, there are possible references to the Christian belief in Jesus’ resurrection in both Tacitus and Josephus. Sixth, Josephus records that Jesus’ followers believed He was the Christ, or Messiah. And finally, both Pliny and Lucian indicate that Christians worshipped Jesus as God!’ -excerpt from Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources by Michael Gleghorn.

All the historical people named above really existed and no one doubts that they did. They wrote about Jesus, the dates they wrote about Him and what He did match with the dates in the Bible that Matthew, Luke, Mark, John, Peter, etc. wrote about Jesus. So why do people still doubt the fact that Jesus was real and did what the Bible says He did?

Maybe it is because people like me haven’t taken a stand for Jesus. I haven’t talked about Him enough to others that don’t know Him. I have many times taken a stand and talked about Tesla. I have many times taken a stand and talked about my favorite sports team/athlete. How many times have I taken a stand and talked about Jesus?

How many times have you?

Edison’s Medicine by Tesla –

Hold You Up by Shane Harper –

Speaking Louder Than Before by Jeremy Camp –

Until The Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns –

I’ll Breathe For You by Decyfer Down –

Stand Out by Tye Tribbett –

Love You With The Truth by Casting Crowns –

Let It Shine by Tyler James Williams –

God’s People Stand Up by Holinite –

Running For God – Motivational

What Are Waiting For by Matt Papa –

Stick to Your Guns by Scarlet White –

Fix My Eyes by For King and Country –

We Are by Thousand Foot Krutch –

More Than Conquerors by Never Forsaken –

If you recall I mentioned in an earlier post that I don’t have any friends, none that I would call close anyway. It is all my fault, I am to blame, I take full responsibility. I never took the time to invest in anyone else. I was okay with just being by myself. I have since figured out that this isn’t the way God wants me to live. I can’t grow as a person or in my faith without the help of others.

It is easier to burn bridges than it is to rebuild them. Why would anyone trust me now? They got close to me once and look where it led them. I can’t blame them. One thing I do know about is forgiveness. Maybe one day they will forgive me.

Now let me tell you about my friend. He loves me when I don’t love him. He accepts me for who I am. He is there to encourage me when I am discouraged. He is there to carry me when I am worn out. He looks at me with compassion when I yell at him. He always has my back, even when I stab him in his. He forgives me, even when I don’t forgive myself. He picks me up when I fall down. He waits for me when I forget the plans we had together.

He serves me and teaches me how to serve others. He prays for me and has taught me how to pray. He is patient with me and has taught me how to be patient with others. He was tempted and has taught me how to have self-control and not to give into temptation -but when I do, he forgives me. He is humble and has taught me to be humble- and when I forget and think highly of myself he is quick to remind me why I have my talents and gifts.

He is always there for me. I can call on him at six in the morning or six in the evening. He answers my call at two in the morning or two in the afternoon. Sometimes his greatest answer is no. He is generous with his time and has taught me to be generous with mine – even though I am a work in progress on learning how to be more generous with mine. He has held my hand when no one else would.

Even with all those things, what he does most is what I think a true friend does. He tells me the truth. He tells me how it is even when he knows I won’t agree with what he says. He tells me that’s a bad decision then watches me make it. He tells me I will suffer the consequences if I do it, then watches me suffer the consequences. He never once tells me I told you so. He is always there to pull me closer when I push him away. He is committed to our relationship even when I am not so committed to him.

Would you like to have a friend like that? My friend told me to share him with you so now you have a friend like I do. His name is Jesus. Will you accept his friendship.

Oh, one last thing. My friend said he would die for me and he did.

Friend Like That by Hawk Nelson –