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Reform
Your
WORLD
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Reform
Your
WORLD Ryan Cook
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© Copyright 2008 – Ryan Cook All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TM are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All emphasis within Scripture quotations is the author’s own. Please note that Destiny Image’s publishing style capitalizes certain pronouns in Scripture that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ from some publishers’ styles. Take note that the name satan and related names are not capitalized. We choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatical rules.
DESTINY IMAGE® PUBLISHERS, INC. P.O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310 “Speaking to the Purposes of God for this Generation and for the Generations to Come.” This book and all other Destiny Image, Revival Press, Mercy Place, Fresh Bread, Destiny Image Fiction, and Treasure House books are available at Christian bookstores and distributors worldwide. For a U.S. bookstore nearest you, call 1-800-722-6774. For more information on foreign distributors, call 717-532-3040. Eeach us on the Internet: www.destinyimage.com. ISBN 10: 0-7684-2647-2 ISBN 13: 978-0-7684-2647-2 For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 / 12 11 10 09 08
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DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to my parents and my wife.
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ENDORSEMENTS
I have known Ryan for more than ten years; he is not about religious “things” and wasting time. His focus is on igniting the ability to dream in people of all ages. Quoting many biblical heroes and recent world changers like Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bono, Ryan launches a compelling attack on our world’s indifference, and stirs people to want to make a positive difference in other people’s lives. Ryan’s passion oozes out on every page and will challenge your courage level to take practical steps to be part of something great. Brian Thomson Author, Director of Home of Hope Rwanda Director of Wagner Leadership Institute Canada
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Ryan Cook and Compassionate Ministries Canada have repeatedly visited Germany and have sensitively represented the Kingdom of God especially among young people. There is no doubt that God has opened a door for them to our nation. We especially enjoyed Ryan and Compassionate Ministries during the international youth event STREAM 07 at Pentecost 2007. I believe that this book will be a great blessing to members of any generation who are looking to find their commission and position in the Kingdom of God. Walter Heidenreich FCJG, Ludensheid, Germany
Ryan Cook’s new book is a must read for every Christian who has a heart to change the world. It is a powder keg full of passion, vision, and strategy. I love how he has taken stories about world changers from every generation and focused them to propel this generation. He has drawn out qualities like vision, truth, urgency, and courage and used them to prophecy the same to the character of this present reformer generation. Ryan is wise, passionate, fun, and very committed. His book is a powerful message straight from Heaven. Everyone who wants to “change the world” needs to read, study, and digest the words of this book. John Burns, pastor Victory Christian Center, Vancouver, BC Author, television program host
Ryan Cook is a contemporary next-generation leader who thinks, talks, and acts his message out in practical ways in both the local church and in international ministry. The insights of
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in this book will bring leaders of every age into a new paradigm of thinking to equip and change their world. Mel C. Mullen, pastor Word of Life Church and Ministries Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Reform Your World hooked me. In an hour when the foundations of Christian nations and systems are under systematic fire, the call for the Church and a generation of righteousnessbuilders is vital and must be heard and acted upon. Ryan’s book is full of faith, insightful historical illustrations, and personal wit that will keep you turning the pages. This book is not only an intellectual project for the author but also his burning passion. The integrity of his life as it links to this message is the plumb line integrity needed to be an authentic trumpet. Get it, read it, act on it, and then buy more to give to your friends. It is time for an authentic reformer generation in our leg of history. Faytene Kryskow, Director 4 MYCanada Author, Stand On Guard
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CONTENT
Foreword ................................................13 Preface ....................................................15 Introduction: The Essentials ......................17 Chapter 1 The Reformer ..........................................27 Chapter 2 Dreams and Dreamers................................35 Chapter 3 Truth ......................................................53 Chapter 4 Asking Life Questions ................................69
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Chapter 5 The Time Is Now ......................................83 Chapter 6 The Power of the Mind ..............................95 Chapter 7 Lights for Darkness....................................111 Chapter 8 Justice ....................................................129 Chapter 9 Guts ......................................................147 Conclusion ................................................165 Speech William Wilberforce “Abolition Speech of 1789” ..........................167
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FOREWORD
All of God’s choicest truth has a history of practical and measurable effect—the innate power to change not only ideas, but the character and culture of everything it touches. Salt, Jesus said, is good. But if the salt has lost its savor, what is the point of using it? How on earth can salt lose its saltiness? Salt cannot change chemical composition by wear or fracture. Age does not alter it. Time cannot make it deteriorate. It retains the same properties and power, century after century without loss or alteration. The power of salt to heal, preserve, flavor, and sustain life on our planet is so strong it was once used as coin and currency. So how can salt lose its saltiness? Only one way: when the real thing has been slowly and silently leached away from the [ 13 ]
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other materials around it so that what may look like salt is now only a shadow of its former chemical compound. “Good for nothing,” Jesus said—“good for nothing.” Useless as currency and now not worth even thinking about— worthless enough to drop on the ground to mingle with dirt beneath people’s feet. Salt without the power to affect what it touches becomes utterly useless and forever forgettable. Salt is good but, Selah, oh saint of the coming counter-culture. Ryan’s book offers no “new” truth because true truth remains the same from generation to generation—like salty salt. Instead, he holds up the Truth we all must learn again—the Church is called to carry out what is on God’s great heart; heal, restore, save His world. Winkie Pratney
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PREFACE
Throughout history key figures stepped into roles to spearhead changes that took place in the government, arts, economy, education, politics, religion, and other worldly realms. These people chose to make a positive difference and caused changes for the betterment of society. These reformers re-formed existing norms and made a difference in their communities, nations, and the world. Today’s world is confronted by giants that seem unconquerable—the child sex trade, global poverty, HIV/AIDS, famine, ethnic cleansings…the list is long and disheartening. Does God have a plan to deal with these issues? Will Christians play a relevant role in the solutions? Yes, is the answer to both questions. God does have a plan, and as in the past, it involves Christian reformers. [ 15 ]
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God is mobilizing generations passionate about impacting society and the world around them. These are people who are not satisfied with just “existing”—they are filled with a prophetic passion to change and improve their world for the generations to follow. I believe that there is a new scene being built by God where a “reformer generation” will take center stage, commanding the world’s attention as they set out to bring glory to their Savior Jesus Christ. I’ve read about some reformers of the past and have met some current reformers—and I’m excited about those who are just now developing themselves to enter God’s limelight. Introducing you to these reformers is a pleasure—may you gain as much strength and motivation from their lives as I do.
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Introduction
THE ESSENTIALS
A few years ago I hosted a group of college students on a ministry trip to Jamaica. Our travel pattern was not direct and we had to travel through the United States from Canada before entering Jamaica where we were going to minister. We had a 10-hour journey, but finally arrived at the United States border. Only then did one of the students realize that he didn’t have his passport—he had left it at the previous stop, two and a half hours earlier. Without his passport and other vital documents, he could go no farther. We immediately called a friend who rushed to the airport with the passport. He arrived just as the airplane doors were closing. Another five minutes and the student’s journey would have been in vain, all because he didn’t bring the right stuff with him. [ 17 ]
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The journey to making a positive difference in life is similar to this story. We may find ourselves held up at the border, unable to make it to our next destination, because we don’t have what we need to proceed. To cross the border to our destination, there are three vitally essential life elements we must carry along and be committed to: devotional life; church; love.
DEVOTIONAL LIFE If you presently do not have a devotional life and relationship with Jesus, I encourage you now to stop and decide to make that a priority. Without a connection to the Holy Spirit, none of us have a chance at making a God-sized difference in the world. We must be able to hear and discern the voice of God if we are to partner with Him to bring change. A few years ago God spoke to me that I needed to go deeper in my devotional life. I always read my Bible and prayed routinely, but it was time to go to the next level. I did not know what God was going to do in me, but I knew I had to listen and obey. I started getting up at between 4:30 and 5:00 A.M. to study and pray. Some days I thought I was going to collapse from exhaustion, but morning after morning I was determined to get my coffee and open myself up to hear His voice. Some of those times God touched me so deeply I would be drenched in tears. During that season I received more than I could ever have imagined from the Lord. About six months into this process I received invitations to speak in countries on the other side of the world. I have had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of young people. I had never asked for an invitation or created a marketing strategy to promote myself. I just spent time with Jesus and was faithful to [ 18 ]
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The Essentials
what He called me to do. My life has been launched during my devotional times. Recently my wife and I had an overseas ministry trip planned. Because we have three children and they are very precious to us, we asked my sister to come all the way from Jamaica where she lives to our home to care for them while we were away. Although my sister lives in another country and it was expensive to fly her to our home, we did so because we knew we could trust her with our most valuable blessings, our children. We had confidence in my sister because we know her heart and her motives. God thinks the same way. He will not entrust you with something as precious as your destiny until He knows He can trust you. Whatever the Lord has called you to do, He wants to partner with you to make a glory difference. Take time every day to talk to Jesus and grow in your relationship with Him and His Book, the Bible. I promise it will change your life, like it changed mine. No one can live a destiny-fulfilled life disconnected from Jesus. No matter how talented we are, we are nothing without Jesus. If you decide to walk out every principle in this book without being connected to Jesus, you will have done it all in vain. Make sure His voice, His friendship, His Book, and His church are foundational. ‌but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits‌ (Daniel 11:32).
CHURCH LIFE When I was in Germany on a ministry trip, I had a few days off so I decided to visit a church in the city of Ulm that reportedly [ 19 ]
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has the tallest steeple in the world; people travel from all over to see it. At one time the church was the highest building in the world. As we—my wife, a friend, and I—walked toward the square where the church was located, I could see the steeple towering over the other buildings. When we were finally standing in front of this massive structure, I was astonished at the beauty and the vastness of what people had built. I later read that it took more than 500 years to build the church. Can you imagine a project today that would require 500 years to complete? In most of today’s Western cultures people would not start building a project if it could not be completed within a lifetime. In the case of the church in Ulm, though, I can imagine that fathers would have passed on their trade to their sons, and generations would have worked together to construct the building. Every generation had to play their part. The architects who drafted the blueprints never saw the finished product. Even so, everyone fulfilled their role in the time they were given to complete their portion of the end product—a magnificent church. Jesus has been working to build His Church—a Church so expansive that it will penetrate the darkest places of the earth with the message of the Gospel. His Church is built through the lives of reformers who speak and act out the heart and mind of Jesus. …I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out (Matthew 16:18 TM). [ 20 ]
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We are responsible for fulfilling our roles so His Church becomes a glorious sight for the entire world. With the time you have been given, what will you do to build His Church? All this energy issues from Christ: God raised Him from death and set Him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which He speaks and acts, by which He fills everything with His presence (Ephesians 1:20 TM). Our mission on earth is to be the Church, which is Christ’s Body. We are the expression of Jesus on earth. We are not only Christians (followers of Christ), we are the Church (extension of Christ). We are called to be a force on planet Earth that extends Jesus to the outermost parts of the world. The extension process is called reformation. In your high school, college, or workplace, you are the expression of Jesus to the people within your sphere of influence. Wherever you go and whatever you do, determines where Jesus goes and what Jesus does. That is a huge responsibility. You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people [ 21 ]
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to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14 TM). There is a global expression of the Church, and a local expression of the church. We need to be conscious of both. We must be a part of a local body, but also consciously aware of how we can make a positive difference globally. It is very important that the reformer generation is plugged into a local church body. This is the place of accountability where reformers are taught the ways of God and the place where they are connected, planted, and grow. A reformer’s life is destined to flourish when planted in a local church. The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment] (Psalm 92:12-14). Find a good local church and commit to it! Plant yourself in a local church.
THE LIFE OF LOVE As I write about change in the world, a real soberness comes over me. If the ideas and concepts in this book are not understood correctly, instead of being a blessing they can actually be destructive. I have witnessed Christians talking on a television news program about bringing the world back to truth—but they didn’t filter their statements through love. Without love there is no truth. [ 22 ]
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The Essentials
Take for instance the issue of homosexuality. I agree that homosexuality is a sin and that we need to stand for what is right and true, but if we stand without love, we are not representing Christ properly. If we stand on the street corner protesting against the homosexual community, we place a barrier between God’s children and their Creator. If we flood the streets in protest against laws that would allow homosexuals to be married, but have never tried to reach out to them in a personal way, we are revealing to people a God who does not want to understand. We must be careful not to paint a picture of a God who cares more for some than others. He is a God who hates sin, but loves humanity! Protesting an issue in this way is not the solution. Another example of how not to protest is remembering when some Christians were bombing abortion clinics. We believe that God gives life and a fetus is a human being; so to kill a baby is wrong. That is truth. But if we try to fight without love, we forget that the mother who is about to abort her baby might think she has no other choice. She may have no understanding of the implications of what she is doing because today’s culture tells her it is acceptable. Combine that logic with seeing Christians destroying buildings, and she doesn’t see love or truth. All she sees are religious people blowing up stuff! Love, on the other hand, offers the mother a solution. Love must be a filter for everything we do. Sin and evil practices must always be approached in love. We must never back down from speaking truth, but we must always speak in love! Love is the key to dealing with the world around us with the right perspective and right heart. It is crucial that we do not miss this life essential in all of our efforts to make the world a better place. It is very easy to get misguided and mistreat people [ 23 ]
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who don’t see things from our perspective. It is possible to do the right things, the wrong way. We love people, that is why we push for change. Love is why God does everything He does. He wants the best for His children. He wants to see us become all we were meant to be. God disciplines out of love, withholds out of love, everything…out of love. First Corinthians chapter 13 is the framework for our leadership as we do our best to improve the world. As you choose to make a glory difference in the world, remembering this Scripture is essential: If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but [ 24 ]
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rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening] (1 Corinthians 13:1-7). Notice how this Scripture lists noble causes a person can do, but without love the feats accomplished are worth nothing. If we are going to bring change God’s way we can not do it without love. Everything we do must be in love, or it is useless.
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TIPS ON PROCEEDING
1. Keep a pen or a highlighter close by so you can write notes, underline, etc. 2. Also keep your Bible close so you can refer to Scripture. 3. Pause at the RE-FORM points, say a prayer, and ask God to speak to you about what you just read. 4. Don’t just read the book, decide to live the book. When God speaks…act!
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1
THE REFORMER
Reformer: Someone who BRINGS correction of error, REMOVES defects, and IMPROVES the state of society and culture.
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Over the course of a few years I studied the lives of people who re-formed their world. I wanted to know what motivates them, what their priorities are, what makes them different. I especially wanted to know what can we learn from them that we can apply to our own lives. During my research I found eight common characteristics—aspects of a reformer’s nature that make them change agents for the good of others. The eight characteristics of the reformers I studied are: 1. They dream of a better world. 2. They tell the truth. 3. They ask the right questions. 4. They believe the time to act is now. 5. They seek knowledge. [ 29 ]
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6. They are not afraid of dark places. 7. They take action against injustice. 8. They have enduring courage. Whether you are called to a career in business, the arts, politics, government, clergy, whatever, you are called to bring change—to re-form your world so Jesus is made famous. As we explore the characteristics of past and current reformers, keep the following questions in mind: 1. Am I making a difference in other’s lives? 2. What will be said about me after I’m gone? 3. Will my life make a difference? You can choose to make a difference! By following the basic principles revealed in this book and applying them to your life, you can alter the future of your family, church, workplace, community, nation, and planet. Determining to make positive changes will take commitment and dedication. This book presents a prophetic call for a generation of revolutionaries to take their place in society and culture to follow the example of the ultimate re-former— Jesus Christ.
THINKING This book is written on the premise that there are certain ways of thinking that separate people who change the world from people who do not. Some think there are a selected few with the potential to be world changers; I believe there are many with the potential but only a few who decide to be world changers. God created all of us with the potential to accomplish our God-given destiny. Whether we fulfill that potential is up to us. [ 30 ]
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The Reformer
One day we will stand before God and be judged not on what we have done, but in light of what we were called to do. Consider the parable of the talents; each person is held accountable for what he is personally given, not what is given to others. (See Matthew 25:14-30.) We should not worry if we are visible or invisible to others. We should be concerned about whether we are fulfilling the destiny God planned for us. Whether you are a public figure or work behind the scenes; you have the potential and duty to shake up the planet for Christ. I often wonder, What would happen in the world if an entire generation of young people could be mobilized to think like reformers? We would deal with issues such as global poverty and the child sex trade. Some may think it is a bit lofty to believe that we can mobilize an entire generation to think a certain way—to change a generation’s mind-set to think beyond themselves and embrace the larger stage of humanity. I also believe it is a lofty goal, but others in history have done it. Even those with evil intentions have accomplished it—Hitler, Pol Pot, and Joseph Kony in Uganda whose army kidnaps children and forces them to “kill or be killed.”1 In the Western world, the media is used by those with their own agenda to control the younger generations—be it “buy this brand and be accepted” or “think this way and be accepted.” This media-based brainwashing is in the faces of young people almost 24/7 and no one is apologizing for it. Christians should not apologize for having big vision. We have to think big if we want to make a difference in the lives of people. We are separated from what is and what could be, only by the way we think. If we change our thinking to embrace a larger perspective, we will make a difference like no generation that [ 31 ]
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has gone before us. It all comes down to the battle of the mind. God has given us the tools we need to win the battle!
THE PLUMB LINE The Bible is a covenant. It outlines God’s relationship with humankind. The Bible shows us how to relate to an infinite God. Have you ever signed a contract to buy a house or purchase a cell phone? What you are actually signing is a covenant between you and the other party. You are committing to fulfill the terms in the agreement. If you fulfill your terms, they will fulfill their terms. The contract you sign for a cell phone outlines the relationship you will have with the service provider. The contract is conditional and has many benefits should you choose to obey them. The Bible is much like that. God reveals to us how to live in relationship with an infinite God. Without the inspired Word of God we would not know how He wants us to live—we would have no direction for life. The Bible is our greatest tool in understanding the God of the universe. His Word helps finite humanity to do the right things in relationship to the God who created us. Reformers, if we fulfill our part of the covenant to live His way, life will go well for the human race; but if we decide not to, lives will fall apart (see Deut. 28). The job of the reformer is to re-form the ills of society—to teach people how to live by God’s ways and His principles. The Bible is the plumb line for the correction of error. Never before in the history of humankind have we had so much knowledge available to us and yet there is so much confusion. The Bible is a light in the darkness of all cultures. The [ 32 ]
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wisdom of the Word of God helps us navigate our way so we do not waste time on things that do not eternally matter. Everyone lives in their particular world. Whether that world consists in a classroom environment, a high-rise office building, or in the halls of government, each of us is connected to others within our own sphere of influence. Your job as a reformer is to find God’s perfect plan for your world and implement it. With God’s help re-formers correct things that are not in line with His ways so life functions at maximum potential and ultimately provides a higher standard of life for all. History marks every generation. The 1930s and ’40s were the war-time generations. In the United States, the 1960s and ’70s are remembered as the hippie generations. The economic boon of the 1980s was followed by the dot com generation of the ’90s. ●
For what will our generation be remembered?
●
How will our epitaphs read?
The world I see is a world without hunger and poverty; it is a world without racism and genocide; a world where business is conducted ethically, and a world where justice reigns. This is the world you can create! Some may label me a dreamer but I firmly believe that if each of us re-forms our own spheres of influence, together we can shake the entire planet for Jesus. We must think and believe that we can make a difference— then follow through with the plan God gives us. That way our children and grandchildren will live in a different, better world. [ 33 ]
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RE-FORM ●
Have you ever thought of yourself as a reformer?
●
Do you think God has given you the ability to change your world for the better?
Think of a person in your sphere of influence who needs an encouraging word or a confidence boost. Take action today— re-form your world.
ENDNOTE 1. BBC; “What is happening to child soldiers in Uganda?” April 20, 2004; accessed 12/14/07; http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/world/newsid _3643000/3643615.stm.
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