Release Your Inner Bieber!
Who's got Bieber Fever? Apparently quite a world wide Bieber boatload of you, since I can't pass a news stand or spend even a few minutes on the web without images of the mop topped man child popping up like bowl cut Meer cats in the sand dunes.
And considering the fact that his video "Baby" has well over 450 million views, I believe we can safely claim that "The Bieber has Landed!!!"
I'm not a hater, in fact you have to shout out a least a bit to a small town Canadian kid who can go from fuzzy You Tube videos to selling out Madison Square Garden. I just struggle with anyone who declares that his "street cred" is due to having worked with a "swagger coach."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Swagger Coach??? UnBeliebable…
And now his story hits the big screen in the much anticipated Never Say Never. A full length feature film chronicling his meteoric rise to worldwide fame.
Marvel as you witness the varying degrees of his hair movement!
Gasp as you see never before footage of his dressing room where he, you know, GETS DRESSED!
And be sure and take along some earplugs as the high pitched tweenage screams will rival the noise of 100 jets simultaneously launching from 2 feet away…
Isn't it fascinating how one ordinary person with off the charts determination can blow the lid off the world's expectation and have a global impact? Bieber fever definitely reminds me of an even bigger worldwide phenomenon that Jesus predicted nearly 2000 years ago:
Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade" (Mark 4:30-31, NLT).
The "Kingdom of God' that Christ mentions here is God's rule and reign over this world as the gospel message spreads across the globe. Jesus is promising that the simple and relatively unknown message that we can be saved by grace through faith will start as a tiny seed, but grow into the biggest phenomenon the universe has ever known.
At the time Jesus made this prophecy, there were very few followers of our Savior. If they would have made a You Tube video promoting His Cause-now known as THE Cause, it would have maybe 12 hits?
But just like Jesus forecasted, the good news blasted out of Jerusalem, and within 30 years it invaded Rome like a conquering army.
And 2000 years later? The gospel message has over a BILLION followers. It is the small town seed that rocked the Earth without the help of Tweet, Facebook, or You Tube. The good news of salvation through faith in Christ doesn't need promo help from The Situation, because it IS the Situation!
But what God does need is for you and me to release our inner Bieber. How? Well thankfully, Jesus taught us the formula for success:
Here's another way to put it: 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 to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message).
Inside of you is a gifted and talented person who is a "light-bearer" for all to see. The message of the gospel is more powerful and impactful than 1000 Biebers, Jonases, and Cyruses put together. It takes the lonely out of despair and puts them into a loving family. It breaks the chains of addictions and it frees the prisoners of poor self esteem and peer pressure.
And most importantly, God is asking you to never say never! If you think of yourself as someone God could never use to reach your friends - definitely think again!
• Never say that you could never have enough courage to share your faith.
• Never say that your friends would never respond to the gospel message.
• Never say that God would never use you to transform your school, family, or workplace.
• Never say that God could never use someone with your background, situation, or personality.
And never forget what God has promised to all His children:
"I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you"(Hebrews 13:5).
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
Most, if not all, teenagers have an opinion about Justin Bieber, so just mentioning his name will give you an opportunity to talk about Bieber fever and the movie Never Say Never. Pray for an open door in these conversations to talk about the incredible phenomenon of the gospel and its worldwide impact.
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Father, thank you that Your Kingdom is here on the earth and continues to grow and spread across the globe. I pray that you would use me in powerful ways to reach my friends and family who have yet to trust in Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation. Make me a light bearer that shines forth the light of your glory. Thank you that you will never leave me or forsake me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Read: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8)
Get: To add some urgency to your evangelism, check out Greg Stier's podcast An Urgency Emergency.
