Jesus Freak

If someone studied baseball, played as much as possible, and thought about it every waking moment, what would be call him. Baseball Junkie or Pro ball player?

If someone read nothing but fishing books or magazines, fished as much as they could, and thought about it every waking moment, what would we called this person? Fishing Addict or Bass Pro?

If someone who played golf every day, practiced relentlessly, and thought about it every waking moment, what do we call him or her? Golf Nut or Professional golfer?

Now, what if someone read the bible every day, prayed relentlessly, practiced the teachings, and thought about it every moment, what would we call them? Jesus Freak?

The term Jesus freak was originally a derogatory term applied to those involved in the Jesus movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The term came into existence within the context of the freak scene of that era. At first, the term was used only in reference to members of the movement, but it has since found wide usage outside of that scene. It is still sometimes used as a derogatory epithet against Christians in general. However, some Christians now consider it a reclaimed word, as some Christians, especially Christian youth, occasionally use it as a positive term to let others know that they are not ashamed of their beliefs.

Perhaps its most well known usage was in the lyrics of Elton John's song "Tiny Dancer" (”Jesus freaks, out in the street, handing tickets out to God," referring to gospel tracts).

Jesus Freak also appeared as the title of the 1995 album by dc Talk, and that album helped turn the term into more of a compliment.

So like the sports pros, if we were to put as much studying into God's word, praying constantly, and thought about it every waking moment, we would become Jesus Pro’s.

2 Samuel 6:17, 20-22
They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord . . . When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"

David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."

Have your ever been so excited about any thing that you cannot contain yourself? You might start dancing in the streets, you might just break out into a big smile, or you cannot speak coherently and begin to babble trying to get your joy and happiness out of you.

God brings out the child inside us, since we are children of God. Jesus Freaks are not ashamed to be a fool for God. Like David, they’re more concerned with what God thinks than what other people think—even if it means they look silly in the process.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

Do you know the difference between joy and happiness? Happiness has its ups and downs, a feel good feeling. Like getting something you finally were looking forward to and then maybe a family pet dies. Happiness depends on our surroundings and how we are treated. No wonder that finding true happiness is elusive.

Joy, on the other hand, is a deep sense of peace and well being that lives in our spirit. True joy—the kind that comes only from God—doesn’t come and go. It lodges within us and holds us steady on our course. It’s our "true north" as we navigate through life.

Happiness shows on a face, but joy emanates from the spirit. You can see it in a Jesus Freak’s eyes, since eyes are the windows of the soul. Jesus Freaks can’t keep their joy hidden.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

Make ’em Curious!
A Jesus Freak whose joy overflows is a puzzling thing to a watching world. But that’s not a bad thing. Let your light make ’em curious! Let people see your peace under pressure and wonder what your secret is.

Back in 1500 England, one could be burned at the stake for believing in other than the Church of England. John Denley was one man that firmly believed that Christ was the head of the church and this was against the Church of England. While John was tied to the stake and they were putting wood around him, Denley showed no fear. He began singing a psalm while the flames rose up. One of the tormentors threw a piece of wood and hit him in the face. John responded, by saying, "Truly, you have spoiled a good old song." Then he spread his arms again and continued singing until he died.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12

Are we willing to be called a Jesus Freaks How good could you become if you played like the pros?

There is the story about Fanny Crosby, blinded at the age of 6 weeks old. Fanny went on to learn to write and went on to be a teacher at the NY School for the Blind. She accepted Jesus into her heart at the age of 31 and began to write poems. 14 years later, now at age 45 she met a hymnist and was encouraged to turn her poems into hymns. Fanny wrote over 8,000 hymns, which included To God Be the Glory and Blessed Assurance. This is the case of a supernatural Jesus Freak!

What are you good at? What if you put into action your talents for the Lord? Just how good could you be then? Are you still worried that you cannot live up to these standards?

God will provide peace, when you need a quiet mind.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. ISAIAH 26:3-4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

Are you afraid of being persecuted? God will be there and give the courage to face anything.

But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. JEREMIAH 20:11

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ROMANS 12:14

DC Talk’s song goes like this….

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it’s true?
I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain’t no disguising the truth

Are you ready to step forward and make a difference? Pray this prayer with me…..

From this day forward! I will make a difference. Jesus, I thank You that You suffered and died for me on the cross to pay for my sins.

Father, I thank You that You raised Jesus from the dead to be my living Lord and Savior.
Holy Spirit, I thank You that You will lead me to do the right thing and change my world.

Today, Lord, I want to make you a promise. I will not be ashamed of Your name or Your Gospel. I will do what I can for those who are persecuted and pray for them.

I will look enemies in the eye and love them with Your love. I will pray for them and love them—no matter the consequences.

I will follow Your voice wherever You lead me, unafraid, for I know You will be with me.

If I should stumble, if I fall, if I should deny Your name, if I should feel guilty that I did not pray or forgot to do something You’ve asked me not to do, I will not quit. I will not wallow in guilt. I will turn back to You, confess my sin, and do what You called me to do, because that is why You died for me.

I will stand with You and my brothers and sisters around the world, because no matter what happens, no matter what I face or how it looks, in the end, we will be victorious—we will inherit eternity and heaven with You.

I can do nothing else, because …I am a Jesus Freak.

Jesus Freak Video

Fear God, Not Man