Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
What is holding us back from proclaiming the Lord’s good news? Fear, also known as a lack of faith? Lack of time? Wherever you go you can talk Jesus or leave literature behind. It’s too cold to witness, no one is out? You can write and blog. Are you terrible at speaking, writing, and talking to strangers? So am I, yet, with practice and the Glory of the Lord going before me, here I am, writing, speaking, passing out literature, etc. Keep in mind, it may be me doing these things, but I would not be able to do any of them without the Holy Spirit pushing and pulling me forward. Without the Holy Spirit, I would be the same yellow bellied wimp as everyone else!
If, by Jesus, power has been given us over the enemy, and nothing can hurt us, why are we not using this power? Where is our faith, that we have access to this power and are afraid to try to use it!
Sure, in this day and age, people are being imprisoned, fined, taxed and on occasion, executed for the high crime of being a Christian or a Jew. And this kind of persecution will increase. While most of us are blessed to live in a country where such persecutions don’t exist, we are the ones who don’t show any courage. Rather, it’s the ones who face persecution daily; in Africa and the Middle East; who show the most courage. We fear embarrassment, they fear for their lives; yet they who face persecution daily know that Christ, in His perfect way, will protect them, and be with them to the very end.
It is this kind of faith that produces the courage that also casts out demons, heals the sick, shows up at opportune times, and brings others to Christ. What can you do today to strengthen your faith in Christ, to give you the courage to stand up for Christ?
March 30, 2011
March 29, 2011
Courage For Christ - 9
Most of us have noticed how one person has much difficulty in a task, where another finds it so easy. One can speak on the fly about Jesus on street corners, another writes, others provide services to the poor; others challenge and encourage the above, while others support and fund the above, and so on.
Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Your gifts usually will be found in the way you enjoy serving the Lord the most. Occasionally, the Holy Spirit will command you to go outside of what is comfortable to you, and do something you never, ever would have thought of (i.e. Moses, or Gideon); but mostly He has been preparing you all of your life – even when you were not in Christ – for God knew you would be with Him.
These gifts and skills should be used to your fullest potential not just for God; but for your employer as well, as he will see the work of the Lord within you, and both of you will be blessed. Make these gifts – your skills, your talents, your passion - your joy. Do these things without fear, giving glory to our Lord and Savior.
Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Your gifts usually will be found in the way you enjoy serving the Lord the most. Occasionally, the Holy Spirit will command you to go outside of what is comfortable to you, and do something you never, ever would have thought of (i.e. Moses, or Gideon); but mostly He has been preparing you all of your life – even when you were not in Christ – for God knew you would be with Him.
These gifts and skills should be used to your fullest potential not just for God; but for your employer as well, as he will see the work of the Lord within you, and both of you will be blessed. Make these gifts – your skills, your talents, your passion - your joy. Do these things without fear, giving glory to our Lord and Savior.
March 16, 2011
Courage for Christ - 8
2Cor 10:10 "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."
The author of a book is about to make a speech. You have read his book, a magnificent teaching on the word of God. Yet as he arrives at the podium, you notice his appearance to be disheveled. He’s a short, fat, bald guy who appears to be hunchbacked. He needs guidance to make it to the podium because he is nearly blind. Then as he starts to speak, you are frustrated in that his speech is so slurred or with such a heavy accent you find it very difficult to understand. And now you are thinking, “why am I wasting my time? This man is nothing in person!”
This would be the Apostle Paul. The same Paul who was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, left in the open sea, bitten by poisonous snakes, yet persevered to the finish line for Christ; which in his case, was a beheading.
All too often we judge the outside appearance of someone. And all too often we miss a great blessing because of our judgments. (Prejudices are just that; pre judging someone based often on nothing more than different appearance or a foreign accent.) Didn’t you like his written words? What is really wrong with his spoken words?
Don’t be afraid to share God’s word with others; regardless of circumstances, and freely receive (with discernment – see 2John and Jude for details) others who share God’s word with you. – regardless of any preconceived notion you may have of them - based on what you might assume. This is how we strengthen one another.
The author of a book is about to make a speech. You have read his book, a magnificent teaching on the word of God. Yet as he arrives at the podium, you notice his appearance to be disheveled. He’s a short, fat, bald guy who appears to be hunchbacked. He needs guidance to make it to the podium because he is nearly blind. Then as he starts to speak, you are frustrated in that his speech is so slurred or with such a heavy accent you find it very difficult to understand. And now you are thinking, “why am I wasting my time? This man is nothing in person!”
This would be the Apostle Paul. The same Paul who was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, left in the open sea, bitten by poisonous snakes, yet persevered to the finish line for Christ; which in his case, was a beheading.
All too often we judge the outside appearance of someone. And all too often we miss a great blessing because of our judgments. (Prejudices are just that; pre judging someone based often on nothing more than different appearance or a foreign accent.) Didn’t you like his written words? What is really wrong with his spoken words?
Don’t be afraid to share God’s word with others; regardless of circumstances, and freely receive (with discernment – see 2John and Jude for details) others who share God’s word with you. – regardless of any preconceived notion you may have of them - based on what you might assume. This is how we strengthen one another.
March 15, 2011
Courage for Christ - 7
Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Afraid? Of what?? These gentiles had just witnessed a life changing miracle that was performed on one of their own, once a naked, demon posessed lunatic, now a civil, right minded person. And they are nothing but a bunch of scardy cats!
Instead of inviting Jesus into their city and proclaiming this miracle to all, what did they do? They told Jesus to leave! What? No more requests for healings? Just go away? Did they actually value the pigs that were drowned in the process more than the health and well being of one of their citizens?
Ignorance of Jesus is not an excuse. Look what the healed man did: he sat at the feet of Jesus! It gets better. He wants to join Jesus! But Jesus sent him home to tell all what great things God has done for him. (v. 38,39)
When a miracle is being done on your behalf, do you request that the miracle worker go away? NO! You scream praises of such a person. Get the word out! You want more! Any business person knows the best form of advertising is word of mouth. So, what you do is talk it up!
All of us who are Christians have such a story. Maybe not as spectacular, but a good news story nonetheless. Why are we not shouting out our own stories?
Afraid? Of what?? These gentiles had just witnessed a life changing miracle that was performed on one of their own, once a naked, demon posessed lunatic, now a civil, right minded person. And they are nothing but a bunch of scardy cats!
Instead of inviting Jesus into their city and proclaiming this miracle to all, what did they do? They told Jesus to leave! What? No more requests for healings? Just go away? Did they actually value the pigs that were drowned in the process more than the health and well being of one of their citizens?
Ignorance of Jesus is not an excuse. Look what the healed man did: he sat at the feet of Jesus! It gets better. He wants to join Jesus! But Jesus sent him home to tell all what great things God has done for him. (v. 38,39)
When a miracle is being done on your behalf, do you request that the miracle worker go away? NO! You scream praises of such a person. Get the word out! You want more! Any business person knows the best form of advertising is word of mouth. So, what you do is talk it up!
All of us who are Christians have such a story. Maybe not as spectacular, but a good news story nonetheless. Why are we not shouting out our own stories?
March 14, 2011
Courage for Christ - 6
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Do you? Do you go and tell others about Jesus, baptizing those who come to believe? What do you do to “promote and market” Jesus Christ to the world? At work, while shopping, driving in your car or even while taking a walk in your neighborhood.
Be it wearing a simple t shirt, placing a bumper sticker on your car, a sign in your window or plaque at your front door; or leaving bible tracks in public places; hold up a sign on a street corner that says “Jesus IS Lord and God” (or whatever) these are all tools you can use to “advertise” Christianity. Also, you can distribute flyers to the houses around your church building, and even knock on doors, promoting your congregation as a warm fuzzy place to check Jesus out. These are all things any of us, regardless of handicap, fear, insecurity, or even laziness can do.
We can also fund these efforts. Donating to cover the printing, and distribution of literature; sending someone on a mission trip; or funding a relief organization are alternatives if you are blessed with more money than time.
Yes, it can be scary. We have heard of the unsults thrown and the violence incurred. (That’s just Satan seeking revenge against you for hacking him off!) Jesus said these things would happen, but Jesus also commands we tell the world about Him. He also promised, he would “be with us always, even to the end of the age”. So when you share Jesus, the Holy Spirit is with you. You will know what to say and when, as well as what to do and when. And you will be protected, comforted, and blessed for keeping His commandments.
Do you? Do you go and tell others about Jesus, baptizing those who come to believe? What do you do to “promote and market” Jesus Christ to the world? At work, while shopping, driving in your car or even while taking a walk in your neighborhood.
Be it wearing a simple t shirt, placing a bumper sticker on your car, a sign in your window or plaque at your front door; or leaving bible tracks in public places; hold up a sign on a street corner that says “Jesus IS Lord and God” (or whatever) these are all tools you can use to “advertise” Christianity. Also, you can distribute flyers to the houses around your church building, and even knock on doors, promoting your congregation as a warm fuzzy place to check Jesus out. These are all things any of us, regardless of handicap, fear, insecurity, or even laziness can do.
We can also fund these efforts. Donating to cover the printing, and distribution of literature; sending someone on a mission trip; or funding a relief organization are alternatives if you are blessed with more money than time.
Yes, it can be scary. We have heard of the unsults thrown and the violence incurred. (That’s just Satan seeking revenge against you for hacking him off!) Jesus said these things would happen, but Jesus also commands we tell the world about Him. He also promised, he would “be with us always, even to the end of the age”. So when you share Jesus, the Holy Spirit is with you. You will know what to say and when, as well as what to do and when. And you will be protected, comforted, and blessed for keeping His commandments.
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