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.
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
March 16, 2011
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.
February 4, 2011
Courage for Christ - 3
2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind
What are you afraid of? Persecution? A good solid mocking? Rejection? The latter seems to be the most common excuse for not being a bold witness for God. This excuse works well at work, too, for we all put off difficult, uncomfortable tasks and all to often end up wallowing in mediocrity. In addition, we use profainty, gossip, and rude and cold behavior to others, mostly because everyone else around us is doing it too. (Sheeple!:))))
But if God has given us the spirit of power and love, and of a sound mind, how much more are we capable of doing? Not just for God’s kingdom, but for your employer’s kingdom on earth; where we are supposed to be bearing fruit for His kingdom! This is where we are required to get uncomfortable with ourselves, and “do the difficult”.
Be that Christlike person in everything you do. Your actions will bear witness for Christ when words will never do.
What are you afraid of? Persecution? A good solid mocking? Rejection? The latter seems to be the most common excuse for not being a bold witness for God. This excuse works well at work, too, for we all put off difficult, uncomfortable tasks and all to often end up wallowing in mediocrity. In addition, we use profainty, gossip, and rude and cold behavior to others, mostly because everyone else around us is doing it too. (Sheeple!:))))
But if God has given us the spirit of power and love, and of a sound mind, how much more are we capable of doing? Not just for God’s kingdom, but for your employer’s kingdom on earth; where we are supposed to be bearing fruit for His kingdom! This is where we are required to get uncomfortable with ourselves, and “do the difficult”.
Be that Christlike person in everything you do. Your actions will bear witness for Christ when words will never do.
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