"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)
There is a wonderful little restaurant here in my area of Georgia that a neighbor and I try to go to once a week. It is wildly popular in my small town which means that the line for the drive-thru in the mornings usually wraps around the building and out into the street. This weekend was no exception but we enjoy the extra time to visit. This time, as we were finally getting our turn to actually enter the parking lot, I noticed that there was a gentleman in a truck who had come from a different direction waiting for someone to allow him into the line, so I did. As we approached to place our order, we heard a man's voice yelling out. I looked in my rear view mirror and the man behind me pointed at me and he began uttering some of the most vile things I have ever had directed at me. He continued doing so the rest of the way to the order window and we were incredibly happy to pay and leave.
The mood in my car changed. Before our encounter, we had been laughing and having a good time. Afterwards, we were solemn and quiet for awhile. I had made a choice to be kind to one person but another took offense. Should I have made a different choice in order to protect myself? As I have been puzzling about this, I have decided that I did the right thing. I have often been in the position of being the one that needed kindness and grace. I'm sure you have as well. I would rather err on the side of grace than fear retribution from someone else.
Maybe because of this occurrence, I have been a bit more aware of what I have been watching on the news and reading on social media. For some reason it seems that kindness has lost its place in society. The attitudes being displayed are shocking. Voices screaming for tolerance are some of the least likely to be tolerant toward others. Some have forgotten that sometimes we need to agree to disagree and have chosen instead to belittle, or even condemn, those who have different outlooks. This has led to public shaming, physical harm or even, in some tragic cases, death. In the riots we have seen a total disregard for privacy, property, religion, service and life.
Remember the song that goes, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me?" All change begins in small actions. According to Wikipedia, sixty-two percent of those polled in the United States claim to be Christian. Just think of what could happen if each of us began living as the Bible teaches us to. What if we all were praying for each other and the state of this nation? What if we put away our personal fear of being ridiculed for our beliefs and boldly shared the Gospel? What if our churches returned to solid Bible teaching, calling sin out for what it is and proclaiming the need for God's saving grace rather than being places of entertainment and "feel good" messages? And what if each of us began being kind, truly counting others as more important than ourselves?
I don't have the answers, but I know Who does. Scripture tells us that things will get worse before Jesus returns but that doesn't mean that Christians should step back. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God doesn't want anyone to perish. To me, this means that we should work even harder now than ever before in sharing the Good News. Time on earth is finite. There will come a day when this earth is no more. But eternity is forever and that's a long time for souls to be without Jesus. God bless.
Showing posts with label Boldness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boldness. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Mid-Week Message - Standing For Truth
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)
One of the very first things I remember learning about the Bible was that the Word of God is to be treasured. I must have been about seven or eight years old. The place was South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. It was an evening class right before the evening service. I had laid my Bible on the window ledge and put something else on top of it. My sweet teacher instructed me that the Word of God is precious and to be treated with respect. She told me never to place other things on top of it.
Now, I don't necessarily think the Bible must always be on top of a physical stack. But I do believe it is to be esteemed above any other book or item we have. It contains our "love letter" from God. His words, delivered over the ages, preserved through time so that we can hear directly from Him. He uses them to teach us, to guide us, to comfort us and to assure us that He is intimately involved in our lives.
A week or so ago as I sat and watched the news, I saw a report about a Bible being burned in the street. After my shock and anger came incredible sadness and I wept. In my mind, I saw Jesus on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." I wondered if, at any time in their lives, these persons involved had ever personally cradled a Bible in their hands, opened it and been exposed to the powerful truths contained therein.
We are witnessing large groups of individuals who are turning their backs on morality and attempting to rewrite the rules of society. They want nothing to do with obedience to the law, with patriotism or any other system that directs behavior. Instead they want to do what feels good to them even if that means destroying the life of another. God's Word stands as a beacon of truth which directs us to forego our own will and desires and to follow Him. It stands to reason that they would lash out at it as well.
It is vitally important that those of us who believe in Almighty God and the Bible as His inerrant Word, be willing to stand up for what we know to be right. It is time for churches to return to preaching God's Word rather than tickling ears with "feel good" messages. Some of what God has to say is hard to hear. We don't want to be confronted about the sin in our lives. We want to follow the world's excuses and blame our shortcomings on anyone or anything besides ourselves. But until we encounter Jesus and admit the truth about what we have done we will not find forgiveness.
We must be willing to speak God's truth. We are seeing more and more vitriol being directed at Christianity. It will only continue to worsen. This is not the time to hide our heads but to boldly stand in the name of Jesus. Our children need to be raised in true Bible believing and teaching churches and what they learn there needs to be modeled by parents and reinforced at home. We need to be fully aware of what they are hearing as "truth" at school so that we can make sure they are not confused and led away.
I know how difficult it is. It is frightening to speak out. We could encounter disapproval, criticism, mocking or even worse. But in this day of kneeling to lies, we must be careful to kneel only before our Lord. He left Heaven, came to earth and died a torturous death for us. What are we willing to do for Him?
One of the very first things I remember learning about the Bible was that the Word of God is to be treasured. I must have been about seven or eight years old. The place was South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. It was an evening class right before the evening service. I had laid my Bible on the window ledge and put something else on top of it. My sweet teacher instructed me that the Word of God is precious and to be treated with respect. She told me never to place other things on top of it.
Now, I don't necessarily think the Bible must always be on top of a physical stack. But I do believe it is to be esteemed above any other book or item we have. It contains our "love letter" from God. His words, delivered over the ages, preserved through time so that we can hear directly from Him. He uses them to teach us, to guide us, to comfort us and to assure us that He is intimately involved in our lives.
A week or so ago as I sat and watched the news, I saw a report about a Bible being burned in the street. After my shock and anger came incredible sadness and I wept. In my mind, I saw Jesus on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." I wondered if, at any time in their lives, these persons involved had ever personally cradled a Bible in their hands, opened it and been exposed to the powerful truths contained therein.
We are witnessing large groups of individuals who are turning their backs on morality and attempting to rewrite the rules of society. They want nothing to do with obedience to the law, with patriotism or any other system that directs behavior. Instead they want to do what feels good to them even if that means destroying the life of another. God's Word stands as a beacon of truth which directs us to forego our own will and desires and to follow Him. It stands to reason that they would lash out at it as well.
It is vitally important that those of us who believe in Almighty God and the Bible as His inerrant Word, be willing to stand up for what we know to be right. It is time for churches to return to preaching God's Word rather than tickling ears with "feel good" messages. Some of what God has to say is hard to hear. We don't want to be confronted about the sin in our lives. We want to follow the world's excuses and blame our shortcomings on anyone or anything besides ourselves. But until we encounter Jesus and admit the truth about what we have done we will not find forgiveness.
We must be willing to speak God's truth. We are seeing more and more vitriol being directed at Christianity. It will only continue to worsen. This is not the time to hide our heads but to boldly stand in the name of Jesus. Our children need to be raised in true Bible believing and teaching churches and what they learn there needs to be modeled by parents and reinforced at home. We need to be fully aware of what they are hearing as "truth" at school so that we can make sure they are not confused and led away.
I know how difficult it is. It is frightening to speak out. We could encounter disapproval, criticism, mocking or even worse. But in this day of kneeling to lies, we must be careful to kneel only before our Lord. He left Heaven, came to earth and died a torturous death for us. What are we willing to do for Him?
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Mid-Week Message - Stand Up!
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 1 Peter 3:13-14 (NIV)
We can all remember times when we were tempted to do something that we knew was wrong. Peer pressure is a mighty force, especially in our youth. In order to be accepted, we will consider doing things that otherwise would never cross our minds. That is why gangs become so powerful. They draw young people in with the promise of acceptance and loyalty. For those coming from broken or troubled homes, this is almost to much to resist.
We are currently witnessing actions in this country that are riotous, violent and even deadly. What one or just a handful of people would not do on their own escalates because of the sheer numbers of individuals willing to participate. The fervor that ripples through the crowds encourages those involved to attack ideas, structures, automobiles and the lives of law enforcement officers and anyone else that they perceive is standing in the way of whatever they take on as their goal. The destruction left in their wake is frightful at best.
I have to wonder how many that are taking part in these riots claim to be Christians. I would love to think that none of them would but I personally know some who have. I do not understand how they reconcile this in their minds and hearts as they have witnessed the actions being taken by these crowds. I am aware that we all have our own political and social opinions. I simply do not understand how impacting our communities through destruction and pain becomes acceptable.
Beloved, this world is changing for the worst, just as we have been warned of. 2 Timothy 3 tells us, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". We are seeing this in real time as we watch the news reports and see the things being done, the words being spoken and the pain it is causing in so many lives.
It is time to stand up for what is right. There are many who wish to transform this country into a place where our Lord is not welcome. We have already seen bans on Bible studies in public places, scriptures removed from signs and buildings, prayer banned in schools and the attempt to take the scriptures away from our military. Even now there are those who want stained glass windows removed from churches, nativities disallowed, and statues of the Cross or Jesus torn down. We need to pray like we have never prayed before but we also need to be vocal and be active in reaching out to those around us. Many are confused. Many are scared. We have Jesus to share!
This isn't the type of message I normally write, but if I am going to urge others to stand up for what is right and good and holy, then I must be willing to do so as well. 1 Peter 3:15 admonishes, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect".
My prayer for each of us is for confidence in our relationship with the Lord and boldness to reach out, speak up and stand firm. In His grace and mercy, God bless.
We can all remember times when we were tempted to do something that we knew was wrong. Peer pressure is a mighty force, especially in our youth. In order to be accepted, we will consider doing things that otherwise would never cross our minds. That is why gangs become so powerful. They draw young people in with the promise of acceptance and loyalty. For those coming from broken or troubled homes, this is almost to much to resist.
We are currently witnessing actions in this country that are riotous, violent and even deadly. What one or just a handful of people would not do on their own escalates because of the sheer numbers of individuals willing to participate. The fervor that ripples through the crowds encourages those involved to attack ideas, structures, automobiles and the lives of law enforcement officers and anyone else that they perceive is standing in the way of whatever they take on as their goal. The destruction left in their wake is frightful at best.
I have to wonder how many that are taking part in these riots claim to be Christians. I would love to think that none of them would but I personally know some who have. I do not understand how they reconcile this in their minds and hearts as they have witnessed the actions being taken by these crowds. I am aware that we all have our own political and social opinions. I simply do not understand how impacting our communities through destruction and pain becomes acceptable.
Beloved, this world is changing for the worst, just as we have been warned of. 2 Timothy 3 tells us, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". We are seeing this in real time as we watch the news reports and see the things being done, the words being spoken and the pain it is causing in so many lives.
It is time to stand up for what is right. There are many who wish to transform this country into a place where our Lord is not welcome. We have already seen bans on Bible studies in public places, scriptures removed from signs and buildings, prayer banned in schools and the attempt to take the scriptures away from our military. Even now there are those who want stained glass windows removed from churches, nativities disallowed, and statues of the Cross or Jesus torn down. We need to pray like we have never prayed before but we also need to be vocal and be active in reaching out to those around us. Many are confused. Many are scared. We have Jesus to share!
This isn't the type of message I normally write, but if I am going to urge others to stand up for what is right and good and holy, then I must be willing to do so as well. 1 Peter 3:15 admonishes, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect".
My prayer for each of us is for confidence in our relationship with the Lord and boldness to reach out, speak up and stand firm. In His grace and mercy, God bless.
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