For thought and meditation

[rl69]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.—Romans 1:16 (http://harvest.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4f108f827aed8d503b5fca9fa&id=55d95604bb&e=3dd732485b)It seems today that it’s open season on Christians. People attack us as intolerant, Bible-thumping bigots. Because we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we are dismissed as simple-minded fools.

What are we to do? We should keep praying. We should keep preaching. And we should keep living the Christian life and not compromise our principles.

It’s interesting to note that when Daniel was attacked for his faith, he didn’t change a thing. As a Jew living in a foreign country, his custom was to open his windows, face Jerusalem, and call upon the name of the Lord. It was a habit of prayer. From the time that he was a young man, he always took time to pray. He established that grid in his life, and even in his nineties, he was still praying.

But Daniel’s enemies had set a trap for him. They convinced the king to sign a decree that made it illegal for him to continue his daily practice of prayer. Yet for Daniel, to not pray would be a compromise.

There are certain things in life that you won’t feel comfortable doing. Listen to what God’s Spirit is saying to you, and don’t compromise. Don’t deny Him. Sometimes to not confess Him when the occasion arises is to deny Him. Someone may say, “I have been watching you. You’re different. What is it about you? Where do you get your value system? Why are you happy all the time?”

“Oh, I was brought up well. It’s just my way. You may choose to live differently. I don’t want to push my beliefs on you.”

No, tell them it’s because of Jesus Christ and the change He has made in your life. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

[Boaz]

Good lesson ! We have been too silent for too long . Christians got 'politically correct' and didn't want to 'offend' anyone . Mentioning the name of GOD or speaking of your belief use to be normal conversation . I see more and more Christians getting back to normal due to our new leaders and the way our country is turning around . Thank you rl69 !

[Blackwater]

Amen! And what a mighty and timely lesson for all of us who believe! We are constantly and sorely challenged by those who actually have nothing to believe in. Yet, we all too often, have crept away from dealing with these people, and as a result, evil has been allowed to reign FAR too long among us, in our country, and it even slips into otherwise Godly lives and attitudes and sentiments. Lord, we pray for the courage of our convictions, and for the illumination we need to "fight the good fight" in your behalf.

We are very poor "soldiers" in your service far too often, and too often, we shrink from defending our faith, and witnessing to the wondrous benefits of it. Forgive us, Lord, I pray, and heal us, that we might once again rise to the challenges before us, with the "sword" of thy word at the front of what we do, and how we deal with the non-believers.

Let them be shown for what they truly are, and give us the words we need to achieve this before those who might be moved by the unbelievers, and fall prey to their pretensions. Grant us strength, stamina and the knowledge we need to combat disbelief, wherever and whenever we find it, I pray.

Thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate our courage, and use whatever talents we may have been given by you, to bring more people to Faith, as you so concretely instructed us to do. We just pray for the strength to represent You well enough that many might come to Faith, or at least, those who disbelieve, might not trap others within their haughty showboating. In Thy holy name I pray. Amen.

[USMC87]

A great lesson, We are all Disciples of Christ and are to witness and be good examples for those around us.