...Because of Me

Okay, I really need someone to feel me on this one.  And I know it to be true, because I’ve experienced it quite a few times and often recently, but people will often hate the Jesus in you (even if you have not expressly stated that you are Christian) (Mt 10:22). 

In America, the insults, persecution, and lies that Christians often face are relatively harmless, and are only dangerous on a social level, so for those of us who have survived adolescence, dealing with it should be a piece of cake (1 Pe 3:17).  But knowing scripture lets us know how to respond when we are tested in this: 

• First of all, we shouldn’t be surprised by it.  Jesus said very plainly that men will hate us because of him (Mt 10:22).  We are just visiting after all (1 Pe 4:12).   We’re a peculiar people (1 Pe 2:9 KJV). People of the world don’t understand why we bless when we’re cursed, why we are hopeful, why we don’t lie to make life ‘easier’ for ourselves, etc.  
• Secondly, we’re never fear the world (Mt 10:28).
• Thirdly, not that we should deny everyone else, but Christians are to encourage one another (Mt 28:19-20; 1 Pe 3:8; Heb 10:25; 1 Th 3:2’ 4:18; 5:11)      
• And fourth, and best of all, we’re blessed (Mt 5:11-12)!

So, just pray for the haters y’all (Mt 5:44).

Be Encouraged

Encouragement plays such a big part in the walk of one trying to follow Christ.  In fact, it’s absolutely essential.  Throughout the Bible, we ourselves are not only encouraged by God’s word, but charged to encourage one another as well (Tit 2:15; Isa 1:17; Eph 6:22; Col 4:8).  The writer (who we believe to be Paul) of Hebrews was divinely inspired by God to pen these words, ‘…(E)ncourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness’ (3:13).  Here, Today is contrasted with the Day (of ultimate judgment), so we’re presented with many opportunities to admonish (which involves warning and urging, in addition to encouraging) one another in everyday that proceeds our day of judgment.  For those who trust in the Lord, the forthcoming Day is not a looming threat, but an encouragement to, not only find joy in working for the Lord, but to admonish others to share in that joy as well.  For the Christian, there is no suffered loss, whether it’s Today or the Day (Php 1:20-26).  To live is Christ and to die is gain (Php 1:21).  How’s that for encouragement?  If you’re on God’s side you win, no matter what!

There is no real encouragement outside of God’s word (2 Ti 4:2).  Any other words spoken are just flowery and deceptive, with no basis, or promise.  Be careful not to accept negative ‘encouragement’, which we’re all susceptible to (Ps 64:5).  That is why we’re encouraged to regularly meet with those who are strengthening themselves in God’s word (Heb 10:25).  Iron sharpens iron, indeed (Pr 27:17)! 

It’s not only for the prophet, the gifted, or the seemingly strong to encourage (Ac 15:32; Ro 12:8; 15:1).  We can all be an encouragement, at least in prayer.  Remember, Job in his affliction had the heart to pray for his friends (who were supposed to be an encouragement to him), and as a result of his act of faith, he was then prospered (Job 42:10)!  It’s not only for the benefit of others that we should encourage.

God is our source for all things.  Through Jesus Christ himself and God our Father we have eternal encouragement (2 Th 2:16-17).  And if -and when- we become weak, God has a ready ear to listen to our desires and our cries (Ps 10:17).  With that thought in mind, I want to encourage you to go to Him who’s not only ready to hear you, but has all the power in heaven and earth to positively affect your circumstance.              

Choose This Day...

Okay, here it is, from the Holy Spirit to me, and from me to you.  This isn’t what I was planning on writing about today, but after watching a talk show last night and hearing a well-known church leader deliver a message of love without truth, I was convicted to clear this issue up on this forum (Eph. 4:25; 2 Tim 4:3-4; Jude 4; Rom. 16:17). 

Making God’s word the absolute authority on everything in our lives is right and necessary, to not only live according to it, but also to preach, correct, rebuke, and encourage -in love- according to God’s word (Isa. 40:8; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; 4:2).  That is our responsibility to one another.  Now, the issue at question was homosexuality, but it could’ve been anything.  I just think that there’s a certain sense of apathy towards this particular issue that’s pervading even the church and it needs to be addressed in the most clear and decisive way, according to God’s word.  And so that there’s no confusion about where God stands on this issue, I’ve included both Old and New Testament verses (Lev. 18:22; Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 6:9; Jude 7; Rom. 1:24-27; Mt. 5:17). 

To be clear, although we have a certain responsibility to one another, and this is the issue in discussion today, I think it’s safe to say, we can all use some help with our individual ‘thing’ (Rom. 3:23; 14; 12; 2 Cor. 5:10).  We are to resist the temptation to think, speak, or act against God’s will, and it’s good to know that we’re not helpless in this (Rom. 12:2, 21; 1 Cor. 10:13; Gal 5:13-14, 16; 2 Thes. 3:3; Heb. 2:18; Jas. 4:7-8; 1 Pet. 2:16). 

I am not writing this to shame anyone, but to warn everyone that the Lord has very definite plans for those who choose to approach his word with indifference, so it would behoove us all to yield to it (1 Cor. 4:14; 2 Tim. 2:24-25; Lk. 9:26; Rev. 3:15-16).  When it comes right down to it, we must decide whether we’re going to love God above all else (Mt. 22:37-40).  Choose today whom you will serve (Jos. 24:15).