by David Brenneman
"I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live." Psalms 116:1-2.
"But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works." Psalms 73:28.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" Romans 8:31.
Our world today isn't much different than in all the ages past.
Fears within and without assail us all. It often doesn't take much if something recent triggers a new one.
In Christ what have we to fear?
Our lives are not our own. We belong to Christ in God.
To be more fearful of what the world thinks rather than whether or not we are offending our Holy God is never good.
As said before: I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God.
What of you? Do you embrace facets of this world that are offensive to your God because it might offend someone?
Today we look at those friends of Daniel in the book of Daniel. We look at Daniel himself as well.
They were honored by Jesus because they refused to bow to the worldview at the moment or the decisions made to trap them.
There's plenty of people in my life, some might be even family or friends, co-workers, acquaintances, who are offended by where I stand with God. That's not my problem.
I have a t-shirt that states quite clearly that passage that reads: every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Most everyone who's offended by the Word of God is only offended because it's hitting too close to home. Their sins are finding them out. Their guilt before a Holy God is being revealed yet again and is being shown for what it is.
Jesus, at the behest of His Father, taught the Disciples to be lights in this dark world. Before leaving for Heaven, He told them to teach others to do the same.
Paul taught that those involved with the deeds of darkness should even be exposed. If Believers are caught up in hidden sins they should be exposed.
We who are in Christ represent Christ Jesus to this fallen world in our time here on Earth.
We are taught in the Scriptures to make the most of every opportunity. To set our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.
Our choices either show Jesus or the just might be showing that we're nothing special to this dying world.
Do you at all try to learn more about Jesus? Are you investing your time, energy and effort into knowing the person who saved your life for all eternity?
Paul taught that there would be people within the Church who would mislead many. Would you be so into the Word of God to recognize if you were?
Jesus said that He wants doers of the Word and not just hearers only.
Sadly there will be billions of people claiming to have lived a Christian life who never came to Christ Jesus for salvation at all.
We know this because Jesus tells us that it will be true.
First, be sure of your salvation.
Secondly, take steps towards a real relationship with Jesus.
Thirdly, live it out. No matter what people might say.
Be in a real relationship with Jesus.
Be willing to step into Isaiah's sandals. "Here am I, send me!".
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
no turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
the world behind me, the cross before me,
the world behind me, the cross before me;
no turning back, no turning back.
-Simon Marak
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment