B
Are you willing to stand up for Jesus in your life? Are you willing to even be burned or even killed as a martyr for your faith? If so, do you display and share love as its companion? Is your faith even being shared?
Jesus said, "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." - Mat. 10:22 NASB
Being hated or offended by your acquaintances, friends, relationships, even family, because you believe and follow Jesus is a very difficult thing to accept. It is a consequence for what God intends, but what the world doesn't.
It is like this, your on a night job, and your boss hands you a flash light, so that you may go get equipment from a storage shed. Either you go in the dark with that flash light, or you make every excuse not to out of fear. And with fear, your going to lose a blessing, as with this description, you might be putting yourself at risk of your job by ignoring the boss's instruction.
But Jesus said it better, He said...
"It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of the household!
Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Mat. 10:25-28 NASB
Your good works, and love, helps spread the gospel to the world. When you defend the Lord at all costs (jobs, schools, etc) your not only fighting for what's right, but doing others about what you believe and how serious you take thought of it. If you went to deny the Lord because your friends wouldn't like it, your putting yourself out there as someone who really doesn't care about what you believe. Jesus said this, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." - Mat. 5:14-16 NASB
I encourage you to continue reading if you want to get more info. Many people, who are crazy in trying to be devoted, love to brag and emphasis their trials for Jesus, instead of focusing on the purpose of going through them. Augustine said it like this, "It is not the punishment, but the cause that makes a martyr". Are you facing persecution because the situation is best fit for you? Or is there a cause, a reason, something you particularly are trying to defend? Is it your faith, or is it your possessions? Is it God's love, or is it your next paycheck? Is it the Lord, or is it your own reputation as a "person"?
Jesus said we ought to take up our cross and follow Him. Humble ourselves to the greatness of the Almighty, and be willing to walk with Him on the road that is narrow which leads to life.
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me" - Mat 10:37-38 NASB
Carrying your cross is a difficult thing to do sometimes. You might have to lose a friend, or a love one for what's right. Your cross is of course made for you. God wouldn't give you a cross that belongs to someone else, because they carry an individual life for the Lord that you might not be able to bear. But God gives you the one your able to carry, your able to bear.
Do you know, faith without works is dead? If you have faith true faith in the Lord, your works show. Otherwise your faith is just nothing more than mere belief. James said it like this, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.""- James 2:17-18 NASB
I was reading an article, that a Vietnamese family had fled their village and escaped to the forest, after authorities ordered their expulsion, for standing up for their faith. After refusing to making an offering to their family ancestors. The village took the family's one year supply of 40 bags of rice, and the police authorized their home to be demolished, if necessary.
Believers with a strong stance like that, would make an example for all of us. Would you risk everything like this family, for your devotion? How much are you willing to give up for God?
Now here in this bible discussion, people have brought up tithing. Whether biblical or not. Tithing is both in the bible but not lawful neither are we bounded by it. You ought to give only by a cheerful giving, not forced in compelling teaching. But tithing also is a sign showing that your willing to give up for the Lord as your acceptance of being free from control, by cheerfully given, but also the fact that money shouldn't rule you, neither should it be sided over God. Jesus said this, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Mat. 6:24 NASB
This reminds me of a story about a boy named Billy. "Billy was given two pounds by his grandmother on Sunday. One was for the Sunday school offering and the other for an ice scream cone on the way home from church. Billy was flipping both coins in the air on his way to church when one of them slipped from his hand and fell into the storm drain. Billy immeadetly bowed his head and said, 'Sorry, God, Your pound is gone."
Funny the way he concluded he will keep the last pound for himself. Do some of you feel like this relates to you? When it comes to honoring God, and making plans to do something for God, do you butt out at the last minute and say to God, sorry I can't, or sorry I changed my mind, or maybe you just ignore it without an excuse.
What exactly are you willingly able to give to God? Your all? Or some? Or nothing?
I like the story in acts, when Peter and John were together after healing man who was crippled all his life, and the religious leaders rebuked them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. What I like about it is the fact they stood up for their faith. Back in the early church, you were greatly reviled for teaching Jesus, just like when Jesus was on earth. Peter and John in this story, Acts 4:7-22, showing their obedience to God rather than of men and their reputation.
7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,
9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders , but which became the chief corner stone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,
16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. - Acts 4:7-22 NASB
This was one heck of a plot in this story. We see that the religious leaders can't deny the miracle, and are amazed, but they want the name of Jesus to be silent. A miracle like that back then would be living proof of something great. But here Peter and John don't use signs to show people who Jesus is, but proclaim the name and defend it with their life so others may see their works. Is your faith without works? And do you defend the gospel by them?
So are you willing to let the Lord take the wheel in your life, or live in fear of what others say? Share God and give God your all. Speak boldly for the Lord just as Peter did at Pentecost, proclaim the gospel to all people. And be brave with faith just like Peter and John, if not better! God bless.
I'll post my references to...
Jesus said, "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." - Mat. 10:22 NASB
Being hated or offended by your acquaintances, friends, relationships, even family, because you believe and follow Jesus is a very difficult thing to accept. It is a consequence for what God intends, but what the world doesn't.
It is like this, your on a night job, and your boss hands you a flash light, so that you may go get equipment from a storage shed. Either you go in the dark with that flash light, or you make every excuse not to out of fear. And with fear, your going to lose a blessing, as with this description, you might be putting yourself at risk of your job by ignoring the boss's instruction.
But Jesus said it better, He said...
"It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of the household!
Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Mat. 10:25-28 NASB
Your good works, and love, helps spread the gospel to the world. When you defend the Lord at all costs (jobs, schools, etc) your not only fighting for what's right, but doing others about what you believe and how serious you take thought of it. If you went to deny the Lord because your friends wouldn't like it, your putting yourself out there as someone who really doesn't care about what you believe. Jesus said this, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." - Mat. 5:14-16 NASB
I encourage you to continue reading if you want to get more info. Many people, who are crazy in trying to be devoted, love to brag and emphasis their trials for Jesus, instead of focusing on the purpose of going through them. Augustine said it like this, "It is not the punishment, but the cause that makes a martyr". Are you facing persecution because the situation is best fit for you? Or is there a cause, a reason, something you particularly are trying to defend? Is it your faith, or is it your possessions? Is it God's love, or is it your next paycheck? Is it the Lord, or is it your own reputation as a "person"?
Jesus said we ought to take up our cross and follow Him. Humble ourselves to the greatness of the Almighty, and be willing to walk with Him on the road that is narrow which leads to life.
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me" - Mat 10:37-38 NASB
Carrying your cross is a difficult thing to do sometimes. You might have to lose a friend, or a love one for what's right. Your cross is of course made for you. God wouldn't give you a cross that belongs to someone else, because they carry an individual life for the Lord that you might not be able to bear. But God gives you the one your able to carry, your able to bear.
Do you know, faith without works is dead? If you have faith true faith in the Lord, your works show. Otherwise your faith is just nothing more than mere belief. James said it like this, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.""- James 2:17-18 NASB
I was reading an article, that a Vietnamese family had fled their village and escaped to the forest, after authorities ordered their expulsion, for standing up for their faith. After refusing to making an offering to their family ancestors. The village took the family's one year supply of 40 bags of rice, and the police authorized their home to be demolished, if necessary.
Believers with a strong stance like that, would make an example for all of us. Would you risk everything like this family, for your devotion? How much are you willing to give up for God?
Now here in this bible discussion, people have brought up tithing. Whether biblical or not. Tithing is both in the bible but not lawful neither are we bounded by it. You ought to give only by a cheerful giving, not forced in compelling teaching. But tithing also is a sign showing that your willing to give up for the Lord as your acceptance of being free from control, by cheerfully given, but also the fact that money shouldn't rule you, neither should it be sided over God. Jesus said this, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Mat. 6:24 NASB
This reminds me of a story about a boy named Billy. "Billy was given two pounds by his grandmother on Sunday. One was for the Sunday school offering and the other for an ice scream cone on the way home from church. Billy was flipping both coins in the air on his way to church when one of them slipped from his hand and fell into the storm drain. Billy immeadetly bowed his head and said, 'Sorry, God, Your pound is gone."
Funny the way he concluded he will keep the last pound for himself. Do some of you feel like this relates to you? When it comes to honoring God, and making plans to do something for God, do you butt out at the last minute and say to God, sorry I can't, or sorry I changed my mind, or maybe you just ignore it without an excuse.
What exactly are you willingly able to give to God? Your all? Or some? Or nothing?
I like the story in acts, when Peter and John were together after healing man who was crippled all his life, and the religious leaders rebuked them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. What I like about it is the fact they stood up for their faith. Back in the early church, you were greatly reviled for teaching Jesus, just like when Jesus was on earth. Peter and John in this story, Acts 4:7-22, showing their obedience to God rather than of men and their reputation.
7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,
9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders , but which became the chief corner stone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,
16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. - Acts 4:7-22 NASB
This was one heck of a plot in this story. We see that the religious leaders can't deny the miracle, and are amazed, but they want the name of Jesus to be silent. A miracle like that back then would be living proof of something great. But here Peter and John don't use signs to show people who Jesus is, but proclaim the name and defend it with their life so others may see their works. Is your faith without works? And do you defend the gospel by them?
So are you willing to let the Lord take the wheel in your life, or live in fear of what others say? Share God and give God your all. Speak boldly for the Lord just as Peter did at Pentecost, proclaim the gospel to all people. And be brave with faith just like Peter and John, if not better! God bless.
I'll post my references to...
It is difficult. I have lost so many friends and relatives already, and I've barely peaked out of my cocoon! the rest of my friends barely tolerate me. I will still love them and pray for them, but it gets lonely and discouraging.