Finding My Voice For Jesus

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,  let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:8-13

I have been watching the news carefully. I sense that there is a stirring in the natural world - a coming against Christians. It is very subtle.  Just a word here or there. This is one headline - "Rockwall real estate agent, volunteer church worker charged with sexually assaulting child" A volunteer church worker - she may have been, but why was it important to include that in the headline. I suspect because Christians are not supposed to do bad things and that, of course, is a very bad thing. Therefore, one might think that Christians, in general, are not as holy as they profess to be. An idea being promoted in the press is that if you are a professed Christian then you are a right-wing Republican. You might be, but then again you might not be. Your political preference is not necessarily an indication of your spiritual condition. But the world can't see your heart so you are judged by your actions. The water is coming to a slow boil with respect to our culture's attitude toward the Christian community. 

My point - there will come a time, and it may be near, when Christians may be tempted to keep their faith to themselves because of social pressure. When Jesus was arrested, He told Peter that Peter would deny Him three times. (I am certain you know the story) And Peter he would not but when the time came, he did just that. Now fast forward to Peter and John standing before the Jewish religious leaders proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah.  Notice the Word says, "filled with the Holy Spirit". That was the difference for Peter then, and it is the difference for us, now. 

There will come a time, my friends, it may not be tomorrow, when people of faith will not be tolerated. Just remember, the darker the night the brighter the light.  Given our human nature, apart from the power of the Spirit of God, most Christians will prefer to be a silent witness. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone