January 15, 2018
Anytime you draw the line there are going to be people on the other side. Jesus was serious about doing this, with no apologies, and it cost him his life.
Because He was so inherently honest, He did not sugarcoat this with His disciples. ""If they maligned Me, they will malign you,"" He said. He painted a picture in Matthew, Chapter 10 of the persecution that they would face if they truly, unapologetically followed Him.
If we are not facing some of the same, it might be because we speak a politically correct gospel or, worse yet, may not be speaking the gospel at all for the sake of our comfort.
But for those happy, effective ones who proclaim Him on the housetops and are persecuted for it, there are great promises from the Savior.
THE PROMISE OF VALUE AND CARE
27 “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
28 “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.
29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
THE PROMISE OF CONFESSION WHERE IT MATTERS
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
33 “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
THE PROMISE OF FINDING REAL LIFE
38 “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
It's worth it. As you head into your day, resolve that you will live for Christ and proclaim Him, graciously and kindly, but boldly and loudly. Regardless of others response, you will have gained the attention of heaven.
Dear Lord, forgive me for my silence. My lack of confessing You to others for fear of the loss it might bring me. Open my mouth today to proclaim you boldly. Let me be willing to lose my life so that I may exalt Yours to people who desperately need to see You. And, let me rest in Your promised applause and not listen for the applause of men.
April 24, 2025
This is only possible with God’s aid. He tells us to draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us. But that approach begins with a plea for His help in this foundational task. It is our most important step of every day and throughout the day. We must be aware of God.
April 15, 2025
A simple, life-changing formula to keep a clear heart and be mightily used by God … for you are never more like Jesus than when you forgive! Perhaps we all need to begin today.
April 11, 2025
Are you coming to God like this today? If not, what adjustments must be made to enter into His presence with such humble joy?
