Complete Conviction

Complete Conviction

1 Thessalonians 1: ⁴ Our friends, we know that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own. ⁵ For we brought the Good News to you, not with words only, but also with power and the Holy Spirit, and with complete conviction of its truth. You know how we lived when we were with you; it was for your own good. 

 

============

 

“You could be jailed for proselytizing” was the stern warning given to us when entering a certain country. These words were a bit unnerving. About a week into the trip, someone from that country asked me about CHRIST, Do I pass up this opportunity?

 

• I could not pass up the opportunity.
• I had a lot at stake on earth, but more at stake in heaven.
• I had a strange sense of peace that no matter what happened, I was serving GOD.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy at one time, brought the Good News to the people and they accepted CHRIST as their Savior. They brought the message with words, power and the HOLY SPIRIT. But they did not stop there. They brought the Good News with “complete conviction of its truth.”

 

My Observations

• The Good News that JESUS died for my sins and was raised from the dead, just for me is important to tell to others.
• GOD wants me convinced that telling people about JESUS is the right thing to do.
• Each encounter of telling people about the Good News does not have to be confrontational, rather full of HIS power which is centered in love.

 

Love conquers all. I mean when I am convinced that CHRIST is the only answer, I act different. I do not worry about what humans think, say or do. GOD’s message is paramount and should not be stifled. Unfortunately, when I exchanged HIS powerful words for titles humans gave me, I found myself not able to reach people with HIS message, nor did I want to.

 

BUT GOD forgave me and gave me a second and third and fourth chance. HE did not beat me up for withholding HIS Good News, rather HE kept giving me opportunities to mention my beliefs. After a while I took the opportunity. I am glad GOD has given all of us the responsibility of spreading the Good News.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writers were doing to be examples?
• Have you ever been completely convinced of something, so much so that you tell others about it?
• Will you have that same conviction, if not more, for telling people about JESUS and the Good News of HIS resurrection today?

Let It Out

Let It Out

Colossians 4: ¹⁵ Give our best wishes to the believers in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. ¹⁶ After you read this letter, make sure that it is read also in the church at Laodicea. At the same time, you are to read the letter that the believers in Laodicea will send you. ¹⁷ And tell Archippus, “Be sure to finish the task you were given in the Lord's service.”
 
May God's grace be with you.

¹⁸ With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul Do not forget my chains!

 
============
 
Stepping around the party, I was having “fun.” I shouted at the top of my lungs boastful chants along with the members of the group I joined. I proudly wore my group affiliation letters on my chest and mentioned the group when I could. One day, someone asked me to go to church. I did not want people to know I followed JESUS, because I was having too much “fun.”

 

• I wanted to do what I wanted to do and rely on JESUS for whatever HE was supposed to do.
• I was embarrassed about the things I said and did, so I chose to not mention JESUS.
• It was easy to shout what other people expected versus what people needed to hear.

 

In chains and physically wounded, Paul pens this letter. He was not ashamed of his affiliation with JESUS. In fact, he was imprisoned because of his beliefs. Only the king was supposed to be spoken about in the manner Paul spoke of the “King of kings.” He wanted everyone to know exactly what was on his mind so he wrote his message down.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s message should be mentioned as often as possible from me.
• I should not be ashamed of mentioning JESUS in any circle of people.
• GOD wants to be the priority in my life.

 

JESUS gave it all to me. I mean HE took embarrassing insults, temptation and beatings for me. HE then decided to be murdered for me so I could live. HE was raised from the dead with all power. This is great news! Unfortunately there are times when I do not want to mention HIM.

 

Either groups I join or jobs I work at, deter me from wanting to speak about JESUS. Don’t get me wrong, groups and jobs are not the problem, rather my choice to not mention JESUS is the root of the issue. GOD wants me and everyone who believes in JESUS to mention HIM often and remember HIM daily. I gladly say JESUS is LORD!

 

Challenge

• What instructions does the writer give and why?
• Have you ever had some good news or bad news and told many people about it?
• Have you ever been embarrassed to mention JESUS or that you follow HIM?
• Will you mention JESUS out loud or written to someone today?

All Peoples

 

All Peoples

Colossians 1: ²⁷ God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God. ²⁸ So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature individual in union with Christ. ²⁹ To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.

 

============

 

Growing up in a neighborhood that was not diverse, I heard about GOD loving the entire world. But I could not imagine HE meant those who did not look like me or those who chased me out of their neighborhood because I did not look like them.

 

• I started thinking it would be easier to speak about GOD to those who looked like me.
• I made up excuses in my mind with reasons for not going to other races with GOD’s message of hope and love.
• I said to myself “one group of people have struggled so doesn’t that count for me to focus on that one group?”

 

Paul explains that GOD’s secret has been revealed through the resurrection of JESUS who now lives in all who believe. The Good news doesn’t stop there. It also means sharing in the glory of GOD!. So, he used all of his time and best thinking to reach any and every one he could reach.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s message of love is not for exclusion rather to reach all peoples.
• Since the HOLY SPIRIT lives “inside” me, HE is not looking at the external rather what is in my heart.
• Whatever is important to GOD should be important to me.

 

Reaching “all peoples” is important to GOD. I mean, even though humans find many ways to show just how different we all are, GOD wants us to unite. But how? It seems like politically, socially and religiously humans are doomed to separation. Fortunately GOD took care of that too.

 

When JESUS died, HE said “It is finished” meaning nothing else is left to be done. All who seek salvation can be saved. The ability is now available for all peoples. It is now up to us to tell “everyone” about JESUS without hinderance. I am glad GOD cares about all races and wants “everyone” to know about HIS SON.

 

Challenge

• What valuable message is the writer speaking of?
• How much do you value the message of salvation?
• Will you examine what you say every day and check to see if you can add the Good News about JESUS to more of your conversations?
• Will you also drop any barriers to speaking to other races about JESUS today?

Gifts and Talents

Gifts and Talents

Acts 21: ⁷ We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. ⁸ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

¹⁰ After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

============

Never having worked on a team, I found myself challenged with understanding what was my part versus someone else’s. Was I supposed to do everything or just a little? I needed a little clarification on what I was supposed to do, so I asked my boss.

• There have been many times when I needed to know my role.
• There have been many times when I needed to understand where I fit on the team.
• There have been many times when I did not know how or when to use my gifts and talents.

When the disciples landed at Ptolemais and Caesarea, they were greeted by many. Each person had their own gifts and talents. Philip was an evangelist, his daughters were prophets and Agabus was also a prophet. Each person was led by the HOLY SPIRIT. Agabus gave Paul a warning based on what the HOLY SPIRIT said.

• GOD gave me gifts and talents to use for HIS purpose.
• GOD leads me by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to embrace the gifts and talents of others.

Gifts and talents are in abundance in GOD’s kingdom. I mean, every person I meet has a unique way at looking at life. Each flawed person brings a unique piece to the broken mirror that reflects GOD. Only when all pieces are together, can we reflect HIM. I am grateful GOD has made me a tiny piece of a larger plan.

• Do you feel your gifts and talents are better than someone else’s?
• Do you think other people would be better off if they were to follow your way?
• Will you look at other people the way GOD does and value their gifts and talents even if you cannot see them today?

Speak when spoken to

Amos 3: ⁷ Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
    without revealing his plan
    to his servants the prophets.

⁸ The lion has roared—
    who will not fear?
The Sovereign Lord has spoken—
    who can but prophesy?

============

“What will people think of me?” was my thought as I moved up the ladder. I mean I have to show how accepting I am of various beliefs because “my” department was very diverse in culture. I chose not to speak about GOD or my beliefs in HIS ways. When asked to speak about GOD to the masses, I politely refused.

• There have been times I have hidden my association with GOD.
• There have been times I have remained silent when I was told to speak.
• There have been times I have hidden my values so I could “get ahead.”

My choice was to remain neutral while becoming “tough” enough to carry out the orders of leadership. Soon instead of names, the people were “full time equivalents” on a spreadsheet and could be cut if the numbers were not as they should. BUT GOD wants me to act different.

• GOD wants me to put in a full day’s work as promised to those who hired me.
• GOD wants me to show HIS grace through my hard work because I am working for HIM.
• GOD wants me to speak about HIM at a moment’s notice without being ashamed.

Employers do not hire me to spread GOD’s word, but they also should know I am not ashamed of GOD in any way. I will always work hard and produce the best, but if asked, I will not hide my light from anyone. GOD is my beacon and when the Lion roars I must prophesy.

• Are you hiding your relationship with GOD because of your position?
• Do you feel ashamed of GOD in front of “those” people?
• Can you drop your shame of HIM and listen to what HE wants you to say to “those” people?
• Will you open your mouth when GOD tells you to do so?

Serious Responsibilities

Ezekiel 3: ²⁰ “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. ²¹ But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

============

Snooping around my desk was the action I despised the most of this particular person. I was working on a project and refining my numbers. I left the wrong numbers on my desk and went home to correct the information. The next day this person tried to take credit for my work in a meeting but they were using the wrong numbers. “Serves him right” I thought to myself. I sat there without saying a word and watched him flounder.

• There have been times when it felt good to watch someone else’s demise.
• There have been times when it felt good to see someone “get their just rewards.”
• There have been times when it felt good to observe someone fall especially if they have been bugging me and others.

Watching someone else fail while I sit there with a hands off attitude feels good because it is not “my fault” if they fail. I mean they shouldn’t be doing what they are doing in the first place, right? Well, maybe not. What does GOD have to say about this?

• GOD says to me “Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin and I will hold you accountable for their blood.”
• GOD says to me “Have compassion on those who hold you in contempt and I will give you words of peace.”
• GOD says to me “Bless those who curse you and I will bring about salvation for those who heed your words.”

My desire was wanting this person to fail in the first place so taking a hands off approach not only enabled his failure, but it made me look better. GOD wants me to raise people up just as HE raises me up. HE wants me to enable success and let HIM worry about their actions and attitudes. My warnings need to point people to GOD and leave the rest to HIM. GOD wants me to open my mouth and say something that will grow HIS kingdom.

• Are you sitting back and watching “that” person fail?
• Do you feel satisfied when someone gets what is coming to them?
• Can you change your attitude and be part of their success?
• Will you tell the righteous person to turn from their ways and give them the compassion of GOD?

Watered down messages

Romans 15: ²⁰It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

============

There are some great authors out there who write about their experiences with GOD, some I agree with and some I don’t. I have tried the techniques they prescribe to spread the gospel and failed miserably. What I found is I took their message without full understanding and watered it down.

• When I view someone else as being responsible for spreading the gospel, I don’t prepare.
• When I think someone else is better at spreading the gospel than I am, I don’t seek to spread the gospel.
• When I feel there are some religious practices that I don’t know or understand, I feel inadequate to spread the gospel.

Sometimes I hear preachers tell their congregations, “Just bring people here and I’ll do the rest.” While that takes the ownership from me I think GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to seek people who are open to hear about HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to be ready, willing and able to tell people about JESUS at the drop of a hat.
• GOD wants me to believe it’s my responsibility to tell as many people about JESUS as possible.

Paul was tired of fighting “religion” and simply wanted people to believe in JESUS.  What I mean is he wanted people to believe JESUS is GOD along with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS volunteered to die for every human’s sin and has been raised from the dead. The great news about this act of love is now I can be with HIM forever. My sins are forgiven.

It is my responsibility to fill the world with GOD’s message, not my pastor or radio personality or television personality. GOD has equipped me with just the right words to reach the people HE delivers to me.

• Are you anxious to tell people about CHRIST?
• Do you have ambitions of spreading GOD’s message to those who are lost and confused?
• Won’t you open yourself up to opening your mouth and telling people about HIM today?