Show It

 

Show It

1 John 3: ¹³ So do not be surprised, my friends, if the people of the world hate you. ¹⁴ We know that we have left death and come over into life; we know it because we love others. Those who do not love are still under the power of death. ¹⁵ Those who hate others are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life in them. ¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! ¹⁷ If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? ¹⁸ My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

 

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“You are a brainiac!” was the insult hurled at me. The words could be a compliment, but they were said as the reason I was about to get beat up. “What did I do?” was my only defense. This question only made the thug madder. His reply “3:15!” meaning I was going to get beat up after school.

 

• I hated bullies.
• I hated those who laughed with the bullies and seemingly sided with them.
• I hoped something terrible would happen to the bullies!

 

John attempted to address hatred. But he did it in a different way. He explained that believers would be hated by the world so they should not be surprised. He then gives some great advice. Instead of returning evil for evil, show love.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS was hated by the world, even though HE created them.
• JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be murdered so HE could be raised from the dead and become the forgiver of all sins.
• HIS act of love should make me want to show love to those who are kind and those who hate me.

 

It is not easy showing love to those who insult, slander or persecute. I mean, the world seems to get more and more coldhearted to those in need as if he or she were the problem. And if the person in need speaks about CHRIST, then more hate labels are placed on the believer. BUT GOD has a remedy for persecution.

 

HE knew that showing the love of CHRIST would cause some people to mislabel HIS followers. HE said “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This statement says that just because you and I show love, we will be persecuted by the world, but GOD will bless those who show love. I am glad GOD sees.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer say “do not be surprised?”
• Have you ever done something innocent and received anger, frustration and repercussion?
• Will you continue to show GOD’s love, expecting the world to respond in a hateful way, so you will not be surprised, and so your actions will speak louder than your words today?

No Longer Ashamed

No Longer Ashamed

2 Timothy 1: ⁸ Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it. ⁹ He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life.

 

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“Would you take over the inspirational message?” was the question asked by one of my peers at work. We worked at a very large, well-known company and I was on the rise. I had a title to protect and sending an inspirational message, like this one, would not fit. Or at least that’s what I thought.

 

• I was ashamed to admit I followed JESUS.
• I felt that most of my time should be spent with JESUS hidden and covertly implying HIM.
• I thought speaking about JESUS would hurt my chances for advancement.

 

Paul addressed societal pressures Timothy may have faced. At that time, the church leaders had conspired against JESUS and killed HIM. They would never admit there was and is a risen Savior. They may have worked with business owners who would shut out those who mentioned the name of JESUS. Timothy needed “strength.”

 

My Observations

• Societal pressures to harbor worry, fear and hatred can make me ashamed of JESUS, BUT HE is the only way to true strength.
• My plans for “the next level” are laughable to GOD when I am ashamed of JESUS.
• Any plan that does not include JESUS could be used for HIS good, but not for “my” good.

 

GOD’s word will never return void. I mean, if I mention what a preacher said or a Bible verse says, That message will bring glory to GOD. But if I do not believe in JESUS, or believe that I do not need to speak HIS name publicly, especially when I am uncomfortable, I may not benefit from speaking scripture or saying what someone said.

 

Being ashamed of JESUS can come in many forms. I may go to church and mention HIS name boldly on Sunday and never mention HIS name out loud  the rest of the week. No one I know would even know I had a relationship with JESUS, but they will know what I ate yesterday or what “fun” thing I did, or what group activity I participated in.

 

GOD does want a sincere witness that sometimes is quiet, but HE seems to also want us to be bold in living for HIM. I gladly speak for CHRIST now and I am more ashamed of being places where I cannot.

 

Challenge

• What shame is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever felt that being bold for JESUS is unnecessary or even a problem?
• Will you overcome any thoughts of hiding your relationship with JESUS because of your title, job or status and let GOD control your life so JESUS can be proclaimed boldly from your lips today?

Demonstration

 

Demonstration

Acts 26: ¹⁹ “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. ²⁰ First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. ²¹ That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. ²² But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— ²³ that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

 

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Excited to learn a new skill, I watched intently. The person seemed to tie all kinds of knots with ease. “Okay, you try” he said. I tried and messed up. He showed me and I could finally tie a few knots. I put my skills to use in fishing, hauling things on a vehicle, and sending presents.

 

• There have been many people who have taught me life skills.
• There have been many people who guided me in the right direction.
• There have been many people who blessed me with good demonstrations.

 

Paul continues his explanation to king Agrippa. When JESUS blinded and healed Paul, he responded with obedience. Paul went everywhere preaching the gospel of JESUS. He taught people to demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

 

• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS as my Savior.
• GOD wants me to translate that belief into action.
• GOD wants me to demonstrate HIS love to others.

 

Demonstrating my repentance does not make me holier. In fact, the more holy I think I am, the more prideful my righteous acts become. GOD makes it simple. Give HIM the credit and I can have no ownership of the blessing HE bestows on another person through my deed. I am glad GOD demonstrated HIS love by forgiving me of all my sins.

 

• What are you demonstrating?
• What will people say about your actions today?
• Will you demonstrate to others the love GOD shown you today?

Growing

Luke 13: ¹⁸ Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

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Furious, I stormed into the grocery store. I grabbed whatever I was purchasing and went to the counter. The cashier looked at my face and did not bother to say anything but the amount owed. Silently I paid and left.

• There are times when I show my anger to many people.
• There are times when I show my disappointment to many people.
• There are times when I show my hatred, fear, lust, prejudice and greed to many people.

JESUS describes the kingdom of GOD as a mustard seed planted in a garden. This seed grew and became a large tree for which many birds nested in its branches. How does a seed parable apply to me?

• GOD says to me “Each day you plant something whether you like it or not.”
• GOD says to me “You can sow seeds for MY kingdom or sow seeds for yours every day.”
• GOD says to me “You are MY seed and I plant you where I need you, for the time I need you, and I will grow you into a large tree.”

Each and every day I have a choice to make. I can make people miserable and adversarial or I can choose to be with people and show them GOD is in control in spite of my problems. Even my absence speaks volumes and plants a seed. Once I realize GOD has placed me somewhere for HIS purpose, it makes me think differently.

Wicked people aren’t as wicked and the argument I was about to jump into doesn’t seem worth winning when I choose GOD. Showing GOD’s love is important to HIM. When I choose to do so, especially when I don’t feel like it, HE grows me beyond my belief.

• What seeds are you growing?
• Are you making many people miserable around you?
• Can you choose to have GOD grow you to a point where you are growing other people for HIS purpose on a daily basis?

Having Resolve

Daniel 1: ⁸ But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. ⁹ Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, ¹⁰ but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

¹¹ Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” ¹⁴ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

¹⁵ At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

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“No” was my answer when the fella’s decided to go out “drinking and clubbing plus, plus.” My resolute statement made them look at me strangely. They did not say much to me from that point on. I could not read their mind but the looks on their face seemed to mark me as a betrayer to their confidence. I was no longer in the “club.” “Maybe I should have gone with them” I thought to myself

• Sometimes I questioned standing up for GOD.
• Sometimes I wondered what it would have been like if I folded to my resolve.
• Sometimes I wanted to quit following GOD because it seemed like everyone else was having more “fun.”

Blinded by “success” I questioned GOD. I mean these people seemed to be doing extremely “well” while I seemed to be getting kicked out of inner circles. GOD had to speak to me about my question.

• GOD said to me “I AM the way the truth and the life. Do not be afraid of humans and their lack of resolve.”
• GOD said to me “There is no other GOD but ME. Follow ME with all your heart, mind and soul.”
• GOD said to me “I WILL bless you abundantly for following ME.

Despite my flawed thinking, I continued. I mean who was I to go against GOD? After a while those people who asked me to hang out with them, vanished one by one and soon I was put in their place. GOD took his time but it was better to wait on HIM.

• Are you afraid of taking a public stance for following JESUS?
• Are you ashamed of declaring you follow GOD because the people around you will ostracize you?
• Can you agree to have add some resolve to follow GOD’s ways to your daily walk little by little?