You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘bible’ tag.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9
I make no apologies. I can not keep silent about my God. I will not wish you ‘Happy Holidays’ because this time of year I remember the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, I will wish you a Merry Christmas.
I will, to the best of my God given strength, to allow you to be wrong. But I will not embrace a lifestyle that is contrary to the word of God because He has shown me the way of life. I do not pretend to understand everything He does. I can not explain why He allows evil to flourish and heartache to continue. But I will not keep silent about the inner peace He has given me in the struggle of life and the healing He has worked in me even though I’ve failed Him miserably.
I will not keep silent about eternity. There is life after death. There is heaven for those who choose to follow him. There is hell for Satan and those who choose not to follow the creator God of the universe. I will not keep silent about this because I want, in the worst way, for you to be with me in Heaven for eternity.
I will not keep silent about Jesus. He is the only way, the only truth and the only way to real living. If I seem intolerant, I’m sorry. But I will not turn my back on the one who never turned His back on me.
I’m not concerned with your denominational dogmas or your religious perspectives. They are restraining and boring. I choose rather to follow Jesus and grow in my relationship with Him. I can not keep silent about my love for Him and Him alone.
I can not keep silent. For the blessings He has given me and the peace He has worked in my life will not allow me too. Should I try, His Spirit will burn within me like a fire within my very bones. My body would scream in agony for not being able to attest to His greatness.
I will not be overbearing. I will not judge you for the way you choose. But I will forever speak His praise because I can not keep silent.
PRAYER: Father, I pray that this would be my prayer as I move among those who need to know the forgiveness and healing only found in you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
Americans spend over $100 Billion on multi-vitamins every year. We spend huge amounts on health clubs, fitness equipment and other things to keep us healthy. New laws are passed every year to protect us from dangerous products, threatening situations and even ourselves! Why do we spend so much time, money and effort on these things? Because we want to be protected and feel the need to protect others from things that will harm or even kill us.
We need protection from water, so we require Personal Flotation Devices. We need protection from the sun so we’ve developed sunscreen. We need protection from people that are irresponsible so we’ve created laws and entire agencies to protect us from evil minded people. Protection is on the minds of all of us and is not only big business but an important part of our society.
What’s ironic about the whole protection issue is that we often go through our days unprotected from the most important things that threaten us. Virtually all of the money we spend to protect ourselves is geared towards protecting our lives. It’s time and money spent on keeping us healthy, wealthy and able to function in society.
At the same time we neglect protecting ourselves from the spiritual dangers that lurk in the shadows. In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us to put on our spiritual protection every day. We are to arm ourselves for battle before we step foot out of our homes, or even our beds. Still, we have to admit we often start our day vulnerable to all kinds of spiritual attack.
Why do we avoid protection?
- We can say that time is a factor, but if we really realized how dangerous our enemy is we wouldn’t think twice about being protected. The Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion seeking to devour us. He’s cunning, wise and very real. His purpose in life is to destroy us and keep us from the joy we have in Jesus.
- For some of us, protecting ourselves is a sign of weakness. “Praying, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping with like-minded believers is okay for some, but I’m pretty self-sufficient. I can handle whatever is coming my way today.” God never, ever intended us to walk alone. That’s why He sent His Holy Spirit and gave us the Bible and tells us to pray. He wants to be involved in every part of your life and knows you will need him for battle.
- Sometimes we go unprotected because, if we are honest with ourselves, we lack of faith in the equipment God has given us for life. He’s given us His Word. He’s proven to be powerful, honest, caring, loving, full of grace and mercy, able to heal and provide. We can trust God even during the times when we doubt His presence.
If you are a great swimmer and going out into the ocean on a boat you take your PFD (Personal Flotation Device). On a calm, sunny day you lay it on the deck, in plain sight but don’t plan to use it. If a storm comes up you may pull it closer in case you need it. But if your boat is in danger and land can’t be seen, you know to put on that PFD because it is your tool of survival in the storm. Think of your faith in Christ as a PFD. Life is a storm and our lives are fragile. Wear your PFD, your trust in Christ. He will help you weather the storm.
PRAYER: Holy Father, I thank you for the many ways you have protected me during my life. I acknowledge that there are many times I’ve been protected without even knowing it. I confess to you that I often go into my daily life unprotected. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to take life seriously and to protect myself with the truth of your Word on a daily basis. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
