THE BEST ARGUMENT!

THE BEST ARGUMENT!

Acts 4:13-14

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

           Did you know that YOU are the best argument for Christianity? You and the way you live your life in the world is more convincing than Scripture, archaeological finds or other evidences. When believers began to walk as Jesus walked then the world took notice.

           Did you know that YOU are also the best argument AGAINST Christianity? The world knows enough about Jesus to measure your life by His. The world is discerning, watching and merciless in its evaluation of your behavior. In a strong moment you may convince and win a soul but in a weak moment you may damn a soul by behaving in a way that contradicts your Christian profession.

           The Great Commission was a charge to reach the world but the believers huddled in Jerusalem more than three thousand strong. It was the first “mega-church.” Jesus never asked them to huddle but rather to scatter.

           Charles Stanley said: We are called to act out our faith every day. God works through us to reach those who may never otherwise open the Bible or enter a church. What's more, He borrows our voice to tell His story and uses our life to demonstrate His grace and glory.

Dear Lord, let me faithfully present Christ wherever I go today. AMEN

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR!

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR!

1 Sam 3:9-10

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.

           If you will travel north in this third chapter to verse eight you will note that Samuel heard and misunderstood the voice of the lord three times! I wonder how many times every day that we hear His voice from someone else? I am reminded of an old Simon & Garfunkle song which contained these words: “the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls – heed them all.” If we are to hear the voice of God we must listen carefully and sometimes pay attention to those whom the rest of the world ignores.

           Now our nation and our churches are stumbling in the darkness of extravagance and wastefulness, in the relaxation of disciplined morals, and in the widespread rebellion against God. At these times God calls not just for a servant but for a prophet. The call often comes in the midst of ordinary days and ordinary activities. He called Samuel while lying down to sleep. Peter, James and John were called while washing their fishing nets.

           Chance encounters seldom are! We are encouraged in Hebrews 13:2 to pay close attention to strangers because they may be unsuspected angels. I think it would also be wise to listen to strangers and perhaps to children for the voice of God.

           Paul’s classic question, “who art thou Lord,” after being blinded by God’s glory was to verify what he suspected. Who are you? I suspect you may be the Lord! His next question changed his life. He asked: “What wilt thou have me to do?”

Dear Lord, in the midst of the noise of this day, please speak to me the words I need to hear. Let me listen carefully that I might hear your voice from unsuspected places. AMEN

OUR FADING MORALITY!

OUR FADING MORALITY!

2 Chron 7:13-14

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

John 4:17-18

17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

           Cohabitation instead of marriage is becoming the norm. The woman at the well had tried marriage five times before she simply decided to skip it. Illegitimate births for all Americans have risen from 26 percent in 1990 to 41 percent today “and could be headed higher.” Among Hispanics, illegitimacy is 53 percent, among blacks it’s 73 percent, and among whites it has risen to a shocking 29 percent.

           Jesus honored marriage by performing His first miracle at a wedding at Cana in Galilee. It might even be said that God performed the first wedding by bringing the newly formed Eve to the amazed Adam and then told them to be fruitful, to multiply and to fill the earth. It is clear by even a casual perusal of the Bible that children should be born into families. The shocking way that we are ignoring God must eventually be met with stern consequences.  Yet, His promise is that when we sincerely turn to Him and pray that He would “hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Dear Lord, listen to your children praying. Grant to us a cleansing for our heart and a healing for our land. AMEN