Tag: Evangelism

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Going Public

Daily Reading

Matthew 9-10

Daily Thought

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” ~Matthew 10:32

The rancher wanted the farmers to pay for his drowned cattle. “Judge, you know we’ve been having a drought. The farmers had a prayer meeting and asked God to send rain. I don’t put much stock in prayer, but dad gum if it didn’t work. It rained the next three days and flooded my ranch. Their prayers drowned my cattle, Your Honor.” The farmers objected, “There is no proof that it was God who sent the rain.”

“Let me get this straight,” clarified the judge. “What we have here is a man who doesn’t pray, nevertheless believes God answers prayer. And you guys who do pray say God doesn’t.”

“But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” ~Matthew 10:33

Jesus charges his followers, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27), and yet, with an opportunity to praise God publicly, the farmers opt out.

We miss opportunities and shy away from opposition, but Jesus grants no Christian claim to a right to privacy. Following Christ means going public in his Name, the Name of Jesus. 

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:21

Daily Prayer

God, You are faithful and true. I desire to be one who trusts in You, walks in Your Word, and steps out in faith. Help me with my faith where it lacks. Test me and strengthen me where I lack. I believe in You in word, but may I also believe in You in action.

I know, God, that it is fear that keeps me from standing tall for You at times. Help me build upon the solid foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May I be one whose life points to You at all times. May I be one who stands for, lives by, and speaks aloud your Name.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you find it easy to say the name Jesus aloud in public? Why or why not?

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Going Public

Daily Reading

Matthew 9-10

Daily Thought

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

The rancher wanted the farmers to pay for his drowned cattle. “Judge, you know we’ve been having a drought. The farmers had a prayer meeting and asked God to send rain. I don’t put much stock in prayer, but dad gum if it didn’t work. It rained the next three days and flooded my ranch. Their prayers drowned my cattle, Your Honor.” The farmers objected, “There is no proof that God sent the rain.”

“Let me get this straight,” clarified the judge. “What we have here is a man who doesn’t pray, but believes God answers them. And you guys who do pray say God doesn’t.”

“But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

Humor is best when it bears the sting of truth, and this farmer joke is funny and stings. Jesus charges his followers, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27), and yet, with such slight opposition, we allow others to silence our voice. Jesus grants no Christian claim to a right to privacy; following Christ means going public in his Name, the Name of Jesus.  

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:21

Daily Prayer

God, You are faithful and true. I desire to be one who trusts in You, walks in Your Word, and steps out in faith. Help me with my faith where it lacks. Test me and strengthen me where I lack. I believe in You in word, but may I also believe in You in action.

I know, God, that it is fear that keeps me from standing tall for You at times. Help me build upon the solid foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May I be one whose life points to You at all times. May I be one who stands for, lives by, and speaks aloud your Name.

Amen

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A Good Man

Daily Reading

Ezekiel 1-4

Daily Thought

To follow Jesus is a personal faith, but not a private faith. It is meant to be public. 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples! ~Psalm 105:1

The entertainer Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) does not believe he needs saving. He is an atheist; he believes there is no God. He believes there is no everlasting life. A man approached Penn Jillette with a gift, a Gideon’s Bible. The man believed Penn Jillette needs saving. I know what Penn Jillette thinks about the Bible. I know what he thinks about God. I know what he thinks about heaven and hell and salvation. I thought I knew what he would think about this man. “He was a very very very good man,” said Jillette. I was wrong. Penn Jillette respected this man who shared his faith. “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize,” reasoned Jillette. “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them about it?” Good question. Whether or not Penn Jillette welcomed the word, he knew that a prophet had come close. He called him a good man.

The job of prophet is to tell the truth of God to the people, “and whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 2:5).

Daily Prayer

Everlasting God, out of love You created us. You created us in Your image and You created us good. I can only imagine what it was like to know You at creation, no sin, no separation, no need of a Savior. Adam and Eve could see You clearly and worship You fully.

Then they sinned and now I sin and I am separated and I truly need a Savior, and you delivered One. You gave Your Son and brought me back close to You with the certainty of eternity in Your presence. You sent Your Son for me, and He came. You now send me to others. I will go and I will tell the truth.

Amen

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Break Camp and Advance

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 1-2

Daily Thought

The Israelites were at Horeb, a.k.a. Mt. Sinai. God meets Moses, the Ten Commandments, thunder and lightning, thick clouds and trumpet blasts. It was awesome, wonderful, uplifting, edifying, inspirational, and terrifying. Everything that makes up a good church service. It was also long (like a church service). Now it is time to go. The LORD our God said to his people at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…” (Deuteronomy 1:6-7).

God has a promise to fulfill. God has a purpose for his people. “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3).

Centuries later, with the Lord Jesus, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain. They worshiped Jesus there. A church service. Finally Jesus said the same to his followers, ”Go!” (Matthew 28:16-19). Every church service every week should close the same way, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…”

…that all the earth shall be blessed.

Daily Prayer

Father God, it is good to gather and worship. It is wonderful to hear Your Word. I love to be blessed. Who wouldn’t?

God, it is good to scatter and bless. May I bless others by sharing the blessings You have poured out on me. I know Your Son, may I make Him known. May I be filled to overflowing with Your Spirit. May I love and serve and share Your good news to people everywhere, across the street and around the world.

Amen