After Sunday, the disciples lives were changed forever. They could not be silenced by imprisonment or threats of death. After seeing Jesus risen, death was no longer a deterrent.
What a wonderful week. Reading all the gospels that tell us in detail, about the ministry of Jesus. Revisiting that week in history gives us renewed energy to keep moving forward.
The world is in chaos. The persecution of Christians worldwide is something we American believers should be speaking up about. I wonder if the believers in other countries are wondering why, as the country once known for its foundational Christian faith, we are silent. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Starting with prayer is an excellent way to begin. We know from our own experience that God hears our prayers. We in this country currently deal with those who wish to drown out the voice of Christianity but as of yet, lives have not been sacrificed for our belief. We should excercise the courage of the disciples in the years that followed their witness of the miracle that changed the world.
I hope you are as encouraged as I am with this past weeks reminder that our Shepherd is alive and sits at the right hand of God. He is listening and interceding on our behalf moment by moment. There will be a day of correction when He will return. Until He does, we have work to do. The enemy desires that we tire of the struggle and let the culture drown out our Christian faith. We owe it to those first witnesses of the resurrection of Christ to keep the fires of faith burning. The fires they started on that first Monday.
Everyone has a ministry. What is yours? Go forward with compassion, kindness and love in the name of Jesus. There are so many gifts. Gifts of cheerfulness. Gifts of mercy. Gift of nurturing. Gift of giving. The gift of teaching. I happen to think those who are able to smile under all circumstances have a huge gift. There is nothing as uplifting as being greeted by smiles from people you don’t even know.
The warmth of a kind smile covers even the most difficult days. My niece and I walked down the hall coming from the hospital room of my sister, her Mom. She had just taken the hand of Jesus and stepped across. People in the halls had no way of knowing that we had just suffered a terrible loss. A woman passed. She looked me straight in the eye and smiled at me. I have no idea who she was, but God did. I needed to see a smile right then. I knew I would smile again one day. There is no gift too small to offer to a fallen world. Find your gift and begin or continue your good work to further the cause of Christ.
Scripture For Today:
Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)
Romans 12:6-8
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (NLT)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! There are times when we feel there is nothing we can do. No gift we have to further the cause of Christ. We pray for discernment on what our ministry and gifts are. Reveal those to us and give us energy and boldness to spread the good news. Forgive us of our sins. in Jesus’ name. Amen.