Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 9
Friday


SHOW UP
BEFORE YOU
SPEAK UP

READ:
Matthew 5:11-16
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Let your light so shine
before men, that they
may see your good
works and glorify your
Father. __Matthew 5:16
____________________________________________________________

There was a time when a certain West Coast city may have been
one of the most hostile places to the gospel in America. Posters in coffee
shops advertised witchcraft meetings where you could learn to cast a spell on your enemies.

It was such a challenging environment for churches that they struggled to get building permits from the city council. And there was a lot of "woe is me" talk among church leaders. Until a group of pastors began to meet to pray regularly and then decided to take the love of Jesus into their city. They started a ministry to the homeless, to those suffering with AIDS, to teens at risk. Faithfully and intentionally they brought the love of Jesus to the needs of hurting people. Before long, the city agencies started calling on them for help. Better yet, the churches started growing as people responded to the gospel in action.

Which proves the point: Sometimes you've got to "show up" before you speak up. No one really wants to hear what we have to say about the love of Jesus until they've seen it in our lives (Matt. 5:16). Then even the most ardent opponents to the gospel may just be glad you're in their town, their office, or their neighborhood. And then you just might be able to tell them about Jesus. __Joe Stowell
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``````````````````Let us go forth, as called of God,````````````````
````````````````Redeemed by Jesus' precious blood;```````````````
``````````````````His love to show; His life to live,`````````````````
```````````His message speak, His mercy give. __Whittle````````````
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When you share the gospel,
make sure you live the gospel

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 5:11-16************

11 Blessed are you when
they revile and persecute
you, and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely for
My sake. 12 Rejoice and be
exceedingly glad, for great
is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the
prophets who were before
you.

13 You are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt loses its
flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? It is then good
for nothing but to be thrown
out and trampled underfoot
by men.

14 You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp
and put it under a basket,
but on a lampstand, and it
gives light to all who are in
the house. 16 Let your light
so shine before men, that
they may see your good
works and glorify your
Father in heaven.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Yesterday's Bible portion covered part of Jesus' last recorded
public teaching. Today's reading gives us His first recorded sermon,
the "Sermon on the Mount." It is very different in tone and
content from the Olivet Discourse, speaking of the challenges of
representing Christ in a fallen world with words full of promise
and hope. The Olivet Discourse, on the other hand, is dark and
foreboding, filled with warning a judgment. __BILL CROWDER

[Lani]

*Amen2*

My Gram would always say
"You cannot complain about the comfort of the pew if you never bother to take a seat."

Took me years to understand what she meant

So often, people waste a great deal of time "talking" about what they would/could do..... "if" always follows... then doubt sets in and people are defeated before they even try.

My motto: Roll your sleeves up and get to work... His plan will be revealed in your work... IF you let Him lead.

Thanks for the reminder in this shared message sis.

Peace and Love in Christ,

Lani