Take Your Stand!
“If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.” I don’t usually quote Malcolm X, and I don’t know the context behind that statement, but I think I like it. It fits what’s on my mind this month– taking a stand.
There are opportunities a plenty to do that these days – but perhaps that’s true anytime. It’s Confirmation Day at Christ Lutheran this week. Our 8th graders (five of them) will join many others this time of a year (and countless others in a long line of saints from confirmation days past) in making a promise to take a stand on the Word of God. That’s never easy, but it’s eternally important.
It’s Mother’s Day in a couple of weeks. That’s another chance we have to take a stand. Motherhood – and what that means (or doesn’t mean) is pretty “loosey goosey” these days. Can we take a stand by the way we think about, talk about, and celebrate, and practice all those things that go along with God’s gift of being “Mom.”
That makes me think of President Obama who is not only supportive of abortion on demand for anybody who wants one, and for any reason, but also now wants to force churches like ours to pay for it. And if we say no, we will be fined big time or worse. People of God! If we don’t take a stand, who will?!?! Of course, it’s an election year. And then there’s the marriage amendment too. There will be lots of rhetoric, lots of lobbying in politics, editorializing in the papers, and everyday discussion among people. The danger of falling for anything will be great. There will be times and places when a stand will have to be taken. Will you? What stand will you take?
As the saved children of God, we don’t just take a stand on something – we stand on the Word of God. That presupposes and even demands that we be and remain Bible literate. “I think” or “I feel” has a place, even in difficult issues. But when God says something, we need to know what that is, and stand on that. Jesus has called us out to be “the salt of the earth.” Be salty!
No, it’s not always easy to be that. It can be scary. It can be risky. It will take time and effort, not to mention some courage. Your Savior knows that. He’s been down that road many times. He promises to stand behind his Word and stand with those who witness to his Word. The Apostle Paul says to “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).
Know that your Risen and Ascended Lord still rules in the heavens for the benefit of his kingdom. In the end, we win! But in the meantime, depend on his power in the face of the challenges. Thank him for your successes. Turn to his loving forgivness when we are faint and when we fail. Finally, ask him to inspire and empower you to do as he says:
“STAND FIRM. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELVES
FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD BECAUSE YOU KNOW
THAT YOUR LABOR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN.”
(1 Corinthians 15: 58)
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Today's Devotion| » | Devotion - May 18, 2012
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:19-21 Scattered by the Wind! Last fall our lawn was sprayed to kill the dandelions. This year our lawn was filled with them. Last fall I cleaned out our garden and didn’t plant anything. This spring the garden area was filled with weeds. The reason? Seeds were blown by the wind and deposited all over our yard. We would never have known except those seeds took root and began to grow. The spread of the good news about Jesus happens in a similar way. Although it’s not the physical wind that blows, the Spirit of God blows when and where he wishes. For the early believers, the impetus for scattering the seeds of the gospel was the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem. What seemed like a hardship and tragic situation, led individuals out of Jerusalem into the surrounding areas. Wherever they went, they planted gospel seeds, “telling them the good news about Jesus.” The result? “…a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Are you open to where God might “scatter” you to connect you with someone who needs to hear the “good news about the Lord Jesus?” As you travel on your next business trip, plan your next vacation, drive for the next field trip or contemplate a major move, are you open to God’s Spirit scattering the good news of Jesus through you? The place where God has you today and the place he will take you tomorrow is a place where he wants to use you to connect a soul to the saving message of Jesus. Your confidence? “The Lord’s hand was with them…” You are not alone. Even if the reason for a move or transition is painful, know that just as the wind blows seeds to plant them, so the Spirit scatters God’s people to plant the gospel message in the hearts of people all around.
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to see individuals around me wherever I am today that need the good news about Jesus. Grant me your Spirit to embolden me to speak, trusting you are with me and will work through the words you give me to speak. Amen. Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com 
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Through My Bible In 3 Years
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