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As you a spending the wonderful family time that we all enjoy during the holidays, keep a few things in mind. 14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14 So we aren't promised tomorrow and time is a precious thing. Danny and I both deal with sickness in our family and when you know someone is sick, it grates on your soul, it keeps you up and night and in the end there is very little that you yourself can do about it. But you can love them, just love them, enjoy them and pray for them. My mom has been pretty sick since last April, I have seen her in just 7 months become more frail and it breaks my heart. I do know that life is but a vapor and then it's gone, I do know God is in control and his plan is perfect, but it still hurts seeing your family member or knowing your family member is suffering or dwindling away.... Another thing we can do is love those family members that are not so lovable. Love those that are struggling in life that can't seem to get it right, time after time.
A wise soul once told me and I have not forgotten it that................... Sometimes you just have to love someone for who they are and not who YOU want them to be. That is soooo true. People just want to be loved and accepted where they are and for who they are. We must leave it up to God to convict. If we exhibit his light and his love, that may give them a desire to want more. You may not have time for your whole testimony, give them a piece of it or a glimpse inside your heart, that will touch them more than anything. Just love them. Isaiah 7:14 Reliance is meeting together bi weekly to study through Acts and discuss any thing else pertinent to the church. Acts chapter 7.... Stephen was a mighty man of God, brave and steadfast in his faith..... So most of the chapter is Stephen speaking to the Sanhedrin, they had brought him in on charges, but he defended himself by reminding them of their history, from Abraham to Jesus, trying to convince them that God indeed lives outside the temple. That God was made manifest through his Son, Jesus Christ. Of course in the end, they rejected the promise and stoned Stephen to death. Our concentration today though is on Stephen's faith. ..........So how does this apply to a church plant God used Stephen. He shared with the Sanhedrin regardless of the repercussions. Ok in reality, we are probably not gonna be stoned today in the great USA... but how far are you willing to go to share the truth? Are you ready to be ridiculed, to be labeled a Jesus Freak? Are you willing to be shunned by you co-workers or even your own family because you shared Jesus? Stephen knew the one thing that mattered was God, he knew his own life was at risk but he continued, he continued with the truth. Are you ready to share the truth? Not that you are gonna push Jesus on people and just blatantly condemn people but when you are truly living for God, it is evident in your life and others will see it and you will be ridiculed and persecuted in a sense.... Are you ready for this? Stephen just put the truth out there and he was stoned to death for speaking the truth.
Reliance wants God to use us wherever we are...Mold us into the servants HE wants us to be. Wiling and ready to be poured out and emptied for his service !!!! |
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