With so much worldwide persecution of the church going on it is vital that those of us with the freedom to live and share our faith openly without fear of death and torture do so. It is also critical that we spend time in prayer praying for those who are currently going through incredible testing of their faith. Too often we are afraid to share our faith because of fear of being ridiculed or thought less of when many are required to give their life for doing so. We are not called to be cowards. We are called to be unashamed of the gospel (good news) that saved us, freed us and will continue to preserve us until He comes again!
Romans 1:16,17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Faith not FEAR)
Jesus made it very clear in Luke chapter 9 that those of us who call Him Savior and Lord and have made the decision to follow Him MUST be willing to do a few things.
Luke 9:23-26 NKJV 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
The life of a Christian is a life of intimacy and service to the ONE who called us. We cannot do it in our own strength. We can only live a spiritually fruitful life by DAILY surrendering our lives to HIM. By yielding our will to HIM. By spending time in HIS presence. Through the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. By searching the scriptures daily to learn of HIM and His purposes for each of our lives. When we are willing to daily take up our cross we are usable by God for His purposes. If we are too busy consumed with fear, worldly concerns or self interests we are wasting precious time that He has give us to be used in service. There are so many that have yet to hear the gospel. So many hurting that need a touch from Jesus. So many broken lives that need to be restored to the ONE who died for them.
My prayer is that the Lord will embolden my faith as I yield to Him. That He will strengthen my resolve to follow Him, regardless of the cost. That I will NEVER be ashamed of the gospel of Christ! For as the Word of God says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost?”
Lord, forgive us for our complacency and lack of faith. Forgive us for allowing fear to play a part in our walk with you. Please increase our faith. Embolden us to speak the truth of the gospel whenever we are given the opportunity to do so. Create in us a heart that longs to spend time in Your presence and in Your Word. Give us a burden of prayer for our brothers and sisters all over the world who have been called to suffer and die for the sake of the gospel. Help us deny ourselves and take up our cross daily for You! Lord may we live our lives as Apostle Paul did, not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes! In Jesus beautiful name, Amen.
