Are We Ready?

ValMay ♦ May 13, 2013 ♦ Leave a comment

I sometimes wonder what it would take to get us out of our comfortable churches and lives into a world that is desperately dying to hear about the love of Jesus. Actually, there seems to be more and more things happening around the globe – forcing believers to rethink who we/they are and what they are going to do about it. Persecution is on the rise and restrictions and sharing the gospel are getting tighter in many countries, including ours.

What will be your response in the days ahead?

We are just finishing up John 12 and I was struck by vs’ 42-43 where many would not openly share their faith “for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” Are we ready and willing to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have?” (1Pet. 3;15-16)

I wish life could just be comfortable and pleasant! Don’t you? I don’t like stress, I don’t like to ‘go’ through things.  I for sure don’t like persecution.  But here’s an interesting turn of events in Acts 8:3-8. Saul went berserk against the church and it forced most of the followers of Jesus to leave the city and become missionaries! Imagine that! The events in their life forced them out of the comfortable fellowship and out into the world. Our world is right outside our front door. It could be the workplace, the store, the mall, a child’s dance class or a sporting event. People need the Lord and they need to see His kindness, His love and mercy and compassion. So much of that is disappearing in this world.

Are we ready?

Acts 8:3-8 MSG

“And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!”