| Today's Word June 4, 2009 |
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Today's Word for Thursday June 4, 2009
Ashamed
Defined by Webster:
Feeling shame, distressed or embarrassed by feelings of guilt; unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule or disapproval.
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"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes."
Romans 1:16.
"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian,
let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God."
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Recently we have noticed a fear among people who know the Lord concerning their communication to others about their faith. Because of the economic and political pressures on so many today and because we see here in America a moving away from every day Christian principles, many Christians are drawing themselves into a shell because they are concerned that they be politically right and do not want to cause conflict and be ridiculed for their faith and beliefs. It seems that they are ashamed to let others know that they are a Christian. Being ashamed is not of God.
More then at any time in history God is expecting us, as Christians, to stand up for what we believe. God has not promised us that it would be easy and that we would not run into those who violently disagreed with what we believe. All we have to do is to look at the life of Paul and the apostles in the book of Acts to see this to be true. But God has promised that if we stay true to Him, keep as we say "prayed up," then He will lead and guide us through every situation.
One of our grandsons recently had one of his appendix removed. It was emergency surgery at about three in the morning. This seven year old had been in real pain for hours and had gone through the necessary tests to make sure that the right diagnosis had been made. He was in the operating room and just before they put him to sleep the doctor came in and asked our grandson if he had any questions. He responded by asking the question "Are you a Christian?" The Doctor responded by telling our grandson that he was Catholic but did believe in Jesus. Our grandson responded by saying to the doctor that it was OK to proceed. This seven year old was not ashamed to talk about Jesus and what he believed. Are you actions honoring to your Lord or are you at times "ashamed?"
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Help me not to be ashamed of what You have given me. Thank you for the assurance of eternal life and the assurance that you will be with me every moment of this day. Encourage my family, my friends and neighbors who
know you to stand up for what they believe. Give us many opportunities
today to share with others what you have given us.
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Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
"Today's Word" is sent to you free
to encourage you to commit today to
serve and honor God as a family.
These Family Devotional Thoughts are written by Dr.Ken Phillips, ministry director for World Bible Society, and his wife Dottie. Ken has had ministry positions with The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, World Vision, Youth For Christ, World Opportunities International, and World Bible Society. He also has consulted for more than 20 Christian ministries in management and stewardship development. Ken and Dottie have been married for 52 years, and have 6 children and 21 grandchildren. Come back regularly to enjoy their Family Devotional as they share their thoughts about living in God's Word!
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1:12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. |
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