Speaking Up

Now Peter was sitting in the courtyard. A servant approached him and she said, "You were with Jesus the Galilean too!" But he denied it in front of everyone: " I don't know what you're talking about!"
Matthew 26:69,70

Recently I read an account of Christian children who were captured by ISiS and given an opportunity to recant their faith. The child being interviewed had escaped from an IS camp and said, "We all did, of course." These children were then made to watch the slaughter of adult Christians and were indoctrinated daily in the Muslim faith.

Jesus taught His disciples: ' he who denies Me before men I will deny before my Father.' Now I cannot judge the children for denying their faith, I imagine it would have been horrifying.

We are safe here in Australia yet can still manage to 'deny' Christ by allowing our environment to dictate our stance as a Christian. What is He wanting us to say and do? Tonight I had another neighbourhood party and I had three people I had good conversation with and did not feel intimidated when it came to my faith but took opportunities to mention my friends at church.

I must be comfortable in my skin. I am a Christian and my faith is real to me. I must be comfortable with that and not be bothered about the fact that my God has opinions about all things and I embrace these opinions.

Why was Peter bothered? Perhaps he was frightened for his life. Jesus had told him to pray so that he would not enter temptation. He did not pray and here he was being tempted to deny His Lord.

If I do not spend time in the zone of God's grace I am more inclined to be overcome by the world. Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more