Partnering with Jesus: "Speak up; silence is not an option"
Acts 18:9 “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.”
It is so easy for me to receive one negative comment, have one ounce of discouragement creep into my life, have one person reject the message of the gospel, have one person say no to the new church and I feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. My nature tries to tell me that it is not worth it and that if one single thing goes wrong then everything is going to come tumbling down. But yet, in my walk with the Lord, I know this is not the case, I know that in the past when I have continued to speak in spite of rejection, discouragement, and negativity that God has honored that obedience and by bringing others to belief in Jesus. But yet I still find myself wanting to throw in the towel when one thing goes wrong. You would think I would have learned by now, but yet the evil and sin of my life are fighting with all they are to prevent me from doing what Jesus has called me to do, which is to speak. I am so thankful for this text this morning; I mean, after all, who pays attention to their dreams while they are sleeping. I am thankful Paul listened and Luke recorded this text because it empowers me to not throw in the towel. My faith is so weak; I need scripture; I need prayer; I need other believers; I need urgency; I need to be a part of this new church; I need responsibility because these things to help me not to throw in the towel.
Lord, protect me from my fears today of failing or not being effective. Protect me from a sense of wanting to throw in the towel. Protect me from giving into the sin of my life and not pursuing this call with a sense of urgency in my life. Give me the grace to speak of your gospel with passion and urgency; knowing that you can use that obedience to bring others to the faith. Protect me from discouragement; especially when those reject your message; help me to realize that it doesn’t have to do with me (I’m not that important) but help me to realize that through my obedience you are able to bring others to the faith. Keep me focused on keeping the main thing the main thing and may I continue to speak up for you on a daily basis. Use me as your instrument today that I may see your power at work in my life. Amen!
I am excited that Jesus has invited me to speak the saving truths of His love to the world!
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