Not Who They Expected

 

For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”

Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

1 Corinthians 10:10-13

In his travels the Apostle Paul was often preceded by his letters to the churches. Paul’s writing was strong and direct. The people who heard his letters read anticipated a big man with grand gestures. But Paul was a small man and perhaps not the world’s greatest public speaker.

Paul’s answer was to make it clear that they were men of integrity who lived what they preached, and that his physical appearance and his public speaking style, were not important. What was important was his message.

We can apply this to our lives. It is not how we look; it is what we do when we set out to take the Gospel to the world. So, stop worrying that you have bad hair or old clothes or are overweight or underweight or have no money and start preaching the Gospel right where you are.

Keep Talking

 

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

What do we do when people laugh at us when we deliver the message of the Gospel? Do we stop telling people that God loves them and Christ died for their sins and we are forgiven when we ask Jesus to be our Lord, Master and Savior?

No. We keep on extending the love of God to everyone. Those who deny the power of God do not negate the power of God. They negate their ability to receive it at that moment, but they do not negate God’s ability to reach them, because God does not give up on anyone. 

They laugh and we keep talking. 

A Pep Talk

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His Might….

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparations of the Gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10, 13-16

I love it when the scripture gives us a pep talk!

We are not defenseless in the face of evil; we are well armed by God to carry His message of truth and justice to the world.

Stand up, speak up and be bold for what is true and right. God is on your side.

In God We Trust

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

My God in whom I trust!”

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

Psalm 91:1-4

These are some of the most comforting words found in the Bible.  It is God's pledge to us, that no matter what He will care for us.  We are not left adrift with no hope, we always have this hope:  God is on our side. 

And, that is why in God we trust.

 

Let Them Know God Loves Them

Let us not loose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Galatians 6:9

When we are doing the work of Jesus there are always critics. I have heard people criticize a church for sharing the Gospel and praying with people who come for free food. Do people really believe that we can fulfill our mission to take the Gospel to the world, without talking and praying?

Would a big corporation go handout free stuff to poor people and not have the company name and logo splashed all over the place? I don’t think so.

Therefore, we should be bold in our proclamation of Jesus as the Savior of every man, woman and child. We are not forcing people to agree with what we say; we are saying it so that they will know that God loves them.

We do good because we love God and we love people and that is all there is to it.

Keep doing good

Strong In Body And Spirit

 

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

We work hard to build our bodily strength. We want to be physically fit and look good.

The grace of God builds our spiritual and emotional strength without which our physical strength would amount to nothing more than a soulless mess of muscle.

We are strong in body and spirit in the grace of God.

Not Smooth Sailing

 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.”

Acts 28:16-17

The Apostle Paul traveled the Mediterranean area preaching the gospel, but what he really wanted was to go to Rome. He did get to go to Rome, but not as he had planned – he went as a prisoner, arrested for preaching the gospel. It was not smooth sailing; the journey included a shipwreck. 

Paul got his wish. He preached as a prisoner. He was released when his jailers could find no grounds to hold him, and he preached to large crowds in Rome.

Sometimes God’s plan for our success is not what we plan. We need not lose heart, but we can be confident that the best plan is God’s plan.