I know for myself and many other great Christians, that going out and directly sharing the gospel can be intimidating at first. We say that we don’t really know how, or maybe we are a little socially uncomfortable. Even though we should be the completely opposite way, this is sadly the culture we were raised in, and its one more thing we have to work through. But what if I told you there was a simpler way to be a pure witness for Christ.
I know from first hand experience that it is easy to get caught up in wanting to fit in, I also know this can lead us to not act the most christ like either. Even though it’s not easy, forgetting about fitting in, standing firm in your faith, and simply being pure hearted christian in your everyday actions is a great way to be a witness, and an example of the love, wisdom, and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Crazy right. It doesn’t take a Gospel Tract, and sometimes an awkward encounter to simply be an example of what the resources Jesus is providing for us. So, as you go out into this crazy world today, just focus on having a pure heart, standing firm in your faith, and show love and kindness to others.
Proverbs 22:11
“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the King for a friend.”
“The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:3-11
“Well God’s my judge”
^ Yes, but that should make you all the more aware of your actions & your words towards others:)
“Stop judging me”
“Your so judgmental”
There’s a difference between brotherly Confronting & Brotherly condemning!
“”Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” Matthew 7:1-6
As Followers of Christ our fellow brothers or sisters aren’t to walk in our footsteps but in God’s, your not there judge or there probation officer.
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Psalms 16:6 ESV{Worship in the waiting}
For the sake that we might be saved. While yet we were still sinners Christ died for us, and with a inheritance awaiting our arrival. Bought with a imperishable price! Live like your inheritance is found in heaven not the worlds approval.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14
It’s a reality that never becomes real till you’re there. When the choice of redemption is on the line, will you choose? Life or dead. Don’t call back another time and say It’ll be waiting when I return. Or the offer will still stand. It just might be too late(:
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31
“”Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13
“”Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 W O R S H I P I N T H E W A I T I N G🌺
And how is it you can tell someone how to live yet you fail to live that way also?
We all do it, some more than others! But we all do it! Live like the person you judge people for not being and see if you judge them as much, unrealistic expectations never helped anyone out. Tie up your loose endedness.
“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”” Galatians 2:11-14
✫ 𝐇𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 { Take a moment to worship, to invite Christ to speak & move in your one on one }
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Though we shy away. Run off. And disgrace it all. He doesn’t abandon us. He doesn’t rule out his judgement or justice with a stiff hand and angry heart. He loves the unjust and run away.
“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:10-11
think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion. ♫ 𝕎 𝕆 ℝ 𝕊 ℍ 𝕀 ℙ ♫
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:1-5
To be fully known in love & in awe of Christ. To ponder his ways, in crisis or in the mundane. Grasp his presence,hit the pause button and experience it fully every detail with understanding or in total devastation. Pondering a position of Feelings and mindset. Toward his plans. To trust. To obey. To fully be faithful, in his timing, And reasoning. Ponder to store up. To keep in mind or in heart.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17♫𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝚊𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐♫
“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” Galatians 3:10-13
Redemption. He took the nails that were supposed to be placed in my hands. He took the mocking that was supposed to be my name. He took the pain that was mine to take. That was my destiny. That’s where my sin would of left me. But he took redemption rather than defeat. He took love rather than evil. He took grace instead of letting death be my destiny. And he did it once and for all.
The law couldn’t do what Jesus did. God paved a way through Jesus on the cross and in grave, his resurrection power which sealed the way of redemption
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” Ephesians 1:7 ESV
Oh how God gave us a beautiful, raw, and yet unbelievable redemption♡︎ through his son Jesus!
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14
“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalms 130:7
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 W O R S H I P🍃
Every tongue singing doesn’t measure up the Worship God deserves. You can feel his love anywhere, anytime. But do we respond back in the same sense? Do we love God anywhere at anytime?! His love is real reaching through the past to show you how you can be affective in the present. Defeating death to pour out his life through/in us.
•The rocks in which we step on praise it’s maker all the more than we do•
Are our bones crying out surrendering all that we are. If the rocks cry out in silence so will I? A quoted song and verse, yet do we follow? If so we are in choir with are bothers, sisters, rocks, wind, waves, trees, animals the angels in heaven and all things created by him to lift up his name All Across The Universe! Anywhere his creation is so will his praises be!
“As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”” Luke 19:37-40
✰ Day 2 Take a moment Worship & invite Christ in this One on One 🌿
It’s in the moments of…
Trial. Error. Confusion. Confrontation. Anger. Sadness. Being Overwhelmed.
When you think your choosing the right things for yourself, but is that what God has in hand for you. When you think about stressing over every little thing. Or making little things way bigger than it needs to be. Just sit at the feet of Jesus. You’ll find what you need in that moment.
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”” Luke 10:38-42
That he’s there. Though you can’t see it because your battling with flesh and inner self, yet you think your battling the whole world. He’s there. When everything settles and peace begins to arise he’s there. Because you’ve placed yourself at the feet of Jesus. Listening. Aware. Resting. And responding.
The Pursuit Of Shalom 