Tell em’

Acts 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Who else lies in bed with racing minds? Either we are trying to go to sleep, or awake early before rising to start the day. It is amazing where our minds go when left to drift, unoccupied time focusing on seemingly random things, life’s struggles, at any time in life plucked from memories, pondering or deep reflections, torments and thanksgivings, the list is personal and endless. Yesterday was an incredible day in business ministry, followed by some bad business news at the end of the day. This morning brought deep thoughts in the early hours, then Satan seemed to take the bad news and run with it. I would not give him the victory, so I arose and sought God in prayer and his Word. The VOTD was perfect, then the passage above confirmed the call to live my life spreading the Good News, and leave the day to day to my CEO; he will work out the details of the business if I will just focus on my faith, and not my failures.

At this point in the book of Acts, it is following up on the heels of the murder of Stephen for his faith. Saul had held the coats of those beating Stephen to death, and the church was forced to scatter because of the imminent persecution. Christianity could have seemingly “failed” in the earliest stage, everyone could have kept quiet from fear, denied their faith, and been safe, but Philip went where no Jew would go, to the Samaritans, and preached Christ. In their town even a great magician heard of this Jesus, and believed in him. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. There is no place, no person, no one so evil or seemingly so good, that does not need to hear about the Good News of Jesus Christ. In a world preaching tolerance, telling us all paths lead to god, we must take a stand and preach of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) We must do this in love, not lofty condemnation, but clearly present our faith in the Word of God.

I heard yesterday the testimony of a past where faith was only from the pulpit, of how the Bible was not to be owned, much less read, but only heard from the priest. That religion is still prevalent today, many still think they attain heaven through church alone in any number of ways. One of the most touching times I had this race season was a talk I had with a probably six year old boy. He was feeling condemned for not being at church, and I spoke to him about Jesus being inside of him, in any building or anywhere he went. Jesus encouraged that young boy through my words, his countenance changed, and I pray his faith grew. Take your faith outside today, wherever your feet find you is your ministry for the day. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.