Day 88 "He doesn't need me to speak so much as I need to speak for Him."

Day 88

Matthew 10:21-23 "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

Now would be a good time to be reminded that Jesus is speaking to the disciples whom He is sending out to minister to the Jews, not the Gentiles. The Jewish people, even to this day, are very steadfast and even ritualistic in their beliefs; therefore, to speak of Jesus as the Messiah was very divisive, even to the point of murder. We know this is not a new concept, and yes, we all know that they murdered Christ on a cross; however, it would do us all well to remember the cost of the gospel for the Gentiles.

People have and are continuing to bear the burden of sharing the gospel, even though we often don't see it. Here in the "Land of the Free," to stand on a street corner is completely acceptable, (at least legally); to speak to another person of our great hope, while uncomfortable, is also acceptable. Oh yes, we may receive odd looks or be called crazy; however, no one is killing us; our children are not turning us over to the authorities for punishment. The only cost for us in this land is emotional or financial! In China, you can be jailed or worse for simply telling someone about Jesus. In most Muslim-controlled countries, speaking the gospel is punishable by death. In Pakistan, you and your family will be persecuted, shamed, and utterly destroyed or killed if you speak of Jesus. Yet, all too often in our own free land, people fear to speak of Him simply because someone may be offended. Let us not forget that they may die. Which is worse, for you to be ostracized or for them to spend eternity separated from God?

In 2005, Marty and I went to the National Association of Fairs and Exhibitions show in Las Vegas, Nevada, where we had an Outreach America booth. The purpose of this booth was to expose fairs to the possibility of holding a Christian Music and Ministry Night at their event. We purposed in our hearts to do everything we could to show who we were in Christ and that everyone who came near would be convinced of one thing: this was a ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our booth was located in the far corner of the hall, and yet many called ours the busiest booth in the event (with exception to the free beer booth). Amazing as it may seem, not all of the people who came were believers; many had no clue about the gospel, and yes, even some of them booked us for a crusade. Were we laughed at, made fun of, or even ostracized? I can honestly say I really don't know. I was too busy helping people interested in what we had to offer than to concern myself with the others. At the end of the show, a couple who had a booth near us came to me and asked for their forgiveness. They had been doing this all of their life and were afraid to show their faith; after all, who would want to book a Christian act? They had very few people come by and felt that they, in their fear, had not trusted God, yet we, in our boldness of faith, were blessed by Him. You see, we run scenarios in our minds of what people would think or what they will do if we say something, yet all we are doing is making it about us. What about them? After all, Jesus died for all mankind, and this is not an exclusive club–this is Life and life more abundantly!

Daily Prayer: Father, forgive me for fearing to share the faith. Forgive me, Lord, for making it all about me and forgetting it's all about Jesus. Give me the strength, I pray, to speak boldly for the sake of the gospel. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

"He doesn't need me to speak so much as I need to speak for Him."

Pastor Gene Burroughs