Children have been stopped from praying in public schools because it might offend someone of another faith. Perhaps your work has strict rules that protect everyone's right to pray or read the Bible for the same reason. The restrictions that are upon the Christian are our own doing. Remember that if a person doesn't stand for something he believes in he will fall for anything. Standing up for our faith shouldn't be seen as a defensive move but rather an offensive one. Not offensive in the manner that ugly or smells. But offensive by being Christ to the world. The ability to stand for one's faith is important. We can't do that on our own. When children are stopped from praying in school or anywhere else we need to take a stand. Not be rebellious but definitely be on the offensive. We don't need to apologize for our faith and shouldn't. It's by Jesus living through us that the ways of the world are exposed. You and I can be the only living testimony some see or hear. Little things count as much as big things. If you can only muster the little things now, you have at least started. Paul urges us to make no excuse for the Savior that gave his life so that we could have life.
Politically correct thinking has been around for a long long time. The watering down of one's faith can be tied to the PC thinking and mandates by mankind to adjust our lives to be PC acceptable. Jesus wasn't PC. He will never be PC. What makes us think we need to be PC? Christian faith believes that the Word is so powerful that when lived through true believers the world will see Jesus and not me. Wow! The Word says that NO prayer goes without an answer. Wow! The Word says that whatever the believer binds on earth will be bound in heaven. Wow! The Word says that you and I can and should lay hands on the sick so that they are healed. Wow! The Word says that the Holy Spirit has been given to us to instruct and lead us in the Way. Wow! The Word says that we are to be bold and preach the Gospel that some might be saved. Wow! Did you know that Christ in you did or can do all of these things? If you didn't know these things three things have happened. First you aren't praying. Secondly, you aren't reading your Bible. Thirdly, you aren't allowing God to be represented in your daily life.
I know that it may seem difficult to tell someone you are a Christian. Tell them anyway. The freedom you feel will be like a fragrant offering to God. The power of God is released when we pray, read the Word, and exercise our faith. If it's difficult for you to express your faith you need to ask yourself what you are afraid of. The answer is simple. The Christian who doesn't do what Jesus asks is fearful of the world an the world's response. Fear has no place in the Christians life. Never has and never will. The Word tells us that God's love casts out fear. Once the fear is gone we are free to not only worship the living God but to proclaim his love and graciousness to others by our thoughts, words, and deeds. All of this requires us to make a decision to get off the fence. You either love the Lord your God or you don't. That's where the rubber meets the road. Get off the fence. Make a stand for Jesus. Make a difference in your sphere of influence and watch the power of God be released for good to you and those around you. Remember, it's always your choice.
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