Be Bold

Mark 8:38
³⁸For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Some verses bring hope, others conviction. Last Thursday I was looking at John 14 and the hope it promises. I must also be faithful to the Bible and spend some time on the verses like this one also that can be uncomfortable and are definitely part of the message of the Bible.

Also, this is one of my weaknesses that I need to be reminded about on a regular basis. In my everyday life, I tend towards hiding my faith. I sometimes behave as if I were ashamed. I try to excuse myself and say that in my heart I am not ashamed, but actions in this case are possibly more important.

I know it would make Jesus sad if I was in a group of people that know me and they started putting down Christians as if I was not part of that "crazy group". First, that would mean they didn't already know that I am a Christian. And it would be a direct denial of Christ to not speak up, even in a simple way, and say "I am a Christian". And if I could say it with a calm attitude and not one of being ashamed, they might open up to learn more about Christianity. It takes me conscious effort to be bold for Christ and to be prepared to let my light shine. I find that if I spend time in prayer and reading the Bible that when the stray question or issue comes up that needs a Christian response, then I am more likely to give one.

Oh Jesus, help me to be faithful to you, and also to admit that I fall short so that I can accept you doing work in my life. And then of course, help me to actually let you do the work, even if it means a bit of pruning now an then. You are truly an Awesome God that loves us so much to want to work through us. Thank you for your amazing grace. Amen

Hope in Jesus, Jesus alone.

John 14:3
³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Jesus gives hope by promising eternal comfort with Him, and gives an illustration of living in mansions. Jesus has provided for us an eternal dwelling place and to have fellowship with him. Thomas asked Him directions so to speak, to which Jesus replied, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me".

Through Jesus alone can hope be obtained, this kind of hope if you must, but this is the only hope eternal.

John 14:1-6
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus, please forgive all my sins and be my Lord!

ps. Thanks Micky for giving me some encouragement to post again.