Tebowing

Peaks of Otter, VA Poses

January 14-15

OK! Time out from Starting Fresh...or maybe not.

A New Year's resolution appeared on a dearly loved friend's facebook page:

"I don't usually make a New Year resolution, but for 2012: I will not be shy about praising our heavenly Father, praying in public places, sharing my joy, love and faith.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

wOOt! Girlfriend...

Facebook is a good place to go BOLD and Start Fresh!

This theme of outwardly expressing our faith has come up time and time again for me this past week. A radio show's theme (It may have been on Haven Today) was on Christians being obedient like Tim Tebow and giving God the glory due him in all aspects of our lives. There is even a tebowing,com site. While many are making fun of Tim, God is using this for his glory and I believe working all things together for His good!

Another dear friend and godly mentor emailed me Anne Graham Lotz's January 12th devotional which packed a powerful punch with this grandmother.

Speaking Up for Jesus

"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Acts 4:20, NIV

It has been several years since our youngest daughter, Rachel-Ruth, gave birth to our first grandchild - a little girl named Ruth Bell Wright. Since that very first day, my husband and I have been totally enthralled with this little girl. She fills our hearts! We can't help talking about her to anyone who will listen. I'm not afraid to talk about her. I don't plan in advance how I will talk about her. I don't worry about offending someone with my talk about her. I don't go to classes to learn how to talk about her. I don't read books on how to talk about her. I hug that little girl, feel her snuggle up against me, touch her soft cheek, and melt! Little Ruth Bell fills my heart! And what fills my heart comes out on my lips!

Why do we seem to make speaking up for Jesus so complicated? If He fills our hearts, He is going to come out on our lips! Like Peter and John, we will not be able to help "speaking about what we have seen and heard" of Him!

Blessings, Anne Graham Lotz

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Then, yes, I reached the trifecta when my January 12th evening devotional by Charles Spurgeon confirmed....

I have yet to speak on God's behalf.

Job. 36:2

"We should not court publicity for our virtue or fame for our zeal; but at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed on us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but a city that is set on a hill (Mt. 5:14). He or she is not to e a candle under a bushel (v.15), but a candle in a candlestick giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide oneself is no doubt modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth that is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offense against God...Seek in the name of Him who was not ashamed of you, to do what you can to tell others what Christ has told you....From the hidden springs within, let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passerby...To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honoring to the Savior. Lord, unloose all your children's tongues."

And wait! There is more...look what the daily verse on Biblegateway was:

God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 MSG

WOW, well said.

So are we willing to start fresh in our faith walks by not being ashamed of Christ.

Pray:

Great are You, Lord, and worthy of praise. We declare Your glory among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among all peoples. We say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns." (Ps 96) Or do we Lord? This weekend will we enter Your courts with praise and thanksgiving. Will we stop in the midst of weekend projects, sporting events, or date nights and simply say..."God is so good, He reigns on high."? Forgive us for becoming consumed with worldly issues and worry what others think. May our minds be controlled by the Holy Spirit and steadfast on You. May the joy we have in being Your child spill out of our mouths and expressed to others. In Jesus Name, Amen