Category Archives: Witnessing

We Have To Work While it is Yet Day

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02/28/21 – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
5:7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1
I am amazed every day how much more wicked the world has become from the day before, and how much more brazen the evildoers grow. We also see more signs of the Lord’s hand at work, but the lost ignore that because they don’t want to know the truth.

Matthew
16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

This incident took place just after the times that Jesus fed the multitudes. The Pharisees had seen that and many other signs, but they wanted Jesus to give them a sign on their terms.

I had a friend I worked with years ago that was about to lose his job. The company we worked for had already let me go and they were about to close the plant. The economy wasn’t doing very well at the time either. A lot of people were looking for work. I asked him one day how his search was going. He told me that he had three job offers, but he was waiting for a sign from God. I told him God was offering him a choice, but he was too busy looking for a sign. Often when God opens a door, He expects us to take a step to go through it.

2
People think they have all the time in the world. Some say they believe in God and may even say they plan to follow Him someday. They may say they’re just sowing their wild oats while they’re young. None of us have the promise of tomorrow. We have to get about our Father’s business while it is still day. We can’t get sidetracked thinking those around us are getting ahead or because we see the wicked appear to prosper.

Psalm
37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 37:13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

I expect we all know people that have done wrong by us or other people we love. It can be easy to let that fester into hate and wrath. We can’t do that. We have to turn those people over to the Lord. He will either put them through a rough enough time to save them, or He will repay them far more than we ever could.

3
Along with all the advertisements for sin and indulgence, we hear the message that man can save himself; that peace can come about by the efforts of men; that science will solve our problems, feed the hungry and heal the sick. One day, all these lies will be centered on one person. He will tell the world that he has all the answers, and many will be so brainwashed by our society that they will believe him.

2 Thessalonians
2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

The world we know is melting away day by day. There is a new world rising based on the belief that man is his own god, and whatever each of us believes is right. That is, unless you believe that God is right. Then they don’t want to hear you.

4
The day is not yet lost. There have been dark days before in history and God has granted revival and pulled us back from the edge. We all have the light of God’s word inside us. We have to share that light with those around us.

John
12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

In many parts of the world, it is illegal to talk about God and Jesus. People risk their lives every day to spread the word. It seems almost unbelievable that could ever happen in this country, but look at the news. If you believe there is one standard of what is right and what is wrong, then you are labeled as a hater. They say you can believe anything you want, but that only applies to those who believe the same way they do.

5
All through time, some have used the word of God as an excuse to war and hate. We can’t do that either. There are battles to be fought, but we are not to fight them using the tools of the enemy. Hatred and violence don’t help people see that God loves them. We have to stand on the word of God and allow that light to reach those who will listen.

1 John
1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Many look at the outside world and think they should shut them out because they’re sinners. We are all sinners and only by the grace of God are we able to say anything different. We can’t judge others no matter how they look to us. The world is drowning in false beliefs. We have to reach out the hand of truth. What they do with it is on them. We are responsible for what we do with the light we’ve been given.

Ezekiel
33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

6
Keep your eyes open. The world is trying to fill your mind with the lies of the enemy. Get into the word. It will guide you in how to protect yourself and how you are to help others. We are each given some measure of the light. We have to be faithful to be working in that light.

Luke
12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

The sky could split open any minute and we’d all be caught up with Jesus, or we could have something happen and not make it to see tomorrow. Either way, we have to be ready because we don’t know when our time will be up.

7
The world thinks that God isn’t real or doesn’t care because He hasn’t acted in their lives. They mistake His patience and longsuffering for license to do what they want. They think they can hide their wicked actions if no one see them, but the darkness of their own sin keeps them from seeing the light.

John
3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

While it is day, that is while we are here, we have to let the Spirit guide us to clean up our sinful nature. The more we can put aside our own pride and the desires of the flesh, the more we’ll be able to stand in the light without fear.

8
We will fight many battles while we’re here. We have to use the armor God has provided and He will keep us safe. The breastplate of our faith in God and His love for us will keep our hearts safe, and the knowledge that we’re saved through Jesus will protect our minds.

Ephesians
6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We said earlier we’re not to use hatred and violence to fight. However, we are to stand in the power of God’s might. When we take our stand and let God fight our battles, He will prevail.

9
God doesn’t want any of us to fail. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. The world just doesn’t want to accept the free gift they’re being offered. God loves and cares for all of us and has already paid the price to redeem us.

Acts
17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

The Pharisees were seeking a sign, and in the end they got the biggest sign they could have asked for. They still rejected Jesus, and many today still reject God in spite of all the obvious signs around us.

10
We don’t have to wait until judgment day or when we die to enjoy our new life in the Lord. Even though we may have battles yet to fight here, we can rejoice even in hardship because we know that God has already won the victory.

Psalm
118:16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 118:18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 118:20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. 118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 118:23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Each day and each hour is a gift from God. We have to keep our eyes open so we can find the purpose He has in giving it to us.

11
We are not alone. God is with us, and so are all other fellow believers. We are all one in the Spirit and we should remember that. Anything we do that hurts someone else hurts us, and anything we do that helps them is also helping ourselves. We all stumble and fall sometimes. We have to help those around us stand when they trip and lift them up when they fall. I often remind myself that I’m not perfect and I know that some days I’m the one that needs lifting up.

Ephesians
5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Whether we’re talking about the end of this world or the end of our own lives, we’re all a little closer to that day than we were yesterday. We have to be working while it is yet day because the night is coming.

Keep Your Focus on Jesus

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01/31/21 – Isaiah 55:1-7

55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

1
God through Jesus has issued an open invitation to the entire human race. All we have to do is accept His free gift. There is no price we can pay ourselves.

John
7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

When we’re saved, the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts. As long as we’re in fellowship with God, He will provide renewal and strength. We are to hunger and thirst after His word, and we will be filled.

2
We spend our time, energy and money chasing the things of this world. God knows we need to eat, but He tells us that isn’t to be our focus.

Matthew
4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

We have to put our focus on things above. The best way to do that is to read, study and pray. The word of God will teach, correct and guide us in all things.

3
Jesus came in the line of David as a sign to verify who He was. His blood has paid the price for our sins and is the foundation of the New Covenant we have with God.

Matthew
26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

We have to take the bread, that is, the Word into our hearts. When we open our minds and hearts the Spirit will guide us to understand how the whole word is one message. We can’t pick and choose. We have to take all of it.

4
Especially in these times, we have to keep our focus on Jesus. He is the author of our salvation and should be the captain of our souls. If we believe the Word of God can save our souls from Hell, shouldn’t be also believe that it can guide us in our everyday lives? Jesus and God can’t just be a Sunday thing. We have been given a new life through Jesus. We have to live that life in Jesus.

1 John
1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Jesus died for the saved and for the lost. The price has already been paid. That’s what makes it a true choice. Everyone was lost before He paid the price. There’s nothing special about me that allowed me to be saved. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. Anyone that thinks they are saved on any other basis is fooling themselves.

5
The Jews were used of God to bring Jesus into the world. They were far from perfect, and yet God used them. Even though we are each far from perfect, God can use us to bring the word to those around us.

Romans
15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 15:10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Whether the time of the end is upon us or not, we all have a limited time. We are given each day and our portion of work to perform in it. We have to be obedient to God and do what He asks when He asks.

6
We are all blessed to be born in this Age of Grace. However, this age will one day come to an end.

Romans
13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Everyone since Paul has been looking for Jesus’ return, but the fact that it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean that it won’t.

Matthew
24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

7
We have a choice to make. We can live for ourselves, or we can live for God. When we live for God, He will use us to spread His light into the lives of those around us. If we live to ourselves, we will spread our own darkness into them. Humble yourself before the Lord and He will not turn you away.

Psalm
51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Love Is Your Witness

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Romans 12:9-18

12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant
in prayer;

12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things,
but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the
sight of all men.

12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with
all men.

9

Love without pretense or deceit. Run away from evil and toward good.

James

4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Try to recognize early on when you’re faced with a temptation. Pray to God to give you strength to stand or wisdom to find the way of escape.

10

We are to love our neighbors, but our brothers and sisters in Christ first, just as you would in any family.

Galatians

6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap. 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of
the Spirit reap life everlasting. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well
doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.6:10 As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith.

If you help someone that’s lost, that’s a good thing. Remember to help your brethren too though. Then God will multiply it in Christ when they also help others.

11

When you are dealing with the world remember, you are where you are for a reason. Whatever your work is, do it as unto God, because He gave you that work.

Ephesians

6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as
unto Christ; 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 6:7 With good will doing
service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Our example of honesty, dilegence and obedience to God will be our first testimony to the world. They will watch you and judge you. More than that, they will watch you and judge God. We’ve probably all heard it said “If that person is a Christian, I don’t need it.” Don’t be that person they’re talking about.

12

Whatever you’re going through, God planned it. Perhaps you’re having a period of chastening. Maybe it’s a time of great blessing and opportunity. Whatever it is, thank God for it and pray that He will help you understand how you’re supposed to use it for His glory.

Ephesians

5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of
the Lord is.5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but
be filled with the Spirit; 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to
the Lord; 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

13

Help your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all of one body, and we’ll rise and fall together.

Romans

15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the
weak, and not to please ourselves. 15:2 Let every one of us please
his neighbour for his good to edification. 15:3 For even Christ pleased
not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that
reproached thee fell on me.

Jesus is our ultimate example. He gave up everything and came to seek and save what was lost.

14

Remember, even your enemy could be a child of God. It is not our place to judge who deserves God’s love.

Matthew

5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 5:44 But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

If you can’t do anything else, pray that your enemy will be saved and become your brother. If it happens, that’ll help out everything else. Try to keep anger from blinding you. Many times, the most unpleasant of us are crying out because they hurt so much inside.

15

Share in the joys and pains of those around you. Your brethren will be strengthened, and it may give you an opportunity for you to witness to the lost.

Luke

6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be
ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 6:21 Blessed are ye that
hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now:
for ye shall laugh. 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and
when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach
you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your
reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers
unto the prophets.

We often don’t know what God is up to. His perspective is greater than ours. He can use all things to the greatest good.

When Nero was emperor of Rome, he decided to use the early Christians as scapegoats for his own political problems. He put multitudes to death in the Roman arenas. They were burned alive and killed by men and wild beasts as the crowds watched. When the Romans saw how these people were willing to die for their faith, many were converted. So much so that Christianity eventually became the state religion of Rome.

16

Remember, all are level at the foot of the cross. None of us are any better than anyone else. When a brother or sister is having a bad day, try not to retaliate, but rather remember, we all have bad days and have the needs for patience and grace.

1 Peter

3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 3:9 Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 3:10 For
he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue
from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 3:11 Let him eschew
evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

17

God puts great stock in honest dealings, and often tells us how He looks down on dishonesty and fraud.

Proverbs

11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is
his delight.11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the
lowly is wisdom. 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them 11:4 Riches
profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

There is no gain or profit that is worth cheating anyone. Not only does it hurt you, but if the world sees a believer acting like that, it just gives them another excuse to turn their backs on God.

18

If the world sees you walking in peace, temperance, and love, that is your first witness to them. If they see you walk a different path, they’ll not listen to anything else you have to say.

James

3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him
shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory
not, and lie not against the truth.3:15 This wisdom descendeth not
from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 3:16 For where envying
and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 3:17 But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
and without hypocrisy. 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in
peace of them that make peace.

When you witness in the world, don’t act like a judge and tell them what a rotten person they are. Remember, (and maybe even tell them) that you are a sinner saved by grace. Tell them how Jesus came to save sinful man and make peace with God through His love and sacrifice. Show them how God is reaching out to save us from ourselves. As the old saying goes, “You’ll draw more flies with sugar than with salt.”

There is a time to be the salt of the Earth, but try to show them Christ’s love first.