Monday, July 3, 2017

Come Out From Among Them

Hey Friend,

I have to admit, there's not much I like to watch on television these days. When channel surfing, I find myself landing back on one of my old favorites - Law & Order. Yes, I was/am a Law & Order junkie.  Maybe it's my sense of justice, by I always love when righteousness prevails.

One of the clinchers in the attorney's case would be if they could get an eyewitness to identify the perpetrator of the crime in a police line up.  

"Yeah, that's him....third from the left."  (attorney and detectives smile)

What if I was in that lineup, I ponder?  Would I stand out, not as the perpetrator of a crime, but as a Christian?  By my words, and actions, my reactions, and how I lead my life - would someone be able to say "Yes" for sure she's the one. She's a Christian??

And I don't mean in the negative sense of the word, that my up-on-my-high-horse piety marks me, but that I live a life marked with love.  Does my life arrow point to Jesus?

I've been reading in 2 Corinthians and this passage in chapter 6 jumped out at me.  I invite you to read Paul's words as he's talking to the church at Corinth. He is telling them that they are ministers and that the message of Christ's love should prevail and their lives should stand out (and have stood out) in all these circumstances:

We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:
by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,
by beatings, by imprisonments,
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
by purity, by knowledge,
by patience, by kindness,
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
by the message of truth,
by the power of God;
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,
through glory and dishonor,
through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
as unknown yet recognized;
as dying and look—we live;
as being disciplined yet not killed;
10 as grieving yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.....

Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord...
(2 Corinthians 6: 3-10, 17)

I ponder, can people tell that I'm a Christ follower through hardships and difficulties?

Are my words marked with purity and knowledge?

Are my actions guided by patience and kindness?

When I am slandered or disciplined does my faith hold up?

Do I rejoice even in my grieving because of the hope that is within me?

If I have nothing, does my life say I possess everything?

I have never been beaten or imprisoned for my faith, but I think of my brothers and sisters in Christ whom I serve in the Middle East.  If they were to stand publicly and declare that they are a Christian and Jesus Christ is Lord, the law would be on the crowd's side to stone them to death. 

Many have withstood trials, even unto death, because they stood out separately as a Christian.

Verse 17 really convicts me...."Therefore, come out from among them and be separate says the Lord..."

Back to the police line up.  Do I stand out from among them?  In this day and age am I willing to say, act, be described as a Christ follower?  Though the world goes this way, am I willing to say, "I'll go that way." ??

Am I a minister of the faith or do I hinder God's mission with my life?  Do I cause others to stumble, or do I encourage them to walk upright?  

This 4th of July, I have the freedom to choose....what will my life say?

What does your life say about you?  In a line up would you stand out from among them?  When you go through the experiences listed in the passage, what do others see?  What is your prayer for your life this freedom holiday?

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for when it is so much easier to go with the flow than to swim against it.  Give me the strength of conviction to want to "come out from among them" that my life would stand up for You.  Let me not be a stumbling block for others, but let my life arrow always be pointing to You no matter what the circumstances. Thank you for the freedom I have in this great Nation in which I live. Be with my brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly persecuted for living lives that stand apart.  I praise you for loving and forgiving me. Let my life always be worshipful of that truth.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed.....

 ps. Thank you for your continued prayers.  It's been two months....hoping to get the nod this week from the doctor to be able to start driving again. Learning, albeit with frustration, to pace myself in this recuperation.  Next - on to physical therapy.

24 comments:

  1. Hi Bev. I hope to stand out as a Christian too. Sometimes I don't have to say a word, and people seem to know. It can be lonely and uncomfortable, but the Bible says the darkness runs from light. Blessings to you!

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    1. Sarah,
      So true that being a Christian, at times, can feel lonely and uncomfortable - kind of like that salmon swimming upstream, but I'd rather be swimming into the light than running from it. Thanks for sharing!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  2. I like lawyer shows as well. We have recently started watching Chicago Justice. It has a little too much blood-and-guts for me, but other than those scenes, it’s been good.
    Such good questions to ask ourselves! This one particularly stands out to me: “If I have nothing, does my life say I possess everything?” Thanks, Bev.

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    1. Lisa,
      I'll have to check out Chicago Justice. This passage really had me asking myself some tough questions. Glad it gave you cause to ponder as well.
      Blessings this 4th,
      Bev xx

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  3. I want to stand with you in that line-up, Bev. I, too, desire the strength of conviction to always shine out in the darkness and not be a stumbling block. Thank you also for that heartfelt prayer we can make our own.

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  4. Nancy,
    So grateful you want to join me and I believe you do - from perspective of how you live your life. Joining with you in making that our prayer to be lights vs. stumbling blocks.
    4th Blessings to you,
    Bev xx

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  5. What a lovely prayer! I know I can slip from time to time into the flow especially in conversation with non-Christians by not speaking up about my convictions. It really is a conscious effort yet we have the Way-- staying in worship and gratitude to Him helps to shine in the darkness!

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    1. Lynn,
      You said it....staying in worship and gratitude to Him helps us to shine in the darkness in our actions and conversations!! So easy to slip into the worldly flow...
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  6. Dear Bev, it's not always easy to come out, is it? Sometimes it means to stand strong when our conviction is contrary to the world view. There are times when we must make a conscious commitment to cling to Jesus when the world tries to lure us away. Maybe I can't be a beacon of hope, but I'don't rather be a glimmer than succumb to the darkness. Thank you for your encouragement and commitment. (Prayers for confidence as you get behind the wheel. )

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    1. Alice,
      Even a glimmer of light takes away the darkness. Some days we are beacons and some days we need new batteries in our flashlight lol. Thank you so much for your prayers...still clunking around in my aircast boot.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  7. Being a Law & Order fan myself, this post made me think. Bev, you have raised some important questions for us all to ask ourselves. Blessings! xo

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    1. Joanne,
      Glad I gave you something to ponder....2 Corinthians has really been challenging and convicting me!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xo

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  8. I'm continually amazed at how God sends me to the same passages of Scripture using different messengers. Lately, Paul's words in II Corinthians have been beating a cadence of truth into my faint-hearted ways. Thanks, Bev, for adding your words to the rhythm!

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    1. Michele,
      Subtlety is often lost on me so God has to hit me with a wrecking ball as well sometimes. When the same message keeps coming through, I guess it's a sign that God would like for us to sit up and take notice :) Glad my words were ones of confirmation!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  9. Last week I was reminded that I wasn't standing out. A very little thing of no consequence let my sin nature shine through. These words are a compelling reminder of my need to always be ready to live out my faith-even in the smallest things. Otherwise, how will I manage when big challenges come my way?

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    1. Debbie,
      Welcome to the human club. Oh how our sin nature has a way of shining through when we try so hard for it not to. A mentor friend of mine always reminded me to practice with the small stuff so that our faith would be ready to handle the big stuff. Right there with you!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  10. "What will my life say?" Powerful question. Thanks for sharing. (I used watch reruns of "In the Heat of the Night." :) ). -- By the way, I've been meaning to donate to your Christmas campaign. Need to locate that link again. Or maybe I can just give it to you when I see you? Hope you're having a great holiday week, Bev. ((hug))

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    1. Hi Brenda,
      I know you're really busy this month, but it won't be long until we head to "She Speaks"....really looking forward to that. Hope I'm out of this awful clunky boot (my ball and chain I call it).
      Blessings,
      Bev ((hugs)) back

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  11. oh Bev ... you've asked some tough questions, ones that deserve their rightful place on the table. thanks for not shying away from sharing them with us here today.

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    1. Linda,
      This "down" time has really had me digging into God's word and He's been asking and challenging me with some tough questions. Really making me sit back and ponder....thanks for allowing my boldness.
      Blessings friend,
      Bev xx

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  12. Bev, I love the title of your blog! Isn't that what we all strive to do...walk well with God. So appreciate your encouragment and challenge to stand out, and I'm always amazed at how the smallest "standing out" makes such a huge impact to those around us.

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    1. Crystal,
      Thanks...the title of my blog came from encouraging words of a mentor friend of mine who reminded me, when I was going through a really difficult time, that God simply calls me to walk well through whatever circumstances life throws at me. So true that the smallest "standing out" makes a HUGE impact to those around us. Thanks for sharing!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  13. Such a beautiful post, Bev! I'm guilty of taking the easy road many times, but hopefully as I get older I realize that it's not always the best way.
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie,
      I think we're all guilty of taking the easy road vs. the "road less traveled". I keep reminding myself that the Bible calls me to take the narrow road for my own benefit. Still trying....
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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