Monday, September 15, 2008

Where the rubber meets the road

Usually when I receive our denominational magazine I scan it to see what articles they have in there, but don't read very many. Alot of them tend to have a more liberal bent, and it just ends up ticking me off. When we received it in the mail on Saturday and I sat down to scan it again. I came across this article and it stopped me short. I have a link to the article below. It is short so it won't take much of your time. http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=4609&srcid=4614

What got me was this:
A person from their group asked if they had ever felt like Peter when he denied Christ three times? He explained that within 24 hours he had denied Christ 3 times. Then he mentions how he denied Christ! I had never looked at it this way! Me denying Christ?! Never like Peter!

Our church has been talking alot lately about Evangelism, which of course is really the only reason for "the church"! To win souls for Christ! This article made me think; in an average day how many opportunities do I miss or purposely avoid?! Heartrending!


Let me know your thoughts!

11 comments:

Zaankali said...

What a moving article. How true for us in our "easy" lives to only do the things that "work for us" and see that as enough or as doing "God's will". It is very convicting. What am I denying every day? Thanks for sharing.

Fran said...

Denying Christ in everyday life is something to really think about! We are denying Him out of fear and insecurities aren't we? To deny is to deny. I don't think the definition can be changed. And, that hurts my heart just a wee bit.
Guilty.

So glad you shared.
Thanks!

Diane said...

I think you probably already know my thoughts on this but I will restate at least one thing here. I know I, for one, avoid God's call to me each and every day at least once! He places numerous opportunities in front of us every day to tell others about Him and what His Son did for us! Most of the time I choose to accept the easy opportunities - which are most of the time "preaching to the choir"! This has been something that has been heavy on my heart over the last 10 days and I know that I must become bold and tell others about Christ!

Maybe not so easy to do but very necessary. I will continue to work on my obedience to Him and pray for the courage that I need to do what He asks of me.

Susannah said...

It's interesting to consider how Jesus "mended" Peter's shame over his three denials. After the resurrection, three times, Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love (agape) me? Feed my sheep."

And to affirm Peter's claim he would die a martyr, Jesus then went on to prophesy about Peter's violent death. ("They will lead you where you do not want to go...")

Yes, evangelism is so necessary... and I don't often think about the high price that some must pay--with their very lives. :~D

Lori said...

Thank you for linking to that, I to enjoyed reading it. Something that leaves you thinking.

Mari said...

I saw that article too. I know there have been times when I should have said something and didn't because I was afraid or thought I wouldn't have the right words. I never thought of it as betraying Christ, but it really is. Yes - this hits home.

Cheryl said...

Oh goodness Kim! What a great article. I never thought about it like that but he is exactly right! It is so easy to stay in our "comfort zone". Sometimes we need to step outside of that "zone". Thanks for a great reminder! God Bless~

Anonymous said...

I just got my copy today, I, like you, scan it and weed out the liberal stuff. I missed this one though. This article sums up alot of what God has been showing me in the last several weeks. Thank you so much for bringing attention to it. Eye opening!
~Debi

Praise and Coffee said...

The fact that you are thinking about it shows that you're heart is willing. God will open doors for you!

Great post,
Sue

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Excellent article..thanks for linking it!

And I'm guilty by the way. :(

Love ya!

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Did Peter ever deny Christ after the Holy Spirit made residence in his life?

Just curious.

Allison