Guard Your testimony...At ALL Times

Anyone who loves Jesus works hard to guard their testimony.

At work, school, the market, or any other public place we are constantly on guard.

We talk right, act right, walk right. The fruit of the Spirit appears to be abundant and ripe for the picking in our lives.

Whether they love us or hate us the unbeliever can clearly see we are Christ's.

At least on the outside.

But what about at home?

When the door is closed to the outside world what do your kids see?  Your spouse?

But you don't understand!  All this being good all day makes me tired.  When I get home I just want to let my hair down.  Be MYSElF!

Our families do not need us to be ourselves (shuddder).  They need to see Jesus in us just as much as this unbelieving world.  Maybe more.   When our families are walking in doubt or going through trials they need to see that there is indeed someone near to them that is strong and doesn't waver in the face of hardship. They also need to see the mercy and compassion of Christ when they are acting like the devil.

What about at church?

Hold on now sister.  At church I am the epitome of a Christian.

Really?  Hmmmm....

Try asking your Pastor, your closest friend, those who work under you in the church, or the new comer who smells funny, if you're as Christlike as you could be.

Are you easily corrected or do you kick against the pricks? Do you give instruction or direction clearly and patiently or are you one to bark out orders?  Are you sarcastic, mean, guarded or suspicious or are you friendly, open, and cheerful?  Are you touchy and easily offended or are you quick to forgive or even overlook a slight?

Do you greet those who are new and treat them as if they are important or do you stick to your circle of friends?  Do you make it a point to make everyone feel welcome even if they are dirt poor and smell like urine?  Or do you only give honor to those who are just like you?

Can you love those of a different color?

The people at church need to see to see Jesus in you too.

Yes, I understand we must all work out our own salvation and, yes, we are each responsible for our own walk with God.  But, we must understand that our insensitivity and lack of compassion could be the straw that breaks the camel's back in the life of a brother or sister that is weak in their faith.

Whether at home, in public or at church Jesus should always shine through you...through me.

Let's tighten up ship and guard our testimonies, wherever we are,  and to God be the Glory!

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to himthrough whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Luke 17:1-4

From Detox To Detox...

It used to be that the word detox was only used by the health nuts.  Now as more and more people gain understanding of the poison that is in fast or prepackaged food, meat, and dairy and how it can literally destroy your health, that word is fast gaining popularity.

Basically a detox diet is when you stop eating all the junk and choose living healthy food. Thereby gently  purging your body of all manner of poison.

The problem is people think they can detox for a season and then go back to the same old junk food.

Not so.

It does no one any good to cleanse their bodies for a season and then turn around and put the same poison back in.

Can you say heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and an odd assortment of diseases their is no cure for except to stop taking in the toxins.

Well it's the same in our Christian walk.

Take a typical fast for instance.

We commit a certain amount of time to reject the world and focus on God.  We stop eating, stop watching television or movies, we turn off our phones and social media, we dive into the Word and spend more time in prayer and meditation.  

In other words we stop taking in the toxins of this world and we feed on Jesus.

So why is it once the fast is over we run back to the world as fast as we can.

As it is in the natural so it is in the spirit.

We think we are so righteous having fasted for this or that many days but...

....does it really do anyone any good to cleanse their spirits for a season and then turn around and put the same poison back in.

 Can you say luke warm, disconnected, unfruitful, uninspired, bitter, struggling with all manner of sins, blind, deaf, and utterly without a vision to do the work of the Lord?

A well versed nutritionist would say stop feeding on death and choose life if you would be well.

And if we want a healthy spirit?

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deut 30:19

Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 2nd Peter 2:8 NLT