Today, in schools across the country, students will be participating in what’s known as the Day of Silence. This is a day to stand up against discrimination of students who are dealing with homosexuality.

This morning I experienced a great witness of God’s power. Many of the students in our youth group are going to be speaking out in love today, wearing shirts that say, “I love you too much to remain silent,” and sharing the love and compassion of Jesus with everyone they come in contact with. We spent time in prayer with the students, and I witnessed them worshipping with no restraint as we were ready to send them to their schools today.

This is scary stuff for these students, but they are willing to offer themselves in love despite what might happen.

The Apostle Paul was dealing with a student going into opposition as well; Timothy. Paul wrote these words to Timothy:

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life; not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:6-9.

Today, these students are fanning into flame the gift of God, because God has not given them timidity (fear), but power. I pray that they would not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, and I pray that their example today would encourage me to not be ashamed.

As I’ve been hearing things about this day for a while, I can’t help but wonder, if we are truly seeking to be like Jesus, why we haven’t had the bold love to:

• Be the ones volunteering at the AIDS clinics.
• Be the ones willing to reach out to people that no one else will.
• Be willing to let our compassion be shown more than our conviction (while not compromising that conviction.)

Jesus loved, touched, and spent time with Lepers, prostitues, Samaritans, and all of the people that the religious types hated. Let’s stand on what the Bible teaches, but let’s show the amazing love that Jesus has shown with a boldness that cannot be ignored.

Many of us are afraid to worship publicly.  We’re afraid to show our vulnerability out in the open; afraid of what people might think of us.  But kids, on the other hand, aren’t afraid at all.  Yesterday I saw a little one give an offering of worship that blessed my heart so much.

Our intern pastor’s son was walking onto the steps of the altar area, and someone called him down from there.  He said, “Okay, but I just want to sing for you.”  It was agreed that he could sing as long as he came down on the floor.  Eventually, someone asked him what he was going to sing.  “Jesus luv me,” he says.

This would have been fun and great if he had just sung it by himself, but he said to all of us adults, “Now you sing with me okay?  Ready?  Jesus luv me dis I know…”

It was so precious to a see a little toddler leading all of us adults in worship that morning.  I am so thankful that I can learn how to offer myself from someone that small.

Personal note:  Please pray for me today and this week as I am going through some very tough personal struggles.

Something that’s been on my mind a lot lately is how selfish we (especially going up in the United States) tend to be. We are a culture dominated by self. We are driven by self. But, it’s not really much of a surprise, considering we were born as selfish people. But the Bible would have us think the complete opposite.

Galatians 2:20-21 says,

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. If Christ lives in us, this would mean that we:

• Have compassion for those who don’t know Him.
• Desire to help those who are less blessed than we are.
• Desire to lead and make disciples
• Desire God’s will over our own.
• Are willing to die for our belief.

Boy, I think so often we have judgment and contempt for those who don’t know Him; we desire to see oursleves become more blessed, no matter the cost to others; we’re afraid to make disciples because we don’t feel qualified; we definitely tend to desire our own will over God’s; and many times we aren’t even willing to speak up for our beliefs, let alone die for them.

I pray that Christ and all of His desires really do live in me and really begin to show.

We live in a culture that is dominated by self.  We hear phrases like, “You deserve better,” or “You deserve the best.”  Our kids are taught to have high self-esteem.  Our culture is encouraged to have the newest car, biggest house, newest technology; you name it.  But this is contradictory to what God teaches us.

God teaches us that we should become last in order to be first (Matthew 10:12), and that we should consider others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2).

• Then why are we constantly frustrated that we aren’t being recognized for the work that we’re doing?  Shouldn’t Jesus be lifted higher than ourselves?
• Why are we constantly grasping our money in our bank accounts?  If we have change in our pockets, we are among the wealthiest people in the world.  Shouldn’t we be helping those who are far less fortunate than we are?
• Why are we constantly finding ways to blame others for hurting us, when maybe we are too proud to admit that we are the ones who won’t let go of a grudge?  Shouldn’t we be finding every way possible to serve everyone we come in contact with?

Offering something that you want to get rid of is easy.  It’s like giving those old clothes away to Goodwill.  Being an offering is hard.  Offering your entire life, your very best, your very self for the cause of Jesus is hard.  But it’s what we need to learn to do.  I pray that I can be an example, and be completely selfless, so that Jesus will be lifted higher and higher.

When we become selfless, we stop seeing ourselves, and start to see the needs of others, and it is tremendously eye-opening.

Last week I wrote about the step that so many of us often miss in confession; confessing not just to God but to each other.

Last night our vicar (intern pastor) nailed it out of the park with a way I’ve never thought about before.  He said that when we sin, we tear apart two relationships.  The first one, our relationship with God, is torn apart by our sin, but with confession to Him, the blood of Jesus mends that relationship and makes it new.  Praise God for that!!

But, the second relationship that is torn apart is the one between us and our brother or sister in Christ.  The problem here is that, yes, we’re forgiven by the blood of Jesus, but it’s up to us to mend this second broken relationship.

The book of Ephesians gives us some great things to think about concerning mending our earthly relationships:

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27.

The Greek for “foothold” literally means guest room. When we hold on to grudges and bitterness and all sorts of things that tear apart our earthly relationships, we give Satan a room to dwell in.

Today, don’t let the sun go down without resolving these conflicts that you may be dealing with.  Offer the truth to your neighbor, and healing will take place.

Do you need to reconcile your relationship with someone today?