Joshua 1:8
"...[B]ut you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13).
Treasure in clay jars - what a perfect analogy. Verse 13 is personally a convicting rebuke: "[W]e beleive so we speak." I have to say, I'm not really willing to share my faith - perhaps I should questioon whether I truly believe what I claim to...
ReplyDeleteBut you do speak Josh. Our boys pray JUST like you do. Same start, same finish, same pauses, same rhythm. Granted, you don't pray exactly the same (Josiah is praying to take an airplane to Mexico and that Mom will be nice), but this absolutely is evident of your verbal expression of your faith. No, you're not responding to your co-workers with a "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” -Mth 36, but you are noticeably different in your actions, your language, your values etc. Can we do better? Absolutely, but there is no doubt that you strongly believe what you claim to. You're just still a piece of clay be molded (as we all are!).
DeleteI really like v. 8/9 "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;"
ReplyDeleteAnytime we are feeling challenged I think it is so important to recall this verse. Completely goes with that saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Not a saying that I love (usually my Grandma throws it at me).
I also found v. 16 to jump out at me. "So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day." A really amazing description.
Hey Josh, if I may chime in, you ARE sharing your faith with me and Karyn and Mary and your kids and the small group and your family. Like Mary said, there's no doubt that you believe what you claim to.
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote from an essay I read last night. Hope this helps:
"Listen to Peter’s description of evangelistic urgency to his first century audience: “1 Peter 3:15-16 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” Live so people will ask. Don’t force feed them the question. Live the life. Live it plainly, but there is no guilt trip put on anyone for not accosting their co-workers once a week."
If I may add one more thing that just popped into my head, you shared your faith with our church when you both got baptized and share your faith when you take communion. God knows your heart Josh. Don't worry. :)
DeleteThanks for the kind words and I understand forcing my views on others is not the proper way to go about sharing my faith, after all actions speak louder than words. However, I'm just thinking about how quickly I'm willing to throw in my two cents when it comes to politics or sports or whatever but speaking about Christ or the bible is not so easy. For whatever reason, I find myself often avoiding the issue. DEFINITELY a work in progress...
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. Its very very hard, especially b.s.-ing with guys, to bring up Jesus into the conversation. I know I don't have to tell you this, but just pray about it. Trust me, as you know, I'm not exactly a wordsmith, so I understand where you are coming from. Lets pray that God will give us all opportunities to share our faith in Christ.
Delete...and the courage to actually do so when the opportunities arise.
DeleteMary, I liked vs. 16 - 18 too. A truly awesome description and it challenges our way of thinking and viewing today's culture.
ReplyDelete