But I'll admit that I have tried a few times these past couple of weeks. And here's why. It's time to move on from the topic of how much God loves us.
Don't get me wrong here.
I am all about sharing the love of God. He is the definition of unconditional love. No question! Besides, bolstering confidence and self-esteem in people is just part of my nature. Stepping on toes and tsk tsking?
Umm... Not so much, thanks. For the most part, I do not care to make waves. Not even a ripple.
I'd been trying to decide which topic to broach first and kept changing my mind. Trying to think of an oh, so gentle way to start the conversation without making anyone uncomfortable.
*C-R-R-R-R-UNCH*
Eggshells.
I've had a lot of talks with God about this these past weeks believe me. And for a while the majority of them were just me rambling on about how maybe I should share the love just one more time.
"You are stalling."
I squelched that thought down as soon as it came and tried to press on. I did my best to sway God to my way of thinking.
"Maybe that is the path this blog should take after all. You know what I mean, God? Keep it positive, and upbeat. That's a good thing, right?"
The still, small voice whispered to my soul again.
"That was not the plan."
That thought was a little harder to submerge because I know it was not the plan.
I have tried in the past to side-step a little and carry on "kinda sorta" doing what I knew the Holy Spirit was leading me to do so I didn't really have to step out of my comfort zone. I know things didn't turn out the way they would have had I stuck with the plan.
His plan.
I apologized for trying to change things and asked God to make me bold.
I know he answered my prayer because I started thinking about verses I know and love that contain that word. For instance, Paul tells us that when Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we can go confidently before the throne of God.
Moreover, there are several that talk about men speaking boldly to share the gospel message. It was one of those I was trying to place, but couldn't remember who was emboldened or where exactly to find it.
That said, this is a good place to admit that I am really bad at remembering exactly where to find Bible passages. But, I know it's in there and over the years have purchased books that help me. Find It Fast In The Bible by Ron Rhodes is my favorite. There is even an online version now.
Google search is usually my source these days though. So I googled "boldly Bible verse" and didn't find the specific verse I was looking for but I don't think I was supposed to.
Read this.
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth
to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this, I am an ambassador in chains.
Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should. ~Ephesians 6:18-20
That was the first scripture reference that popped up. It's exactly what I was asking God to do for me! "Coincidence," you might say, "It's just the first reference of the word, "boldly," in the Bible." I know it is not.
And, for the record, there are no coincidences.
But wait! There's more!
He didn't just boost my morale by leaps and bounds. I'm pretty sure He gave me a serious word for you, too.
I felt I needed to read the scripture preceding the verse and was blown away.
It's a Bible passage I know well, but as I told you, I would have not have had a clue as to where to tell you to look for it without checking a reference. Again, it's not a fact I am proud of, but it is a fact about me that has always been so.
I don't retain details. (I write things down a lot. I always have a list to reference or I am all over the place. Just another little "about me" tidbit for you. 😉)
Remember when I stood on my soapbox? When I said that there is a battle to be won and we are all soldiers for one side or the other?
There is a battle going on
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should."
~Ephesians 6:10-20
This is serious business.
Paul wants to make sure we understand the importance of what's going on around us.
In short, never doubt that God is with you. Be truthful. Do what's right.
If you've accepted Jesus into your heart, dust off that armor and suit up every day! This is war! We must take a stand. Allow Holy Spirit, who was awakened within you when You accepted God's gift, to guide you as you grow closer to the Father.
As far as this blog goes, it's time to move forward. We're going to start addressing the thing that separates us from God.
Our sin problem.
Everyone has one, Christian or non.
Things the world says are ok are far from it. Things the world says are okay just pull us a little farther and, then, a little farther away from God.
It's the battle plan of the devil, himself. I want you to be well-armed. I'll not be walking on eggshells in fear of seeming judgmental and prudish any longer.
Nope.
Not kissing that frog.
I will trust that God will take us where He would have us go.
So, pray for me, please, that the message may be given to me when I put my fingers to the keyboard to make known with boldness the message of the gospel. Bold enough in Him to speak as I should.
I'll be praying for you, too. :)
See you next time.
Love, C
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