Will You Speak?

'Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies- make straight Your way before me.' Psalm 5:8

Are you afraid to speak for your beliefs? For your rights? For your freedoms? Do you cower in a corner, hoping no one will notice you, and that no one will ask your opinion? Do you literally shrink from discussions that may bring confrontation, or even persecution?

Most of us feel the same way. I don't like persecution, yet I am the receiver of it often. Confrontation? Yes, when I state an opinion, I am often attacked, verbally. Yet we are responsible for our own conduct, and for contributing to society. If we don't do that, who will?

We think that God will 'take care of it'. So we hush our mouths, hide away, and pray. Now, of course there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We are called to pray. But there comes a time when the prayer has been said, and it's time for action.

God doesn't tell us that Christians are to be doormats. We are to be of a forgiving nature, loving and kind in difficult circumstances. But we also are to confront evil where we see it. We are to speak up and defend those who are cannot defend themselves, and defend the truth of God's word.

Do not ever feel like your opinions do not count, for they surely do. And, as Americans, or as any citizen anywhere, it is a disservice to our nation to stand idly by and allow evil to continue to flourish. In doing so, we are taking part in that evil.

We now face tough times, in our government, finances, general safety and freedoms. So it is time to speak our thoughts and observations. We can do this in a polite manner, and we should. We can be firm, yet kind. And though we may not be treated in such a way, we can be the example. Let's do it!

Examine the issue, pray and ask for The Holy Spirit to guide you, and for God to protect you, then take the action..speak!

Blessings!

God Speaks

Yes, he does. He speaks through His Living Word. He speaks through other people. He even speaks to us in person through the Holy Spirit. And He speaks to us through nature.

It may be a detriment to my aspirations as a writer, but the awesome way God uses nature to touch my heart, and to give me that perfect peace I so crave, is wonderful. Today it is overwhelming!

I have enjoyed the early morning satisfaction of enjoying the nature God created around me many times, in many places. The beach, the mountains, in my home state, even iin Ecuador and recently Germany. But His love and greatness is just as evident to me in my own backyard as anywhere else, and even perhaps more. Because it is mostly in our own home territories where the bulk of our battles rage. And that is where we draw our strength to fight against them...from The Creator Himself.

I am thankful that God chooses to speak to me. And, I am happy He uses so many different ways to do so. He keeps my attentive, on my spiritual toes, if you will! He engages my heart, and He makes my path this day so much easier to navigate.

Rosebuds of Faith Series: Speak, Lord...

We had a snow storm last night, and still into the
morning. We will have more off and on throughout
the day. It is beautiful to see and to watch as the flakes
float out of Heaven and into our lives, and as they
gather together as friends on our lawns.

As I have been watching this phenomenon (and it truly
is one, here in the south!), I am reminded of God's
glory. It is everywhere we look, if we will but open our
eyes to it. Recognition is sometimes difficult for us.
What may seem glorious to one is seen as a danger, or
a threat to another. I see the beautful whiteness laying
all around...someone else may see an obstacle to getting
on with things for the day. I see it as a chance to stay in
and have some respite. To take it easy, enjoy my home, to
catch up on tasks that need to be done; to take the time
to be with God.

I started today by reading Oswald Chambers. He was
focused on 1 Samuel, from the 3rd chapter. It was
about how Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision God
had given him. It was, after all, a condemnation of Eli,
for his unfaithfulness to be obedient to God's will. He
had allowed his sons to be unholy, to be defiled, and to
steal and plunder the storehouse of God.

But Samuel had heard the Lord's voice. At first he thought
it was Eli calling him, but eventually he heard 'the Voice'.
He knew who it was. And he was fearful of what he heard,
though he was obedient.

Do you hear God's voice? Do you even want to, or are you
fearful of what he may tell you as well? I think we all are,
but oh, what a wonderful voice He has! And with the hard
things come the sweet things. He loves us, and He loves
to tell us so. When He is hard, it is for our good; not for
harm.

Oswald said, 'Speak, Lord'. Oh, I want to say this too. And
even more, I want to hear His voice. I want to be one He
talks to, who He shares His thoughts with, and then one who
will do as He tells me to. I desire complete fellowship with
Him, and I wish to see and hear Him in the world around me.
I need to be able to discern His voice. And I can do that only
by reading His Word, by learning of Him, by literally becoming
closer to Him than I can even imagine. Then there will be no
doubt who is speaking to me. And I will have no reservation
about answering.

'Speak, Lord'.....and I will hear your voice. I pray you will ask
Him to speak to you as well. What an awesome God we serve.

Blessings!