How many people are equipped to handle mistreatment after they’ve done right? Only Christians are equipped to do that. That is what makes believers stand out. That’s our uniqueness.
From Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Because He lives, I can see tomorrow.
From Romans 10:9: “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
On a sunny, early morning, the old man decided to go fishing. He drove out to his favorite fishing hole along the river. Two teenage boys were also fishing near the same area.
After a spell, the boys migrated over to the old man’s spot. The brothers shared their names, Jaylen and Caden. They were fine looking boys, and pretty darn good fishermen.
In about an hour, each had caught 2-3 fish, while the old man was shut out. Perhaps he needed to take a break and think of a different plan.
The brothers were about ready to leave, but they hung around for a bit. Soon the conversation turned to their personal relationships with Jesus Christ. Each was a Christian, and had accepted Jesus as their Savior.
The old man had never considered experiencing a relationship with God. There was a Bible somewhere at home, or at least he thought so. The last time he attended church was for a dear friend’s funeral a couple of years ago.
As the boys continued to share their faith with the old man, time seemed to stand still. Without knowing it, Caden and Jaylen were exchanging their efforts to fish for trout for an opportunity to fish for the Lord. Their little bit of fishing was replaced with blessed evangelism, and now they were casting their net—filled with lots of God.
After about 30 minutes, the brothers checked the time and finished up their conversation with the old man. They needed to get the day’s catch home for their mother to prepare for supper.
The old man thanked them for the conversation, and gave them a wave good-bye. He looked at his own fishing scorecard, and he was still winless in the fishing department.
But, he felt like a winner in the faith department. He picked up his fishing gear and headed up from the river. As he began to drive away in his battered pick-up truck, he made a vow to find that phantom Bible at home.
Jaylen and Caden invited the old man to visit their church for Sunday’s worship service. Because of their encouragement, he told them he would attend. The brothers also promised to share some of their fishing tips with him.
From Matthew 4:18-19: “As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.'”
Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
From John 11:25-26: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Faith ought not to be a plaything. If we believe, we should believe like giants.
From Psalm 71:5: “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.”
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was an American educator, philanthropist, and civil rights activist. A daughter of former slaves, she made a significant impact in the lives of many.
From the words of American Christian author, Kay Arthur: “To be courageous is to step out in faith–to trust and obey, no matter what.”
Each fear tests quiet resolve
Holding tightly to God’s Word
Strength in faith, stepping forward
Waiting courage, to be stirred
Another mountain to scale
Taking every fear to God
Faith’s shield shall always protect
Dissolving evil’s facade
Disappointment knocks at door
Believing in faithful Lord
Unspoken fears leaving heart
Sustaining grace, comes aboard
Endless wilderness journey
Seeing mercy’s light ahead
Every roadbed now smoothed out
Darning each fear, with faith’s thread
Dark challenges setting sail
Meditating day and night
Prayer surrounds every fear
Transforming faith, Savior’s light
Yesterday’s failures vanish
Removing fear’s daily stress
Faith encased with timeless love
Coming sunrise brings success
From Joshua 1:9: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Growing up with Father
Learning all about life
Encouraged to follow
Living without evil’s strife
Bearing Father’s commands
Nurturing faith each day
Drowned each fleshly desire
Witnessing His grace, let’s pray
Walking in Father’s steps
Surrendering to Him
Sensed righteousness calling
Praising each blessed hymn
Searching for Father’s peace
Letting go, finding love
Gleaned from each steadfast truth
Catching mercy from above
From Hebrews 5:12-14: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.”
When affliction strips away every crutch, one has only the Lord to depend upon. Though some people are destroyed by that kind of situation, others are built into undaunted believers.
From Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Witnessing
God’s Word
Greatest story ever
Christ becomes man’s Light
Salvation
Praising
God’s script
Message never wavers
Story brings man Home
Redemption
Sowing
Mercy’s seeds
Perpetual story retold
Harvesting grace at Calvary
Resurrection
Don’t be addicted to approval. Follow your heart. Do what you believe God is telling you to do, and stand firm in Him and Him alone.
From 2 Corinthians 5:9: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.”
Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.
