What Do You Think?

This week my teenager had an assignment to interview everyone in our household, asking them, "What does America mean to you?" She asked. We answered. She responded by saying that she couldn't quote us exactly. She had to change the wording because the instructions for doing this assignment included that she could include nothing that would offend anyone else. In case you are wondering what our response to the assignment question was, here goes:"America to us means that we have the freedom to live where we choose, the freedom to get an education, also the freedom to read our Bible and to spread the gospel without fear of death."

Obviously we had a long conversation about why this was, in our opinion, not the right thing to do. I instructed her to write the quotes exactly as they were told to her even if she failed the assignment. I told her I would be more proud of her for failing the assignment than I would if she were to pass with an A+. I also told her this was an opportunity God had given her to let her light shine for him and the rewards he would have for her would by far outweigh the best grade she could possibly receive for the assignment. I reminded her that scripture tells us to place God above man and to not be ashamed of the gospel.

Everyone thinks we have to be tolerant towards others beliefs and that mentioning the gospel or God is being intolerant. What they don't realize is that God is more tolerant than any of us could ever be. Even though people are turning their backs on him and want to remove him from everything, God still is withholding his anger from us, being patient with us, giving us chance after chance after chance to accept him. I feel such sadness and compassion for those who do not realize that God is the example for tolerance. Tolerance doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to teach others about God, it just means that we have to keep giving the chance to hear the truth of the gospel to others. Not to adopt their false truth for ourselves.

Are You Worried?

Everyone we come in contact with voices their worry about their economic situation. Most are struggling paying their mortgage, rent, credit card bills, light and phone bills, groceries, medical bills, along with all the other costs. Most say they have nothing left after paying everything and some say they don't have enough to pay all that they owe.

The Bible says we are to trust in God to provide what we need. We also have a responsibility as believers, if we are more financially able, to help those who do not have enough. I know it is difficult to let go of what you have worked hard to gain. But it is also hard when you sit down with coupons and sales papers trying to figure out how many different grocery stores you will have to go to, which coupons to use at which store to get the most out of them you can, and still not be able to get the groceries you need. Some believers struggle with these situations daily. It can be tiring, discouraging, and at times embarrasing.

We need to follow Jesus' example of compassion to help those fellow believers when they need us. In scripture Jesus often reached out to others because he saw their need or heard their cry. They didn't have to ask for help. He just helped.

Are you worried how you can afford all that you owe? If you are, keep praying for help. God is faithful and just. He knows what you need before you ask. Be faithful to him and in your belief in his promices.

If you aren't in the situation others are in, are you listening to God when he asks you to help? Don't turn your back or walk away when God is asking you to do for others. You may be the one God is using to answer their prayers. Don't fail this test he may be giving you. Be faithful to him to be his light.