John 12 - still! In John 12:37 John states, "Even though he (referring to Jesus) had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him." Then John quotes Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 53:3, 6, prophecies that were applicable to the hardening of people's hearts to not embrace Jesus' message.
Then John states, "Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than praise from God."
Ouch! In my personal experience, when I don't speak up when I should it isn't about human praise - it is about the risk of rejection. And the bottom line is still the same. It gets tricky - that "not throwing our pearls before swine" part and "being totally transparent about our love for the Lord." That's why we need the Holy Spirit's leading us into the right conversations, and need his nudging about what and when to say what he wants us to say. If I feel nudged, and don't comply, I have failed to honor the Lord.
Of course, living our faith conspicuously is also incredibly important. I once heard it said, and I agree, "If I am ever accused of being a Christian, I hope there will be enough evidence to convict me!"
I have a lot to think about and pray about! Lord, help me honor you in everything I do and say.
Redeemed! Redeemed! Redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am! (That's the refrain for an old, old song that I love.)
Seguing to other things happening on our planet, I saw a newsflash this morning on my phone telling about a tall skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand collapsing when a 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand. I followed up by doing some online searching, and it is really bad in that area - and the reports of the destruction are just coming out.
Earthquakes in various places is part of the prophecy for what will happen just before the end of time, and it definitely feels like we are there.
This is what Matthew 24:6-8 foretells:
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Lord, draw people to you in these tumultuous times. Help people see that you, and you alone, are the answer to everything that is wrong in our world, and we need you!
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