Thursday, Jan 29, 2009

TWG - January 29, 2009 - The Dark Side of Reputation

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Nothing but more of the same here! This time I was on the roof finishing trusses and I began roofing. That describes my day. I did get a phone call from a renter about a leaky roof! Ouch! More fires to put out. My mom called. We plan on going to see her sometime this week. After a long day on the roof we had some real fun. We ran to Awana! It was a blast as usual. Must have had 25 kids! It’s growing. After getting home I worked on Power Point for Sunday’s services and went to bed.

Today is January 29, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day

Today's Scripture reading is Joshua 11; Psalm 134; Colossians 4
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Today’s thought comes from 1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

There is a dark side to reputation. If you really want a good reputation there will be times when you will have to demonstrate godly perseverance though fiery trials. Some of those trials we expect just because we are human: sickness, financial hardship, the car breaks down, the sink clogs, the roof leaks, there is a tornado, car crash… or any one of a thousand ways for disaster to strike. But then there are the fiery trials that come because you are a Christian. Life is not fair, I can accept that… but suffering for your faith is confusing because it is so undeserved. Why would someone mistreat you because you love Jesus? I get the feeling that you can come up with as many ideas as I have: they feel threatened by our value system… so we get called homophobes and out of touch… and sometimes they are so intensely threatened they strike out at us. Others feel that our faith is a threat to their faith. In their religious zeal they believe they are doing God’s work by persecuting us. It’s not right, but it happens every day all over the globe. It could happen to you if you let your faith shine through. This is reputations dark side! But even in the darkness of suffering or persecution you can gain kudos for your reputation. Here’s how… raise the stakes. Put your faith into high gear. Instead of retaliation, rejoice that you get to suffer as a Christian! You heard me right, smile! Put on a happy face! If you are mistreated because you are a Christian, you ought to take it as a compliment. Rejoice and be glad with exceeding joy! Now if you DESERVE to be mistreated because of a bad reputation (you gossiped, you lied, you stole something, you hurt someone) there is no reason for boasting or writing home about that. But if you suffer as a Christian, if you suffer because you are doing right, if you suffer because of your good reputation, God be with you! Thank God that at least someone noticed that you are different! It is an evidence that the Spirit of God is living inside and shining His light on a dark and sinful world. Way to go! Take it up a notch! Live your faith in the hard times. That is real reputation!

Dear Lord. I am in need of your Spirit to help me to live well when life is not well. When I am picked on, beat up and hurting, I need your joy to reflect from my smile so that everyone will know what it looks like to suffer like a Christian! Please let your Spirit of glory and grace rest on me.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:01 AM |   

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