Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Will You Be Silenced?

Yes, today is an important day in history. However, this post isn't only about what will be taking place at the poles from 7a.m. til 7p.m., it is about your voice every day, ever minute, 365 days a year. 

Since the beginning of time, the world has tried to silence us. 2000 years ago, they killed people for having faith.  They put people in prison. They placed their bodies on stakes and used them as lanterns in their garden.  They cut off heads and put them on platters to shut them up and even hung them on a cross, naked for the world to see.  Today, in some countries, those extreme things still may take place.  Here in America, they call us names, they write nasty things about us on social media (with the wide range of expanded, intelligent vocabulary they have), they create laws that take away our freedoms, they use media and entertainment to paint a picture of believers as hateful, close-minded, ignorant people.  They want to silence you......and for some it's working!  They believe the louder they speak...the more we will be shut down and that very thing could happen if CHRISTIANS DON'T WAKE UP AND BE HEARD! We don't have to be loud and belligerent to be heard. 

Apparently, 1/3 of America has already chosen to be silenced by not registering to vote.  The next 1/3 are registered but choose not to vote.  They say, "it doesn't make a difference."  They say, "this won't fix the problem."

Do we only use our voice when we see the immediate fruits? 

Is this how we view prayer?  "I can't see anything changing, so why do it?"

There was a man named Daniel who was threatened with his life to be silenced.  They wanted to shut him down....so they created a law (see, nothing new under the sun).  If anyone was caught praying to anyone other than their king, they would be killed.  Did Daniel have to be loud and make a scene? No, he stayed true to who he was and what his loyalty was to his God. 

"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house .........He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously."  Daniel 6:10

He was not silenced.  He was not moved by the outcome. He did not say "it doesn't matter anyway, it's a law now".  HE CONTINUED on and gave thanks.   And what happened?  The entire situation turned around!  It took ONE MAN people!  We should not allow it to be said anymore that "my voice doesn't matter anyway"  !!!!

That isn't the only example.  There were two men named Paul and Silas.  They were in prison (for their faith).  They used their voice and began to sing hymns to God....

"suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison shaken.  And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened." Acts 16:25-26

AND THE JAILER GOT SAVED!  Two men, with a voice!  In what looked like an impossible situation. 

I could give many more examples, but I try to keep these blogs short and to the point yet powerful. 

God is going to have his way regardless. 
Psalm 46:10
"I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

You get to make the decision to be a part of His plan by using your voice,  your actions, your prayers, your living out loud for Him.  And we don't choose to look at the outcome as our deciding factor.  Whatever happens in this election.....whatever happens with the state questions....whatever happens in education....We will remain faithful.  We will not be silent. We will stand on 1 Peter 2:15
"put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."

AND 2 Corinthians 11:10
"As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced...."

I close today with the words of Elijah, who was not going to be silenced.....

"Let it be known this day that you are God"....in the United States of America,
The Mrs. Pastor