FRIDAY, October 28

John 15:17-27. If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.

The world does not hate me, not me personally. It may hate what I stand for, what I believe, but it does not really hate me. Perhaps the reason is that while I believe what I believe and stand up for it, my beliefs and stances are so inconsequential that the world doesn’t care.

That may be good for me but I think it is bad for the world. The world hates those who, like Simon and Jude whom we honor today, insist that we cannot have whatever we want whenever we want it, who remind us that might does not make right, who do not accept the notion that everyone is selfish and we had better do unto others before they do unto us.

The truth is that I am afraid to truly stand up for Jesus. Of course, I am willing to do it where it is safe: at home, in church, among my peers. But to be like Simon and Jude and speak the gospel message to those who hate it—that thought frightens me. The fact that I am not alone in this doesn’t make it any easier.

PRAY for the Diocese of Tokyo (Japan)

Ps 119:89-96; Deuteronomy 32:1-4; Ephesians 2:13-22

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We Will Never Stand Alone!

Oct 28, 2011 at 6:04 am

Written by emeline,

To Today's Meditation Writer, it may seem that we are standing alone. As long as we proclaim the love of JESUS crucified, He will never leave us or forsake us. At the very moment when we want to give up, Jesus steps in and gives us His grace, mercy and protection. We never stand alone!

...

Oct 28, 2011 at 7:31 am

Written by words,

The Hebrew use of the words love and hate needs to be shared. These two words are used as a contrast of degree not of absolute love and hate as we think of them today. Love is to choose and hate is to not choose. Love is to elect, hate is to not elect. Love is to unite, hate is to separate.
The world is ruled by Satan until Christ returns.

Addendum

Oct 28, 2011 at 9:01 am

Written by Lynn,

Here I beg to differ. Knowing I am not alone may not make it easy; it just makes it possible!!
Peace to all!

Speaking of faith

Oct 28, 2011 at 9:13 am

Written by Mary kier,

I too have trouble talking about my faith in unsafe territory. May God give me the courage, words and actions when in this situation.

Response to Words

Oct 28, 2011 at 9:14 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Christ has won the battle. Our hearts are the source of evil.

...

Oct 28, 2011 at 10:04 am

Written by Ally,

I have to ask "what is unsafe territory"? Is it safer to talk about Jesus and Christianity with people of other religious beliefs or non-believers?

I was taught as a child (a child of color, I might add) that love and hate were small things that I should look to have people respect me. And if I acted in a self-respecting way (towards my color, my religious beliefs and my sex) that people would respect me.

...

Oct 28, 2011 at 10:51 am

Written by E. Linda Cushner,

I believe that God makes the opportunities. We do not. So when the opportunity arises, He will give us the words and courage to speak and He will also protect us. Just put one word forward and the rest will come. I have experienced this and have been totally amazed at the "keeping power" of Jesus.

Having the faith to speak

Oct 28, 2011 at 11:37 am

Written by Rick,

As it is written in Luke 12:11-12, "do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say". Having the faith to speak in defense of the Gospel when we are not sure what we should say takes faith that God will give us the words to speak. Risking being ostracized or being considered a zealot or hypocrite is one of the challenges of being a Christian in the world we live in today.

...

Oct 29, 2011 at 10:06 am

Written by satan,

From Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunters: The prince of this world is alive and well. His methods are fear, intimidation, and deception. He flaunts his pretentious power over a decaying world. He maneuvers around in a spiritual disguise. He wants you to have just enough of Jesus to disappoint you but not too much that you depend on Him.

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