Do Not Be Ashamed to Proclaim Him

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My word in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."  Mark 8:38

 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, …….For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able ….”. 2 Timothy 1:8,9,12 (read 1:8-14)

 If we are not willing to suffer criticism or an awkward moment or conflict as we share the hope that is within us, then we are honestly probably NOT willing to suffer for the gospel as His Word directs us (if we won’t even risk much less).   Have we given into Satan’s lies that we should not offend anyone?  Have we bought into the enemy’s lies of political correctness and what is inappropriate?- lies designed to cut off life and immortality for others around us who need to know Him- who need life!  He IS the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Him.John 14:6

              Oh Lord, we do not want to live this way. We repent of this sin of holding life inside of us and refusing to offer it to those You place in our paths.  We lay this fear at the cross to die, and we  take up Your Spirit, of power and love and discipline.  We shod our feet with the gospel of peace and take up the shield of faith to extinguish all those flaming arrows of the evil one, and we buckle on your truth, take up our sword (Your powerful Word), and pray for those souls You would have us reach.  Make us mighty warriors- make us unafraid- to give life to those in great need- it is You that they LONG for.  

Change us, O Lord, and we will be changed.  Only You can.
(see also Excel Still More: Woe to Me?)

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.  For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:8-10

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”Romans 1:16

Oh give us Your eternal perspective Lord…                               

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19,20 (He makes the difference.  See also: Excel Still More: I Will Be With You)

May Paul be our example: "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.  For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God."  Acts 20:26,27

"...to open eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me."  Acts 26:18

"We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.  For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."  Col. 1:28,29

       May we be bold and ask God to show us who He would have us unashamedly share with even this day. 

"..what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.  These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.  This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all."  1 John 1:3-6

My Light WILL Dispel Darkness

 I am God, and there is no other.  So bow to Me alone. 

      Are you bowing to what the world says is right, or what My Word says?  Are you taking your cues from the world, or My Spirit?  Keep your eyes "fixed" on Me -that you will not be swayed by the propaganda1 of this world's system (led by the enemy himself, even posing as an angel of light 2 Cor. 11:14).  Beware and be shrewd (Matt. 10:16) and know truth like the back of your hand -have it always before you -that you may be more familiar with My truth than you are with the deceitfulness of this world.  Stop being led astray by this world system, which is in the enemy's hand1 John 5:19 .  Open your eyes and behold the ways of your God.

      Do you claim Him as your own and yet live in opposition to all He has set forth as truth?

You can either live for Me or against Me.  There is no neutral ground.  PRAY- for strength.

     We need to be built up in FAITH for these days ahead.  Faith in a big God, but also faith in TRUTH- that His truth will prevail.  His truth is true regardless of who chooses to believe it or not.  We cannot go forward believing lies.  We cannot just believe 'peace, peace' with God where there is no peace(Jer. 6:14,8:11). There is no pretending.  We cannot 'think' that we're okay and be okay.  We must obey, to be okay.

      His heart is clearly spoken and revealed.  Where can we flee from His Spirit?  Nowhere.  So the only good choice is to embrace truth, even if we are persecuted for it (2 Tim. 3:12), even if it flies in the face of today's view of tolerance and love.  How is it loving to condone sin that God must judge?  (The enemy has duped us by making biblical issues seem like political issues, in order to attempt to gag our mouths).  Take back the ground given over.  Shout, 'Enough!' and watch the walls fall down, only to BE rebuilt on firm foundation (the truth of My word spoken). Who will shout!?  Who will go? 

Say yes to the Lord and take your place
-to loosen the chains of those harassed by the enemy,
-to open eyes to SEE the FIGHT- to see the war in the heavenlies,
-to acknowledge that we are at war,
-and to fight for victory.

Take courage.  

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." 

     The victory is yours, but you must fight for it.  It will not come as you 'rest on your laurels' (to be satisfied with one's past success and to consider further effort unnecessary).  Fight in word and deed and in prayer and fasting.  Loosen the chains and loosen My people to speak forth My word in power and truth.  

     My word is true, and My light WILL dispel darkness!  Darkness CANNOT withstand My light.

       So go light up the world with My love and My power: Christ exalted, high and lifted up, with praise going before you.  You will slay them with your presence as you go forth in My anointing.  Darkness cannot hide, and darkness cannot withstand!  It is just the 'natural quality' of light. 

 So be a light unto the world and SHINE for My glory and fame.  Don't hide it. 

 Shout it from the rooftops.

1 definition of propaganda-information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation,etc.