Talk Is Cheap
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
Are you a fan or a follower? Do you cheer Jesus and all His teachings from the sidelines or do you humbly follow and obey Him? Unbeknown to the Sanhedrin, of which they were members, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were fans of Jesus, which, if the Pharisees and Sadducees knew, would have been a political suicide for them, but they stepped up to the next level when they took and prepared Jesus’ body for burial. They stopped hiding what their hearts told them was true, regardless of the political/social repercussions. What about you? Are you a fan sitting in the bleachers or do you walk your faith on the field? What would someone see if they stalked you for a week? Would they know whether or not you’re a Christian, full or part time? Would they want to know more about Jesus or just change the channel? Talk is cheap, but actions can be costly! For three weeks after Ian, Capri Christian stepped up and let its actions speak volumes. As donations poured in for all the devastated homes on the island, we opened the doors every day to do whatever we could to help ease people’s pain. Supplies and food of every kind were brought in and given out, meals for lunch and dinner were provided by individuals and restaurants, and hearts were softened. The love we profess was evident and felt by all who came in need and hurting. When the needs slowed down and we shifted over to the Community Center, someone said isn’t it good to see the church back to normal! For those three weeks the church was as normal as it gets! Don’t hide your faith. We have what the world needs, Jesus! Don’t just rah rah in the cheap seats, get on the field and let your actions do the talking!
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
I think we can all relate to Peter easily. Devoted, sometimes bold and brash, quite often like a bull in a china shop, quick to speak, slow to listen, Peter was undoubtedly Jesus’ favorite. When Jesus tried to tell the Disciples that He would be leaving them soon and they could not follow right away, Peter had to chime in. I want to go too, why can’t I go with You, I’ll lay down my life for You. In the Garden when the soldiers and mob came to arrest Jesus, who was the only one to draw a sword to defend Him? Then the crunch time came. With Jesus arrested and Peter observing from a darken courtyard, when he was questioned about his relationship with Jesus he denied Him, 3 times! The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords the Name above all names, the Son of God, Peter denied Him for fear of … what? He’d seen the miracles, he saw the affect He had on the arresting mob when hey fell at His declaration, he’d seen Him calm the storm, walk on water, he knew Him, and yet he denied Him. So, what’s our excuse? Why don’t we openly declare His name and brag about our relationship with Him? We know Him, His love and forgiveness, His truth. We know that if God is for us, who can be against us. What we don’t know is how soon He will be coming back, but it feels closer every day. People need the Lord and we need to tell them about Him. Who knows when another surge of one type or another is coming, we may never get another chance with some people. You don’t have to go around thumping people in the head with your Bible, but you do need to thump them with His love to open their ears to hear His truth. He’s not ashamed of His children, His children should not be ashamed of Him!
As He knelt, alone, as His disciples slept, as His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground, as the full realization of what He was about to face was upon Him, He asked if that cup could pass from Him, but then Jesus followed His plea with the most powerful response, “Not my will, but Thine be done!” How often do you end your prayers that way? Do you pray to get your will or to seek His? SW FL, Capri on up the coast is hurting. Storms in life do that, cause hurt. Jesus knows hurts, He can help the hurting. In His humanity, He experienced our temptations, our losses, our hurts. For Capri Christian and all the churches and believers in SW FL, there has never been a more opportune time to show His love than in Ian’s wake, and we are! Individuals, churches (from as far as MI), restaurants, and organizations from all over are donating supplies, food, meals, love, and we will continue to do so for as long as the need calls. What is His call for you in this? Pray about it, do what you can, not what you can’t, but be a part of showing His love to this hurting community. As He did for us, let us pray in all things, Thy will, not mine be done.
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team