"I am afraid of the Muslims..."

Someone said to me: “I pray for the Muslims but I am still afraid of them”.

I think we are caught in a mindset that causes us to be afraid of anything that is unknown and foreign. Add to that the anti foreigner rhetoric and we become prisoners in prisons of our own making.

Let me introduce you to one of our prisons; many of us believe that all Muslims are extremists, and if they are not extremists they are not good Muslims. This thinking is not based in fact nor experience. The majority of Muslims are people like you and I, they love their family, their country and would like to live in peace.

In further discussion that Individual confessed; “actually I am afraid of the world I live in”. Now we are closer to the real issue. The world we live in has always been a scary place. We like things that we can grasp and control. Anything beyond that is unsettling and scary.

May I draw our attention to another time and another place? The disciples of Jesus were becoming aware of the fact that Jesus was not going to give them a quick solution to the problems surrounding them, He was not going to become the conquering Messiah and overthrow the Roman occupation government.

Jesus knew the thinking of the disciples and the fear that was controlling their hearts so he spoke to them words of comfort, word that are able to give us peace and hope today.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful…. I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:27, 16:13.

These words were spoken He on the eve of his crucifixion, you would think he would not be so bold. Notice the tense of Jesus’ words. It is not future tense as, “I will overcome the world, ”but “I have overcome the world.” It is not some hope in the future or some plan, but a done and certain fact.

My friend you can have the peace that only Christ can give by believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Paul

In Times Like These ...

What do we do when we are forced to live in the midst of a troubled world, surrounded by sin? Should we be taken aback by this? Should we withdraw and cocoon in our own little world?

Not at all! 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Timothy 4: 3-4 say that these things would happen in the end times. Therefore, Christians should not be troubled or feel defeated because God has prepared us through his word. This is a time of great challenges and great opportunity because God has given us an awesome responsibility to demonstrate and share the love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived in a world very similar to ours, yet he never lost sight of the fact that his kingdom was not of this world and He never compromised his relationship to the people of this world. He was often called a friend of sinners (Luke 5:29-30 and Luke 15:1-2).

In Matthew 9:12-13 (NLT) Jesus responds, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

We should follow this example. Jesus befriended many people who were on the fringes of society. He went among them to bring them out of their sin, not to justify their sin. Likewise, under the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit, we must do the same. Ultimately, Jesus loved them and all mankind so much that he willingly laid down his life to pay the penalty for all sin.

My prayer is that in times such as this we would heed the words of the Apostle Peter: “… Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15

Here are some guidelines that can be used to plant and water seeds:

* Pray for God to open doors of opportunity to plant and water seeds.
* Do not judge or disrespect the people around you.
* Show them the genuine love of Christ.
* Look at people through the eyes of Christ. (2 Timothy 2:23-26 and Colossians 4:5-6).
* Tell them how much God loves them.
* Live before them as a credible witness.
* Make constant intercession for people in your little world. Pray that God will use you or another Christian as a conduit for sharing his plan of salvation.

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Our Savior was the living embodiment of love shown to the lost.

Paul Weresch

letstalkpw@gmail.com