Acts 18:9-10

Dear friends, I was reading this morning in Acts. Really just skimming several passages in the book as as a reminder of how God has grown his church and just the marvelous way that he works. I came across 18:9-10 and wanted to share it with you: “The Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent, 10 because I am with you and no one will assault you to harm you because I have many people in this city.’”

For me personally it is an encouragement and reminder that I can and should be speaking boldly about the faithfulness of Christ and his redeeming work. I know many times I've had opportunities to share the gospel slip by because I was afraid. Not even for my life or safety, as Paul might have been, but simply for my appearance and reputation. As the Lord says to Paul, though, there is no reason to be fearful!

What damage could possibly happen to my reputation that would negate the Holy Spirit saving someone because I was willing to share with them? And beyond that what does my earthly reputation matter when compared to my faithfulness to my Lord? As I'm sure many of you have heard Jim Elliot's quote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

I guess I write this, as a challenge to myself and to anyone who might read this. Christ did not allow the fears he had of the cross to keep him from doing the things that he knew would please the Father. Pray for the opportunity this week to share your faith with a friend or even a random person that you meet in the grocery store checkout line and when the Lord provides that opportunity don't keep your mouth shut in fear but open it in praise of your Father in Heaven.