You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
Today is Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. The day when we remember the arrest of Jesus in the garden at Gethsemane. The day when all His disciples, who had been with Him for three years and witnessed His power through His many miracles, and who should have known better; the day when they all fled away in fear. The day Judas betrayed Him and Peter denied knowing Him.
The day when all who claimed they loved Him abandoned Him to His fate.
Roll forwards two thousand years.
How about us today? Do we also abandon Christ and flee away when we hesitate to proclaim our Christian faith for fear of being laughed at, mocked and shunned by our friends?
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteWell, we have had family members that mocked us but we only can pray for them that they will find their way back one day before it is too late! It is oh so valuable that our ancestors passed this on to each generation and I'm grateful to my Mom especially who said a sweet evening prayer before she tucked us in... it felt so good and protected, safe and peaceful. That feeling I want to hold on till I get tucked in one last time.
Hugs,
Mariette
I know what you mean, Mariette. It is very sad indeed when members of our family wander away from God. Sometimes there is nothing we can really do but pray for them over and over again. To talk to them could well lead them further away. Praying for you all.
DeleteGod bless.
💞
Delete...actions speak louder than words.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Tom.
DeleteGod bless.
Jesus said 'You will be hated because of my name.' I would rather be hated by the whole world and loved by Jesus than loved by the whole world and not acknowledged Jesus. I love sharing the gospel, and find there are many who don't gather in a 'church' building that want to know about Him. God bless.
ReplyDeleteAmen Brenda.
DeleteGod bless.
I am enjoying each visit. Love your 'insight' into our human soul. Take care. U B OK if you keep your eyes open and on Him I hear you say!
ReplyDeleteLove Sherry & jack
You are very kind people, Sherry and Jack. And you're always welcome here. Wishing you both happiness and good health always.
DeleteGod bless my friends.
Great lyric to accompany this post!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of something one of the ladies in our Bible study was saying the other day: One of her employees has been habitually late and finally shared with M. that she's going through a nasty divorce. M. said, while she was quick to understand, she's said that she didn't ask the woman if she might pray with her. See, M. says she has a fierce rule about keeping her personal and business life separate. Now, she's beating herself up a bit for being reluctant to bring God into her workplace, maybe for what others might think.
This is always a difficult situation, Mevely; and often we must follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. My advice to M is that when a similar situation occurs, as the other person is relating her/his problems, then M should pray SILENTLY for that person. M should hand over the situation to God and ask Him to take care of that person. Whilst M is praying silently, and listening to the other person, sometimes the Holy Spirit gives guidance. Sometimes you get the feeling that it is better to say nothing religious, but just to sympathise and offer practical help. At other times, you get the feeling to just say something in passing, like: "praying for you" or "God bless". Nothing more. Often just those few words are enough as a testament to God and a great help to the person in difficulty.
DeleteThis situation happens to me often and I pray silently for the one in need. You'd be surprised how just the words "praying for you" helps and encourages the other person. Even if they are not Christian, or not religious, just these few words brighten their face for a moment. There is no need to "preach" or talk about God or anything. Just say, "praying for you". I then leave the rest to God. That person is now in His care. I, (or you or M), am/are only a channel for His love to flow through to the person in need.
God bless, Mevely.
Thank you, Victor! Were I that person, I'd be far more comfortable hearing what you've illustrated. I've noticed people here (in the South) are far more forthcoming about sharing their love of God with friends and even strangers.
DeleteThank you dear friend,
DeleteOften, we don't need to proclaim our love of God verbally and openly to friends and strangers. All we need do is pray for them silently, and say something encouraging and meaningful. Something like "God bless".
I've found it often works, especially when the recipient does not expect me to say such a thing.
On one occasion, the recipient literally just jumped back a little, said nothing, and then smiled. A smile that said it all.
God bless you, Mevely.
Mevely, let me add something else that happened to me.
DeleteYears ago, when I worked in London, I had a boss who got very ill. He recovered, (for a while), and returned to work. It was obvious he was not at all well. He was not a Christian - a total non-believer.
Once he was complaining of pains and difficulties of doing things because of his illness. I listen carefully and did not know what to say, or how to sympathise. When he finished talking, and as he was leaving my room, I said, "I shall be praying for you!"
He stopped, smirked and said, "Fat lot of good it will do!"
He may have dismissed me, but just those words had made a connection and he knew for the first time that I was a Christian.
Often, we don't need to say much to proclaim our faith.
God bless always.
Jesus did tell us to be prepared to be hated by the world because we belonged to Him. I will stand with my Lord and Savior, Victor.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Amen Martha. Christ will give us the courage to stand up with Him and for Him when the time comes to do so.
DeleteGod bless.
I believe we do because people, me included, are afraid sometimes if we are around others we don't know. It's not right but it's true. It's something that needs to be worked on.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is not always easy, Bill. Christ will give us the courage when we need it most. We should trust Him more.
DeleteGod bless you.
Not me, I am not ashamed of my Savior!! :) One thing it cost me is my daughter! She wants nothing to do with me.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, Happyone. Pray and I'll join you in prayers too.
DeleteGod bless always.
My friends are like-minded. I have no problems discussing religion with them, but thanks to Covid I am out of practice interacting with people. I'm looking forward to changing that in the future.
ReplyDeleteGlad your friends are like-minded Kathy. As for being out of practice at interacting - do like me. I just drop to the ground as if I've fainted. They pick me up again and start a conversation.
DeleteGod bless. Ooops ... I'm on the ground again!
He sympathizes with our weaknesses. When i have a chance, i do witness for Him, although i am sure i could do better.
ReplyDeleteWe can all do better, Mimi.
DeleteGod bless you.
It isn’t hard for me to proclaim Jesus as my Savior, however; when the going gets really tough, we don’t know what we will do. I just pray that I will be strong and steadfast in my belief. Blessings
ReplyDeleteAmen Nells. None of us know how we will behave when the going gets really tough. But we know that Christ will be there to help us.
DeleteGod bless.
A blessed Triduum to all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Manny. Same to you.
DeleteGod bless.