-March 3, 2023-
Good morning, happy Friday,
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
(Mark 8:38).
We have many opportunities to stand for the Lord Jesus and His Word. Today, the Lord gave me a wonderful opportunity to take a stand for my Lord and Savior and to articulate my convictions in a public setting: the Superior Court here in my county in California. I was prospective juror number two and time came for the attorney for the defense to question me, I had to speak the truth. The subject of homosexuality came up as part of the case. First I raised my hand when he asked if anyone belonged to a religion that believes it is a sin. A few of the folks answered that it is part of their religion, but they don’t feel that way themselves.
When the attorney asked me what I believed, I said, “I am a born again Christian and I follow the Bible. It says that homosexuality is a sin. Then he asked me how important it is to me. I replied, it is the most important thing in my life to live for the Lord and serve Him.” Later, after our lunch break in the jury selection process, the defense attorney dismissed me as part of his peremptory challenges. The prosecutor wanted to keep me, but the defense had the right to dismiss me. I have been dismissed from every jury I have ever been called to due to my strong beliefs in the Bible.
I was so thankful that I could identify myself publicly as a Christian who believes the truth and stands up for it and speaks up for my Lord. I left that courtroom so joyful and thankful. Acts 5:41 says of Peter and John after they were beaten, told not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus, and released, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
May the Lord give us great courage and holy boldness to speak for Him and to stand for and on the truth of His Word. If we believe it, we must show it, speak it, and live it. There is great power in our personal testimony.
Have a blessed and courageous day standing up for Christ in this adulterous and sinful generation,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 