Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

Never be afraid that you will offend someone by telling them the Gospel, or quoting the Word of God to them.

In our current era, we are bombarded from the worldly media with almost a repressive demand that we say only what is politically correct, because we might "offend" somebody or "hurt somebody's feelings". This is of course being adequately policed by the ACLU and other lawsuit-happy types who will back up their not-so-subtle attempts at thought control with legal action or even criminal action. It seems to be having the overall effect of fulfilling one of Jesus' prophecies, wherein he said ....

{9} Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, 
and shall kill you:
 and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 
{10} And then shall many be offended, 
and shall betray one another,
 and shall hate one another. 
{11} And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 
{12} And because iniquity shall abound, 
the love of many shall grow cold. 
{13} But he that shall endure unto the end,
 the same shall be saved. 
Mat 24:8-13 

The Bible is quite specific that it is the Word of God that has the inherent power to change lives. That is why I always try to include at least one Bible verse with the devotionals...Without the Word present, the stories lack the power on their own to change a person's life. Consider this multiple choice test...

Heb 4:12 (KJV) For _______?______is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Fill in the blank with one of these possible answers: 

a) a cute little pithy story
b) a cleverly written poem
c) man's cunningly devised ideas
d) fuzzy bunnies hopping across a screen full of hearts
e) the Word of God 

Please understand: I went for almost 30 years as a born-again, spirit-filled christian with only a very few actual face to face conversions... I always had this negative feedback feeling when I would quote a Bible passage to someone, like this is some kind of foolish statement..or it was falling on empty ears..or the person would get offended by what I said. Certainly we can't offend somebody by quoting scripture to them , especially when we are trying to witness to them.... 

Well guess what...That is What the Word of God is For !!  Jesus said that "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.!" . Note also this surprising attitude about offending people displayed by the Saviour..

Mat 15:10-14 (KJV) And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: {11} Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. {12} Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? {13} But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. {14} Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Apparently, Jesus is not worried about offending people with His Word. Why should we? I believe that it is this offence that serves to wake people up out of the doldrums of worldly induced apathy. ("I would that you were either Hot or Cold")

It wasnt until I made this discovery that my personal ministry really took off..I have been priviledged to lead more people to Christ in the last 2 years than I even ever talked to the last 30 years. Hundreds...maybe thousands..and why?? I attribute it to finally getting the proper respect for the inherent power of the Word of God itself. I just quote the appropriate scripture and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. I dont worry about the consequences because God is in control, sees into the person's heart, and keeps pounding the Word into their memory until it "accomplishes the thing whereunto He sent it."

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: 
it shall not return unto me void, 
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
 and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
 Isa 55:11 (KJV) 

As the Scriptures express it, 
"See, I am sending Christ to be the carefully chosen, 
precious Cornerstone of my church, 
and I will never disappoint those who trust in him." 

{7} Yes, he is very precious to you who believe; 
and to those who reject him, well-- 
"The same Stone that was rejected by the builders
 has become the Cornerstone, 
the most honored and important part of the building." 

{8} And the Scriptures also say, 
"He is the Stone that some will stumble over, 
and the Rock that will make them fall." 
They will stumble because they will not listen to God's Word nor obey it,
 and so this punishment must follow--that they will fall.
1 Pet 2:6-8 (TLB) 

And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus--
who will someday judge the living and the dead
 when he appears to set up his Kingdom-- 
{2} to preach the Word of God urgently at all times, 
whenever you get the chance,
 in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not.

 Correct and rebuke your people when they need it, 
encourage them to do right, 
and all the time be feeding them patiently with God's Word.

 {3} For there is going to come a time 
when people won't listen to the truth 
but will go around looking for teachers
 who will tell them just what they want to hear. 
{4} They won't listen to what the Bible says 
but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas. 

{5} Stand steady, and don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
 Bring others to Christ. Leave nothing undone that you ought to do.
 2 Tim 4:1-5 (TLB) 

In Christ.....brother bob.....<><

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 IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS 
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God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><

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