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Today, the prompt at the Five Minute Friday group of free-writers is the word "honor."
This is what immediately came to mind:
Often when someone has been chosen out of a group of people, they will say, "It's an honor to represent you."
Ambassadors are chosen to be an authorized representative or messenger. What an honor it would be to represent your country to the world!
Along the same vein, what an honor believers have because they are ambassadors for Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:20 New Living Translation
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
I've got to be honest, I don't always feel honored if I state I'm a believer in certain settings.. Sometimes, because of our own thoughtlessness, we have not been a great witness to the world about the power of living for Christ.
How do we show the world we are Christians? Jesus himself said the world would know we are His by the love we show one another. (See John 13:35).
In another place in scripture we are told the world will know God had sent Jesus by our unity. (See John 17:21).
Love and unity. Easy to talk about, hard to do.
I pray we, as the universal church, will start taking baby steps toward these goals. Let's focus more on ways we are alike then our doctrinal differences.
The important thing is ... if we love Jesus, we need to show it to the world. Shine our lights like a city on a hill. Darkness just makes light brighter.
~~
As always, when participating with the Five Minute Friday writers, I free write on the prompt for five minutes, later going back to add scriptures and photos.
For the past year or so, I've been writing scripture prayers. So often, there will be a prayer that goes along with the prompt; so I'm sharing a scripture and a prayer from November of 2024 that speaks about the honor of being a temple of the Lord. Hope you enjoy!
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.
Psalm 27:4-6 NLT
Father,
I
love this passage of scripture because I’m a church girl at heart. I love to be
at Your house. And it seems to me, the sanctuary is the safest place to be.
Yet,
I know wherever a child of God is, he is the temple of God and You are there
with him! What an honor! You are actually doing everyday life with us.
But
I also notice the scripture that says we will offer sacrifices with shouts of
joy … hmm … could it be our worship is too quiet?
Granted,
there are times with worship is reflection and there is a peaceful atmosphere;
but on the whole, should there be more shouting going on? More singing? More
praising?
Lord,
lead us to worship You as You desire – not only when we are gathered together,
but also in our daily lives.
I
ask now for blessing and protection for my friends and me. Guide us into our
callings and make us fruitful. Bless our families and may there be harmony in
the dwelling of every Christ follower.
In
Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.
~~
Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.
This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series on my other blog, A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.