Don't shut up, give up!

Daily Reading Acts 18:1-17

It catches my attention how lucky Paul was to be going from place to place.  Missionaries all over the world do the same thing.  They go from their native home to witness to others.  Here Paul had left Athens and came to Corinth.  Silas and Timothy had just come from Macedonia.  Their eyes were fixed on preaching and testifying to people everywhere. 

How can this fit into my life?  The Lord speaks "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack or harm you, because I have many people in this city."  Acts 18:9 and 10. 

How wonderful to hear GOD's voice so perfectly clear!  How many times in the bible do those first four words appear?  70 TIMES! http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=Do+not+be+afraid&searchtype=phrase&version1=31&language1=en&spanbegin=1&spanend=73

GOD certainly doesn't want us to be afraid.  Even though our mouths may slip and we say something wrong HE doesn't want us to keep silent.  Instead we need to put our mouths in HIS hands.  When negative words come out of our mouths, when negative thoughts enter our minds we need to stop and pray for HIM to take our words from us and give us HIS own words.  GOD is with us everyday and in every situation.  He promises us that we aren't going to be harmed but we need to be in HIS arms.  We need to put HIM in charge of our lives. 

When we are feeling lonely and isolated we don't have far to look because GOD has "many people in this city."  Maybe you are in China or India where Christianity isn't welcome.  GOD has many people there.  Maybe you are in New York, LA, Chicago, or even Collinsville, Illinois.  GOD has many people there as well. 

Those people are there to fellowship with you.  They are there to encourage you and for you to encourage also.  Don't be afraid to witness where you are.  Let GOD take over your mouth wherever you are.  You don't have to go anywhere to be a witness for GOD.  Just give up your mouth to HIM.

Father GOD, please take my words away from me.  Put in their place the words YOU have to share with my little world.

"Trust and Obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." (song)