Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Remaining Silent
Acts 18: 1-11
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 “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent” Acts (9)

Years ago I read a story about an atheist philosophy professor and his pursuit of proving God does not exist to his students. After a semester of trying to prove this, on the last day of the class he would ask if anyone still believes in God to stand. He proceeded to take a piece of chalk and drop it saying if God existed he could prevent this chalk from breaking. No one ever stood and the chalk always shattered. In one class a believer knowing what was waiting on the last day prayed daily for the strength to stand when the time came. On the last day the Professor called on anyone who still believed in God to stand. To the shock of the class and the Professor the believer stood. In disbelief the Professor calling the student a fool said if God exists he would stop this chalk from breaking. As he went to drop the chalk it slipped rolling down his arm and leg off his foot landing on the floor in one piece. The story ends with the Professor running out and the student preaching to 300 students holding them all in awe.
This modern day parable presents us with a very poignant question. Would we stand and proclaim our faith or sit in silence with hopes of some self-preservation? As Paul moved from town to town preaching the word, he had no notion of what would happen there. Often he would draw more people to Christ, or he would be called a lunatic. Some would even go so far as trying to physically assault him. He had uncertainty of what his day would end like, and Paul did have fear while doing this. A fear that was great enough for God to intercede and say do not fear, I am with you. What would the world look like if Paul ignored God and thought about self-preservation over his faith?
In our day to day lives how many opportunities do we get to share the love of God? How often do we refrain from doing so for fear of being looked at awkwardly or offending someone? When Paul preached he had to fear for his life, but he did so knowing that whatever may happen to him here, he has already received eternity through salvation. As believers we have been given same gift of through grace. When the opportunity presents itself to preach the word, we should pray as the student did for strength to stand and not be looking at self-preservation. This is our Corinth and God said “I am with you”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, We ask that in the moments when we can stand in faith or sit in silence You continue to remind us that we are not alone, and that we stand on Your strength.
Thought for the Day: God said “ I am with you”


Ryan Jacob, Long Island MTC, NY

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