Comments on: Following at a Distance and a Giveaway

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:28:05 +0000

My daughter has inspired me to be much bolder about my faith. She has such a passion for telling others about Christ and living for Him. Her mission this spring was to make sure all the girls in her dance class knew about Jesus, and over the summer she’s been witnessing to our neighbor and her two grown sons. (Did I mention that she’s only five–turning six next week?) Instead of allowing myself to become uncomfortable or even embarrassed, I have chosen to embrace her boldness and encourage her.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:39:39 +0000

Dear Karen,

Thank you for this message. Over the years as my relationship with Christ has grown I have come to many conclusions. One conclusion is that many people want to know more about Christ than they let on. For the most part, they have a desire to dig deeper, but even as most devout Christians face, they fear what everyone is going to think. It may seem like they are not listening or are disinterested, but in fact they are taking in every word. I often refer to these people as “closet Christians” just waiting to come out.

Second, I’ve noticed that the more bold I have become for standing up for Christ the more credibility I have with others. Who is going to ask someone for prayer if that person doesn’t stand up for the God they serve? It’s at these times that God is using our “unspoken testimonies” to witness for us on our behalf. In today’s world people are watching more than they are listening.

Confidence is key. When you know God, I mean truly know God, I think it is impossible not to reflect Him in everything you do.

Be blessed,
Melissa
New Jersey

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:36:26 +0000

Nice post Karen. It definitely is giving me something to think about. I do fly that Jesus flag proudly, but I’m kinda hung up on the friend point you made. Support is so important and I liked your “two is better than one”, but it’s hard to find that someone with everyone’s busy schedules. My Christian friends always seem so busy with their families or work. It’s hard to find someone that has the same time to read, reflect, and share as I do. But I will continue to ask in prayer. I do love all you Proverbs 31 women and get such encouragement from your devotions and blogs. I’m grateful you all share so much. Lysa’s book would be great, thanks for the chance to win it!

By: Karen Ehman

Karen Ehman — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:37:58 +0000

Okay ladies….keep the comments coming. The winner of the Bible study basket-in-a-box will be chosen Wednesday or Thursday. Have a Jesus filled rest of the week!!!

By: Judy

Judy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:23:45 +0000

This devotional was directed straight at me. I have been a Christian for many years but it has been lately that I have been convicted that I am not doing all I could for the Lord. I was running and hiding but not I have moved to walking behind at a distance. I look forward to stepping to the work Christ called all Christian to do. Thank you for sharing and following your calling in Christ.

By: momandlovingit

momandlovingit — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:38:29 +0000

Thanks Karen for the reminder to follow closely…I love when I’m walking with Jesus, or right behind Him. Sometimes it’s not that I’m avoiding him, I just get out in front…a bad place to be. Blessings!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:20:40 +0000

Thanks for the reminder…it’s easy some days to get sidetracked..by junk!

By: Kim Botdorf

Kim Botdorf — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:02:51 +0000

I am really learning to open up and let God into my life. He has always been there just intermittently and more of a back burner thought. But a lot of recent happenings just can’t be explained away anymore as coincidence, least not to me, I really believe what HAS been going on is a direct result of letting Him in. However it IS still all so new to me and daily I wonder “am I doing this right” but I suppose with anything new we attempt in life, even a walk with Jesus, we will wonder if we are doing it right.
After receiving some trying news on Sunday in relation to a life event for me, I was just too tired to feel like cooking… So I stopped to grab a salad at McDonalds and read and journal in my book The Purpose Driven Life. I was pleasantly shocked that I was hearing Christian music playing over the speaker system.
I just stopped and listened for a bit, shocked but pleasantly surprised. Now I must say just months ago I would have said ‘hey that’s pretty cool’ and left it at that. But not this time… this time I felt a strong compelling need to tell the manager how awesome I thought it was.
I stopped at the counter and ask to speak to the manager, much to the horror on the workers faces, even after assuring them it was nothing bad. Finally the manager comes up front; I introduced myself, and said “in today’s world where God is so taboo to speak of, I want to applaud you for stepping out for Jesus and playing such wonderful Christian music in your establishment!” I don’t think he was quite sure how to take me or what I was saying, but no matter, I felt he needed to know it was a wonderful thing.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:44:21 +0000

I think that the key to sharing Christ with boldness has a lot to do with being personally in love with God’s Word. His Word is what should shape our attitudes and thoughts. I think that if we loved and really read God’s Word… and did what it says, we would naturally “fly the Jesus flag early”. God has been showing me a lot lately that to be a light, my life has to be different than darkness. In Isaiah chapter 5, we find what happens when we do not listen to God’s instruction. Basically, it sounds a whole lot like our culture today- mixing up good and evil. If we want Jesus to be seen in us, we have to be grounded in his truth.

By: Bobbey S

Bobbey S — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:06:29 +0000

I read this devotion this morning. (Later than posted, I know) I knew right away it spoke directly to me. I do not speak boldy to my extended family b/c of the judgment they cast upon me. Nothing compared the the judgment Jesus bore on my behalf! And then God (ever so gently) placed in my mind other circumstances in my life that I realized I do hang back like Peter, much more than I ever thought. It was painful to really admit the truth. I’m bold when with like minded folks and as timid as a mouse when unsure. I spent my morning walk this morning praying for confidence and boldness. It’s not like He’s going to leave me hanging out there all on my own. I like the idea of flying my flag early. I admire the zeal of Paul and Peter’s change to prominent and BOLD leader of the early church. I’m praying God will change me just as He did Peter!