Verse of the Day 2/4

Verse of the Day 2/4

 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

As I had mentioned the other day, our youth group participated in a "Walking Wisely Weekend".  The theme through the weekend was "labels", what they can do to and for us, how they can affect our lives.

 

I do not like rap music and the guest musician for a Saturday night concert was a Christian  rap artist KB. I was willing to be there and to listen because of the kids.  As he performed, my opinion of rap music didn't change.  But this rap artist had a great testimony and shared experiences of his standing up for his faith in difficult situations.  In his ministry and his life, his key verse is Romans 1:16 "for I am not ashamed of the gospel".  When it comes down to it, that is who he is first, a Christian, a Christ follower.  The other labels don't matter.

 

We discussed labels among our small group and the leaders were asked to give a couple of labels to the kids in their small groups that evening.  As I thought about it that night, each kid in our group was given a label, something like "leader" or "encourager" or "professor".  But one that I'd like to be able to put on them and have them take to heart would to "faithful".  That they would grow to be faithful to their friends, families, and most importantly to their Lord and Savior.

 

When pressed by someone about their faith, may they be able to say "I am not ashamed" and may that label "faithful" encourage and challenge them to do so.  Even if at times we may falter, we can still be faithful, we can get back up again with the help and power of God, who is always faithful.  As The Message says in verse 17," gives us a picture what being faithful looks like, " the person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives".

 

May those kids, may we be "faithful" and really live.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Romans 1:16-17

The Message (MSG)

^16-17 It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives."