Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
Taking Some Flak Theme of the Week: A Spiritual Workout Thursday, April 15, 2004
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Men of IntegrityMarch/April 2004Taking Some FlakTheme of the Week: A Spiritual WorkoutThursday, April 1572
Key Bible Verse: "God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God" (Matthew 5:10). Bonus Reading:Matthew 5:10–12
I have a friend who served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. I will always remember him telling me this: "You know you're flying over the right target when you're being shot at." That statement reminds me of one way we can know we're living the Christian life the way it's supposed to be lived—persecution. When we live for Christ we will be targeted.
Being a Christian is mostly acceptable in our culture. But that acceptability ends when our faith actually impacts how we live and talk. It's hard to think of being insulted and mistreated as being a blessing, but Jesus tells us not to despair because suffering for Him puts us in good company.
That company includes a host of prophets who have endured persecution before us. This distinguished company also includes Jesus Himself, who, though He was completely innocent of any wrongdoing, was persecuted to the point of being hung on a cross to die a humiliating, agonizing death on our behalf.
Nobody enjoys being ridiculed, mocked, or abused. But when that happens as a result of our stand for Jesus Christ, we know we're on target.
—Crawford W. Loritts Jr. in Lessons from a Life Coach
My Response: Have I ever felt like I was being shot at simply because I'd taken a stand for Christ?
Thought to Apply: Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.
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