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Key Bible Verse: "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32). Bonus Reading: Daniel 5:1-17

What if a senator or congressman appearing on [Meet the Press] would say on camera, "[Tim], we're going to be discussing some vital and sensitive issues. I wonder if we could begin with a word of prayer." Would [CBS] pull the plug on the show? Would his constituents immediately mount a recall campaign?

What if you were watching C-Span when your own congressman got up to address the House of Representatives, openly based his remarks on scriptural truth, intelligently delineating how this persuaded him to vote a certain way, and urged his fellow representatives to vote the same way? Would you say, "Whoa! I believe in the Bible, but this is going too far"?

Well, why should we consent to keep the most important aspect of our lives in a closet? Gays don't. The "politically correct" position is that a person's religion is private and shouldn't be publicly displayed. But is this scriptural? We need to earn the right to be heard, choose our battles wisely, and be sensitive and respectful. But can we be the salt He commands us to be if we refuse to acknowledge His ownership of our lives?

—Bob Briner in Roaring Lambs

My Response: Does being openly who I am sound farfetched? If so, why?

Thought to Apply: If India is the most religious country on our planet, and Sweden is the least religious, America is a land of Indians ruled by Swedes.—PETER BERGER (sociologist)

Adapted from Think Before You Look (Living Ink Books, 2005) by permission.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me to penetrate my corner of Your world with the salt of the gospel.

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