Our family is excited to announce that on Wednesday, January 26th, the program featuring our testimony, entitled “Finding Forgiveness for My Abortion” will air on Focus on the Family’s radio broadcast.

Boldness: The quality of standing out strongly and distinctly. If you are a true follower of the King of kings, you have a reason to be bold. You are commanded to be different, set apart from the world and to stand out strongly and distinctly.

At one point, my life was dominated by fear. The only concern I had was, “What will others think of me?” I did not take the time of day to question, “What does God think of me and my life?” If being accepted by others meant breaking off fellowship with the God of the Whole Universe, I chose people over God. This got me nowhere. Not only did I let down the people I longed to please, but I also was never able to attain a personal relationship with God, leaving me completely unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Now, if this sounds like you, I have a few words to encourage you with and hopefully guide you toward the right path, the bold path.

Every one of us has a story. A story of how God has worked in your life, how he changed you from what you were, to where you are now, and how he is continually conforming you to the image of His Son. If you have such a story, God has commanded you to speak in the light, and preach on the housetops, to proclaim his truth to all.

In one of Tom Harmon’s recent messages he told the audience of a time in his life where he was ashamed of the word of God. At the time he denied it of course, but when the rubber hit the road, he knew he was guilty of just that. Until one day someone asked him, “You don’t take the word of God literally do you?” That was the last straw for him, he turned around and said proudly and honestly, “I take it literally, laterally, horizontally, vertically, and any way God says it I take it!” This is the kind of boldness I am talking about.

Now, let’s think about this in human perspectives. Say, someone does something for you that you did not expect, something so kind it changed your life forever. Now, would you be ashamed to be friends with this person, to give credit to this person for doing what they did for you? I sure hope not. And in the same way Jesus gave His life for us, changed us, and brought us into His family. We did not deserve it, and we didn’t even ask for it, but He did. How could we ever be ashamed of Him, how could we ever be afraid to say He is our friend and our Savior?

There will always be people in your life that will question you, your faith, and your standards. They will not understand why you must be different. Next time you are questioned, be bold in your answers, do not apologize for what you believe in, and they will wonder what can cause you to speak without fear of consequences or what others may think. If you are not ashamed of Him, He will not be ashamed of you.

Live like you have a purpose. Walk with a spring in your step, and a smile on your face, and always, always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you. People want something to live for and to die for. It is better for a man to die standing than to live on his knees. Remember, your life is not an apology it is a statement!

In In relation to all that I’ve said, I have one word of caution. If you are going to be bold and be strong, make sure you know the one you are defending, personally. If you are secretly in the throes of sin and addiction and someone asks, do you believe in the word of God, are you a follower of Christ? What authority do you have to speak against their ways, or say you know God? Make sure you are right with God, a clear conscience makes for a bold person.

I leave with you this exhortation from our Lord Jesus Christ, Mathew 10:26-33 says to you, “Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

Below: Photos from the latest Global Encounters trip to Southeast Asia

For testimonies or for information on Global Encounters, please visit Global Encounters or IBLP

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19

Following Jesus Christ and obeying His commands has been a truth stressed in our family for a number of years. Being a pastor’s daughter, I have seen many youth of the present-day Christian church walk away from the things of the Lord and attempt works in the power of their flesh. My heart breaks as I hear story after story of sons and daughters choosing the ‘broad way’.

One of the key principles in faithfully following Christ is a daily submission of our wills. A surrendered person is a broken person. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” A state of surrender involves losing ourselves in the will of God. This is done by giving our purposes to the Lord and embracing His purpose in our lives (knowing and serving Him and making disciples).

Too often, Bible-believing Christians are categorized as hypocrites. This is because the world is seeing us ‘talk the talk’ but not ‘walk the walk’. They see us living for our own selfish ambitions but claiming we love Christ and are following Him whole-heartedly. It’s a life of contradiction. No wonder our youth are falling away!

We will never be able to be fishers of men and draw others to the love of Jesus unless we begin to follow Christ by taking heed to the Spirit and obey His commands. We are to be the light of the world shining bright for the Lord! When others see our good works they will be able to glorify the Father which is in heaven!

I admit that I am continually learning to dethrone my intellect and allow Christ to sit on the throne of my heart. Though many instances in my life, I have had to learn the hard way. Accomplishing my will always results in hardship, pain, suffering, and sorrow but following Christ and discipling others results in a life of freedom, joy and peace. Not only am I blessed in the process but Jesus Christ is glorified!