Watching

​Whenever Lee takes a new job, one of his first acts is to publically share with those he will be serving his faith in Jesus as his Savior and the priority He holds in his life.  There are several reasons Lee does this.  First, Jesus said in Matthew 10:32, “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.”  Second, by stating his conviction upfront, Lee makes himself accountable.  If he acts or speaks in a way incongruent with Jesus, those who work for him are quick to point out his error.  This also helps kill the temptation for him to do anything that might discredit God.  Third, by sharing his faith, opportunities arise for Lee to help those who are struggling and who would like prayer, counsel, or information how they too can follow Christ. 

Some employees do not like it that Lee makes public his testimony.  They will look for ways to discredit him or to accuse him of proselytizing as he lives out his convictions.  The challenge for Lee is to maintain his composure and not retaliate or be discouraged by those who question his every move   
 
Meditation
Luke 6:7—The scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely, to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against Him.
 
Imagine how frustrated Jesus must have felt with the religious leaders.  Instead of cheering when He healed a man’s paralyzed hand they got angry!  They were so concerned with their picky laws they could not celebrate miracles.  They did not spend time with Jesus to learn from Him.  They followed Him so as to scrutinize His every action and charge Him for any wrong move.   They watched without learning and observed without caring.  Their problem was their allegiance—they spent time with the Savior serving Satan’s agenda.  
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Are you willing like Lee, to let your every move be watched knowing that some simply hope you will err so they can harm you? Often it is those we would think would appreciate our values who are the first to cast stones.  Don’t despair.  Jesus did not stop ministering because He did not have the approval of the religious elite. He was following His Father’s agenda. Nor did He take on a martyr’s complex. We can become so proud of the fact that we are picked on, that we make our reputation more important than our mission. Jesus did not let this happen. When we identify with Christ, He blesses us.  We may find opposition and trouble on earth, but in heaven we will reap the reward of an approving Father!  
 
Inspiration
People are looking for a demonstration, not an explanation.—Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Evangelism
 
©2012 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)