Ironic! That’s the word to describe today’s news and our online devotional. Although when it comes to the kingdom of God, irony is a normal occurrence in the believers life, we call it divine providence. The new’s headliner was a match in content and theme in today’s scripture reading. (This was Monday’s reading)

Under the smokescreen of not disturbing or offending others, officials announced the christian should be silent in their prayers and ultimately their convictions.

TODAY'S HEADLINER:

Europe on Brink: Christians Told To ‘Pray In Silence… Don’t Disturb The Migrants’

“Parishioners visiting a church in Italy were told they must “pray in silence” so as not to disturb African migrants being housed there.” According to Breitbart News.

Ironically, this news is delivered to us on the starting of Ramadan, a muslim asceticism, to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk.

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL:

Acts 4:1-2, 18-24

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! …

… 24 When they heard this (christians), they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,”…

The disturbing news from the Sanhedrin to abstain from vocalizing their faith, was a badge of honor and reason to worship God all the more.

SILENCE THE CHRISTIAN

Okay, this would seem to be an acceptable and reasonable ubiquitous mantra of the secularist and the humanist, to silence the Christian, but it is also being requested by other christians. “Let’s just be quiet about your religion (christians) because we shouldn’t make people feel awkward about your beliefs!”

Really? Even though our belief in God and the Holy Scriptures tell us to “go and let people know” that Jesus is the only way to gain eternal life - that souls without God will end in eternal damnation. Sure, why talk about that?! Why speak out of the most important event ever in a persons life, to help turn loved ones to a loving God through believing in Jesus Christ? We all can recite John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” I think this good news is certainly disturbing!

Although all other religions and their public demonstrations are tolerated and even praised or encouraged, christianity is seen as a “disturbing” religion, mostly by an anti-christian crowd guided by the media, which is impacting our culture’s ideas: to purport all other beliefs to be displayed prominently and celebrated while resenting and mocking the christian faith as being irrelevant and intolerable.

Today the shooting of Harambe (a gorilla) received six times more media coverage than did the beheadings of christians by Isis. The scant mentions of the Christian slaughter at the hands of Islamic jihadists pale in comparison to the lavish attention paid to the epic saga of the death of one gorilla.

THE RELIGION OF LOVE

A follower of Christ is about loving God and loving people. Hating the types of destructive behavior (sin) does not mean we hate people. On the contrary, to address the truth, is the ultimate form of love; but the world can not comprehend this juxtaposition.

Prayer is not a silent activity; and witnessing (giving an account) of God’s grace and truth is our biblical mandate by God; and in the United States - it is our right to speak out. Yet, I find it disturbing that many have bought into the lie that we must be quiet in the public places of our faith in God and don’t talk about the things that make people feel uncomfortable.

Today, I am submitting to you, that we can not be silent! We must speak out! We must share our faith! We must pray out-loud and believe! We must follow Christ Jesus and say to our selves and each other as Peter and John did when they said in their speech to the authorities, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

It’s easier to join the massive crowd of men-pleasers than to have the courage to stand as a God-pleaser and proclaim your faith without fear. But stand in grace and faith and God will give us the courage.

Let’s adopt our bible’s example and mandate of how we should behave - not someone’s smokescreen of false truth.

Read your Bible, pray every day and share the love of God with others.

SILENCE THE CHRISTIAN

Don Calkins

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