Quote from Forum Archives on November 5, 2002, 9:47 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Today, I'd like to return back to the message from the series
that Larry Davies began a few weeks ago. If you've been reading
along with the series, you may recall that Larry tried to apply
the scripture that deals with what we eat to other practical
matters. His first "experiment" was to stop drinking, and see if
that'd give him an opportunity to share... it did, and he
stumbled... the first time.

God is good, no, He's much more than good, He's the best. God
worked with my friend Larry. Before you know it, Larry learned
to share his faith in many different ways. Today, he shares
these powerful messages, which go way past his local church onto
the Internet and beyond! 🙂

I'll tell you what. I stumble a lot, too. Everything within me
wants to share about the goodness of God. Sometimes my own
arrogance gets in the way of sharing, sometimes my fear of (fill
in the blank) gets in the way, and still other times, God manages
to use me in some way, often in spite of my weakness, and mostly
because of it!

There are still times that I really blow a good opportunity to
share my faith with others, and other times when I do try to
share my faith and I bumble it up horribly. Even so, I want to
be known as one who wants to encourage others, even as I, myself,
also need encouragement. Perhaps today you fall into a similar
space.

Please read Larry's message this week and think about the ways in
which you can be like someone who chooses not to eat pork. How
can God work in the situations in your life, and how can you
respond to them? Please read, not only the message here, but
read the scriptures, then pray. Finally, say Yes to God and
allow Him to do things in your life. God initiates, we respond.
Let that process work. I certainly intend to do so!

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

>From now until Christmas, it's the best price yet for my best
book yet. "Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit" lists for $24.95 and
is now only $10 and better yet... each book is signed by the
author but with this price there is a limit of four books please.
My hands can't sign anymore without getting cramps. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Refresh your memory and read part one by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/pork1.htm

"I Don't Eat Pork..." Part 2 Larry Davies

According to author Alex Haley, when a prisoner said, "I don't
eat pork!" he took a first step toward God. "If you will take one
step toward God. God will take two steps toward you." As sincere
and committed Christians we too must be prepared to stand up and
say, "I don't eat pork!" Our priorities should change. We claim
to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul and with
all our mind. We say we love others as much as we do ourselves.
So, we should act different. We should think different. Shouldn't
we? This noticeable change in attitude becomes our witness to the
outside world.

Paul challenges us in Corinthians to be wary of eating meat which
has been sacrificed to idols. At first glance, this Scripture
doesn't make much sense so I discovered a more appropriate
example: alcohol. I made a personal decision to stop drinking
because I could influence others who have a problem. I also
figured not drinking in a drinking crowd would give me an
opportunity to talk about God.

Sure enough, the first time I attended a business meeting,
someone asked, "why aren't you drinking?" This is what I prayed
for! Here was my chance to say loudly and clearly to someone: "I
don't eat pork!" This was my opening to be a witness for
Christ... to share my faith. So what was my response to this God
given opportunity? "I'm not drinking because... I'm on a diet."
I'm on a diet? Is that lame or what?

Eventually, I did summon up the courage to tell others how my
life has changed and I used those opportunities to share my
faith. In many ways, this was my first hesitating step toward God
and it wasn't long before God took many steps toward me. But,
this story is not about drinking but about being a more effective
witness. There are other ways we can say to the world, "I don't
eat pork!"

I also had a bad habit of occasionally entertaining my friends
with off-color stories and jokes. My newfound faith demanded
better. At first, I simply walked away from the crowd when the
jokes turned spicy but that only made me look judgmental and
cold. So, I discovered a better way by learning to tell new
stories with a more spiritual message. Maybe this was my
preparation for ministry. (Just kidding!)

"Disciple Bible Study" is taught every year at our church and
requires a daily habit of Scripture reading. Students frequently
take their Bibles to work so they can read during breaks. Before
the course ends at least one student will mention someone from
work approaching their desk asking, "Why are you reading the
Bible so much?" which produces another golden opportunity to
share their faith.

One family met for lunch after church every Sunday and spent the
entire meal criticizing their pastor and church. One woman was
deeply concerned but didn't know what to say? She tried being
quiet. She tried making more positive statements. Nothing seemed
to work. "Maybe I should just tell them off, get up from the
table and leave!" she said. "But they're my family. I love them.
What should I do?"

Several weeks later, she approached me with a smile and said,
"The Lord answered my prayers. Last Sunday during lunch when the
conversation began to sour, I suggested we try saying a prayer
for our pastor and church. There was a long silence but my uncle
finally said, 'I think it's a great idea,' and next thing I knew
we were praying together and afterward, the criticism
miraculously stopped."

Every day, God gives you a chance to say to the world, "I don't
eat pork." Or try this question: "If you were arrested for being
a Christian... would they have enough evidence to convict you?"
Paul goes on to say, "Anyone who claims to all the answers
doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is
the one God knows and cares for." (1 Cor. 8:2-3) Actions speak
louder than words.

John was trying to leave for the long journey home. But a
snowstorm developed and traffic advisories urged everyone to stay
off the roads. "It's all interstate. I can make it." John
thought. Within an hour, John regretted his decision. The snow
was coming so thick he could hardly move. Finally pulling off
under an overpass, John tried to figure what to do. Then, he
heard a tapping on his window. "Sorry to bother you," the
stranger said. I saw you leave and I figured you knew what to do,
so I followed you."

Like it or not, we are all watched and followed. The question is:
"Are we leading in the right direction?"

Why don't you take a thirty day challenge and try a new creative
way of saying to the world, "I don't eat pork!" Please let me
know how you do. God bless. Larry

If you like this devotion you will love the book: "Breaking the
Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a Better Life"
now on sale only through this website. Click here for more
information: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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