A boy was possessed by a mute and deaf spirit, but all the religious leaders could do was discuss it. On another occasion, on the afternoon of His Resurrection, the apostles had abandoned the Lord, then Jesus had been crucified, Judas had committed suicide, but the two disciples on the road to Emmaus made small-talk about major happenings (Lk 24:14-15).
"The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Cor 4:20). The "preaching of the gospel" should not be "a mere matter of words for you but one of power" in the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 1:5). St. Paul commanded St. Timothy: "Keep reminding people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about mere words. This does no good and can be the ruin of those who listen" (2 Tm 2:14). "Avoid worldly, idle talk, for those who indulge in it become more and more godless, and the influence of their talk will spread like the plague" (2 Tm 2:16-17).
It's time to stop talking and start walking. We've run on at the mouth too long. The world doesn't need to hear anymore lip-service from Christians. It's time to put our money and lives where our mouths are. It's time to put up or shut up. Let's stop merely discussing the world's problems. Let's win this world for Jesus Christ.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I show the world what You can do. |
| PROMISE: | "The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." –Jas 3:18 |
| PRAISE: | St. Peter Damian was an orphan. One of his brothers was cruel to him, but another brother treated him kindly and paid for his education. Peter later became a Benedictine monk. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College