Americans support a huge and cumbersome system of public schools.

Personal Mission Field/Transformation

Irish pastors were a powerful force for social and cultural change.

Personal Mission Field/Demonstration

Witnessing is first of all a way of being in the world.

It was sweet, it was unique, his skill at priestly matters. To people, inscrutable: he was a shelter to the naked, he was a teat to the poor.

  - Dallan Forgaill, Amra Choluimb Chille (Irish, 6th century)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

  - Acts 1.8

Jesus has given us His Spirit in order to make us His witnesses. This is first of all a way of being in the world, and only secondly a way of speaking. Yes, we must always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us. But Peter assumes (1 Pet. 3.15) that those asking will have seen something in us that evidences the hope of glory we have in Jesus Christ.

We live our witness for Jesus when we live like Jesus - selfless, serving others, bringing the good works of God's Law into every situation, showing the love of God in personal, human ways. Jesus said that the Spirit would help us to be witnesses so that, when the opportunity arose to speak our witness, it would come out of a credible way of life.

Columba (Colum Cille) was remembered as a generous and loving priest. There was always room for guests, strangers, and the needy in his monastery on Iona, and he treated each of the monks in his charge with the greatest respect and love. He was beloved not only as a giant of the Word and a bold missionary for Christ, but as one who "walked the talk."

Here's a challenge for each of us, one to be renewed every day: Do we live in such a way as to bring the presence of Jesus into every relationship, role, responsibility, and situation of our lives? Do others feel the presence of Christ through us? Are we daily demonstrating the reality of our claim to have been born again into the Kingdom of God?

Here there is a need for careful circumspection (Eph. 5.15-17). Pay attention to every opportunity to demonstrate the love of Jesus. If we'll work hard at being witnesses, when the opportunities arise to speak for Jesus, it will be easier for others to hear what we have to say.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

The tragic events of last Saturday in Tucson should be a summons to all Christians to seek the Lord for revival. Don't miss today's Revision.

Our course, "The Writing Pastor," begins next Monday. Register today. Or sign up for one of our mentoring opportunities. Check out the website's many offerings.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The events of last Saturday in Tucson are disturbing and sad, but they are not surprising.

Man-stealing--While slavery was allowed in ancient Israel, trade in slaves appears to have been discouraged.

Love Your Enemies--The Law of God included the rudiments for loving not only our neighbors but also our enemies.

Our Neighbor’s Keeper--Two principles are suggested by this statute.

The eighth commandment

Deuteronomy 23.24, 25

“‘If you go into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, as many as you wish, but you shall not put any in your bag. If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.’”

Two principles are suggested by this statute. First, Israel was to remember that the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Ps. 24:1). They held their property in trust for Him and were expected to use it as He Himself would – generously and with a view to the needs of others. We are our neighbor’s keeper, and we must always be prepared to share our property with those in need.

But, second, the needy must not take advantage. You could eat your fill of grapes or grain, but you could not put any in your bag or cut any with a sickle for later consumption. Our neighbor is to be generous, but we must always respect his property as just that – his.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.

Restoring Dead Animals--These statutes would seem to be addressed to a situation in which one person is responsible for the death of another’s animal, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Restoration--It’s not hard to see how these statutes would both discourage stealing and restore justice when transgression had been committed.

The Guilt of Thieves--People have a right to defend their property against unlawful seizure.

Oppression--Robbery is a form of oppression in that it deprives a person of that which God has freely given him for use in seeking the Kingdom of God.

Personal Mission Field/Conversation

Let who will laugh and scoff. I will not be silent, nor will I conceal the signs and wonders which the Lord has shown to me many years before they happened - He Who knows all the happenings since before the beginning of time.

  - Patrick, Confession (Irish, 5th century)

...but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is within you...

  - 1 Peter 3.15

Irish people are frequently described as having "the gift of the gab." Patrick wasn't Irish, but he was pretty good at talking with others about the Gospel. Did the Lord allow one of the greatest revivals in Church history to begin in Ireland because He knew no one would be able to shut those people up?

How many conversations do we engage in a given day? Ten? Twenty? Each of them represents an opportunity to sow something of the Gospel, whether to a fellow believer needing encouragement or exhortation, or to an unbeliever who seems quite content without Christ.

We are called to be witnesses for Christ, to gab about the Good News at every opportunity, with joy and gladness testifying out of our own experience that Jesus Christ really is alive from the dead, and we are His forgiven and commissioned brethren.

How can we make the most of our conversations for the Gospel of the Kingdom? I don't mean to suggest that every conversation has to include a full-blown presentation of the Gospel. We sow seeds, by small gestures, listening ears, and conversation that makes the concerns of others of paramount concern to us.

Let us not be silent when doors of opportunity open for words of witness from our lips. What God is showing us of His glory, goodness, and steadfast love, let us eagerly tell to others, as much as we can for as long as they'll listen. God will use whatever we sow of His unfailing Gospel for whatever His good and glorious purposes may be.

As you go forth today, go in a sowing mood, watching for the cracking-open of every door of opportunity.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

Sin affects everything in this world, but in the midst of a sinful world, we are called to bring forth the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Lord. Check out today's ReVision.

Thank you very much for your prayers and gifts to our ministry. We hope we are ministering to you in some way. If so, we pray that you'll feel free to share with us, so that we can continue and expand this outreach to more people. You can click the donate tab or send your tax-deductible gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 100 Lamplighter Ct., Hamilton, VA 20158.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.