Don't say the name

"You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

On July 27, Olympic athletes entered what is referred to as a "blackout period", not to end until August 24, in which they are prohibited from talking, tweeting or posting about their sponsors who aren't also sponsors of the Olympic Games. The action was prompted by the passing of Rule 40 which was established "to protect Olympic sponsors, who spend millions of dollars for exclusive marketing rights during the Olympics." The evening before the rule was to take effect though, many Olympians took to social media to publicly acknowledge their sponsors like American steeplechaser Emma Coburn who tweeted, "#Rule40 starts tomorrow so I won't be able to say Thank You to my sponsor. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING @newbalance.” It might seem hard to believe that a tweet mentioning the name of a sponsor could carry serious penalties for an athlete but it's true. If strictly enforced, an athlete caught mentioning the name of their sponsor could be disqualified and stripped of their medals.  

You know the time is coming, and in some places has already arrived, when you and I will suffer serious penalties for mentioning a name too... the name of Jesus. In fact, the Bible tells you and me plainly that we "will be hated by everyone" on account of that Name. Talk about the ultimate blackout period. Without Jesus, this world would be a dark place void of hope and with no chance of salvation. We just cannot let that happen! There are people who need to hear the Name above all Names and the only Name by which they might be saved. They need to hear the name... Jesus.

So when the time comes when we are told to be silent, will you stand firm and persevere to the end? In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that a day is coming and has already come when we will suffer serious penalties for speaking the name Jesus. May we be even bolder and louder as we proclaim that there is no other name by which a person can be saved. May we be willing to suffer persecution, to stand firm and persevere to the end shouting your name for all to hear. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Go tell it - RDMJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8hPHxYjYrM

http://www.si.com/olympics/2016/07/27/rule-40-explained-2016-olympic-sponsorship-blackout-controversy