Is Your Hidden Agenda a Hinderance?

I’m going to miss Tim Russert. I didn’t know him personally, but I greatly admired his work and his seemingly unbiased style of presenting political news. I always felt that when I heard it from Tim, I heard it straight. Washington DC is a world driven by opinions and agendas, and I am sure that Tim had his share of them as well. But, he somehow managed to put them aside when he was on the job. His honest and fair delivery created a trust between him, the guests on his show and his viewers. I can think of no other person in the media today who has garnered that kind of respect from such a vast and diverse audience.

We can all learn a lesson from Tim. Especially those of us who are hoping to tell people about the best news of all…the Good News about Jesus. The message of the Gospel is very straightforward and does not need to be sensationalized, manipulated, dressed up or dumbed-down. But, all too often we allow our own agendas, opinions and biases to cloud its message. When we do this, not only do we lose credibility in the eyes of the people we are trying to reach, so does the Gospel.

Paul had the right perspective about evangelism when he wrote this verse in Corinthians "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." (1 Cor. 3:6-7)

Later in Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our own words and ideas can do way more harm than good. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17)

The next time you feel led to tell someone about Jesus, take a moment to ask God to help you to clear your heart of anything that comes from you and not from the truth. Pray that your motivation will be pure and that the message you deliver will be the unadulterated truth about Jesus Christ.

A New Name

Hi, I’m Suzanne McCann and this is a Moment for Mom.

I hope I didn’t startle you with that introduction. But, if not for the parents who chose to adopt me, that might have been my real name. In fact, on my hospital records and initial birth certificate, my name is listed as Suzanne McCann. With a name like that, I think I was destined to work in radio!

However, my adoptive parents had a different name in mind for me…Tamera Jane. And, of course I took their last name as well. Tamera became Tami, and the rest is history. But, the name changing didn’t stop there, once I got married, I took my maiden name as my middle name and my husband’s last name as mine.

There’s a verse in the book of Revelation that leads me to believe that my name changing is not complete, it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Rev 2:17)

So, why does God have a new name for me? And, what is it? Just as my adoptive parents had a name selected for their child, God has a name chosen for me. How cool that he loves me so much as an individual that he has a name for me. Even though I don’t know what it is…I am sure it will suit me like no other name could. After all, He created me and he knows me better than any earthly parent ever could.

So, think about this today. The same God who created the earth and the heavens and named everything in them also has a name just for you!!

And, speaking of new names…I would like to rename a Moment for Mom. I realize that a lot of people who listen every day are not moms! Many aren’t even women! So, I’m asking for your help. Please send your name suggestions for my daily devotional to me via email…tami@wbfj.fm.