Brother's Keeper

Am I my brother's keeper? The famous question asked by Cain. To a sad extent it exists today in our very self-centered societies. We are very me oriented people.

GOD would not have it so. We were built for community and to act as a community. To protect each other and build each other up. We are all living stones in the great temple of our GOD and thus we are to support each other in HIS purposes for each other's lives.

GOD made this abundantly clear in HIS greatest commandment to us. Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.

I was blessed yesterday to hear a young man on a British Talent Show. His voice was magnificent and he received a standing ovation. But he in the blurb before the performance let the audience know something. Without his partner's encouragement he would not have the courage to be there.

Now think on that for a second. How many gifts of GOD wait to be revealed because some shy individual waits for an encourager who has not yet stepped to the plate.

We ARE are brother's keepers, ladies and gentlemen. We are here to lift up are fellows so they in turn have the strength to lift up others. And as we make these stands of grace, our names may not be noted but GOD who sees all, blesses us for acting like HIS Son. For Christ lifted us all up to where we could never reach on our own.

May GOD Bless you.

Living for Jesus

Many of you have seen The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There is that one scene towards the end where Peter is talking with his centaur General. The Witch's forces are approaching and they far outnumber the Narnians. Peter asks the general if he is with him and the centaur says to the death. Then Peter cries out that wonderful phrase. "For Narnia and for Aslan!"

For those who've read the whole series there is no question who the Narnians are really going into battle for. That's why it stirs our hearts as the heroes charge. It is indeed glorious to fight unto death for our King. But Jesus also asks that we live for HIM.

Not so easy anymore.

That requires a daily struggle to submit. The tasks are often mundane and the people involved rude and obnoxious. Where's the glory in that?

The answer is in every GOD honoring deed we do, there is glory. When we serve as our King served, we ensure that HE gets the praise.

It should be no surprise that we as Christians are watched like hawks. There are always those seeking to criticize. But when we humble ourselves to the task and take up our Cross daily in a loving manner, it too is noticed. We may not hear the praises on this side of the Veil. But ultimately every person's deeds will be exposed and the acts that glorify GOD will shine like the stars.

Setting the table, changing a diaper, teaching a class, or feeding the hungry may not seem particularly heroic but in the end these simple acts can change lives. Remember that the gift of even a cup of water is notable to our LORD.

Relationship Builder

I want you to think about something. Everytime we sin, we damage our relationship with GOD. We also hurt ourselves and/or others.

Thankfully GOD dealt with the consequences with that by Jesus' redeeming sacrifice at the cross. But HE also did more. When Jesus left to take HIS place at the right hand of GOD, the FATHER, HE promised a Helper, the Holy Spirit.

Since you became a believer in Christ,  have you noticed that when you sin, you feel like less than dirt? That's good. The Holy Spirit is convicting you of that sin. You see, The Holy Spirit know of our tendency to want to hide our shames and slip them into the guilt locker. But HE loves us and won't let us get away with that. HE leans on us until we repent and will keep adding on the pressure till we do.

Why? HE knows that we need clear unbroken relationship with GOD. Sin is like a big roadblock to that. Confession with repentance clears the air and restores that relationship as if you haven't erred at all. (Note that doesn't mean you may not be disciplined by GOD for what you did. Just like our earthly parents, GOD does punish HIS children. HE does this because HE loves us even if we aren't crazy about being disciplined at the time.)

The Holy Spirit also encourages us when we make right decisions and enter wise relationships. Ultimately this dependence on HIM for guidance is one of the clearest ways of growth as a believer. And as we grow, the Holy Spirit will grow build into our life journey relationships with believers and non-believers. Because believe it or not, non-believers and our interactions with them do matter in our walk with Christ.

Thus by conviction, correction, encouragement, guidance and comfort, the Holy Spirit develops us our relationship with GOD and each other.

Take Care and GOD Bless,

Freedom's Scribe

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my readers. May your day be blessed with friendship and fellowship as you rejoice in the birth of our LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ.

A thought...

My pastor mentioned that the shepherds were directed to see Jesus at the manger not just for their own faith experience but to share with others. May I add that GOD often does this. If you look ahead to Easter, there is a pointed remark that the angel pushed away the stone in front of the tomb. Why? Jesus could have done that or for that matter walked right through it. That little bit of stone and wax couldn't stop the maker of the universe. No, the stone was rolled away for the women and the apostles. So they could go, see the empty tomb, and share with others what had occurred.

We too are called to share what we witness. As my pastor said, we share because others who do not yet have relationship with Jesus will not see otherwise. It is this way that they may look through our eyes of faith and come to envy what we have. And in this manner seeds are planted.

The Cross

(cross found on freedesktopwallpaper.org)

At some point almost everyone has seen a cross. May I share an observation?

GOD put it on my heart this morning to look at HIS Cross anew. The vertical bar shows what Jesus accomplished on the cross. HE made a way for us to have renewed relationship with the Father. HE did this by descending to earth, becoming man, teaching and ultimately sacrificing HIMSELF on the Cross. HE then rose again, HIS task accomplished, victorious for all time over sin, death and hell.

The horizontal bar is the task HE left us with, The Great Commission. We are to bring more of our brothers and sisters into GOD's Kingdom. We are to be HIS hands reaching out to the world in love.

Thus we are to first communicate with GOD through the way HE has made then we are to reach out to others in HIS strength, power and love.

The Cross is a reminder of heaven's love and mercy to us and the Call that still resounds from HE who wants all HIS children safely home.

Black Friday

Black Friday is known for helping stores get into the "black" and giving consumers a chance at great deals. I would posit though that as the years pass, the black in Black Friday is due to how bleak consumers' behavior has become on this giant shopping day.

Let us remember what this season is for, please.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 6:6)

See I lay a stone in Zion, a trusted stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. (Isaiah 28:16)

The greatest gift we have ever received came in peace, love and humility. Go forth and behave in a similar manner.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and to give you some food for thought.

There is always something to give thanks to GOD for.

Even if HE did no more than send HIS Son for your salvation, that is enough to fill HIS Halls with praise for eternity.

But GOD shows HIS mercies and love every day of your life. Each breath you take is a gift. Every sky you see is a masterpiece HE crafted for you. Your very senses declare his grace in every way.

I am not trying to diminish anyone's suffering. We all have pain. But that too we can be grateful for in time. Pain softens the hardness of our hearts and creates compassion for others. Shared hardship can build bridges which no kind word could. And GOD speaks to us in our pain and weakness in a special way for HE too knew suffering, hardship and loss.

So for those who do rejoice this day, may GOD bless you and yours and I hope you enjoy this special time of fellowship and family. Remember to give thanks to HIM for this day and for all the ways HE blessed and blesses you throughout the year.

And for those for whom this is a painful day,  I pray for the renewal of your joy and that Our Father holds you in HIS arms and lets you know the myriad of ways that HE loves you. May the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus wrap around you like a cloak. And may the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit ever be in your mind and heart.

GOD be with you all my brothers and sisters in Christ.