Our GOD is one who draws all to HIMSELF. HE died that all may be adopted into HIS family.
Thus it is sad when we hear figures about how segregated our churches are. I heard in one sermon that there are areas in this country where there are schools with more diversity in their students than the churches in the very same areas.
Brothers and Sisters this must not be.
I assure you that when we all get to heaven the criteria will not be on the basis of ethnicity. We are welcomed on the basis of Jesus' blood and that alone. There are no color lines in Paradise.
Let me leave with a pair of verses, one from the Old Testament and one from the New.
...for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7)
And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (Rev 5:9)
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The Florida situation
I have been pleased for the most part of the Sanford, Florida community's handling of the tragedy in their midst. There have been prayer rallies and marches but blessedly no violence that I know of. This is how a true quest for justice is approached.
I also sadly heard of bounties being placed upon the accused. A worthless and divisive effort, I have been glad that they have come to naught. GOD has provided us with authorities to handle the sword and it was their task to bring in this man. In the proper manner and at the proper time.
I look now to our justice apparatus and our legislature. Though not perfect, we do have one of the better criminal justice systems on the planet. We the people should pray that GOD give them wisdom for this trial as well as discernment. And we should be ready for ANY verdict. True justice may not come on this earth. And as far as the law which this case is testing, our representatives need to take a hard look at it.
Continued prayer over this situation is what is needed. For the deceased's family, for the accused, for those in authority and those who must sit in judgment. So please pray for these people. And please continue to be men and women of peace.
I also sadly heard of bounties being placed upon the accused. A worthless and divisive effort, I have been glad that they have come to naught. GOD has provided us with authorities to handle the sword and it was their task to bring in this man. In the proper manner and at the proper time.
I look now to our justice apparatus and our legislature. Though not perfect, we do have one of the better criminal justice systems on the planet. We the people should pray that GOD give them wisdom for this trial as well as discernment. And we should be ready for ANY verdict. True justice may not come on this earth. And as far as the law which this case is testing, our representatives need to take a hard look at it.
Continued prayer over this situation is what is needed. For the deceased's family, for the accused, for those in authority and those who must sit in judgment. So please pray for these people. And please continue to be men and women of peace.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Shell vs Substance
In my last post I spoke of an incredibly gifted young man with a amazing voice. But that isn't the whole story.
This young man and his good friend stepped out on to the stage in Britain's Got Talent and received a less than stellar welcome. The young man struggles with weight and tends to be shy. He is not a looker and thus did not immediately draw any eyes.
Till he opened his mouth. Then the audience saw a measure of who he really was beneath the shell. The young man and his partner received a standing ovation from everyone including the judges.
Brothers and Sisters, these skins of ours, these shells are our outer appearance and nothing more. They do not dictate the person inside or the gifts that the GOD of all creation bestowed upon us.
Let me drill home the point and make it clear.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
This passage was spoken by Isaiah(Isa 53:2-3, NIV) in regards to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. That ought to give you a clue about how GOD feels about shells.
Ask GOD to show you people the way HE sees them. You will discover wonders unseen to the naked eye.
This young man and his good friend stepped out on to the stage in Britain's Got Talent and received a less than stellar welcome. The young man struggles with weight and tends to be shy. He is not a looker and thus did not immediately draw any eyes.
Till he opened his mouth. Then the audience saw a measure of who he really was beneath the shell. The young man and his partner received a standing ovation from everyone including the judges.
Brothers and Sisters, these skins of ours, these shells are our outer appearance and nothing more. They do not dictate the person inside or the gifts that the GOD of all creation bestowed upon us.
Let me drill home the point and make it clear.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
This passage was spoken by Isaiah(Isa 53:2-3, NIV) in regards to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. That ought to give you a clue about how GOD feels about shells.
Ask GOD to show you people the way HE sees them. You will discover wonders unseen to the naked eye.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, December 30, 2011
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
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
Sunday, December 25, 2011
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.
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.
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