OUR FATHERS PART 2

Our Fathers



From "Daughter" by John Mayer

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

What I'm writing about will not be a new thought. It will not be rocket science.

FATHERS ARE IMPORTANT. 

The ideal father disciplines. Did your father disciple fairly? At all?
Proverbs 23:13-15 (NKJV)Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell. I do not advocate beating children with rods. Discipline of any type without equal part love and compassion will fail and is probably abuse. But a spanking or "negative reinforcement" did not harm generations of children. But a lack of spanking has.
Proverbs 13:24 (NKJV) He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly

The ideal father has your best interest in all things.
Proverb 4:3-6
³ When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
⁴ He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
⁵ Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you

Fathers are not perfect and make mistakes but the ideal father does the best in his power to provide the best for his family. Do you trust your father? Would you trust your father even if you did understand the decision? Do your trust God completely? Do you trust Him when the answer is wait or no? Do you trust him with your finances? Your marriage? Your life? Your children's life? Your eternity?

But our fathers no matter how great, bad or absent are not God. Whereas our fathers do the best within their power, God is perfect. He is omnipotent (all powerful). He is omnipresent (ever present). He is omniscience (all knowing). He is love. 1 John 4:8(NKJV) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

So in conclusion, to fathers, who you are to your children may have eternal implications.

 

To children in need of fathers, God is the father to the fatherless. Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

Be Blessed.

OUR FATHERS PART 1

Our Fathers

From "Daughter" by John Mayer

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

What I'm writing about will not be a new thought.  It will not be rocket science. 

FATHERS ARE IMPORTANT. 

It is no coincidence that God is referred to as our Father.  Because God's thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), he often uses natural things to help us understand spiritual things.  Remember the parables spoken by Jesus.  The structure of the tabernacle and the sacrifices for sin. 
And the family. 

A mother's bond with a child begins before birth in a way that fathers can not experience. Proximity and pain create a nearly unbreakable bond.  Consequently, a father has to play catch up.  And the bond tends to be less so.  Let me qualify that by stating this has been my experience and observation. 

I believe that the attributes of our fathers' are those we later project onto God.

The ideal father loves unconditionally.  Do you feel unloved by your father? God? Do you feel that you have to earn your father's love? God's?  Read about the love of the prodigal son's father (Luke 15:11-32).

The ideal father provides. Do you feel comfortable asking your father to meet your needs?  Do you have trouble praying to God?  Luke 11:11-13 reads " ¹¹ If a son asks for bread^[d] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

The ideal father protects. Did your father make you feel safe? Do you feel like God is interested in you personally?
 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17


Be Blessed and stay tuned for Part 2 begining with discipline.

WE ARE THE CHURCH!!!

The hurting world needs to see us at our most vulnerable. We need to tell people "and this is what God delivered me from." Church should be a place where people broken and beaten by the world and their own sin can drag their filthy rages and hopeless spirits to a place where they can be spiritual (and or physically) fed and bandaged and loved and accepted and led to the only thing in the world that saves, heals, protects, delivers, restores and leads to everlasting life...the Son of God, Jesus.  

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." 


 

I don't mean the building. Are you a beacon to those hurting? Do you see those who are unlovely to look at but beloved of God with compassion? Do you go places that you may not be wanted and be subjected to ridicule for the sake of being whatever is necessary to bring one lost person to the truth?

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (New King James Version)

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

I don't and I should. I was there not so very long ago. I pray that God grants me opportunities to step outside my comfort zone and be willing to be used to bring hope to someone.

Christianity and Depression (as well as other psychiatric, personailty or addiction disorders) Part 1

Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

I have struggled with depression since I was about 10 years old.  I have had thoughts of suicide since I was about 12.  I had fits of rage.  I'd sleep 12 hours a day and spend most of the remaining 12 locked in a fantasy world fueled by TV, books or my on rapidly deteriorating imagination. 

When I became a Christian, I though that all of that would end....immediately.  And when it didn't I doubted my salvation and questioned whether I was too far gone to be forgiven. 

I think Christians should have a mentor for the first year.  A sponsor if you will.  Someone to tell you what to expect.  Someone to call when the demons attack (and they attack bad starting the moment you get out of the water). 

So. I'm a Christian but I'm so depressed that I can barely function. I'm still angry.  I don't behave like a Christian.  I'm trying to please everyone and I am failing. 

I try therapy.  But I'm a people pleaser and although I initiate the therapy, I am not honest.  I understate all my feelings trying to please the therapist.  But I begin taking antidepressants.  They help. 

There are some Christians that believe that if I pray hard enough and with enough faith, I would be healed.  They believe that using outside help shows a lack of faith.  I would suspect that these Christians have never experienced debilitating depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or other psychiatric illness or addiction.

This is what I believe. Based on the scripture above, Jesus would suggest that we should destroy a part of our body that God gave us in order to preserve our soul. 

Here's a joke..

The flood was coming and word was sent to evacuate. One farmer sat on his porch and told the rescue team. "I'm waiting for God, He'll save me." Soon the water rose and the farmer was forced to the second story of his house. The rescue boat came but he told them. "I'm waiting for God He'll save me." Soon the farmer was forced to the top of his roof. The rescue helicopter came but he told them. "I'm waiting for God, He'll save me." The water rose and the farmer drowned. On his arrival in heaven he asked God, "Why didn't you save me? I waited for you but you never came." God replied. "I came three times."

 

Sometimes God uses natural laws and humans to achieve his supernatural purposes. This does not minimize or exclude the existence of supernatural healing. 

Psychiatric drugs can be an aid but only Jesus is the answer.  

Jesus knows our heart and if our heart loves and seeks to please Him, He knows it.

When we get our resurrected bodies we won't have to worry about physical or mental limitations anymore.

 

 

 

 

Do you believe what you believe? Part 3 Jesus is Lord.

 Is Jesus Lord and King of your life?

Before being baptized, it is customary at our church to take your confession.

Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved

"From this day forward, who is going to be the Lord of your life?"
What does that mean?
 
According to Merriam-Webster this is the definition of "lord"
1 : one having power and authority over others: a : a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due

Does Jesus have "power and authority" over your life, family, work ethics?

By virtue of His death for our sins, we owe Him "service and obedience". 

Do we pick and choose when we are obedient?  Do we pick and choose those of God's word we choose to obey? How many days do you serve Him and how?

Now..I could end it right now.  I've read things like that and all I'm left with is guilt because I know that I fall short a lot.  Sometime I know I have a problem, but don't have the answer.

These are the answers have found.

1.  Jesus trumps my feelings and upbringing. 
2.  I am only who God says I am. 
3. What God says is true is true. 
4. There is absolute truth and God's word determines what that is. 
5. My job is to be salt and light on the earth.
6. My job is to point others to Jesus by my words, behavior, how I conduct my business and how I handle conflict.
7.  My obedience and service don't earn me salvation.  It is a response to the love and forgiveness God through Jesus has shown me.
8. As many times as I fall, God is ready to forgive me.
9. I try not to fall because I don't want to disappoint my heavenly Father who loves me and gave His Son for me. 
10.  AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD LOVES YOU AND IS ON YOUR SIDE.

I did not learn any of this overnight.  Because of my childhood abuse, I have had a hard time with, one or two or all of these.  But peace lies in Jesus. Be Blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness

forgive [fəˈgɪv]

vb -gives, -giving, -gave, -given

1. to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)

2. to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc.)

3. (tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty

4. (tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc.)

[Old English forgiefan; see for-, give]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

 

The deeper the injury the harder forgiveness is. 

 

I wrote a letter to my abuser when I was about 25 years old. 

 

The first emotion that I can recall feeling in my life was anger and hate.  I didn't know what was going on.  At eight I did not have any way to understand what was going on.  But I knew I did not like it and was angry.

Rage     Hysterics     Nightmares     Fear     Headaches     Introverted      Codependent     Depressed

 

I was a prisoner.  I didn't trust anyone and I so wanted to trust someone.  I trusted all the wrong people.  I retreated into reading to escape.  I lived in fantasy worlds where there were happy endings.

 

Then I wrote the letter and mailed it. 

 

Was it because I had a religious moment of discovery?

Did God put forgiveness in my heart?

 

Wouldn't that have been nice...No.  I just decided that my hatred and anger at him only hurt me.  I had to release that. 

 

And I lived happily ever after...No.  It was the beginning of healing that is still going on today. 

 

Now- forgiveness for me does not equal being new BFF's.  It means that I give up all rights to revenge, to speak of this person in a negative way or to wish, want or relish any harm to this person. 

 

But forgiveness is biblical.  Our salvation is described as forgiveness of sin.  God forgives us from every violation of His law.  We are then required to pass that forgiveness along. 

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt 18:21-35)

²¹ Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet^[d] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’^{[e] 30} And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”^[f]
It's pretty important. 

See...forgiveness is a commandment.  He would not say it was required if we could not do it.  It is not based on our "feeling" forgiveness.  It's about being obedient to God.  It's a choice.  Today choose to forgive someone who has hurt, mistreated or betrayed you.  Be Blessed.

 

 

 

 

You are not alone...

If you have read my introduction, you know that I have survived much. 

Before I don't think that I believed I had survived it.  It's sort of the difference between surviving a car accident with a broken arm versus surviving it with a traumatic brain injury. You live either way, but it's a matter of the quality of life.

But worse than the abuse and the guilt and the fear was the loneliness.

The feeling that you don't belong.  That there is something different and wrong about you.  The fear that someone would take a look at you and know. 

The need to hide the sadness and the fear behind happy smiles and good grades. Sleep and alcohol.  Pills and drugs. 

You think that no one understands....
And sometimes they don't.   They can't....

I didn't get out of bed, not because I'm lazy, but because I can't pretend one more day.

I drink, drug, party, sex not because I enjoy it, but because for an hour the voices in my head are silent.  Or I cut myself because it's the pain I can control that distracts me from the pain I can't control.

If you've never felt overwhelming depression, panic, anxiety, fear, paranoia, delusions, you can't understand it.  You may doubt it is real or think it's over exaggerated.

IT'S REAL!!!
IT REALLY HURTS THIS MUCH!!
I'M DYING INSIDE!!!

But..there is an answer.  God can heal.  Tell someone!!  Preacher, Teacher, Mom, Dad, a Crises Counselor. Tell someone!! If that doesn't work, TELL SOMEONE ELSE.

Then you can begin to exchange Satan's LIES for God's Truth.  It's not a short journey or an easy journey, but I promise you can have peace and joy and happiness.

How do we reach the world with the Gospel?

Showing people a bible will not get them to heaven.  The book stores are filled with bibles and yet our culture continues to deteriorate.











Getting people into a church will get them on a pew, but not necessarily into heaven.  Again many churches as well as many prisons and rehabs.  I know you've never heard this, but going to church no more makes a person a Christian that being in a hen house makes a person a chicken.




I don't believe simply telling them about Jesus is the most effective way to get people to heaven.  Many churches, many televangelists.

But the only way to get them in to the kingdom of God is to show them Jesus.

People followed Jesus. His reputation as a teacher and healer preceded Him.  Even those who denied his Godhood know there was "something" about Him.

That is because Jesus was the express image of God the Father.  The attributes of Jesus are the attributes of God.  Jesus loved people.  He wept when people mourned.  He celebrated at a wedding.  He was a carpenter--He worked hard.  He spent time speaking with the Father.  He met physical as well as spiritual needs.  He preached in a way that everyone from scholar to slave could understand.  He spoke in pictures (parables) that people could connect with.  He was easy to connect with...approachable.  He is God, but the lowly task of washing feet was not beneath Him.  He points us to God.

Who are we?

We are Christian.  Followers of Christ.  The hands and feet of Jesus.  And like Jesus reflects the attributes of God, we are to reflect the attribute of Jesus. 

Read the attributes again.  How many of them do I reflect?  Does my reputation precede me--in a good way?

Our success in pointing people to Christ will be directly proportional to the degree we reflect Christ in our daily lives. Do I need to make myself more "user friendly"--not by compromise---but by letting love of God and everyone else drive our every decision.  When talking about things of God do I use lofty words or plain English.  Do people draw near or run away from you?

Jesus is coming back.  We must operate as though it may be tomorrow.  It may be.  Watch for the bridegroom.  Look to the heavens.

The Gospel

The pictorial gospel.  It seems so simple.  Maybe that's why it appears as foolishness to those of the world.

 1 Corinthians 1:18
 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, we always want to add something else to the Gospel.  It may be our belief that you can not get "something" for nothing. 

Through technological and scientific advances we know more about our world than those in biblical times could even have imagined.  We have become very wise.

1 Corinthians 1:21
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

THE GOSPEL

We have a problem:

Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
That comes complete with penalty:

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death,

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

But God through Jesus provided a way out:

Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

John 1:14
   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Romans 5:17-19

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

All we have to do is say YES!!
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:23
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
John 10:28
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

And we're guaranteed a future:

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Hope to see you in the air one day. <3
 

 

 

 

Freedom in Christ

Why when we have been made free in Christ would we didn't choose to be put into bondage again. Man seems intent on injecting himself into God's plan of redemption. Making some act on our part essential to salvation. It's the blood of Jesus and the right sign over the church. The blood of Christ plus the plus the right hair length ,dress length; is it pastor, brother, preacher or Reverend. It's the blood of Jesus plus music or no music; covered head or uncovered head; republican or democrat . Don't misunderstand me. The response of our devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will direct our behaviors. However, our salvation is based on nothing but our obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus' harshest criticism was never to the lost but only to those in religious authority who bound people under unnecessary burdens while usually themselves obeying strictly the letter of the law while ignoring the spirit and intent of the law.

This is near to my heart.  I have been in legalistic churches.  I been to church with people who were wonderful on Sunday and not so much on Monday.  Heck, I've appeared together on Sunday and drunk Friday and Saturday night. 

Our lives are the only Bible some people will read.  Will you be the one person who turns someone toward Christ or away from Him.

Oh and does your Facebook comments reflect the heart of Jesus?  I'm just saying.  Don't be condemned by what you approve of.

Scriptures on Freedom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)


READ ROMANS...

"Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5).

"Stop passing judgment on one another" (Rom 14:13).

"Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Rom 14:19).

Keep personal convictions between you and God (Rom 14:22)

 

 

 

I love my church.  I want to invite everyone around the world to Whites Ferry Road Church in West Monroe, Louisiana.  It's worth the airfare.

 

A word of caution though. 

 

(There are sinners at my church)

 

They are everywhere.  Maybe that's why I felt so at home there.  Because our leadership believes, teaches and practices that we are all sinner and in need of a savior.  What's keeping you from coming to church? Coming to Christ? 

 

Is it your past..sins...hurts...?



God is bigger than that.  Let us tell you how to get peace and healing through Jesus Christ.

Is it your present...situations..sins..habits...?

God is bigger than that.  He sent his Son Jesus to die for us "while we were yet sinners" (Rom 5:8) and enemies (Rom 5:10). 

Are you waiting to get your "act together"?  Do you keep "messing up"?

God sent Jesus for that.  If we could get our "act together" and live holy on our own, we would not need the blood of Jesus.  He knows us better than we know ourselves and sees our hearts desiring to be closer to Him so much more than he sees our flaws. 

What about the future...?

You'll still mess up.  Just as you wouldn't throw your loved ones away for a "mess up", neither will God ever throw you away.  You were purchased with too great a cost.  And the blood of Jesus will cover as many sins as you lay before the cross. There is POWER in the blood of Jesus.  And your future in heaven with God, Jesus and your forever family has already been bought and paid for. 

All you need to do is put your faith in the work of Jesus and lay all your past, present and future in the hands of God.  And then tell everyone you know about the God of second chances; the God who heals and delivers; the God whose love you do not have to earn and can not lose; the God who says "I will give My only Son to save you" before the creation of the world; the God who can not lie and who keeps His promises. 

Do you believe what you what you believe? Part II

I'm gonna keep it simple. 

Due to events of my childhood, I have had a hard time believing in and accepting God's love.  I do better these days.  Most days.  I know now that God will never leave or forsake us.  We are not fatherless, orphaned or abandoned. 

 

If you stuggle holding on to feeling loved and cherished, listen to the words of this song.  Put it on your phone, iphone, ipad, ipod, kindle, laptop and desktop.  Listen to it when you feel alone to remind you that there are no orphans of God.

 



Jesus eyes

 Have you seen them before? Or someone like them? What do you imagine their story is?

 

ABUSE?                               DRUGS?

MURDER?                           PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS?

 

Do you move to the other side of the street?  Clutch your purse or your children a little closer? Or do you try to see past the exterior and see something more?

Can you see this little boy who wanted to be a fireman when he grew up, not an addict?

The little girl before the voices that she couldn't get away from? Before the bad people got to them? Before the RAGE...SADNESS...HOPELESSNESS.....?

 

Can you tell them that Jesus loves them?  That no matter where they've been, that Jesus died for them. That they can have PEACE...JOY....HOPE....?

 

Can you see them with Jesus eyes??

 

Isaiah 61:1-4

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
³ To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified



 

Do you believe what you believe?

Faith means nothing if it costs nothing.

Let's examine our "beliefs" and what they could mean in practical application.

2 Peter 3:9-The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Wait a minute...ALL!!??

Let's give that a little thought.  Do we really believe that God wants everyone to come to repentance?

What about Jeffrey Dahmer?  Read this article if you have a chance.
The Christian Chronicle: Did 'jailhouse religion' save Jeffrey Dahmer?

I believe that Jeffrey Dahmer's eternal destination is not my concern.  But don't some people deserve to go to hell. 
Murders, you know like Paul.  Maybe not a great example.

Adulterers, uuhhmm like David, uuhhmm a man after God's heart (Acts 13:22).

Ok..Ok.. but what about people who swear and curse at the mention of Jesus--denying to even know him, like Peter--upon whose confession the Church is built (Matt 16:18). 

Really looking into the people God chose, the people in the lineage of Jesus and the people Jesus associated with shows a pretty dysfunctional group.

Some were judgemental, selfish, alcoholics, murders, prostitutes, anger issues, and a host of other "hurts, habits and hangups".

It is not God's wish that any sinner should perish.  And we're all sinners (Romans 3:23).  BIG SINS little sins.  All sin worthy of death and hell. (Romans 6:23).  I'm glad that blood of Jesus covers all sins. 

Why I want a Tattoo...

This is the tattoo I'm getting.  Some friends wanted to know why I wanted a tattoo.  More specifically, the wanted to know why I would do something God forbids. (Leviticus 19:28
"'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.).

I was reminded of two scriptures before I give my personal reasons.

1 Corinthians 6:12(NKJV)

¹² All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:23(NKJV)

²³ All things are lawful for me,^[a] but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,^[b] but not all things edify

I believe that my actions are governed by two laws.  Love God. Love Everyone else. 
I have to be conscious of even my most innocent actions that may cause someone to stumble.

With that said, I want the gospel tattoo on my left inside wrist.  When I meet anyone and everyone, I'll be declaring my allegiance.  Unapologetically. Unequivocally. Out loud and on purpose.  I'll be opening myself to judgement from Christians and the world alike. People will know what I claim and watch to see what I do.  It's human nature. 

I declare that Jesus is my Savior and it's as permanent as this tattoo.  I also believe that something go to heaven with you.  Jesus still had his scars when he rose.  Maybe I'll have my tattoo in heaven.

Churches team up for the future - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

Churches team up for the future - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

Treatment of the lost, unsaved or erring Christian Part 1 (The woman at the well)

John 4:4-26 the woman at the Well.

Observations:
V. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
Jesus was weary but never too weary to be about the Father's business.

V. 9  Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus was not above interaction with those from a different culture or background; sometimes with better reception than from his Jewish contemporaries.

V. 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”

No matter where we are in our spiritual walk, we all have the same Father.

V. 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

When we have received in baptism the Holy Spirit of God and thereby peace and forgiveness and hope and a future, these things should pour forth (fountain vs. having to work to get it from a well),

V.15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

People who hear about Jesus in a way they can comprehend will desire it.

V.16-18 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
¹⁷ The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ ¹⁸ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

God knows all.  Jesus knew the woman’s circumstances before he spoke to her.  He knew her sin condition and did not shun her.  He treated her with respect despite her sin.  He didn’t bring up her sin situation first.  He brought up the sin solution first. 

V. 19-22 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
²¹ Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. ²² You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
When people perceive you are of God, they may ask you questions.  Are you ready to give an answer? Have you studied God’s word?  The answer you give may influence someone’s eternity for the better or worse.

V.23-24 But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ 
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Philippians 3:3 states that worshipping in the Spirit means full reliance on God and not flesh and John 1:17 says that truth comes thought Jesus Christ.

V.25-26 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
²⁶ Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus is the bringer of all things.  He brings reconciliation between us and God and between the Jew and the Gentile.  He brings salvations and healing.  His death made way for the Holy Spirit to come.  He bought our citizenship in heaven and our eternal life.  He did all the work.  “I who speak to you am He” (the Messiah).  What is he saying to you?

Reconciliation

I know a lot about reconciliation.  I work in accounting.  The bottom line with reconciliation (and all of accounting) is to make sure things balance.  I was just meditating on reconciling several scriptures. 

We are told that we are "more than conquerors" (Rom 8:37).  We are to have abundance of joy, grace and righteousness (Rom 5:17; 2 Corinthians 8:2, 8:14, 9:8).  We are blessed (pick the beatitude you like the best).  How do we reconcile that with being persecuted (see beatitudes as well as John 15:20; 1 Corinthians 4:12, 4:9), and hated (John 17:14; John 15:18; Matthew 10:22)?  How do we make those seemingly conflicting circumstances balance. 

We can reconcile it because our joy, peace, grace, righeousness and blessing are not dependent on our circumstances.  They are ours. Our victory has been ensured; nothing can take that away.  Our "blessedness" and righeousness comes from Jesus' sactrifice, once for all and for all times.  Nothing can take it away.  Our peace and joy comes from believing, not what our eyes can see, but what God through Jesus has promised.  He will dry all our tears (Rev 7:17,21:4) He will give us all we have lost and take us home (1Corinthians 15:52).

If you are feeling alone and forsaken remember this:  Satan wants you to believe your eyes and your ears and your emotions (flesh), God wants you to believe Him.  Not just in Him but His promises and His love and His power.  Trust Him.

Being Married

I want to go back to arranged marriages.  The reason the divorce rate  was so low is because you married for practical reasons. Can he provide for us? Can she bear children? Those are needs that don't change from one moment to tne next. Love (the emotion) can change due to a misunderstood look...a bad day...a better offer. If you choose your mate for practical reasons love (the choice) will follow and if you are fortunate love (the emotion) will happen also.