Everyone? Everyone.

 

"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
(Galatians 6:10)

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen."
(Galatians 6:18)

 

Elsewhere in the Bible God also says, 'so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men' (romans 12:18).

Are Christians called to argue against and hate on people in the world, such as those who are gay? Or those who are pro-abortion?

How about prostitutes? Drug dealers? Convicts?

 

The Doctor Is In

 

Jesus himself said that he came for the sick, for those in need of his help. He talked of how 'healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do' (Matthew 9:11-13).

Jesus came and met with, stayed with, ate and drank with the 'sinners' of the world. With those who needed him most.

 

Anger Issues?

 

The only time Jesus ever got angry and reacted in his righteous anger was when a place of worship had been turned into a marketplace (John 2:13-17). That's it.

Jesus is all about peace -- and God says many times in the Bible that we are to be like Jesus.

 

Saints & Sinners

 

Jesus said to the prostitute's persecutors, he who is without sin, cast the first stone (John 8:7).

He saved the Apostle Paul, who had previously been a self-righteous murderer and persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1-3).

Did God condemn the murderer? No, he used him mightily to change the world.

Did jesus condemn the thieves on the crosses beside him as he lay there bleeding to death -- for our sins? No. The one who professed him to be the Christ, he took to paradise with him when they died (Luke 23:43).

The other thief? Jesus remained silent towards him, not condemning him either.

Did Jesus hate on, or argue against, or mock, or even yell at any of the jews who got him crucified, and then mocked him and spit on him as he hung bleeding, nailed to that cross? No.

What did he do in that moment? he prayed for them (Luke 23:34).

 

What About You?

 

Are you acting on Jesus' behalf when you argue against those who the Bible says are still blinded, and in the fog about the truths of God? (Galatians 6:7-9)

Or are you acting on your own emotional instability?

Do you honestly share 'the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ?'

He's given you grace. Do you give it to others?

The things that make you go, "Hmmm"

Peace. Joy. Love... these are just a few of the fruits of the Spirit. Do you have them in you?

If you think you do -- do you share them with others?

Peace? Joy? Love?

"Hmmm..."

 

In All Things

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
(Romans 8:28)

 

Before you act way too typical and say to yourself, 'Oh, I know that one,' and move on -- I urge you to slow down for a minute & actually read that verse, word for word.

It says, In - ALL - things.

We sometimes seem to ignore or "forget" such truths when tragedy strikes. We simply don't want to hear it in those worst moments. But God's word does not change when our emotions change. God is good -- all the time. There's that word again: ALL

When you don't comprehend WHY something 'bad' happened in your life or the life of someone you care about -- remember that God tells us, "In all things."

Then, too, remember this verse, which may help comfort you as well (and again, try not to be typical and simply skim over it saying you 'know that verse'):

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 --

"’For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.’"

 

Despite the tragedies and stresses He allows in our life, He loves us, and is working for the good of all who love Him.

Thank You, Lord.

 

Even the Pharaoh Was Put There By God

 

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)(NIV)

That's an interesting verse that showed up in my inbox this morning. Considering that many Christians, myself included, are griping and moaning -- and being way too typical -- simply because the person God allowed to be put in office was not our personal choice.

But as He always seems to do, He’s humbled me with a gentle tap upside my noggin, bringing me back to Him (Thank You, Lord). You may think your leaders & politicians are not God's servants, but, consider that even the Pharaoh was put there by God, for His glory ultimately.

 

Romans 13:6-7 --

"This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Lastly, consider the Apostle Paul's words, and how they might be relevant to you each day. He said:

 

"I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish." (Romans 1: 14)

We have an obligation to God, to be lights -- not to be typical of the world. Now, please, my brothers and sisters who strive to, and say they want to, be Christ followers -- let's get back to being lights for Christ rather than candles under a bucket. ;-)

 

Thank You, Father, for being the One, true, Almighty God. Thank You, Jesus, for being part of the Trinity -- for being One with God. Please, strengthen your people in the coming days and coming years. Be in the middle of it all in our lives, Lord. Thank you for loving us. We love you, Lord. Amen.

7 Words to Contemplate Today

There is a lot packed into those 7 words, "Do not be conformed to this world." Yowza. Contemplate that today...

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect."

(Romans 12:2 - ESV)

Why Does Life Seem to Suck Sometimes?

Wondering WHY your days seem to suck so bad at times? If you consider yourself a 'Christian,' read on.

I think the following 3 bits of scripture form a great, loving 'reminder' for us:

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."
(Romans 5:3-4)

"In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God... has made the one as well as the other..."
(Ecclesiastes 7:14)

"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised."
(Hebrews 10:35-36)

Thank You, Jesus, for loving us.

Do You Think It Foolishto Acknowledge God?

Romans 1:28-31 says:

"Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy."


It all started simply from thinking it foolish to acknowledge God.

So I ask you, do you fit into that category?

If you don't now, you may, someday -- if you continue ignoring God. If you continue living halfheartedly and supposedly 'for' God.

Consider This...

You may not fit 'the' category above. But break it down. How many of those various terms fit you all too well?

Greed? Hate? Envy? Quarreling? Deception? Gossip?

Insolent? Proud? Boastful?

Disobey your parents?

Refuse to understand?

Break your promises?

Have no mercy?

Hint...

Hint: If you feel you fit none of those categories and are 'good' with God, you suffer from Pride.

Even the Apostles traveling with Jesus Christ while he was here walking the earth, suffered from more than one of those things listed above.

If you have been relying thus far on your own 'power,' please... consider the ramifications.

"It's Never Too Late" ...Or Is It?

The lie of the world is that it's never too late. One day, it will be.

But right now, it's not too late. He has not abandoned you, yet.

Give yourself to Him now, today. Ask Him to forgive you. Come to Him humbly, and sincerely.

No worries... He does love you.

Prayer for Today

Thank You, Lord Jesus -- for your guidance, for your truth, and for your overwhelming love.

Please, Father, through Jesus Christ your son, our Lord, please give each of us who read this, hearts of flesh today. Crush our hearts of stone. Knock down the walls we continue to build every day.

Replace our cold hearts with your Holy Spirit, your love, and your grace for all those around us. Thank you for your grace that allows us to come back to You, Father, through the 'bridge' you've given us - Jesus Christ your son.

Please, forgive us for our sins. Teach us to live righteously, to live holy lives, and to understand and desire holiness as you mean it in your guiding word, the Holy Bible. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Encouragement for Today -- and Denial

Today, the BibleGateway Verse of the day is from the Old Testament, Book of Psalms. It says:


“For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
(Psalm 33:4-5)


To me this is encouraging. A great, uplifting reminder. Thank You, Jesus.

Also, it aligns with another group of verses I love -- from the New Testament, Book of Romans:


"Since what may be known about God is plain to them,
because God has made it plain to them.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities--
His eternal power and divine nature--has been clearly seen,
being understood from what has been made,
so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God
nor gave thanks to him,
but their thinking became futile
and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Although they claimed to be wise,
they became fools."
(Romans 1:19-22)

The Bible: Old & Irrelevant Today?

Tell me that's not relevant to the mocking foolishness of our own culture today, and I'll have to lump you in with those whom God talks about right there in the verses above.

God's creation, His beauty and majesty, is able to be seen in so many ways. To deny it is nothing more than pride, arrogance -- and foolishness, truly.

But to each their own, right?

Me, I don't claim to be that smart. I am not a god. I'm happy to let a real, true God lead the way, blessing me and growing me as He sees fit.

Pray With Me?

Thank you, Father -- and thank You, Lord Jesus. Please, continue leading me -- every day and in every way -- with the Holy Spirit.

Bless each of us with Your Godly wisdom. Strengthen our faith in You. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts, Lord.

Put us each on your narrow path, please. Grab hold of us now.

Father, give every one of us reading this, into Jesus' hands. I know that those You give to Him, He does not give up.

Thank You for your Love, Father. Thank You, for Jesus. Amen.