"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well. If someone wants to sue you in order to take your shirt, let him have your coat too. If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don't turn anyone away who wants to borrow something from you.
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust. If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward? Even the tax collectors do that! Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends? Everyone does that! That is why you must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:38-48
What if President Bush said, "I have decided to take Jesus words and apply them to the situation we find ourselves in with the world. Today...I will not oppose those I believe are evil. I will turn the other cheek and choose to go the extra mile by stopping all that we are doing to fight evil. I have decided to love as Jesus loved, and I ask that all of us pray for those we believe are persecuting us and give them all they ask for, outside of your faith in our Lord."
What would we do as a nation? Since the USA is predominately Christian...would we choose to submit to a leader that would ask us to live and love as Jesus commanded? Would we be willing to lose all that we know as a "free nation" and possibly allow "evil" to come in and take over? We see in scripture and in recent history that that has certainly happened in the past...and now that we all know we are at a place in history where there really is no way to win this war...what are we called to do as believers?
In the flesh...we want to protect our country, our freedom, our way of life...but what about in the Spirit? As followers of Jesus Christ...what should be our response to all that has happened since that dreadful day we know as 9/11? I have heard many a sermons that called us to attack and protect...as well as, we should try to understand and love those who persecute us. It's astounding at the diverse ways Christians read scripture and come to their conclusion of peace or war.
No need to comment or respond to this message...but where do you stand? Knowing what Jesus called each of us to do and what we should be...would it be right to continue in war to protect our way of life? Or is it time to stop and release ourselves into a place of servitude and surrender? A possible "captivity" by another nation...so that one day, maybe years of praying to the Lord for our release...we will be allowed to go free and in to the promise land.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
"Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other. However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life. This is a statement that can be trusted. I want you to insist on these things so that those who believe in God can concentrate on setting an example by doing good things. This is good and helps other people." Titus 3:3-8
There's nothing we can do to win God's approval. To recieve His mercy and grace, we can't work or do anything that would make ourselves righteous or holy and be able to stand in His presence because of anthing that we are able to do. But because of God's love for us...even before the creation, He chose to send Jesus and make a way for all to be saved. It is because of Jesus and His faith that we are saved. And because of Jesus, those of us who have been given the faith to believe are able to tell others about God's great love for us. We are given the call to tell others and set an example as we walk out our faith. This is a great gift! Freely given to us...tell the world what Jesus did and be an example.
There's nothing we can do to win God's approval. To recieve His mercy and grace, we can't work or do anything that would make ourselves righteous or holy and be able to stand in His presence because of anthing that we are able to do. But because of God's love for us...even before the creation, He chose to send Jesus and make a way for all to be saved. It is because of Jesus and His faith that we are saved. And because of Jesus, those of us who have been given the faith to believe are able to tell others about God's great love for us. We are given the call to tell others and set an example as we walk out our faith. This is a great gift! Freely given to us...tell the world what Jesus did and be an example.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
The 10 Commandments...The Laws
"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20
Here in America, there has been a fight on posting the "10 Commandments" in public. Many believers, as well as non-believers are trying to say that we are not bound by those laws anymore and they need not be posted. Some say that we shouldn't post them since they are religious in nature, they offend those who do not follow the religions that tend to believe the laws are worthy of display.
Since most of you who read this come from a Christian background...I wonder how you feel about this particular subject. Not only about "posting the commandments" but what do you feel about all the "laws"? As you know, there are hundreds of them written in the Old Testament. Are they relevant? Do we need to follow them, ignore them, use them as a guideline? What did Jesus mean for those who follow Him?
Let us know what you think. What you believe. What you struggle with...Post your thoughts and hopefully, we can help each other as we walk through this.
Here in America, there has been a fight on posting the "10 Commandments" in public. Many believers, as well as non-believers are trying to say that we are not bound by those laws anymore and they need not be posted. Some say that we shouldn't post them since they are religious in nature, they offend those who do not follow the religions that tend to believe the laws are worthy of display.
Since most of you who read this come from a Christian background...I wonder how you feel about this particular subject. Not only about "posting the commandments" but what do you feel about all the "laws"? As you know, there are hundreds of them written in the Old Testament. Are they relevant? Do we need to follow them, ignore them, use them as a guideline? What did Jesus mean for those who follow Him?
Let us know what you think. What you believe. What you struggle with...Post your thoughts and hopefully, we can help each other as we walk through this.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Daniel 4
"From King Nebuchadnezzar. To the people of every province, nation, and language in the world. I wish you peace and prosperity. I am pleased to write to you about the miraculous signs and amazing things the Most High God did for me. His miraculous signs are impressive. He uses his power to do amazing things. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom. His power lasts from one generation to the next." Daniel 4: 1-3
Everyday we hear the news of more trouble between the nations. The war is spreading and just the fear of who might do what...is bringing more nations into the picture of wanting to "protect" themselves from what they deem to be "evil empires" out of control. Is there hope for us in this age? Is there hope our leaders will change and we will ever be able to live in peace?
For those of us who believe in the Saviour of the world, Jesus, we know that one day He will rule the nations and there will be peace. Scripture says that the whole earth will be filled with the glory of God and learn of His ways. When and how will this happen? Many have written how it will be...but I think we may be surprised that it doesn't come to pass in the way recent books and movies have portrayed the end!
Take the time to read Daniel 4 today. Here's a great and wonderful story how God intervenes in the lives of leaders. How He used an evil leader to bring about His purpose. Neb came to know God! Gave glory to God and led his nation and proclaimed it to the world.
It all may seem to be out of control...it will probably get alot worse before it gets better..but God in His perfect plan will use the leaders of each nation, good or bad, to bring us to a place of repentence and a place of acknowledging the Most High God.
Scripture says that God places those he chooses in leadership. We are called to pray for them and recognize them as God's chosen. Not just our nations' leader. But every nations' leader. God will use them to bring about HIS purpose. Pray for the leaders of the nations. God can change their hearts and minds whenever HE chooses to do so. Walk in faith, not by sight!
Everyday we hear the news of more trouble between the nations. The war is spreading and just the fear of who might do what...is bringing more nations into the picture of wanting to "protect" themselves from what they deem to be "evil empires" out of control. Is there hope for us in this age? Is there hope our leaders will change and we will ever be able to live in peace?
For those of us who believe in the Saviour of the world, Jesus, we know that one day He will rule the nations and there will be peace. Scripture says that the whole earth will be filled with the glory of God and learn of His ways. When and how will this happen? Many have written how it will be...but I think we may be surprised that it doesn't come to pass in the way recent books and movies have portrayed the end!
Take the time to read Daniel 4 today. Here's a great and wonderful story how God intervenes in the lives of leaders. How He used an evil leader to bring about His purpose. Neb came to know God! Gave glory to God and led his nation and proclaimed it to the world.
It all may seem to be out of control...it will probably get alot worse before it gets better..but God in His perfect plan will use the leaders of each nation, good or bad, to bring us to a place of repentence and a place of acknowledging the Most High God.
Scripture says that God places those he chooses in leadership. We are called to pray for them and recognize them as God's chosen. Not just our nations' leader. But every nations' leader. God will use them to bring about HIS purpose. Pray for the leaders of the nations. God can change their hearts and minds whenever HE chooses to do so. Walk in faith, not by sight!
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Amazingly and miraculously made.
"You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop. Your eyes saw me when I was only a fetus. Every day [of my life] was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place. How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are! If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you."
Psalm 139: 13-18
In our day and age we are bombarded by the media that constantly makes us feel that we need to change ourselves to look like and be like...pick a star. It could be a movie star, a famous writer, musician, politician, athlete, minister, doctor, teacher, scientist...anybody, just not yourself! We are reminded daily that we're overweight, underweight, too tall, too short, too rich, too poor, too old, too young...etc. In other words...we're just never good enough.
I'm all for working to change those things that we need to change! To try and better ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually...but to try and be like "so and so" is where we need to change our way of thinking.
As the scripture above states...God made each of us just the way He wanted us to be. He recorded each day of our lives before we were born and gave each of us a purpose to be whom He created us to be. You can go through your life looking at others who are doing great things and wishing you could do those kinds of things...or you can realize, YOU are amazingly and miraculously made!
Psalm 139: 13-18
In our day and age we are bombarded by the media that constantly makes us feel that we need to change ourselves to look like and be like...pick a star. It could be a movie star, a famous writer, musician, politician, athlete, minister, doctor, teacher, scientist...anybody, just not yourself! We are reminded daily that we're overweight, underweight, too tall, too short, too rich, too poor, too old, too young...etc. In other words...we're just never good enough.
I'm all for working to change those things that we need to change! To try and better ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually...but to try and be like "so and so" is where we need to change our way of thinking.
As the scripture above states...God made each of us just the way He wanted us to be. He recorded each day of our lives before we were born and gave each of us a purpose to be whom He created us to be. You can go through your life looking at others who are doing great things and wishing you could do those kinds of things...or you can realize, YOU are amazingly and miraculously made!
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Thy will be done...
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10
I learned a long time ago not to make new year resolutions (promises). It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't any good at keeping my word. And when I broke it, I felt regret and felt the pain of letting myself down as well as others.
Jesus taught us to pray; "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"...not mine. Not ours. But God's will. We can try to will ourselves to do anything, but most of the time when we try to will it on our own, we will fail. Things happen that we don't foresee and before you know it, we have slipped right out of our "resolution or promise". The apostle Paul cried out in Romans 7:
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner-being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
We need to set goals and continue to try to do the right things for ourselves and others. That's not a bad thing to do! But be wise in what you "promise" to do.
I learned a long time ago not to make new year resolutions (promises). It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't any good at keeping my word. And when I broke it, I felt regret and felt the pain of letting myself down as well as others.
Jesus taught us to pray; "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"...not mine. Not ours. But God's will. We can try to will ourselves to do anything, but most of the time when we try to will it on our own, we will fail. Things happen that we don't foresee and before you know it, we have slipped right out of our "resolution or promise". The apostle Paul cried out in Romans 7:
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner-being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
We need to set goals and continue to try to do the right things for ourselves and others. That's not a bad thing to do! But be wise in what you "promise" to do.
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