We Must "hate the sin but love the sinner".
I am overwhelmed with story after story headlining the many tales of insanity and persecution against Christians and Christian thought in this nation. We were told that this would happen so it should come as no surprise, but I must admit that the magnitude, the frequency and the consistency of the tide has got me reeling to a point.
The anti-moralist, anti-biblical indoctrination in the public school system continues to grow with no apparent cessation in sight. Entire cities (Philadelphia, Boston, etc.), once bedrocks of fundamental thought in this emerging nation, have become sanctuaries of decadence and anti-God philosophy (Rom 1:22-32). The entertainment media springing from once simple entertainment has become the reflection of America at its worst. Many "churched" children in our communities lean towards relativism because they do not see a reflection of Jesus in their homes and churches and they discount the Truth as desire.
How did we get here? I think mostly by looking the other way and failing to be watchful, and by so "partaking of the fruit" ourselves that we are timid to raise our voice. I think many who call themselves Christians are apathetic in their faith and have become ineffective in the spiritual war that is upon us. Many of us are simply not engaged, are "walking wounded".
I have spent a great amount of time over the past few years getting worked up about the events at hand, sending out emails, waving placards, pontificating from a variety of soap boxes and generally blowing in the wind. I have seen myself recently throwing stones at an increasing number of God's creations, waving my Bible but failing to use it as He intended it to be used. I am not saying that we should not be at hand in the battle, but we must be wise in our engagements and must filter our actions through God's Word.
What I need to be focused upon is prayer and doing the best I can at being the best that Jesus designed me to be.
I believe we need to see clearly what is happening in our communities around us and we need to join together in prayer and living testimony so that God may use our open hearts to open others. I believe we need to strive to be watchful and engage the enemy as God directs us. We need to focus on being useful to Him.
We need to be prayerful warriors and "suited up" at all times (Eph 6:10-11). We must be walking forward, eyes and ears fully open and our hands must be filled with the Sword of the Spirit. We must "hate the sin but love the sinner".
Before I rail next, I might look in the mirror and honestly consider whether I see Jesus looking back.
Pray. Witness. Engage. Teach. Re-present Jesus.
May God be watchful over you and your family,
Steve
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
We received a tremendous teaching on "Tithing" today and I was greatly moved. I know that a great many Believers out there do not believe that tithing is scriptural. I know that my finances started turning toward the better when I began to trust God (more than myself) with His resources several years ago and I'm not going to argue with success. I believe that we have a Biblical instruction to give the "firstfruits" of our rewards and, as for me and my house, we will continue to do so.
I Googled "tithe" and discovered that tithing, according to Google searches, is 23% mandated and 67% just plain wrong. (I ignored all the Roman Catholic sites and others that were seeking donations or sales and focused this analysis only on teaching sites and essays.)
I have found that when the house is stacking up against a tenant of God's Word, it's usually wise to take the leaner side! I'll keep tithing and I'll raise my family to do the same. I'll also keep studying the issue and I'll post the link here so that you can listen to the teaching and see what God places on your heart.
Grace Point Church: What the Bible Does and Does Not Say About Giving to God.
I Googled "tithe" and discovered that tithing, according to Google searches, is 23% mandated and 67% just plain wrong. (I ignored all the Roman Catholic sites and others that were seeking donations or sales and focused this analysis only on teaching sites and essays.)
I have found that when the house is stacking up against a tenant of God's Word, it's usually wise to take the leaner side! I'll keep tithing and I'll raise my family to do the same. I'll also keep studying the issue and I'll post the link here so that you can listen to the teaching and see what God places on your heart.
Grace Point Church: What the Bible Does and Does Not Say About Giving to God.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I just heard about a new religious sighting, this time it's "Jesus In A Tree".
Sweet rolls that look like saints, tortillas with images of Jesus' dead mother, mold that looks like Jesus' face and now, "Tree's branches look like Jesus on the cross".
I do grieve for the empty faith that haunts these folks, the superstitions that rule their lives and the forlorn promises that generations of priests and religious leaders have cursed them with. I know, in their hearts, they must mean well with their adorations of molds, slime, bisquits, branches and stones. They are seeking so hard for a promise that eludes their grasp that they lose touch with the reality that is their life.
How I wish that each one of these seekers would just take a minute or two to look into the Bible and see that their freedom from this religious slavery has already been won, the price for their sin already paid, that which they seek so hard has already been found.
Man made religion and all it's trappings is a curse leading to death. Jesus, the REAL Jesus, died that we might have life abundant.
Seek Him, not a tree branch that looks like Him.
The miracle is in the book.
Sweet rolls that look like saints, tortillas with images of Jesus' dead mother, mold that looks like Jesus' face and now, "Tree's branches look like Jesus on the cross".
I do grieve for the empty faith that haunts these folks, the superstitions that rule their lives and the forlorn promises that generations of priests and religious leaders have cursed them with. I know, in their hearts, they must mean well with their adorations of molds, slime, bisquits, branches and stones. They are seeking so hard for a promise that eludes their grasp that they lose touch with the reality that is their life.
How I wish that each one of these seekers would just take a minute or two to look into the Bible and see that their freedom from this religious slavery has already been won, the price for their sin already paid, that which they seek so hard has already been found.
Man made religion and all it's trappings is a curse leading to death. Jesus, the REAL Jesus, died that we might have life abundant.
Seek Him, not a tree branch that looks like Him.
The miracle is in the book.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
We are made to be a blessing and to be blessed.
I have a friend in need; in crisis need of financial assistance and, even more importantly, in need of knowing how much God loves her and her family, how very much He cares for them and watches over them.
She told me that she "was not worthy" of God's intervention. I agreed with her that she was indeed not worthy, as none of us are, but that she is deserving. She is a child of the Most High God, a princess to the Throne of Mercy and a partaker of The Promise! She is a member of a HUGE family of believers and that a primary purpose of this family is to lift each other up in times of need, in times of distress, in times of want. It is this Family of God, that is close by to rejoice with us in times of gladness and holds us steady in times of seeming despair. Father made us for each other and we are not ever alone in Christ.
"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14
"Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." Galatians 4:6-7
She told me that "God helps those who help themselves". I assured her that this was not a Biblical teaching, but instead that God helps those who turn to Him in times of need. God helps those who have come to the end of themselves and who turn it all over to Him; God helps those who are His. God wants us to depend on Him, not to depend on ourselves; in ourselves we find idolatry, in Him we find Comfort.
"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
We called on the Family to assist our friend in this time of need and what a joy it was to watch our family of believers respond in cheerful giving and service! What a joy it was to see His heart, to be His heart and to be His hands and feet!
God gives to us so that we may give to others. We are blessed by blessing.
I remember a time of personal need when some unknown gave and my wife and I were sent on a well needed time to ourselves. I remember a time of personal need and upon opening my mailbox finding a $100 bill, quietly tucked into a Christmas card from an unknown giver. I remember a time of late night shopping for two families in greater need, and coming home to find two large boxes of food on our own doorstep.
I remember a time when I was not in God's Family, when I depended on myself, and I rejoice that I am now His! Oh, how wonderful it is to let Him care for me and for my family!
Let's take some time and reflect on that Hope we have in Jesus. That Hope that binds us together and enables us, through His Spirit, to step outside of ourselves and into the lives of others. Let's give to each other, not just money, but self. Let's give and then look for ways to give some more. Let's find someone to bless and then bless their socks off!
Father God, help me to lay myself down that I may be better able to help pick someone else up.
"Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God"
Be a blessing and be blessed, in Jesus' Name,
I have a friend in need; in crisis need of financial assistance and, even more importantly, in need of knowing how much God loves her and her family, how very much He cares for them and watches over them.
She told me that she "was not worthy" of God's intervention. I agreed with her that she was indeed not worthy, as none of us are, but that she is deserving. She is a child of the Most High God, a princess to the Throne of Mercy and a partaker of The Promise! She is a member of a HUGE family of believers and that a primary purpose of this family is to lift each other up in times of need, in times of distress, in times of want. It is this Family of God, that is close by to rejoice with us in times of gladness and holds us steady in times of seeming despair. Father made us for each other and we are not ever alone in Christ.
"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14
"Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." Galatians 4:6-7
She told me that "God helps those who help themselves". I assured her that this was not a Biblical teaching, but instead that God helps those who turn to Him in times of need. God helps those who have come to the end of themselves and who turn it all over to Him; God helps those who are His. God wants us to depend on Him, not to depend on ourselves; in ourselves we find idolatry, in Him we find Comfort.
"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
We called on the Family to assist our friend in this time of need and what a joy it was to watch our family of believers respond in cheerful giving and service! What a joy it was to see His heart, to be His heart and to be His hands and feet!
God gives to us so that we may give to others. We are blessed by blessing.
I remember a time of personal need when some unknown gave and my wife and I were sent on a well needed time to ourselves. I remember a time of personal need and upon opening my mailbox finding a $100 bill, quietly tucked into a Christmas card from an unknown giver. I remember a time of late night shopping for two families in greater need, and coming home to find two large boxes of food on our own doorstep.
I remember a time when I was not in God's Family, when I depended on myself, and I rejoice that I am now His! Oh, how wonderful it is to let Him care for me and for my family!
Let's take some time and reflect on that Hope we have in Jesus. That Hope that binds us together and enables us, through His Spirit, to step outside of ourselves and into the lives of others. Let's give to each other, not just money, but self. Let's give and then look for ways to give some more. Let's find someone to bless and then bless their socks off!
Father God, help me to lay myself down that I may be better able to help pick someone else up.
"Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God"
Be a blessing and be blessed, in Jesus' Name,
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