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Archive for the ‘The Body’ Category

COMPULSION TO QUIT

Posted in Faith, Love, The Body on June 8, 2021|

Photo Credit: Jeremy Yap

“For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ — which is far better — but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.”

Philippians 1:21-26 HCSB

 

There has been a lot of talk about mental health amongst celebrities and sports figures.  Many of these individuals coming out and expressing their battles with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.  The Christian is not immune to this.  Matter of fact I am sure the majority of us suffer from outside pressures to quit or go it alone.  So many suffer in silence and do not realize how many others are also suffering.

 

There is a lot of pressure on our lives today.  If you are a leader or someone that others rely on this can be at times unbearable.  The Apostle Paul speaks about this in Philippians 1.  He has this desire to be with Christ but recognizes he also has a purpose on the earth for the church.  The cross Paul bore was great but the fruit he bore was greater for the body of Jesus Christ.

 

Your life matters.  God has a great plan and purpose for your life to impact others.  So many of us give up ams do not endure the times for the sake of God’s people.  Not everyone thinks about suicide but so many give up on their calling and the place where God has placed them

 

As a Christian our walk will involve pain, anxiety, hopelessness, and can entail love, joy and peace in the midst of darkness. Jesus never said we would live a life free of pain or suffering. On the contrary He said we would suffer. We must remember Jesus told us to endure. Do not give up on your dreams, life or even God. You still have fruit to bear for the sake of others. Your life and even your pain has a purpose. Don’t Quit!

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FALLACY OF CHRISTIAN POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Posted in Faith, government, Jesus, Law, Love, Peace, Salvation, Sin, The Body, The Father, The Righteous on April 7, 2018|

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“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4: 20 NASB

For over two years the Media has defined what it means to be Christian by people’s political and religious beliefs.  Rarely, are we depicted as Disciples of Christ.  Instead many articles and debates question who are the real Christians?  Some have defined Christianity based on political and religious; if you are a true Christian you must ascribe to certain political and religious traditions.

I was struck this week by a question posed on a radio station on whether or not Christians who support President Trump are really Christians.  Can Christians be characterized by their support or criticism of a leader or political party in lieu of their faith?  There are many that argue they can because certain political and religious ideals are rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I found this interesting because our salvation and adoption as God’s children cannot be secured through the law or our adaption to world systems.

Those of us who identify ourselves as Christian believe in Jesus Christ, that He died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is alive today at the right hand of God our Father.   We know “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”  Romans 10: 9-10 (NASB)

Unfortunately, in the height of political debates and a politically charge environment we have succumb to defining Christianity through a political lens.  We have this delusion that the party we belong to or the leaders we show allegiance to has some impact on our entrance into the Kingdom of God; or defines us as a disciple of Christ.  This is just absurd, because you are trying to judge something that is spiritually rooted in God with something rooted in mankind.

Our salvation is not obtained by any work we do or what others have done.  We cannot stand before God and claim that because we ascribe to a set of political and religious ideologies we are proven to be the Children of God.  The only reason we can stand before God blameless, is because Jesus Christ died for our sins.  He took our sin and punishment.  We were graciously given Jesus’ righteousness in exchange and have been reconciled to the Father.  There is no work we have done to earn our salvation, so we have no right to boast in our political and religious beliefs.  The law cannot save us, so it is ridiculous to think adhering to certain religious and political beliefs and laws (defined by men) can save us.

The bible is clear that we can identify Christians (the Children of God) by the love that we have for one another.  Jesus even said we would know people by their fruit.  So if a person claims to love God but hates his brother he is a liar and Christ is not in him.  If one claims to follow Jesus but is full of hatred they are not Jesus’ disciple.  Whatever comes out of the mouth reveals what is in the heart.  Whether we are ruled by love or hate speaks more to our faith in Jesus Christ than anything else, including our political party affiliation or religious sect.

Politics and religion will always reveal hypocrisy in man.  Often time these belief systems run contrary to the person’s own behavior.  Also, it is mostly used to sit in judgment of others and think too highly of ourselves.  Boasting about our political and religious ideologies is rooted in pride and God hates pride.  We are taught in scripture to hold our brother in higher esteem than ourselves.

Christianity is defined by humility.  Jesus Christ, who is God, became man and walked amongst us.  He took our sin and became the perfect sacrifice and died so that we might live.  It is through Jesus’ resurrection that we have eternal life and power.  There is no other name in heaven or on the earth that is greater than Jesus.  Jesus is the only one who is deemed the Savior of mankind.

Our faith is not evident through our political and religious symbols and allegiance.  Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by the love we have for one another.  We may disagree on the political and religious battlefield but even in our disagreement we are called to love.

 

For those that want to know how to spot a Christian, check their fruit (character).  Jesus said you will know us by our fruit.  If these things (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, see Galatians 5:22-23) are not evident in a person’s character,  then the Spirit of God is not in them and they are not known by Jesus.

21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23 NASB

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Are We Jonah?

Posted in government, Love, Salvation, The Body, The Righteous, The Word, tagged , , on November 8, 2012|

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4: 1-4 NIV

God told Jonah to preach to Nineveh about their wickedness and their coming destruction.  At first Jonah did not listen and he fled to Tarshish.  He was on a boat and a storm arose and he was tossed into the sea and swallowed by a giant fish.  Jonah finally obeyed God and went to Nineveh to tell them about their wickedness and their destruction.  But Nineveh decided to turn from their wickedness, and repent of their sins.  Even the King entered a decree that the people give up their evil ways and turn to God.  So when God saw what Nineveh did, He relented and decided not to bring judgment on Nineveh.  This angered Jonah and he went away with that anger still in him.

There are many Christians who are upset at the direction our nation is going and based on this week’s election results many have concluded that are nation is headed to destruction.  We have fasted and prayed yet God has said to us “go and make disciples.”  For decades we have said and done this.  When the nation took out bibles and prayer in schools we said destruction would come we prayed and God told us to disciple the nation.  But we just stayed in our pulpits and pews and pronounced the nation was headed in the wrong direction.  When sexual immorality became the norm in our society; we fasted and we prayed and God told us to disciple the nation but we returned to our churches grumbling and complaining.

As more and more officials were elected and brought more liberal ideas and policies, we griped and complained but we still didn’t heed the voice of God who told us to go and make disciples of this nation.  Instead we seem content to just tell the people because of their wickedness this nation is headed for destruction.

Are we like Jonah?  Do we fear that if we preach the Good news, disciple the people that God will relent and save this nation? Because deep down we know that God is slow to anger and abounding in love. When will we as Christians rise up and repent of our disobedience to the great commission given to us by Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations especially our own; baptizing them, healing them of all their diseases and loving them instead of condemning them to destruction.

Jonah was angry that God relented.  He thought the people of Nineveh deserved to be destroyed because they were so wicked.  He questioned in the bitterness of his soul – Why should they be given another chance for God’s mercy?  Jonah didn’t want to see Nineveh repent.  Are we like Jonah?

God’s response to Jonah was “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:11

God has great concern for the United States of America He wants to heal our land and change it for good.  He has directed His people to go and disciple the people of the nation.  When we do this they will turn to God and desire the things of God.  They will no longer seek those things out that are evil but call upon the Lord for salvation.  If the people change so will our government and their hearts will be turned to God.

The law cannot save.  We cannot expect our government to enact laws that will cause this nation to turn back to God.  Instead we have to humble ourselves and do what God has commissioned us to do.  We must remember that the Holy Spirit will convict men of their sin and turn them to Jesus.  We must be that light and proclaim the word of God in our towns and cities throughout this nation.  One man was able to speak a word from God and the entire city repented and turned to God.  How much more can the people of God do today under the power of the Holy Spirit?

So let’s not focus on the law or grumble about the state of our government.  Instead let’s save the people and heal their broken hearts.  They are longing for the truth and the light of God.  Everything we do we must do out of love and not judgment and pride.  We must deem them higher than we deem ourselves.

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Compassionate Conservative?

Posted in government, Love, Money, Prayer, The Body, The Father, The Righteous on October 9, 2012|

9 “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ Zechariah 7:9-10 NIV

Compassionate conservatism is a political philosophy that stresses using traditionally conservative techniques and concepts in order to improve the general welfare of society (Wikipedia Encyclopedia).  It is a term that President George W. Bush identified with when he ran for office in 2000.  The idea was that conservatives were motivated by compassion.  This is what President George Bush said about himself.  Many republicans at that time were talking about the importance of compassionate conservatism.  However, I wonder where that compassion has gone.

I have been astounded by the rhetoric of anger, fear, and hatred that I have heard from those claiming to be conservative or republican in speaking about the direction this country is going and the current administration.  The Republican Party seems to have been hijacked by a small group of right wing individuals who promote hate and fear.   They have made the republicans look like the main thing that matters to them is money.  They are tired of paying for programs that benefit the less fortunate or cringe at the idea that somehow their wealth will be redistributed to the poor or minorities who are viewed as being lazy or dependent upon government handouts.

The Republican Party has stood against abortion and stood for traditional marriage which is what entices many Christians to the party.  We even use terms as the Christian Right who have been vocal critiques of the liberal policies that make abortion legal and desire to allow gays to marry.  Despite the Republicans’ stance on these issues the recent rhetoric for the past four years has given me great pause and I ask where is the compassion?

How is it that policies that have favored the poor, immigrants or minorities are the very policies that are driving our nation to the brink of destruction?  Why is it that when the first black President is elected there were those who questioned his birth right, and called him names including Hitler, a Marxist or whatever negative term that would bring about fear and loathing?  But I don’t expect that much from those that are motivated by money or are more concerned about their balance sheets and profit margins.  I do expect more from Christians.  Where is the love and compassion?

As much as the current administration has been criticized by the Christian right for their policies concerning abortion and marriage they have remained silent about those in the republican party spouting fear, hate and anger.  Some have even fed the rhetoric by repeating what they hear.  Things like our country is headed for destruction and God will judge us if we support the current administration or Democratic Party.  They have not criticized those within the party that are spouting all this negativity.  Where is the hope?  Why all the doom and gloom?  Compassion has been thrown out the window.

I have been truly baffled by all of this.  I have prayed for understanding but I keep going back to love and compassion.  Jesus said that the world would know His disciples by the love that they have for one another.  Instead fear has been the driving factor in this election season by the Republicans who claim that God on their platform unlike the Democrats who tried to remove God from their platform.  I guess we should at least give the Democrats credit for being honest instead of purporting to be followers of God but not displaying the characteristics of God.

Let’s leave politics to the politicians and corporations that support them.  The church is to be about the business of God.  If the government is not going to provide justice, compassion and mercy to the people it is the church’s responsibility.

We can’t just support making abortion illegal without offering a solution for women and those babies born to parents that can’t care for them or do not want to care for them.  We need to provide them with a safe place where they will find compassion and mercy, not judgment and hate.  If we do not want the government providing the poor or minorities with programs that benefit their education, finding work, health benefits, etc. then the church has to step up.

When these right wing conservatives are crying foul and speaking doom and gloom; the church needs to step up and provide hope and love to a lost and hurting people.  We should not be standing behind them rooting them on in hopes that their rhetoric will encourage people not to support the current administration or Democratic Party.  How often have we demonized the current administration and those that are part of the Democratic Party?  Since when did they become our enemy?

The direction of our nation is not dependent upon those who do not know God.  They are doing what they know to do.  We can’t expect them to walk in righteousness.  However, the direction of the nation is dependent upon the righteous.  If the nation is headed toward moral decay or destruction then we have to look to ourselves and judge ourselves before God.  Are we fulfilling the great commission that Jesus gave us?

If we would show the mercy and compassion toward others that God has shown to us then we will find favor and compassion with whatever party or person that occupies the white house.  The bible is full of examples of godly men and women that found favor with kings and governments that lived contrary to them.

We should be celebrating everything that is right in this country and provide light and hope in those dark places.  Fear, hate, and anger should never be part of our vocabulary or conversation because it was never with Jesus.  Our hearts should long for the salvation of every lost soul and compassion and mercy toward all.  We can hate sin but not the sinner.  We should be building up and not tearing down.

I hope one day Republicans will return to the idea of compassionate conservatism.  Remember the bible teaches us that if we seek first the Kingdom that all these things will be added to us.  If we give to the poor we will not have to worry about our riches.  What we do for others God will do for us.  The church knows this message and it is time we begin to teach it to the nation.  The lust and love of money is the root of all evil but love, compassion and mercy is the very DNA of our living God.

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The Price of War

Posted in government, Love, Peace, Prayer, The Body, Unity on November 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“Leave your orphans behind, I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in Me.” Jeremiah 49:11

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  James 1:27

Today we celebrate Veteran’s Day in the USA.  It is a time that we honor our soldiers who have served this country and the many wars we have faced.  We know the high price of war is the lost of our soldiers lives; prisoners of wars; wounded soldiers; and broken families.  Unfortunately, the current wars that we have been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan may have lingering effects for generations to come.

We have been fighting these two wars for 10 years now.  Even though the death toll has not been as high as previous wars; these two wars have taken a great toil on our soldiers, their families and our society.  Our soldiers have faced multiple deployments and we have seen a record number of women soldiers serving in these two wars.  Many children have been left behind and these children may be the greatest price we pay for these wars.  Children need their parents, if they are raised apart from their parents it has a lasting effect even into their adulthood.

I can’t even imagine a child that loses a parent to war.  Everyone knows the risk but we all hope that our soldiers return home safe and sound.  But the other tragedy facing children are the multiple deployments.  Imagine seeing your dad or mom going off to war; they return home to only be sent back again – leaving a child to face the separation again and again.  This can cause fear, anxiety, anger, and hatred to build in a child’s heart.  Where is their safety and who will care for them?

We may not know the impact of this until years from now even after the wars are completed.  Truthfully we are seeing more and more homes losing the fathers as they go off to fight in these wars.  There are also mothers being sent but the majority of those serving are men and many of them are fathers. 

We cannot ignore the impact that these wars have on our children.  They need our love and support.  As the bible tells us we are to care for the widows and orphans and we do not have to wait for our soldiers to die to take notice of the needs of the families that are left behind.

God has a special place in his heart for orphans and widows.  He has a heart for the fatherless and so should we.  I honor the men and women that have serve our country, but I pray that by God’s grace and wisdom that He can pave a way that these men and women are separated from their families as little as possible.

We may not have the resources or knowledge to prevent multiple deployments of soldiers but we can stand in the gap for those that are away and serving our country.  We can pray and we can care for their families.  We as a society can do this.  It is not only our government’s responsibility but it is also ours. 

Whether or not we agree with the wars, the truth is our soldiers are fighting and we need to support them in any capacity we can.  The holidays are approaching and there are many families that will be without their dads and moms as they serve overseas to fight for our freedom.  Let’s see what we can do  to help these families cope and enjoy this holiday season.

As Christians let us continue to pray for peace and victory in these wars so we can bring our soldiers home and these children do not have to be orphaned any longer.  Let’s believe God for a supernatural act on behalf of our soldiers.

I pray God’s blessing, protection and grace to every soldier that serves this country.  I pray for unity in our nation as our military fights for our freedom and safety.  Theirs is a great sacrifice; but their children do not have to be the casualty of war.  The African parable says “it takes a village to raise a child’; so let’s help raise this generation of military children.  We all have a part, so let’s each do our part in raising up the next generation.

Happy Veteran’s Day to all our soldiers and their families, THANK YOU for all you do. God Bless our Veterans and God Bless the United States of America.

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Marriage of the Lamb

Posted in God's Glory, Jesus, The Body, The Righteous on January 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

7“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb ‘” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Revelation 19: 7-9

There are those that argue marriage is just a piece of paper having no real significance.  Marriage is actually a picture of Jesus Christ (the bridegroom) and the Church (the bride).  The church is actually those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  We know that Jesus will return for His bride and as Revelation states there will be a wedding feast.

As I think about the marriage supper of the Lamb I think of my own wedding.  Before I got married I had my father’s last name.  On my wedding day, I dressed in a beautiful white gown and wore a veil.  As I walked down the aisle I knew my life was forever going to change.  The groom and I exchanged vows and we were announced as husband and wife.  I turned to the crowd and I no longer had my father’s name but took  my husband’s name.  I was a new person, a wife and had a new name; I and my husband were now one.

The same thing happens to us when we join Jesus Christ.  The day will come when He will come for His bride and there will be a great wedding feast.  The bride and groom will finally meet.  On that day we will take His name.  We will be presented as belonging to Jesus.  He will be ours and we will be His forever more.  Nothing separating us, not even death.  I look forward to that day.  Don’t you?  Aren’t you glad your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?  “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

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A Wedding…

Posted in Prophesy, The Body, The Holy Spirit on June 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 1 Corinthians 14:3

Last week I was at a wedding and one of the pastors performing the ceremony gave a sermon on marriage.  I was surprised to hear the pastor telling the newly married couple how difficult marriage was and that some marriages end.  He was encouraging them to put God first but I began to think what a wonderful time to prophesy to a couple who are about to embark on a brand new life.

Many times it is second nature for us to just warn people about the trouble ahead and the trials they may face.  I’m sure the pastor did not want to make marriage seem too easy or should be taken lightly.  There is life and death in the tongue, how I wish he spoke life to this couple.  Instead of focusing on the perils of marriage, he could have focused on their lives and the blessings that come in marriage.  Marriage between a man and woman is the prophetic picture of the marriage between Christ and His church.  Marriage is meant to help the body of Christ not burden it.

As Paul exhorts us to prophesy we do not need have some special ability to foresee the future.  There are many scriptures in the bible that are prophetic that we can use to exhort and edify the church.  There are many scriptures that could have been used to exhort and edify this newly married couple.

Many know that life is full of ups and downs.  We don’t always have to be the bearer of bad news.  We should desire to prophesy to others when we can through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We should seek to exhort and edify each other for that is what brings life.

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Beware of the Tongue!

Posted in The Body on March 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »

 5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.  See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!  6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.  7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  James 3:5-10

Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is keep our mouth shut, because the tongue is very dangerous.  James tells us in the above scriptures that no man can tame the tongue.  We should never assume we can control our own tongues.  How many times have you said something without really thinking and got in trouble?  Or spoke to soon?  Or, as the old saying goes, “put your foot in your mouth.”  We will speak kindly to a person’s face but when they turn their backs we will talk about them and curse them.

The internet has given a voice to many people who normally would not be heard.  You don’t even need your own website to voice your opinion.  Many places allow you to leave comments about a subject matter.  If you read the comments on any given article you will read just how mean and vicious people can be.  Honestly, I am shocked by many of the things I read from others but it just shows how true the above scriptures are in regards to the tongue.

Since the tongue can’t be tamed we have to be very careful in our speech.  It is very easy to say things without thinking and hurt others in the process.  Some of the most hurtful things we can do to a person involves our tongue.  Remember the wise saying “If you do not have something nice to say, don’t say anything.”

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