http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/08/florida-church-cancels-funeral-gay-man/13764107/
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must
all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." (James
1:19 NLT).
For the next three days, I have
scheduled a commentary on a recent event in which a pastor has been
"demonized" because of a decision to cancel a funeral in Florida. The
deceased--it was discovered--was a gay man, married to another
man--which is opposition to the church's beliefs and policies and that
information was withheld from the pastor when they originally agreed to
allow the funeral to be held in the church. Don't judge a matter so quickly that you forget to get all the information!
An opinion--without facts to support or document--is just that, an
opinion and we all have one. However, in order to not promote ignorance
of the role of the church and its leadership, I encourage everyone who
usually reads my blog posts to read them in their entirety, expect to
have feelings ignited, but pray before you determine anything about me
or what I've said. Meditate on The Word, Seek God, and know Truth from
Him--not me.
If you feel as though I'm
ranting, you're probably right--but ranting with the intent to inform
and negate all the negativity about pastors who actually attempt to do
the right thing according to The Word of God, not political correctness
or the influence of those who choose to live ungodly lives.
Just
as I am encouraging pastors to stand firm in their belief in The Word
and to live according to it, I am standing firm in the belief in The
Word and in how God wants me to live. If anyone wants to live contrary
to The Word--that's their business and they will have to deal with the
consequences--as will I. However, I will not compromise my beliefs
simply to make others "feel" better about themselves. I am not a doormat
and I will not act like one when it comes to standing on The Word.
Here's
a newsflash--God is not interested in our "feelings;" He's interested
in whether or not we're living according to His Word and no one,
absolutely no one can convince me to live contrary to God's Word. Living
for Him--is a choice--like everything else we do and I choose Jesus
over all the "warm fuzzies" from being politically correct by people who
don't know God.
If there are some who
think I'm wrong--they're entitled to think whatever they wish--I'll
await God's judgment for being on His side rather than theirs!
Love to love you--but I'll stand firm on The Word!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Who's Following You?
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm
23:6)
There are a number of people out there who are afraid of their own shadow. Every noise heard in the middle of the night makes them cringe. The shadows of the tree branches makes them quiver in fear and heaven help those who see the shadow of others behind them, before they see the person. And then there are those who think "someone" is always following them, when in reality--their fear has caused them to see things, not really there.
Shadows--are only cast where there is light. When we walk in the light, we have no need to fear the shadows we see, but in darkness--a shadow is not cast and then evil may indeed lurk.
Taking a short cut through an alley is never a good idea, especially when the dusk looms. But there is a story afoot that tells about a young girl who was not paying attention to her surroundings and decided to take a short cut through an alley--to get home. She was humming a song when she thought she heard a sound and turning did not see anyone, so she started repeating the 23rd Psalm. Before she could get halfway to her destination, three thugs followed her and were about to attack when they saw the shadows of three people--much larger than they were. Fear overtook them and they ran for their lives-in the opposite direction. The young girl turned and watched them, smiling. She knew something they didn't. There was a light attached to a building closer to her home in the alley and what the thugs saw--were their own shadows.
When we understand how life works--on a practical level as well as a spiritual plane--we have no need to walk in fear and we can know with certainty, that "goodness and mercy" shall follow us wherever we go.
If our lives are hid in Christ Jesus--we have no need to fear--and can--with wisdom--go through life, being thankful for the shadows that loom large in lives as we walk in the light!
There are a number of people out there who are afraid of their own shadow. Every noise heard in the middle of the night makes them cringe. The shadows of the tree branches makes them quiver in fear and heaven help those who see the shadow of others behind them, before they see the person. And then there are those who think "someone" is always following them, when in reality--their fear has caused them to see things, not really there.
Shadows--are only cast where there is light. When we walk in the light, we have no need to fear the shadows we see, but in darkness--a shadow is not cast and then evil may indeed lurk.
Taking a short cut through an alley is never a good idea, especially when the dusk looms. But there is a story afoot that tells about a young girl who was not paying attention to her surroundings and decided to take a short cut through an alley--to get home. She was humming a song when she thought she heard a sound and turning did not see anyone, so she started repeating the 23rd Psalm. Before she could get halfway to her destination, three thugs followed her and were about to attack when they saw the shadows of three people--much larger than they were. Fear overtook them and they ran for their lives-in the opposite direction. The young girl turned and watched them, smiling. She knew something they didn't. There was a light attached to a building closer to her home in the alley and what the thugs saw--were their own shadows.
When we understand how life works--on a practical level as well as a spiritual plane--we have no need to walk in fear and we can know with certainty, that "goodness and mercy" shall follow us wherever we go.
If our lives are hid in Christ Jesus--we have no need to fear--and can--with wisdom--go through life, being thankful for the shadows that loom large in lives as we walk in the light!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Prized Possessions!
"He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word.
And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession." (James 1:18
NLT)
Ever had a prized possession--that one thing that mattered more to you than anything else--one that you would die for?
When I was a teenager, I had been given four silver dollars that I kept in a little plastic church bank, on a shelf in my tiny little bedroom. Since we were certainly far from wealthy, these silver dollars gave me "bargaining" power with my mother from time-to-time and they were my prized possessions. One day, when I came home from school, there were gone. I searched the whole house--looked under beds, rugs, everywhere. and could not find them. Exhausted from my search and saddened by my loss, I sat on my bed crying. My grandmother, who was visiting with us asked me why I was crying and when I told her, she very calmly said, she had taken them because she needed some money. I was livid, but because I been raised to respect my elders, there was nothing I could do or say. When my mother came home from work, she offered to replace them, but I didn't want any more. I did not want to have anything that someone else could take from me so callously.
I lost my silver dollars and any respect I had for my grandmother, my bargaining power with my mother, and my trust of adults. My prized possession was gone, but I had learned a valuable lesson about people.
I'm sure other people have prized some possession over things and know what I'm talking about if it was lost.
Now, imagine how God feels about us--His prized possessions--and how He would feel if we were lost to Him.
He had already thought about it--the possibility of our being lost--and decided to come down from Heaven to make sure we would have access to Him for all eternity. After all--we are His prized possessions and He was willing to die for us--to keep us from being lost.
Considering how He feels about us--His love for us--should be our prized possessions--something we cherish and never want to lose.
We know we are His prized possessions, but is He ours?
He has done far too much for us and we should love Him simply because He is--Love--and His love and mercy endure forever. Make His love a prized possession, one you would do anything to keep and never feel that you can lose it.
Ever had a prized possession--that one thing that mattered more to you than anything else--one that you would die for?
When I was a teenager, I had been given four silver dollars that I kept in a little plastic church bank, on a shelf in my tiny little bedroom. Since we were certainly far from wealthy, these silver dollars gave me "bargaining" power with my mother from time-to-time and they were my prized possessions. One day, when I came home from school, there were gone. I searched the whole house--looked under beds, rugs, everywhere. and could not find them. Exhausted from my search and saddened by my loss, I sat on my bed crying. My grandmother, who was visiting with us asked me why I was crying and when I told her, she very calmly said, she had taken them because she needed some money. I was livid, but because I been raised to respect my elders, there was nothing I could do or say. When my mother came home from work, she offered to replace them, but I didn't want any more. I did not want to have anything that someone else could take from me so callously.
I lost my silver dollars and any respect I had for my grandmother, my bargaining power with my mother, and my trust of adults. My prized possession was gone, but I had learned a valuable lesson about people.
I'm sure other people have prized some possession over things and know what I'm talking about if it was lost.
Now, imagine how God feels about us--His prized possessions--and how He would feel if we were lost to Him.
He had already thought about it--the possibility of our being lost--and decided to come down from Heaven to make sure we would have access to Him for all eternity. After all--we are His prized possessions and He was willing to die for us--to keep us from being lost.
Considering how He feels about us--His love for us--should be our prized possessions--something we cherish and never want to lose.
We know we are His prized possessions, but is He ours?
He has done far too much for us and we should love Him simply because He is--Love--and His love and mercy endure forever. Make His love a prized possession, one you would do anything to keep and never feel that you can lose it.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
It's All Good!
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and
immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that
nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (I Corinthians 15:58 NLT)
No matter what happens in our daily lives--the good, the bad-the seemingly overwhelming odds we must overcome--we must remember that in the end--the victory is ours if we just stay strong, refusing to be moved by what we see, and know that what we do for the Lord--is all good.
After Paul explains in his letter to the church at Corinth how when we physically die, our corruptible bodies (subject to return to the dust of the earth) will rise incorruptible (spiritually) and we will never die again. Once we understand the purpose of the law (sin-driven) and the work of the cross (sin-defeated), we will have victory over sin--we can and must control our actions and then we have victory over death. Hallelujah!
Many of us get excited about a lot of things--new jobs, new cars, basketball teams, football teams, soccer teams, getting married--all sorts of things that we celebrate. Have we considered celebrating our victory over death? Do we really get excited about God's love for us--redeeming us from the law of sin and death?
If you think this is just about going to church (as a celebration)--think again. Celebrating victory over sin and death doesn't have to wait until the doors of the church open--we can celebrate Jesus every waking moment of our lives, excited about what He has done for us and willing to share the Good News with all we meet! We celebrate in our praises, in our dances, in our tears of joy, and in communicating His love with all we do. With joy in our hearts and a song on our lips--we celebrate His love for us! Glory to God!
And when we know what we know and do what we do that pleases Him--we know nothing we do is in vain--with His guidance in everything--it's all good, nothing ever useless and time never wasted in sharing the news!
Now think--really think--do you have a reason to celebrate Jesus today? If you know Him for yourself, you do--start right now, don't waste another minute--rise up from your beds of affliction and shout the victory in His name! If you don't know Him--now is a good time to get to know Him and understand what it is He has done for you--providing an avenue to forsake sin and have victory over death!
Let The Lord into your hearts today and receive all His many benefits--celebrating His love! Hallelujah!
Thank You Lord, for Your Love, for new mercies each morning, for victory over sin and death, for making sure no weapon formed against us will ever prosper, for making us the head, not the tail, for blessing us with success in all things we do to Your glory! Our God is awesome and He alone deserves all our praise! He's Worthy! There is None Like Him! Nobody can do for us what Jesus does and when we do--out of love--it's all good!
No matter what happens in our daily lives--the good, the bad-the seemingly overwhelming odds we must overcome--we must remember that in the end--the victory is ours if we just stay strong, refusing to be moved by what we see, and know that what we do for the Lord--is all good.
After Paul explains in his letter to the church at Corinth how when we physically die, our corruptible bodies (subject to return to the dust of the earth) will rise incorruptible (spiritually) and we will never die again. Once we understand the purpose of the law (sin-driven) and the work of the cross (sin-defeated), we will have victory over sin--we can and must control our actions and then we have victory over death. Hallelujah!
Many of us get excited about a lot of things--new jobs, new cars, basketball teams, football teams, soccer teams, getting married--all sorts of things that we celebrate. Have we considered celebrating our victory over death? Do we really get excited about God's love for us--redeeming us from the law of sin and death?
If you think this is just about going to church (as a celebration)--think again. Celebrating victory over sin and death doesn't have to wait until the doors of the church open--we can celebrate Jesus every waking moment of our lives, excited about what He has done for us and willing to share the Good News with all we meet! We celebrate in our praises, in our dances, in our tears of joy, and in communicating His love with all we do. With joy in our hearts and a song on our lips--we celebrate His love for us! Glory to God!
And when we know what we know and do what we do that pleases Him--we know nothing we do is in vain--with His guidance in everything--it's all good, nothing ever useless and time never wasted in sharing the news!
Now think--really think--do you have a reason to celebrate Jesus today? If you know Him for yourself, you do--start right now, don't waste another minute--rise up from your beds of affliction and shout the victory in His name! If you don't know Him--now is a good time to get to know Him and understand what it is He has done for you--providing an avenue to forsake sin and have victory over death!
Let The Lord into your hearts today and receive all His many benefits--celebrating His love! Hallelujah!
Thank You Lord, for Your Love, for new mercies each morning, for victory over sin and death, for making sure no weapon formed against us will ever prosper, for making us the head, not the tail, for blessing us with success in all things we do to Your glory! Our God is awesome and He alone deserves all our praise! He's Worthy! There is None Like Him! Nobody can do for us what Jesus does and when we do--out of love--it's all good!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Watch For Him!
"I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” (Mark 13:37 NLT)
In this parable, Jesus is explaining to those who are listening, how they should be ready and not getting ready when He returns.
He tells us, "Since you don't know when that time will come--stay alert!" (verse 33). The "you" in this verse, although said specifically to those who were listening to Him at that time, applies to the reader and any others who have a relationship with Him. None of us knows when He will return--He said, "only the Father knows" and since we know that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father--if He's not telling Him when He'll return, He's certainly not telling any of us--who are so far removed from Him that even if He did--we probably wouldn't get it right.
The point being made here is--we don't know--but we should be ready--whenever He returns. Today is a good day to be ready; tomorrow could be too late. We don't know, but we should always be ready.
What does it take to be ready? Our heart--must already be given to Him--so we'll hear Him speak and obey His Word. Contrary to what some people think--we won't need suitcases packed, or tickets of any kind, or to be dressed in any certain way. It is the heart of a man that God looks upon--not the externals surround him or on him. When we get this right--the moment of His return will be imminent, but there is still one thing we must remember. God does not define things the way we do.
We tend to limit God with our own understanding when we should really be willing to hear Him more to obtain His understanding of all things. Having a relationship with Him--puts us in good position to know that He does not think like we think; therefore, His definition of things--anything is not going to be what we "think" we know.
We have attributed so much meaning to God's Word that is not of Him--but because of our limited understanding--that we caused many to err in their behavior and have caused many to forget about God--altogether. We will be held accountable for all we say as it pertains to God's Word and His intent--not ours.
The best way to avoid--misleading anyone--is to encourage everyone to establish and maintain a right relationship with God and know His Word--so when He speaks--you'll know what He says--aligns with what He has said.
Don't get caught up listening to those who profess to know the time of His return--they don't; but be ready--Watch For Him--He could come back at any time!
In this parable, Jesus is explaining to those who are listening, how they should be ready and not getting ready when He returns.
He tells us, "Since you don't know when that time will come--stay alert!" (verse 33). The "you" in this verse, although said specifically to those who were listening to Him at that time, applies to the reader and any others who have a relationship with Him. None of us knows when He will return--He said, "only the Father knows" and since we know that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father--if He's not telling Him when He'll return, He's certainly not telling any of us--who are so far removed from Him that even if He did--we probably wouldn't get it right.
The point being made here is--we don't know--but we should be ready--whenever He returns. Today is a good day to be ready; tomorrow could be too late. We don't know, but we should always be ready.
What does it take to be ready? Our heart--must already be given to Him--so we'll hear Him speak and obey His Word. Contrary to what some people think--we won't need suitcases packed, or tickets of any kind, or to be dressed in any certain way. It is the heart of a man that God looks upon--not the externals surround him or on him. When we get this right--the moment of His return will be imminent, but there is still one thing we must remember. God does not define things the way we do.
We tend to limit God with our own understanding when we should really be willing to hear Him more to obtain His understanding of all things. Having a relationship with Him--puts us in good position to know that He does not think like we think; therefore, His definition of things--anything is not going to be what we "think" we know.
We have attributed so much meaning to God's Word that is not of Him--but because of our limited understanding--that we caused many to err in their behavior and have caused many to forget about God--altogether. We will be held accountable for all we say as it pertains to God's Word and His intent--not ours.
The best way to avoid--misleading anyone--is to encourage everyone to establish and maintain a right relationship with God and know His Word--so when He speaks--you'll know what He says--aligns with what He has said.
Don't get caught up listening to those who profess to know the time of His return--they don't; but be ready--Watch For Him--He could come back at any time!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
How We Know!
"But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely
they love him. That is how we know we are living in him." (I John 2:5
NLT)
Someone recently asked me a question--"How can I be one of the many (who make it to heaven)?"
The question was in response to a post I had made regarding the "numbers" John saw as he related them in Revelation--144,000 and the number none could count. The reference to the 144,000 is for the remnant of the Chosen nation who obey God and the rest of us.
How do we know--we are included in that number? We know we are included in the number by our obedience to Him.
In the first part of this letter, John reminds us that Jesus became the atonement for our sins and if we say we love Him, we must obey His Word. We cannot claim to love God if we do not know Him. We get to know Him by reading His Word and understanding the work on the cross. If we do not know The Word or understand or reject the work on the cross--we deny and reject Him!
Knowing The Word, understanding and accepting the work on the cross and obeying Him is how we know we are living in Him and if we are living in Him and for Him to His glory, we know--we make we are one of the number of many.
If we claim to love our spouses or our children or even family--and yet haven't gotten to know them--how can that statement be true? Some might say we love our children and family simply because--they are. But let's go back to the "dating" event that led to marriage. Most people take their time to get the know the person they are dating and contemplating marriage. When people get married and have not truly gotten to know who it is they are marrying, the marriage eventually falls apart, unless some serious work is done to save the marriage.
How do we know? It's not enough to just say, "I love you" and then move to the next level without knowing what it is you love about the person. In counseling couples before they marry, I caution people to look at the situation from a futuristic perspective--at least twenty years ahead. I encourage their commitment to the relationship rather than just the person because we won't always "like" the person or what they do, but if we are committed to the relationship--we'll work to save the relationship. If a person is willing "to work" to save a relationship, then they know--they love.
Are we willing to work on our relationship with God through obedience to Him? If we are, then we know we'll be in that number!
Someone recently asked me a question--"How can I be one of the many (who make it to heaven)?"
The question was in response to a post I had made regarding the "numbers" John saw as he related them in Revelation--144,000 and the number none could count. The reference to the 144,000 is for the remnant of the Chosen nation who obey God and the rest of us.
How do we know--we are included in that number? We know we are included in the number by our obedience to Him.
In the first part of this letter, John reminds us that Jesus became the atonement for our sins and if we say we love Him, we must obey His Word. We cannot claim to love God if we do not know Him. We get to know Him by reading His Word and understanding the work on the cross. If we do not know The Word or understand or reject the work on the cross--we deny and reject Him!
Knowing The Word, understanding and accepting the work on the cross and obeying Him is how we know we are living in Him and if we are living in Him and for Him to His glory, we know--we make we are one of the number of many.
If we claim to love our spouses or our children or even family--and yet haven't gotten to know them--how can that statement be true? Some might say we love our children and family simply because--they are. But let's go back to the "dating" event that led to marriage. Most people take their time to get the know the person they are dating and contemplating marriage. When people get married and have not truly gotten to know who it is they are marrying, the marriage eventually falls apart, unless some serious work is done to save the marriage.
How do we know? It's not enough to just say, "I love you" and then move to the next level without knowing what it is you love about the person. In counseling couples before they marry, I caution people to look at the situation from a futuristic perspective--at least twenty years ahead. I encourage their commitment to the relationship rather than just the person because we won't always "like" the person or what they do, but if we are committed to the relationship--we'll work to save the relationship. If a person is willing "to work" to save a relationship, then they know--they love.
Are we willing to work on our relationship with God through obedience to Him? If we are, then we know we'll be in that number!
Monday, August 4, 2014
Unfailing Love!
"Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts." (Psalm 36:10 NLT)
There are some, who have confused God's unfailing love with those who "love conditionally." Those who love conditionally, are selective about their objects of "love" and withdraw the love any time the object of their affection dares to disagree with them.
This may seem a little scattered, but after an exchange of interactions this past weekend, I'm trying to sort out how some think that killing people--because of differences is justification for their doing so and they think that God condones the killing.
God's unfailing love is never withdrawn from those whom He loves. That does not mean that He condones ungodly behavior; it simply means that He will allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions, loving us all the same.
When parents discipline their children, they do so because they love them. If they didn't love them, they wouldn't have rules and since there would be no rules, there would be no need to discipline.
Love--this simple four-letter word--so unlike many other four-letter words--is the key to peace and happiness for everyone--whether we disagree or not.
Without love--we hate, we kill, we molest, we abuse, we misuse, we manipulate, we do inhumane things to humans and then wonder why the world is in the shape it is in.
With love--God's unfailing love pour into us and we pour onto to others--we are considerate, we are kind, we are patience, we are compassionate, we find ways to help others, and we always "think before we do"--anything.
And the worst part of the interactive exchange is that others professed to love and know God and His Word, but yet "in their minds" were wishing death upon those who dared to defend themselves in the conflict in the Middle East. I don't understand. How can anyone say they love God and yet wish death upon His creation--for any reason? If a person truly loves God--they understand that God is not mocked in any situation and those who are guilty of ungodly behavior will receive their "just reward" from Him--not others.
His unfailing love--disciplines and rewards--justly (not fairly) because He is sovereign and consults no human being--ever--about His plans for mankind.
Pour out Your unfailing love, O God, upon all who know and understand You and how You do what You do. Create in us a heart to receive all the love You pour upon us so that love will overflow onto others who may not know or understand You. Help us to understand that love is the key to peace for all people and not just some. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
There are some, who have confused God's unfailing love with those who "love conditionally." Those who love conditionally, are selective about their objects of "love" and withdraw the love any time the object of their affection dares to disagree with them.
This may seem a little scattered, but after an exchange of interactions this past weekend, I'm trying to sort out how some think that killing people--because of differences is justification for their doing so and they think that God condones the killing.
God's unfailing love is never withdrawn from those whom He loves. That does not mean that He condones ungodly behavior; it simply means that He will allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions, loving us all the same.
When parents discipline their children, they do so because they love them. If they didn't love them, they wouldn't have rules and since there would be no rules, there would be no need to discipline.
Love--this simple four-letter word--so unlike many other four-letter words--is the key to peace and happiness for everyone--whether we disagree or not.
Without love--we hate, we kill, we molest, we abuse, we misuse, we manipulate, we do inhumane things to humans and then wonder why the world is in the shape it is in.
With love--God's unfailing love pour into us and we pour onto to others--we are considerate, we are kind, we are patience, we are compassionate, we find ways to help others, and we always "think before we do"--anything.
And the worst part of the interactive exchange is that others professed to love and know God and His Word, but yet "in their minds" were wishing death upon those who dared to defend themselves in the conflict in the Middle East. I don't understand. How can anyone say they love God and yet wish death upon His creation--for any reason? If a person truly loves God--they understand that God is not mocked in any situation and those who are guilty of ungodly behavior will receive their "just reward" from Him--not others.
His unfailing love--disciplines and rewards--justly (not fairly) because He is sovereign and consults no human being--ever--about His plans for mankind.
Pour out Your unfailing love, O God, upon all who know and understand You and how You do what You do. Create in us a heart to receive all the love You pour upon us so that love will overflow onto others who may not know or understand You. Help us to understand that love is the key to peace for all people and not just some. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
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