Tag: Love

Love encompasses a variety of strong and positive emotional and mental states, ranging from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection and to the simplest pleasure.

Posted on

A Letter to YOU from the Devil

A Letter to YOU from the Devil

I am working.


I do not care, and although people tend to depict me as an ugly two horned beast and a fork tail, this is false.

The truth is whoever knows the bible knows very well that I can still appear as an angel of light.

Actually, I go to church more often than many and feel particularly happy when I come across Christians who neglect to pray or read the Bible on a regular basis.

It is in this that I am filled with joy and even applaud.

This is because the less you pray and read the Bible, the more control I can exert over you.

My greatest joy is when at the moment of preaching, many are talking, distracted on the their mobile phones or to concerned with their appearance.

My greatest sadness is when I see the church singing. I turned against God along time ago, because I wanting to be his equal. As a result I was expelled from heaven and lost all my privileges and so I have made this earth my home.


Today in the church, *music is what I hate most*.
Therefore *I have set a spirit of pride and prostitution for the musicians*, (Ezekiel 28: 12,13,14,15).

*My end is near*. That is why in recent times I am working hard to bring crowds with me to hell.

My mission is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

I attract crowds with songs, dances, parties, alcoholic drinks, drugs, social networks, soap operas, movies, fame, fashion, lust, money, sexual pleasures etc.

I like to see women exposing there bodies to arouse the sensuality of men.

Many go to church with tight pants and short skirts.

I’m not afraid to reveal my secrets. I know very well that even when all this is said, there will be no improvement in you.

The things that make me angry in the church are: *fasting, prayers, intercession, and offerings*.

When I want someone not to go to church, I put thoughts like:

‘You are tired’, you are not fit to go to church … Then do not go!

‘The services are long and tiring’, do not go !!!

‘Rest, enjoy the TV!’

Posted on

Modern Hero’s for God

Modern Hero’s for God

What makes someone a hero? Are they perfect in every way, like Superman? Or, are they flawed like the rest of us? And what about the anti-hero, those who have deep flaws and yet at times display great courage and make a stand for what is right? Where do we see these people around us, and what can we learn from them? And, what about those who are famous and lots of people follow them but are not heroes at all?

He has conquered self–the strongest foe man has to meet. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who can stand unmoved amid a storm of abuse is one of God’s heroes.

He who has learned to rule his spirit will rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances to which we are daily exposed, and these will cease to cast a gloom over his spirit. 

It is God’s purpose that the kingly power of sanctified reason, controlled by divine grace, shall bear sway in the lives of human beings. He who rules his spirit is in possession of this power. 

The man or woman who preserves the balance of the mind when tempted to indulge passion, stands higher in the sight of God and heavenly angels than the most renowned general that ever led an army to battle and to victory. 

What young men and women need is Christian heroism. God’s Word declares that he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city. To rule the spirit means to keep self under discipline”¦. They need to seek earnestly to bring into their lives the perfection that is seen in the life of the Saviour, so that when Christ shall come, they will be prepared to enter in through the gates into the city of God. God’s abounding love and presence in the heart will give the power of self-control and will mold and fashion the mind and character. The grace of Christ in the life will direct the aims and purposes and capabilities into channels that will give moral and spiritual power–power which the youth will not have to leave in this world, but which they can carry with them into the future life and retain through the eternal ages. 

Posted on

How to Love the Sinner & Hate the Sin

How to Love the Sinner & Hate the Sin

It’s a catchy phrase. Everyone uses it whenever there is a discussion about Christians interacting with people that live counter to Scripture (or their interpretation of Scripture).

“Love the sinner, hate the sin.”

But how do we do that? It’s easier said than done. It can be difficult to see the distinction between sinner and sin.

Thankfully, C.S. Lewis has some wise words to help get us see the line between.

“I remember Christian teachers telling me long ago that I must hate a bad man’s actions but not hate the bad man: or, as they would say, hate the sin but not the sinner. ”¦I used to think this a silly, straw-splitting distinction: how could you hate what a man did and not hate the man?

But years later it occurred to me that there was one man to whom I had been doing this all my life –namely myself.

However much I might dislike my own cowardice or conceit or greed, I went on loving myself. There had never been the slightest difficulty about it. In fact the very reason why I hated the things was that I loved the man. Just because I loved myself, I was sorry to find that I was the sort of man who did those things.”

– C.S. Lewis

It isn’t as hard to love the sinner and hate the sin as we often think, because we are doing it all the time. We love ourselves even though we do things that we hate and condemn in ourselves.

The problem is, we don’t know it. We don’t see it that way.

But when we do, when we turn those eyes of grace from ourselves to others, it is easier to see the sinner and not just the sin. It becomes that much easier to share the love of Christ because we know what it like to receive it.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

– 1 John 4:10

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

– John 13:34-35

This article first appeared on Christian Thought Sandbox.

Posted on

When God Didn’t Give You the Life You Dreamed–Not Even Close

When God Didn’t Give You the Life You Dreamed—Not Even Close

Because of our sinful nature we tend to take the path of least resistance at times, you know, the easier way. If we’re not careful that way of thinking can slip into our faith life and that’s a problem because it’s not taking up our cross! Jesus cautions us; whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. It’s no easy task to take up our cross day after day and follow our Lord. It’s possibly the most difficult thing we do. It can wear on us, but do we still make that effort every day? Do we still have that zeal for our Lord? Is Jesus still our hearts desire? 

Jesus came to give what no one could’ve ever dreamed up – salvation by grace through faith alone. As a result, we’re justified by faith apart from the works of the law. You’d think people would be overjoyed at that Message, to be relieved of the unbearable weight of God’s Law but most react just the opposite. Even though Jesus teaches throughout Scripture that the Law only condemns, that it has no power to save, that by the law is the knowledge sin. Many still think they deserve heaven! God’s Law acts, in part, like a mirror. When we look into the Law it reflects back the fact that we’ve failed, that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! For that reason, everyone is destitute, penniless of any righteousness within ourselves! 

We have nothing that we can use to bargain with God. But there is Good News, in perfect love for mankind, our Savior died so that we could be forgiven and saved by His grace alone. In Jesus we have unconditional forgiveness of every wrong, no questions asked, no strings attached! as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us! He assures us that He doesn’t even remember them anymore. Through Him the spiritually poor, (you, me, and all people) are given riches beyond measure and understanding! The free riches of God’s forgiving grace in Jesus. Make no mistake, we’re all completely dependent on Jesus’ righteousness alone! 

That’s why He came! to heal the brokenhearted — everyone who realizes our sin and its terrible consequences. Jesus has healed our hearts, washed away our sins; given us peace with our heavenly Father, and a new life of saving faith! Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives. To set free all who were held prisoner by the power of sin and satan. Picture a dungeon, one of our own making, where we and all mankind were imprisoned awaiting eternal death! Our jailor was evil incarnate whose hatred for us goes beyond anything we can imagine! 

Now, picture yourself chained in that dark, wet, dungeon; starving, dying, with no hope and no possible way to escape! That was our fate – until Jesus opened the prison door and set us free. To those blinded by the darkness of unbelief He gives recovery of sight. The Holy Spirit replaces the absolute darkness of death with the Light of Life — the power of God to salvation! No longer are we trapped in the depths of despair. Jesus set at liberty those who are oppressed, those who were slaves of their own mind and its corrupt desires! The souls of all throughout time who were chained in darkness Jesus has set free. He shattered those chains, forever destroying our adversary’s power over us. That’s the greatest act of love in all eternity, willingly taking all mankind’s sins upon Himself and dying the death we deserved to pay the full price for our redemption. Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus came to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. The time when God extends His saving grace to mankind. That time is right now and for as long as the Lord permits the world to continue! Jesus then spoke a most glorious revelation of mankind’s redemption; today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. This Message of perfect love and forgiveness, deliverance and life, is for all mankind! It’s the greatest Message of peace and love the world will ever know!

The OT faithful had waited thousands of years to hear those Words. It had been passed down from generation to generation, and now, before their very eyes, stood the fulfilment! Jesus the Messiah had come! But most had fallen into the deep and deadly sleep of spiritual indifference! Many no longer cared, they couldn’t even see why they needed to be forgiven, they thought they were good with God. It’s the same today! The saving Gospel, Jesus crucified for the sins of the world, often falls on indifferent ears. 

By God’s grace we celebrate what the world despises and laughs at, our Lord’s Message of full and free salvation! Jesus has set us free from the prison of eternal death by forgiving us! He still freely gives that life and salvation to everyone who asks! He promises; ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. That’s our Savior’s boundless love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. That perfect love forever stands revealed on Calvary! 

But sadly, many are still blinded by unbelief, they ridicule and curse the Message of Life and Its Author! Their minds have been deceived by the world and its prince, they’ve turned their ears away from the truth! They’ve grown indifferent and quite simply — just don’t care. 

But, what about us? Have we grown spiritual indifferent?

Do we still trust in Jesus alone for life and salvation?

Do we still look to Jesus alone for strength and courage? 

Do we still build our faith on the eternal foundation of His saving Word alone? 

Do we still find joy in serving our Lord with our gifts? 

Do we still have a burning zeal to share His saving Gospel with the world around us?

If not, we’re dead! We’ve fallen back into the death He saved us from! By God’s grace the Christian faith still burns brightly in this congregation. But we must always be on our guard! May the Spirit enable us to always see (through eyes of faith) what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God?

Jay Hartmann

Posted on

Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday

Hardly the day started and … it is already six o’clock in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday.

… and the month is already over.

… and the year is almost up.

… and already 40, 50 and 60 years of our lives have passed.

… and we then realise that we have lost our parents and friends. And then we realise that it is too late to go back …

So … Let’s try, however, to take full advantage of the time we have left …

Let’s not stop looking for activities that we like …

Let’s put color in our greyness …

Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.

And yet, we must continue to enjoy serenely the time that remains. Let’s try to eliminate the “after” …

I do it after …

I will say after …

I will think about it after …

We leave everything for later as if “after” was ours.

Because what we do not understand is that:

after, the coffee cools …

after, priorities change …

after, the charm is broken …

after, health passes …

after, the children grow up …

after, the parents get older …

after, the promises are forgotten …

after, the day becomes the night …

after, life ends …

And after that it’s often too late ….

So … leave nothing for later …

Because always waiting for later, we can lose the best moments,

the best experiences,

the best friends,

the best family …

The day is today … The moment is now …

We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone until tomorrow what needs to be done right away.

So let’s see if you’ll have time to read this message and then share it.

Or maybe you’ll leave it for … “later” …

And you will not share it “ever” ….

Posted on

Faith Matters

‘Have Faith in God’ Mark 11:22 Have ‘the God type of faith’ Says Jesus in Verse 22 of Mark chapter 11, not some man made, mind over matter rubbish but the type of faith that believes for the impossible. Not wishful thinking, not some dream but faith that is based on the never changing word of God.

You can never base faith on things or on people for things and people die away, but God is eternal as is his word, so you can take his word as gospel truth.

’For truly I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them’ Mark 11:23, 24

Now that’s what I call faith’ it is not a man-made pie in the sky, wishing for something to happen kind of faith, it is the God type of faith which truly believes for the impossible, it’s the same faith that created the world we live in by the Word. That’s the kind of faith that creates something out of nothing.

These are days when we need to have our faith strengthened, when we need to know God. God has designed that ‘the just shall live by faith (Hebrews 10:38) Any man or woman can be changed by faith, no matter how much bondage they may find themselves in, God’s word is sufficient.

One word from God can change an individual and it can change a nation, His word is from everlasting to everlasting it’s unchanging and as such you can trust it completely.  It is through the entrance of this everlasting Word, this incorruptible seed, that we are born again, and come into His wonderful and complete and free salvation.

Its Gods word that creates this new life in us and this new life needs feeding ‘Man cannot live by bread alone, but must live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ Matthew 4:4 ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God’ Romans 10:17

If we want to see miracles we need to walk in the Spirit and that way we will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 ‘whatsoever is not of faith is sin’ Romans 14:23 It’s not your flesh that believes it is your born again spirit, it’s your spirit that will enable faith to take a leap and believe for the miraculous.

It’s not something that your mind dreams up, it is the word of the living God seeking release in order to bring glory to His name, you cannot pray it in, you can’t pray it down but you can read and hear it and hear it until you believe it enough to take your dream and make it a reality.

We need to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, Ephesians 4:23 in other words when we were in the world we were brainwashed by the lies of Satan now as Christians we need to be renewed from all the rubbish that was sown there. Walking in faith is easy; it comes by choosing Christ instead of the world, it comes by choosing to read and digest Gods word instead of TV soaps, it costs but the rewards are clean hands and a pure heart, Psalm 24:4

Everywhere people even so called ordained ministers are trying to discredit the Bible and take from it all the miraculous.

They have ‘forms of godliness but deny the power thereof, 2nd Timothy 3:5 they ‘feast themselves in the church, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers without fruit twice dead plucked up by the roots. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out of their shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever’ Jude 1:12

These so called ministers are among the church spreading dissention, deceiving the weak and destroying the weary. They look the part yet ‘inwardly they are ravening wolves, false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing’ Matthew 7:15 they are easy to recognize for as Jesus said ‘you shall know them by their fruit’

Look for the fruit of righteousness in men, do not judge them by their clothes or their speech, for ‘a good tree brings forth good fruit and a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit’ ‘not everyone who say unto Christ, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven’ Matthew 7:17- 21

It’s not fine words that mark out the man of God, it’s his love of Christ and his utter dependence on God’s word out of which flows the fruits of the Spirit.

It’s not even the works that mark the man of God for there are many who will say to the Lord ‘have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? For even so Christ will say ‘I never knew you, depart from me you that work iniquity’ Matthew 7:22-23

Today  foolish men may deny the virgin birth, the atoning sacrifice of Christ and his resurrection, some may even say that healing is not for today, they may say that God glories in sickness but God has the final say, they will die but the word of the Lord abides forever 1st Peter 1:23

We have a wonderful God, a God whose ways are past finding out, and whose grace and power are limitless.

’What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them’

See for yourself these truths, ‘God has placed no limit to his giving’ the truths here are eternal they are life changing to anyone who would dare to take God at his word.

I remember well one evening sitting reading in my office when a knock came to the door, it was an elderly gentleman who said he needed help.  He was in serious pain with arthritis and so I began to speak to him about Christ the great saviour. Son he said; I have been saved 40 years I asked him how his faith was.  He replied ‘I have great faith’

After prayer he was able jump up and down with no pain but he was not satisfied and complained, “I feel a little bit of trouble just there,” pointing to a certain place. ‘Do you know what your problem is’ I said?” He answered, “No.

I said, ‘Imperfect faith’ We went to Marks Gospel and read, ‘What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive there, and you shall have them’ the dear man saw it and said ‘If God said it that settles it, I am healed for that’s what I came for’ Immediately every pain, even the trouble spot disappeared back to hell where it was birthed.

Did you believe before you were saved? You see feelings do not come into the realm of the spirit; there was never a man who ‘felt’ saved before he believed. God’s plan was always, if you can believe, all things are possible’ Mark 9:23

In these last closing days before Christ comes I believe God wants to bring us all to a definite place of unswerving faith and confidence in Himself, if ever the body of Christ needed to walk in Holy Ghost power it is now because ‘the night is soon coming when no man can work’ John 9:4

There is a dirty rainy day coming, a day when we will need all the power of heaven on our side, you may have already experienced the dirty rain from hell’s kitchen if so you will know what I mean. Sickness which seems incurable, debt that is beyond your ability, wounds that seem impossible to heal, broken hearts all need the power of God’s anointing to destroy them.

It may be too late to seek an answer from heaven when you are dying unless your faith is built up and you know the will of God for your life. It never ceases to amaze me how many of God’s children leave him out in the early stages of their problems, like Adam and eve they hide from God and almost run away from Him until there is no more place to run.

They come to our home after spending weeks or even months in agony weak in strength and in spirit and we have to start to build their faith up to receive, what a foolish thing, leaving the great physician out of the picture until they face death.

Why does Jesus use a mountain when he is teaching his followers about faith? Simply because if you have faith to remove a mountain, you can remove anything you see the plan of God is so awesome, that ‘if you will only believe, all things are possible’ Mark 9:23

In Mark 11:23 we read, ‘And shall not doubt in his heart’ you see it’s the heart were faith grows, it’s not that your head gets full of God’s word it’s from your heart (spirit) that all the issues of life flow. It’s from your heart that faith springs forth and reveals the saving, Healing Christ; it’s from your heart that life changing power flows so ‘guard your heart with all diligence’ Proverbs 4:23

As we continue to have heart fellowship with our LORD our faith cannot be dented, we cannot doubt in our hearts and as such we receive, because He has given us an impartation of His very life and nature within.

As we read His Word and believe the promises that He by His grace has given to us, we are made partakers of His very essence and life and nature 2nd Peter 1:4 The Lord is made to us a Bridegroom, and we are His bride Revelation 21:2

His words to us are spirit and life (John 6:63) transforming us and changing us, expelling that which is natural and bringing into that which is divine.

‘Gods love heals’

It is impossible to comprehend the love of God as we think on natural lines we need to have the revelation of the depth of His great love from the Spirit of God.

If we do not have a revelation of Gods all-embracing love we can never find true liberty we will always be tempted to work for our salvation we will never truly believe that He is willing to forgive all and to heal all. We need to see that God gives liberally, it was Jesus who said ‘he that asks, receives, he that seeks finds and he that knocks the door will be opened unto him’ Luke 11:10

God is willing to bestow on us all things that pertain to life and godliness 2nd Peter 1:3 It was the love of God that sent Jesus, it was His love that caused Christ to be made sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him 2nd Corinthians 5:21 This same love helps you and I to believe in a saviour we have never seen except in pictures for in every weakness God is our strength.

You who need His touch but in order to receive it you need to remember that He loves you even if your wretched, helpless, sinful and sick, its time to turn to the God of all grace, whose very essence is love, who delights to give liberally all the inheritance of life and strength, health and power that you are in need of.

God brings us into a place of perfect love and perfect faith anyone who is born of God is brought into an inward love, a deep desire to serve the Lord only, ‘he that is forgiven much loves much’ Luke 7:47

Me? I am a product of love just like a child is a product of the love between his parents only His love takes no count of wrongs, it is pure and undefiled, a ‘perfect love which casts out fear for fear is made perfect in love’ 1st John 4:18

We serve a saviour that heals the broken-hearted, who sets the captives free, and who saves the very worst from the darkest of destinies. How foolish it is to turn your back on this glorious Gospel of God for spirit, soul and body?

This full Gospel has in great measure been hidden, this Gospel that brings liberty, this Gospel that brings souls out of bondage, this Gospel that brings perfect health to the body, this Gospel of entire salvation, watered down by foolish men with carnal minds.

Listen again to this word of Him who left the glory of heaven to bring us this great salvation, “Verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, he shall have whatsoever he says’

‘Hindrances to living faith’

God can never bless us if we are hard-hearted, critical or unforgiving for these abominable acts will hinder faith quicker than anything.

I believe there are a great many people who would be healed, but they are harbouring things in their hearts that are like a cancer eating away at every ounce of ground breaking faith they receive, I urge you let these things go no matter what the reason for your bitterness and resentment they are not worth dying over are they? Forgive, and the Lord will forgive you

I have met many good people, people that mean well, but they have no power to do anything for God, in most cases it’s over some little thing that came in their hearts years ago, an angry exchange, a word of rebuke that offended and their faith has been paralyzed ever since.

If you wish to receive from God bring everything to the light and allow God to wash it all away, let the precious blood of Christ cleanse you from all sin. If you will but believe, God will meet you and bring into your lives the very power of His love to forgive and to restore your broken relationships.

In 1 John 1verse 7 we read this promise; ‘If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleans us from all sin’ what is being reported here needs to be understood for when a brother has anything against us we can have no fellowship with God.

Sin breaks fellowship with God, it destroys the very essence of our new life, we walk in darkness and not light, is it then any wonder we stumble around in doubt and fear? is it any wonder then that our bodies get sick?

Clear the decks, set things to right between you and those who have offended you and then you will grow into a man or woman of faith, well able to do mighty exploits in His name; Daniel 11:22

WITH CHRIST you truly can do all things!

David Robinson

Posted on

Touched by the Love of God

‘Touched by the Love of God’ Chapter 1

GOD IS LOVE: 1st John 4:16

‘The love of God never fails; it will never come to an end. Prophecies will fail, speaking in unknown tongues will cease and the gift of knowledge shall vanish away.’ but ‘God’s love will never fail.’ 1st Corinthians 13: 4-7

To those who would accuse Jesus of doing evil, of causing them harm, allow me to ask; would such love kill an unborn child or take the life of a teenage son or daughter?

Would Jesus destroy the very life he created? Would he send poverty, would he abuse or hurt the very child he formed in its mother’s womb?

Would Jesus crush the broken hearted, would he oppress his own or leave and forsake his own child?

No! Jesus died for the unlovable and the ungodly. He willingly ‘laid down his life for you’ 1st John 3:16 and for all those who would reject him?

Have you not heard that, ‘while you were still sinners Christ died for you?’ Romans 5:8 Have you not read that, ‘he washed you from your sins in his own blood’ Revelations 1:5.

‘Jesus was despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, he carried your griefs and your sorrows,

‘Christ was wounded for your transgressions, he was bruised for your iniquities, the chastisement of your peace was upon him and by his stripes you are healed’ Isaiah 53:3-5

He took your infirmities and carried your sicknesses’ Matthew 8:17 and again he declares, by his stripes you were healed; 1 Peter 2:24, because that’s what real love does.

Jesus ‘died for you when you were ‘without strength,’ ‘while you were still an ungodly sinner, he died for you’ Romans 5:6-8 He loved his own which were in the world, indeed he loved them to the end’ John 13:1

Jesus, ‘left you another comforter’ the Holy Ghost who will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever he said unto you’ John 14:26

He left you ‘peace so that you need not be troubled’ John 14:27 and Joy that’s unspeakable and full of glory.

He ‘gave eternal life to you’ 1 John 5:11 and to all who would simply, believe.

Jesus healed all that came to him, Matthew 12:15 indeed he healed every sickness and every disease among the people Matthew 9:35

He fed the multitudes, Matthew 15:32-38 and cleansed the leper. Matthew 8:1-3

He raised the widows’ dead son and gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and a voice to the dumb. Luke 7:12-15

He preached good news to the poor, he delivered the captives and gave recovery of sight to the blind and brought liberty to those who were bruised (downtrodden and abused) Luke 4:18

Jesus took upon himself the sins of the whole world, 1st John 2:2

He was beaten until his appearance was like no other man, Isaiah 54:14 ‘they made his back like a ploughed field they laid long their furrows’ Psalm 129:3

He was crowned with thorns, spat upon, mocked and laughed at. Matthew 27: 29-31

He was nailed to a cross and even when in agony, even while forsaken (Matthew 27:46) and he forgave the dying repentant thief and, he forgave you and I. Luke 23:42-43 all because that’s what love would do…

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10 he adopted you; indeed he gave you the Spirit of adoption whereby you can call God your Abba, your daddy, your Father and your God. Romans 8:15 Forever!!

Today is the very day that the Lord has chosen to give you a new life, a new beginning and all you have to do is to repent of your sins, ask him to rescue from sins power and to be your personal Lord and saviour”¦

This is your day to be touched by the love of God

‘Touched by the love of God’ Chapter 2

‘God is love’ 1st John 4:16

It is God’s nature to love; there is not one evil thought, word or action that can come from Gods heart.

He is love personified, he is love in action for true love itself is from him, ‘the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through Christ (Romans 5:5) such love in Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)

It was love that formed man out of the red dust of the garden of Eden and it was love that pursued Adams fallen race all the way to Calvary and on that lonely hill love purchased a pardon for all who would simply believe on Christ.

Some deluded bible teachers would tell us that God sends sickness or that God allows someone to have an accident, how foolish to make such a statement of a good God, a God who is love.

Thank God for his word that never changes, praise God for faithful witnesses like James the apostle who wrote, ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man’ (James 1:13)

I remember one occasion being at a meeting when one young man stood up to give his testimony, he began with words that struck me like a fiery dart; he declared ‘God broke my back and put me into hospital for months so that he could speak to me’

I was stunned and ached against such an accusation for I knew it was accusing a good God of an evil deed. I sought the Lord and he brought me to the scripture above, the young man was awestruck at the word when I revealed it to him and said it was a revelation of truth to him.

Look at the next few verses of James chapter 1 and see that ‘Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lusts and enticed’ (v.14) ‘then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death` (v.15) Instead of blaming God we need to look to ourselves and our own actions which bring about accidents and injuries and indeed sometimes sickness.

When we blame God we are as guilty as Adam was when he blamed God for making Eve who Adam in turn blamed for sin.

When we ask, ‘why me God’ we are accusing Him of some evil thing which has touched our lives, when we say God allowed it we do the same thing, it’s time we realized that God is good all the time instead of just singing about it.

God is not into evil works; see verse 16-17 ‘Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning’

Its good things that come down from above, they come from an unchanging God of light not from the god of darkness, Satan.

Ask your self would you as a mother or father hurt your children in order to teach them something? Would you allow them to get cancer? Or would you allow someone to abuse them? Of course not, then why accuse a good God of hurting those he loves?

Jesus put it this way ‘What man is there of you if a son asks bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will he give him a serpent?’ If you then being evil know how to give good things unto your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’ (Matthew 6:9-11)

Does that sound like God wants you to suffer?

No; goodness cannot flow from an evil heart a good tree brings forth good fruit because it is its nature, goodness flows from a heart so full of love that it overflows and gives good things to all that ask. Is sound health a good thing? Then it is a love gift, is sufficient finances a good thing? Are peace and joy good things? Then they are a love gift from a good God.

If you still doubt that God is good then ‘Christ coming into the world to save sinners’ 1st Timothy 1:15 must surely convince even the most hard hearted that He is love.

Surely a glimpse of the cruellest of deaths, a mere glimpse of Calvary’s butchered saviour would open the eyes of the most blinded of eyes”¦ for there even the most foolish could not help but be touched by the Love of God

‘Touched by the love of God’ Chapter 3

Love and Compassion go hand in hand, if love is the glove then compassion are the fingers that reach into the dark recesses of human misery and sets men and women free.

Compassion is not pity for pity is a source of many fine words while compassion works to remove suffering whatever its root.

In Psalm 86 David writes about the Lord’s nature saying; ‘ For you Lord, are good and ready to forgive; plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon you’ ‘But you O lord are full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth’

God’s word reveals our sinful nature but it always balances it with good news about a loving God who forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases (Psalm 103:3)

Every time the psalmist bemoaned his sinful nature, every time he spoke of his sufferings he spoke of Gods great mercy (Psalm 86:13) and reminded himself of Gods compassion, his grace and long suffering.

Love is like that, I mean true love; it always is willing to forgive and to show mercy and compassion, true love does not hold grudges, it runs to help the wounded even though they are suffering at their own hands.

Psalm 103 tell us that when we deserved death, love redeemed our lives from destruction, when we deserved wrath it crowned us with loving kindness and tender mercies (v.4) when we deserved Gods anger and wrath he poured out mercy and grace (v.8) for as high as the heaven is above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that fear him’ (v.11)

In the Old Testament we see a Father who loves his children, who would do anything to save them from their sins, a Father who gave them a blue print for living while warning them that departing from it would cause them great pain and death.

In the New Testament we see the Son Jesus doing exactly the same because ‘He worked the works of God who sent him (John 9:4) in the same measure as the Father loved, he loved, he showed the same mercy and grace, he revealed the Fathers compassion and healed the sick and fed the hungry.

Matthew (9:35) records that, ‘Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people’ that’s what love does, it heals the sick, it never walks away shaking its head or hides its eyes from the hurts of others. Love reaches out and touches the deepest need of every human being; the need to be loved, the need to feel wanted; the need to be counted worthy of someone’s time.

Compassion goes deeper than the physical needs of the human soul; it digs deeper and goes to the root of the problem desiring to bring us total freedom.

Jesus was ‘moved with compassion on the multitude because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd’ He had fed the people who had come seeking his help but the thing that moved him most was their spiritual hunger, their need of salvation, their need of a saviour.

Religion offers laws instead of grace and mercy, manmade offerings of impure grace and purchased mercy, it offers freedom in chains, shackled liberty and false hope.

Christ on the other hand shows compassion,

In Matthew 15:32 we read that ‘Jesus called his disciples and said ‘I have compassion on the multitude, for they have been with us three days, and have nothing to eat, I will not send them away fasting in case the faint in the way’

That’s what compassion does, it does more than just talk, it feeds the hunger in every heart, it meets a person’s deepest desire and fulfils his greatest need, the need to be forgiven and to be loved.

Compassion like love cares nothing for itself, it cares only for the needs of others,

Compassion is the divine nature of God revealed in Christ and in every believer whose heart has been melted by Christ’s love,

Compassion is an unworthy sinner being touched by the love of God

Posted on

Dont Miss Out On Gods Plans & Promises!

The story of the twelve spies in Numbers 13-14 is one of the more popular stories from the Old Testament we may usually hear in church.  In Numbers 13:30-32 (NASB), we read: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it. 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us. So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land.

As we look over some details on this story of doubt and faith, we can draw lessons to apply in life.

Valid Concerns

From verses 1-17 of chapter 13, we see God commanding Moses to send out twelve spies (one chosen from each tribe) to spy out the promised land. As Moses sent them, he instructs them in verses 18-20 to:

  • check out what kind of people there were and how many they were (v.18),
  • check out what visible prospects there were in the land (v.19-20),
  • check out what provisions were readily available (v.20), and
  • check out what possible problems they might face when they tried to conquer (v.19).

All of these concerns were valid. To know what kind of oppositions to face and address and what opportunities are foreseeable and available are legitimate concerns for anyone making a plan of action for whatever endeavor.

Different Perspectives

As the mission of the twelve spies ended and they have gone back to report, the Israelites then faced two conflicting conclusions. All twelve spies agreed that the land was rich and full of opportunities but ten spies believed it was impossible for them to conquer, overwhelmed by the size, strength, and number of the opposition along with the difficulty of the fortifications they will need to deal with (13:28-29, 31-33).  Only two of the spies (Caleb and Joshua) were confident that God will deliver on His promise to them (13:30; 14:6-9).

Ten spies strongly doubted their chances because they focused on their own natural abilities. Joshua and Caleb knew they could’ve conquered right then because they believed in Gods supernatural assistance.

Consequences of Doubt

When you doubt you miss out! But in this story, we might as well say, when you chicken out you miss out!’

The Israelites rejection of God (another way to understand the word Å“spurn in 14:11) resulted in everyone from that generation (except Caleb and Joshua) not being able to claim for themselves what God had promised them as a nation (14:22-23, 29-30). Entering the promised land was a privilege they could’ve experienced right then if they had only believed God.

Consequences Worsen

After the ten spies were judged (14:36-37), the Israelites then decide to supposedly follow Gods first command by disregarding the judgment God had placed upon them.  Their sudden effort to conquer the land against Gods will resulted in their utter defeat (14:39-45).

This part of the story is a reminder for Christians who try to follow God by their own terms. No amount of sacrifice that does not follow Gods designed path or process can ever make up for continued disobedience.  God desires simple, plain obedience to what He commands us to do (1 Samuel 15:22).

Faith Rewarded

The ten believe they couldn’t because they didn’t have the ability. Joshua and Caleb knew also they couldn’t that’s why they believed in God who had all the ability (14:8-9). Joshua and Caleb believed in God and trusted His promise and they were rewarded graciously (14:24, 30, 38).

Our fears of taking steps of faith (like the ten spies) is a reflection of how much we do not know God and how we’ve neglected the kind of relationship He desires of us.

Let’s Ponder

Remember, God’s guidance and His call for obedience will always lead us to where His grace abounds.  Obedience is a step of faith that looks to God for confidence and banks on Who He is. Don’t miss out on what God has planned for you and what

Posted on

Go Unsatisfied

Matthew 5:12 says  “Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven…”

When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 He essentially told his followers that the life of one who lives for God is characterized by an expectation of receiving satisfaction in the future…not in the present.  It is the life of faith that pleases God, not the life that expects sight now (Hebrews 11:6).   Remember what Jesus said to Thomas after He appeared to him while they were in hiding:  “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed” (John 20:29). Jesus made it clear that He wants His followers to trust in what He says and who He is based on His credibility–which is awesome!  We take Jesus’ words to the bank based on a handshake alone; we do not wonder if He will follow through.  Ironically, when one waits on the Lord IN FAITH they experience His peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  We are at peace because we truly trust in Him.  We we do not have peace we are missing the trust and are therefore unsatisfied for a totally different reason–it is because our spirit AND our flesh are left wanting.  Conversely, if the flesh is left unsatisfied, but the spirit is fulfilled, one can die in peace knowing that their soul will meet God almighty and be eternally loved and taken care of.

If we do not wait IN FAITH, then we will not have peace.  That means we will be waiting with a spirit of complaining, of grumbling, and of whining because we are not getting what we think we deserve.  We know that God commands us not to live as whiners (Philippians 2:14).  Therefore, living IN FAITH means that we consciously understand that we expect to be satisfied at a future date, a day determined by God, and the truth is that the day of our reward may not be until after our death.  In fact, we will never be completely satisfied until we reach our final destination–the presence of God.

Understand that it is our humanity that will suffer when we wait IN FAITH.  It is our temporary sense of justice, of harmony, of emotion, that suffers when we allow room for God’s work to be done.  God calls us to let our earthly nature die and embrace the Spirit of Jesus which has little regard for earthly comfort when God’s truth is at stake.  Remember how God the Father treated God the Son: “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer…” (Isaiah 53:10).

When we undertake love as a Christ follower we are guaranteed to be persecuted.  Our love will often not be received because it sheds light on the failure of people to love God and one another.  Those who desire to please God will be encouraged by our love, but those who are enemies of God will punish us because we stand for Him (Matthew 10:22).  But remember, the reward comes later.  Suffer now and go unsatisfied now–that is living IN FAITH.  But when you demonstrate that type of faith, the Spirit of God will minister to you and remind you that you are in God’s will, which will make every suffering worthwhile as it happens. After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus assured us of this fact.

Matthew 5:11-12 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

 

Posted on

As I Look out into the World There’s Some Things I See I Want to Talk about, Can I Talk about It?

Luke 7:18-23  ‘And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Are  you he that should come? or  should we  look for another?  

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto  you, saying, Are  you he that should come? or  should we look  for another?  

And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.  

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.  

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me’

John had spent weeks even months in a dark dungeon with little company except rats so it is easy to see how he could have begun to question himself and indeed the messiah he baptised in the river Jordan proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God

When we take our eyes of Christ fear and doubt eat away at childlike faith and rob us of the truth that set us free. Without his presence we see walls instead of open doors, we see problems instead of answers and hopelessness instead of hope

God can only keep us in perfect peace as we keep our minds firmly fixed on him

What do you see when you look at Christ? Do you see a crucified saviour or an empty cross, a vacated tomb and a risen saviour who has given you victory over death and hell?

Do you see your sin or do you see a Saviour?

Do you see the sin that so easily overcomes you or do you see Jesus who became sin with your sin so that you would be the righteousness of God in him? Have you not heard that he is faithful and just to forgive you all your sins and to cleanse you of every sin as you repent and turn from them?

Do you see sickness and disease destroying your body, robbing you of strength or do you see Jesus who took your infirmities and carried your sicknesses and by whose stripes you are already healed?

Do you see yourself struggling with debt, drowning in poverty, hear a bank managers abusive remarks or do you see Jesus who became poor with your poverty that you would become rich with his riches?

Do you see an empty purse or a cruse of oil that will never run out? 1st Kings 17:14-16

Do you see yourself living a pauper’s life or do you see the Lord who has promised to provide all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus? Philippians 4:19

Do you see the devil when temptation overtakes you or do you see your saviour Jesus who always makes a way of escape when you ask him so that you may be able to bear it?

Do you see fear and defeat robbing you when unbelief sets in or do you see Jesus who always causes you to triumph?  Have you not heard that God did not give you a spirit of fear but of love and power and of a sound mind?

Do you see no way out of captivity and misery or do you see Jesus who releases the captives and who is your joy and your strength?

Do you see your many afflictions, or do you see Jesus who delivers you out of them all?

Do you see death when you have lost someone you love or do you see Jesus the resurrection and the life

Do you dwell on the loss of a loved one or on the gain that Christ purchased for them for in Him ‘death has no sting and the grave no victory’ for from the moment we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord? In Christ they are risen indeed

Do you spend your days in sorrow or do you see that while weeping lasts for a night joy comes in the morning?

Do you look at the darkness which can so easily overtake you, or do you turn your eyes toward heaven and see his glorious light; his life, his hope, his peace which will cause you to laugh in the face of adversity.

In Christ there is endless joy, hope that springs eternal, health that springs forth speedily and victory that is yours always”¦

Open your eyes and fix them on the Crucified saviour now risen for your sake

Dark days vanish when Christ comes, all things change when Jesus comes to stay

David Robinson

Posted on

If Adam Choose God over Eve, What Would Have Happened to Eve?

If Adam chose God over Eve, what would have happened to Eve is one of those hypothetical questions that gets asked on a regular basis. While we are sure he wouldn’t have made Adam suffer the results of sin, we’re really not sure what would have happened to Eve?

We’ve probably  got two or three options. The lord may have enacted the plan of salvation for Eve because  he loved both Adam and Eve equally. However, this is all speculation which is worth nothing. To be blunt it’s a tough question that can not be answered.

Posted on

Some Thoughts for the Lovers of the World

Beautiful landscapes, green vegetation, everywhere seem calm and peaceful. Hmm, I like it. Blue skies with wonderful birds hovering about it, lovely and beautiful creatures living in harmony. Everything is in order just the way I had intended it to be. Excellent! Excellent! This is good, very good. This is presumably God expressing excitement over the work of His hand. He was happy about His creation. So upon looking at everything He said it was very good. Genesis 1:3;

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good…”

Apparently in the beginning the world was very good, no pollution, no stains and there was no sin. Harmony thrived and peace rained. Nature enjoyed equilibrium. There was balance and the mechanics of the elements of the world was in order. It was a beautiful world.

We can see from the foregoing that the idea of creating the universe was exciting to God. The most High was happy about it. A major reason for God’s excitement apart from the beauty and splendor of the world, and of every other elements of nature, whether they are living or non living, was that, it was creation that marked the beginning of the existence of man, a creature that bears the image of God. Genesis 1:27;

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

The scripture above explains why God was delighted in handing over to man, the dominion of the world. It’s simply because he (man) is a bearer of the image of God. So God gave him everything. Let’s take a look at Genesis 1:28;

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

It is crystal from the scripture above that it was the will of God for man to have dominion over the earth and the air. A careful look at the words “earth and air” implies total dominion over the cosmos. Meaning man can go towards any length in the cosmos as far as his wisdom can take him. So while man celebrates his breakthroughs in rocket science, astronomy and the like, it was not a thing of marvel before God because He had declared it already in the beginning. The point here is that, the most High gave it all to the bearer of His image –man.

While being caught up in a misty cloud of deep wonder, the Psalmist gave the expression (Psalm 8:4);

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

The words spoken by the Psalmists can be summed up as God, what is so special about man? An answer has been presented to this question above. Man is special because he is a bearer of the image of God. He is so special that God gave him dominion over the cosmos. This “specialness” of man is of priority to God, to such an extent that upon the derail of the man, God had to send His only begotten son “Jesus Christ” to place him back on track. See John 3:16;

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Apparently the key to getting back on track is to simply believe in the only begotten of God. To believe Him as the one sent to restore man. To believe Him as the savior of the world.

The world is ours. God gave it all. Apostle Paul knew this, his words to the Corinthians was: all things are yours. See 1 Corinthians 3:21-22;

“21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours”¦”

We can see in verse 22 of the scriptures above that even the world is ours. God gave it all. He did at the very beginning of creation.

Nevertheless, many are ignorant of this reality. The reality that God has given man all things. So here is the problem, many have upheld the things of this world more than the creator of the world. In other words, they have given honour to the gift rather than the giver of the gift. It’s like lusting after what you own. It’s yours already so why lust after it. In the light of the foregoing, John the beloved instructed us not to love the world or the things contained in it. See 1 John 2:15;

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

The use of the word “love” in the scripture above could imply “lust coupled with a strong attachment”. So the instruction is that we should not lust or attach our minds to this world or the things contained in it. Why? Because all things belong to us. The world and all its elements should not be given priority over its creator. Apparently what makes us lovers of God rather than lovers of the world is in detaching ourselves from lusting after the world and things contained in it. Anyone who has detached from the world and the things contained in it is attached to God.

Posted on

How Will You Be Remembered?

In that dramatic scene on Calvary’s hill, three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime – the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness.

– Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

What a way to be remembered. What a way to go out.

Three extremists, all hung on trees to die a cruel Roman death. Two were left unnamed, unknown to us today. But the one, a sign hung above his head proclaiming his “crime” and his rightful title.

“King of the Jews.”

While people scoffed at him, ridiculed him to his face, those that followed him all the days of his earthly ministry knew that he was the extremist that Reverend King spoke of; Jesus was a man of love, truth, and goodness.

What a way to be remembered.

It seems fitting that Jesus would be remembered this way. He lived out his message. He walked the walk right after he talked the talk. He said, if you follow me, do it. Act this way. Live according to this law. And then he showed us all how.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

– John 13:34-35

It was Jesus command, maybe his last command to the disciples before his death. Love. Love one another. The people in your inner circle of friends. The people that make up your family. The people in your spiritual communities. The people in your communities, the towns and cities that you live in. The people that live and make up your countryman.

Love.

Show them love. Tell them the truth. Speak words of life and peace, share all the of the gospel message of Jesus with them. In this way, you will show them love.

Show them love. Be good to them. whether they stay in your life or they make a quick exit, do all you can to bless them. In this way, you will show them love.

While King’s realization about Jesus is true of the man from Galilee, I wonder if it will be true of me when I die. How will I be remembered?

Will it be said of me that I was a man of love, truth, and goodness, like my Lord and Savior, Jesus?

Will it be said of me that I walked the walk and talked the talk of Jesus, day in and day out, with family and stranger?

Will it be said of me that my life honoured the living memory of that one unique man crucified on Calvary’s hill?

What about you? What will they say about you?

Let us prayerfully consider our actions; whether they are deeds of love, truth, and goodness.

Let us prayerfully consider our words; whether they are seasoned with love, truth, and goodness.
This article first appeared on Christian Thought Sandbox.

Posted on

Hello! Anybody Home?

Hello! Anybody Home?

Who is God and what is He like? If He is Father, what are His parenting skills like? Is He a tyrannical God with an iron rod waiting to smack us when we sin? Or is His heart just yearning to be around His children? If David of the Bible is known as the’ Man after God’s own Heart’, it is pretty evident that this big and majestic God, just like us, has a HEART too. However, what is it like? What does it long for? Is it obedience and law? Or is it justice? Well, God is concerned about all of that but not more than His heart longs for YOU!Many a times we feel like talking to God which the world often calls ‘praying’, is too religious an act for most people to carry out. Also, sometimes we feel like it is only us who long to speak to God, whereas He is too busy doing His other business. However, the Bible is very clear about who wants to start the conversation. In Psalm 27:8 David says:My heart has heard you say, “come and talk with me”,And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

So let me ask you, who wants to make the first move? Us or God? Just like in the ‘Parable of the Lost Son’ (Luke 15: 11-32), our God is the Father, waiting at the doorstop for His kids to come back. No matter how far and for how long you’ve been gone, your return is still worthy of celebration! Now that is RECKLESS LOVE. God is yearning to speak to us! He is constantly knocking on the door of our hearts. He isn’t interested in law abiding robots. He created kids, who bring Him glory and pleasure. He wants us to crawl on His lap and hold His finger and journey through life. He has always been about love and relationship. The bond Jesus exhibited with God the Father, is the prototype relationship that we are supposed to enjoy with our Maker. God isn’t LONELY though. He is self sufficient. He does not NEED us. However, He WANTS us! Now that changes EVERYTHING!How often do we scroll through our social media profiles? How often do we get excited when an unknown number messages or calls us? Every time our notification tone comes on, we hurry to check who remembered to drop in a message on our Whatsapp! Why do we do that? It’s pretty simple. Because we have been designed for COMMUNICATION too! Our heart longs to have someone to listen to us. We all long for someone who will laugh and cry with us, someone who wants to know what our deepest longings and fears are. The world can never provide that kind of company. Everyone is too busy sorting their own mess out. And so that friend that we have always wanted is actually our Abba Father! The great I AM. He is the best listener and the best adviser. He loves to listen to us and even longs to laugh at our lame jokes. That’s how good a Friend this God can be! So today and everyday of your life God stands outside the door of your heart and says, “Hello? Anybody Home?” and now all that matters is, will you answer the call?We were never designed to have all the answers. It was always about dependency on the One who made us!Today you are cordially invited for a meal and a time of catching up with your Dad. Will you accept the invitation? (Revelation 3:20).

Posted on

Stop Going To Church

Stop Going To Church

Okay, before I get into it, keep in mind that this is my own spiritual journal before it became a public post. Everything that I write is from my own reflection and my own personal journey with God – it is not so much an instructional blog as it is my way of pouring my heart out.

This post is no different.

So last week, I happened to be out of town for an over-the-weekend trip, and due to the schedule, I was unable to go to church on Sunday. So the night before, I was apologising to God for being unable to attend church, and I vividly remembered there was this sense of guilt gripping me that evening in my hotel room.

And right then, as I was doing my personal devotion, this thought came to me:

WHERE WAS THE GUILT FROM?

Should not going to church, or doing ministry while we’re at the topic, be the overflow/product of God’s love for you? Not the means for you to earn His love? Sure, this is something that we have heard numerous times, and sounding like a broken record is the last thing i want to do. But while we are familiar with the concept, that’s not really the case when it comes to its practice – we don’t live out our lives like that.

I believe that the two biggest enemies of dynamic Christian living, to truly living out the lives God wants you to live, are complacency, and routinely. Christianity, for most people, has been degraded into just a day of the week when it’s supposed to be  all of your life. It has been reduced to following a dull system when it’s supposed to be unpredictable and dangerous. Church is now just a place we go to on Sunday, when it is supposed to be something that we become, and we live out. And the thing is, people are happy with just that – we have become complacent.

Let me tell you this; Jesus is a lot of things, but one thing that He’s not, is boring.

The guilt I felt was a proof, that for me, Christianity, and church, have become my way of earning God’s love. If I go to church, and serve there, then God is cool with me. If I missed a day of church, then God is angry with me. This could not be further from the truth. Call it a stretch if you will, but if we have a strong relationship with God, should not there be a sense of security in God’s love for us? Now, I am not advocating not going to church, I am a big believer that if you’re a Christian, we have to gather together with a group of believers to worship God together. That’s one of God’s will.

What I am saying that, it becomes wrong, when going to church and serving in a ministry become more an obligation that it is an overflow of your love for God.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”  Matthew 15:8

That’s the last thing we want to be said of us. So here’s what I am learning, and what I am encouraging all of us to do: step out of the routinely, LOVE GOD CRAZILY, and let everything that you do be the products of your love for God. GO CRAZY.

Stop going to church, and start being the church.

Stop doing ministry out of an obligation, let it be an overflow

If there is one thing I am for, and if there is one thing I am advocating, to be a Christian rebel. To refuse to be a part of the ‘system’ and be different. There is more that I could say about this, but that would be a post in itself. Till next time.

In His love,

Kenan

 

As seen on