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preacher31
What is Sin - Subscribe
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Scripture: "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 5: 17 (NLT) Reflection: Boy that verse sure makes you think. Doesn't it. This definition of sin is one we seem to forget. We sometimes find ourselves walking around making all kinds of judgment about what sin is. You see our definition of sin is usually centered around knowing when something is wrong and doing it. But it is also a sin to know when something is right and not do it. For example Jesus teaches to love our neighbors, to love our enemies. We know that is what we ought to do, do we do it? As a country do we love our neighbors, do we love our enemies? As a person do I love the people at work? Do I treat them with respect and kindness, no matter how they treat me? You see we know what we ought to do, we just don't do it! How can we look at people who are suffering, who are hurting, who feel real pain, people who are angry, who are depressed, people who are in desperate need of love, knowing what we ought to do and not do it. THAT IS SIN! Brothers and sisters, this is our sin, why don't we see it, others do. People look at us, who call ourselves Christian, and all they see is so called righteous people, who sit in judgment. You know we are righteous people, in other words we know what is right we just don't do anything about it. Remember the opposite of love is not hate, it's apathy. How do you make Christians care, how do you make Christians get off their butts and do something. I don't know! I do know I love Jesus Christ with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mine. Jesus taught me not to judge others but to serve others. Jesus taught me to turn the other cheek not swing the other fist. Jesus taught me a faith of action, not of apathy. Jesus taught me what needed to be done and to do it. When, as Christians, are we going to understand, that knowing what ought to be done and sitting back on our butts and not doing it, is a sin. AMEN! Quote: Emily Greene Balch Leader of The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1867-1961) "We have a long way to go. So let us hasten along the road, the road of human tenderness and generosity. Groping, we may find one another's hands in the dark." Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love Where there is injury . . . pardon Where there is doubt . . . faith Where there is despair . . . hope Where there is darkness . . . light Where there is sadness . . . joy O, Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled . . . as to console To be understood . . . as to understand, To be loved . . . as to love For it is in giving . . . that we receive, It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned, It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life. |
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preacher31
There is Wonderful Joy Ahead! 2/09/2008 08:19 - Subscribe
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Scripture: "All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by His boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in His mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while." NLT (I Peter 1:3-6) Reflection: You know whenever I'm feeling really down, when I let so many things get to me, whenever things seem to be closing in on me, I think about these three versus from Peter. When I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I began to realize that I have a joyful future. I've been Saved! You see I don't have to live a life of depression, or die in deep despair. I don't need to go through life thinking that all the problems, the trials, and the evilness that I have seen and experienced is going to be the sum total of my life. First of all there is joy in life now, I have discovered by helping and serving others because of the teachings and love that I experience through my savior Jesus Christ brings me real joy yes real joy. And to absolutely know there is real joy ahead being reserved as a priceless inheritance for me through my savior Jesus Christ that I am going to live forever with my savior not only brings me joy if gives me a future. I have an eternal future because I love Jesus Christ You know you can have the same kind of future and you can have the same kind of joy. Really it's simple "Just Believe", look to God and tell Him I want to have a future, I want to know real joy in my life, I'm tired of all the mess in and around my life, I want to know there is an answer. And let that answer be Jesus Christ. LET CHRIST IN. Prayer: Oh God thank You for Your Grace, I love you, Thank You for being there for me always. I do believe and will always believe. THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD! Quote St. Claire of Assisi Spiritual Teacher and Guide, Political and Religious Peacemaker (1193-1223) "Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He that created you has sanctified you, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother." |
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preacher31
Prayer for Peace 2/16/2008 01:23 - Subscribe
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Heal my wounded heart. Grant me the courage to change my heart. Let Peace live in my heart. Fill me with compassion for those suffering in war. Help me care for those in war. Help me bring Peace to those in war. Help me stop wars. Help soldiers stop wars. Help leaders stop wars. Fill me with Peace and Justice. Help me to work for Peace with Justice. Let there be Peace with Justice among all peoples. source: World Conference of Religions for Peace |
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preacher31
THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES 2/19/2008 03:19 - Subscribe
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Scripture: "Joshua spared Rahab the prostitutes and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jerico. And she lives among the Israelites this day. (Joshua 6:25) (Read Joshua chapter 6) Reflection: Isn't forgiveness wonderful. Forgiveness is truly a miracle. Here we have a known prostitute, a woman who was considered the lowest of lows, named Rahab. God looked within Rahab's heart and gave her a second chance. A beautiful act of forgiveness. At the risk of her own life, she helped the Israelites and in so doing, received a new life, and a new people, and a new savior. This "lowly" prostitute, this lowest of lows, because of God's forgiveness, became one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ. This of course is the same savior who died on the cross and forgave all mankind of their sins. I guess the question here is are you in need of forgiveness? God can forgive you now, no matter what you've done. All you have to do is admit you need help, receive God's forgiveness, and change your life, not only do you feel better, you are better. Remember this God of second chances wants to help you today. He is here for you. Prayer: Quote: Were it illegal to say "I'm sorry, please forgive me," Gladly an outlaw I would be, To apologize anyway. -- FH, Cordula's Web. |
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preacher31
Is There Any Hope! 2/23/2008 07:33 - Subscribe
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Scripture: "Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me. But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, now and always." (Psalm 131) NLT Reflection: I have to admit, I find myself being concerned about matters that are to great or awesome for me. Sometimes I worry about everything. About my children, their children, my friends and neighbors, my marriage, my work, the world, evil, you name it and I worry about. Thats why Psalm 131 becomes so important to me. I have to still and quiet myself, I have to slow down, I need to pray and meditate with my God. My soul is like a small child within me, and just like a child my soul can be disrupted. When my soul is in turmoil I find relief in putting all my hope in the Lord, now and always. Without my hope in the Lord, without my faith and love of Jesus Christ, my life is a life of turmoil, suffering, and unhappiness. What is your life like, where is your hope! Prayer: Thank You God that my hope is build upon nothing less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Father God keep me stilled and quieted, and keep my soul like a small child within me. Thank you God that you give me hope. Thank you GOD FOR BEING GOD! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. Quote: All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope Sir Winston Churchill |