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preacher31
Where Does My Loyalty Lie? - Subscribe
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Scripture: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32) "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 2 ![]() " Ye have been bought with a price: be not ye the servant of men." (I Corinthians 7:23) Reflections: Lately I've been thinking a lot about loyalties in my life. Who am I loyal too, God or Man. There is a difference you know. In my life I have had to make important decisions based on that question, Who am I loyal too? I think we all do. I've learned to to do all I can to be loyal to what I believe God's teachings, and intentions are towards me and my faith. Thats not always easy. For example: Sometimes in my life my government has demanded loyalty to them, when it was directly contrary to God's teachings. I believe "war" that is the wounding and killing of men, is inconsistent with my Christian faith founded on peace and good will towards men. A Christian, according to Christ's teachings, can only act peacably towards all men. And no authority or government can force me to act contrary to the teachings of God. You see I'm one of those people who actually believe that the sins of men can only be overcome by love. That evil can only be exterminated by good. That Jesus Christ has taught me to be gentle, long suffering, and merciful. That's right only the meek shall inherit the earth, for those who take up the sword shall die by the sword. You see we have been bought with a price, that price has been the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross. Therefore I owe my service to Him and not to men. Noah, Moses, and the prophets taught that he who kills, maims, or injures his neighbor does evil. To resist such evil, and to prevent it, the evil doer must be punished with death or maiming or physical injury. Wrong must be opposed by wrong, murder by murder, injury by injury, evil by evil. Jesus Christ rejects all this, "I say unto you resist not evil." In other words, do not oppose injury with injury, but rather bear repeated injury from the evil doer. Jesus Christ said, " Ye have heard it said of old, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you Resist not Evil. But if one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek, and if one will go to the law with you and take your coat from you, give him your cloak also." It's not easy being Christian, sometimes that means being completely contrary to the prevailing feeling. Sometimes that just means being different. Prayer: Lord Keep Me Different!!!!! Amen |
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preacher31
Who Needs Friends? 7/15/2007 04:31 - Subscribe
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Scripture: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17) Reflection: Friendship is very important to me. My life would not be complete without my friends. I have all kinds of friends, I have friends who are Christians, An Atheist who always states "I swear to God I'm an Atheist," a close friend who is a Muslim. I have friends of all colors, creeds, and nationalities. I don't expect my friends to love me, adore me, or even agree with me. I do expect from myself and from them, one very important characteristic, and thats loyalty. My friends are all deeply loyal and I am loyal to them. So the question remains to be asked, "What Kind of friend are you?" Are you like the friends of Job: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar who were disloyal and even intensified Job's pain. Or are you like the friends of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego who were loyal to Daniel, and stood with him. Remember very important thing, you and I share one friend. This friend was so loyal to you and I, that He gave His life for us. That friend is Jesus Christ. Prayer: Quote for the Day Mother Jones Advocate for Social Justice, Union Organizer (1830-1930) "I am in favor of the ballot, and in all my career I have never advocated violence. I want to give the nation a more highly developed citizenship." |