21ST CENTURY CITY OF REFUGE

In the book of Joshua 20:1-9, the scripture tells us of the implementation of a special provision made by God through Moses for the Israelites. The Provision is the assignment of some cities as a places of Refuge.

Refuge for individuals who accidentally kill another and are fleeing from the "Avenger" of blood (someone who set out to take revenge for the death for his/her relation/friend etc). The city of refuge is the place of respite for the one who accidentally kill another so that he/she will have a chance to have a shot at justice and not killed in vengeance.

An important point to note is that though God frown at the taking of life of one by another, He recognize that there are times when we have little or no control over the outcome of our actions, and such actions can lead to the death of another party, hence, He makes a way of escape whenever such occurrence arises. 

But where are the cities of Refuge in the 21st century? Do we have a place of respite for people "who have little or no control over their actions and the resulting outcomes which include death and hell"?

I know God cares for us as much as He cares for the Israelites in the passage above, so He must have set certain places as cities of Refuge. The question then is where are they? Firstly, we have to know that the cities of Refuge chosen by the Israelites came because they "diligently hearken to the word of God and they carefully obeyed everything Moses wrote". Could it be that in the different countries of the world, we did not obey the words of God to the extent of assigning our own cities of refuge?

To attempt some answers, I will say that as God made provision then, He made provision for us now but in a somewhat different manner. I can authoritatively say that the cities of Refuge in the 21st century is not a geographical location, rather, God as set you and I that He saved to be the "CITIES OF REFUGE" of our world today.

As noted in Joshua 20:5, the avenger of blood can enter the city of refuge to take vengeance but "THE PEOPLE THERE WILL NOT HANDOVER THE ONE WHO KILLS ACCIDENTALLY". Thus, I can say that the people who stand between the avenger and his target represents the cities of Refuge, and they were the image of who we are today.

Brethren, while Christ was on the cross He made a statement that " father forgive them for they know not what they do" and Stephen said the same. Meaning that every sinner (that got Him nailed on the cross) are like the one who killed accidentally, and for as many of us who have been saved (His royal priesthood, His holy nation… 2Peter 2:9) are to stand so that the one who is set to kill (and destroy) will not have access to the boy or girl, man or woman, who go about in sin… and seeks refuge. No wonder the cities of Refuge are among the inheritance of the Levites (those set apart for God. Joshua 21:1-41).

This lead to a very pertinent issue, when the one who accidentally kills is seeking refuge, will they find us A REFUGE? If our neighbors, siblings, colleagues, clients, customers etc do not see us as cities of Refuge, maybe we have not obeyed Him yet, thus, we should go like the Israelites and assign our lives (in totality) as cities of Refuge. 

Let us never forget that WE ARE THE 21ST CENTURY CITIES OF REFUGE. If we forget and are careless, many innocent will die without a chance. 

PEACE.

No one ever taught me how to love

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.” -James 2:8  

 “No one ever taught me how to love.”
Oftentimes we move through life, toiling and striving, meeting goals and achieving dreams, without ever really learning how to truly love those around us.
Some of us, due to past experiences, have been crippled in the area of our emotions, and as a result find the concept of loving anyone outside of our immediate family an unattainable feat. Admittedly, it’s easier to say that we ‘love’ everyone, than it is to actually ‘love’ everyone; especially when we are unsure of what it means to express that love.
The story of the four men who carried their crippled friend on a bed to be healed by Jesus, speaks volumes on what it means to love another. The event is recounted briefly in the Gospel according to Mark and we are told that “While [Jesus] was preaching God’s word to [the multitude], four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus” (Mark 2:2b-4). Because this entire event is covered in the short space of three verses, we can almost miss its significance as we hurry through the rest of the chapter.
But should we pause and reflect, we would see four men who, understanding that their friend was paralyzed and unable to make his own way to Jesus, decided among themselves that they would carry him. They accepted the responsibility of ensuring that he received his healing, and persisted until his need was met.
You see, when the Bible declares that we should love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), it is referring to the kind of love that identifies with the woes and misfortunes of another and is willing to cover, carry, or cradle that one based on the need of the season. The question is: will you carry your brother when he falls or becomes crippled by life’s harsh circumstances? Will you carry that sister who’s too broken to make her own way to the God of healing and deliverance? Are you willing to carry that relative, that friend, that co-worker who is in desperate need of a helping hand?
Today, let us translate the love we have for God into a tangible demonstration of love towards His people. Let our love be expressed not just in the best of times, but also in the worst of times.

Heavenly Father Knows Best

Fathers have been on my mind a great deal lately.

In my country, June is when Father’s Day is celebrated.

In July, Independence Day is celebrated and we remember our Founding Fathers.

Just prior to Independence Day a well respected actor passed away who played one of the most iconic father figures in the history of television.

I have no doubt that the actor who portrayed this father was a fine man, but there is a difference between television and real life.

In real life, family crises are never resolved in half an hour with everyone smiling and laughing until the next episode.

Moreover, the problems that real fathers face today are often far more complicated than those faced in the 1950’s and 1960’s by their television counterparts.

Whenever I think of the children whose fathers  I count among my Christian friends, I thank God for blessing them with such fathers.

While no earthly father is perfect, the best earthly fathers are the ones that recognize this and also acknowledge their reliance on God.

It is evident in the way they conduct themselves.

It is also evident in the way they raise their children.

It is a responsibility that these men take very seriously.

While no one has a perfect earthly father, we all have a Heavenly Father who is perfect.

Galatians 4:6-7 (NET) -And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, who calls, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God."

I find that especially comforting.

Even though I am a long way from being a child...

Even though my earthly father passed away decades ago...

I still have my Heavenly Father.

My Heavenly Father loves me.

John 3:16 (NET) - For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

My Heavenly Father never gives up on me.

Psalm 36:5 (NET) - O LORD, Your loyal love reaches to the sky, Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Even though I may disappoint Him from time to time, my Heavenly Father forgives me when I sincerely ask him for forgiveness.

Psalm 103:12 (NET) - As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.

My Heavenly Father gave me the best gift any father could ever give.

Romans 6:23 (NET) - For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My Christian friends that are fathers, despite their imperfections, teach these truths to their children.

They, in turn, will teach them to their children.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

- Vision -

               A few days ago I heard a pastor to count in your message an illustration: caught a squirrel and left within a bowl with water. To survive, the animal struggled for three minutes and died. The same experiment was done with another squirrel, but now a lamp was placed on the basin. This time, in order to survive, the squirrel fought for three days. Know why this second took longer to die? Because there was a light.

              We need to fight for our dreams and, in this struggle, we need to have a vision, a direction, a light. Then I remembered the message that I heard my pastor. He talked about Joshua. The one who replaced Moses and he heard God say, "... struggles and has good cheer". Joshua took the fight of Moses with the people to get to the promised land. He feared, but God said: "I will be with you wherever floors".


             More to realize my dreams means to accomplish what God puts in front of me to achieve. The fight can be large and in the world we will have afflictions, but Jesus won the world.

             God wants us to be obedient. If answer to his voice, He empowers us and not abandons us.
If we are in a battle for "survival" or to follow towards what the Lord put before us, look to the top and see the light that is upon us. Jesus is the light and he is our target.


             He same feeling unable to Joshua accepted the challenge to lead the people. What God has given you specific mission? How have you taken it? The vision of where you have to go is clear? What has been your challenge? It is time to serve and obey the Lord with integrity and fidelity. It is time we follow firm and confident, because the Lord, our God, who battle for us.



Blessings,

MaryGondim

www.verdadecongelada.blogspot.com

Job 27 - Identity

Job 27.. And Job continued his discourse: 
2 “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, 
    the Almighty, who has made my life bitter, 
3 as long as I have life within me,
    the breath of God in my nostrils,
4 my lips will not say anything wicked,
    and my tongue will not utter lies. 
5 I will never admit you are in the right;
    till I die, I will not deny my integrity.

 God is good. how many time people say thing to us making us give up of our dreams and plans in the Lord. sometimes circumstances guide us afar from our desires that God gave us. Here Job is facing poverty, disease , lost family, friends and all that he had BUT, even when his friends accused him of sin and had tried to show him that bad things just happen with bad people and God never would allow fair people face bad times, Job said...I WILL NEVER AGREE WITH YOU GUYS. I will never accept things about me that I am not. Many times we accept and become bad things that people said we were even we know or knew we weren't. follow your dreams and do not give up your plans, even if people around you says it is crazy, even if circumstances get hard... just do not allow NOTHING alter who you are . You are blessed and strong in Jesus. Hard time not always means sin... it can be God's way to transform us in His image. All that happen to us is to good, we belong to GOD.
Do not give up
Do not accept what people say about you when you are not what they say
hard time happen with everybody, stay in the Gods' presence because if He did the wound, He will heal it.
You are blessed - stay like that! ;-)
Blessings
Pati Nanni

GOD LED

   Most times in life, we miss great treasures as we go about our daily lives… One of such is found in the book of Joshua 2:1b. Having read this passage so many times, I missed so great a treasure contained in this verse but discovered it recently:

"…And they went and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab. And they stayed there."

Seeing it again and by the help of the Holy Spirit, I began to ask the right questions for the first time. "WHY DID THEY ENTER THE HOUSE OF RAHAB?" I want to believe that her house is not the only house on that wall, and she probably not the only harlot there, how did they end up in the house of the someone who 'believes'?

The story of the spies (humanly speaking) could have been different (though I know God could have made a way of escape for them) if they had entered the house of someone who could have given them away…but the truth is that they found themselves WHERE GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THEM…

Looking at this from my perspective, I once again see how unlimited and amazing the love of God works in my daily life. A friend would always say that 'the same way God order our steps, He also order our stops…'. HE LEAVES NOTHING ABOUT US TO CHANCE, NO HE DOES NOT. He says can a mother forget her sulking child? Even if they can, He will not forget us.

Further, He says if the sparrows are well taken care of, how much more we who more precious than sparrows (Paraphrase) Matt 10:29-31. 

In our present world with all its intricacies, it is good to know that God will always lead us to the place(s), person(s) and opportunities He has prepared for us.

Praise the Lord.

Not now

“Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward”
(Hebrews 10:35)

Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you anticipated? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today; your answer is closer than you think! If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It always seems darkest just before the dawn arrives.

Remember, you serve a faithful God, and He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. Just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise.

While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and your reward is coming!

Forgiveness

If I were to ask you to name something that Christians struggle with, what would your response be?

If someone were to ask me that question, my response would have to be forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not something that comes naturally to people.

Much of this comes the conditioning the world administers to us even at an early age.

We are taught not to let others take advantage of us.

We are taught to stand up for ourselves and our rights.

We are taught these and other similar things time and time again.

Sometimes people we know either do something or say something to which we take exception.

Often times the other person does not even realize that we have been wounded by their words or actions.

So why should people, especially Christians, be more forgiving.

First, because we are told to forgive by none other than Jesus Himself.

Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him and offered seven times as an answer,

Matthew 18:22 (NET) - Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!"

Jesus used the figure seventy-seven times to illustrate the importance of forgiveness.

In other words, we are to forgive our brother who sins against us every time no matter how many times that happens to be.

Second, we should remember that we are not always on the receiving end of sin.

Whether we realize it or not, sometimes we are the ones that hurt others.

Jesus reminds us of this and the need to forgive in the Lord’s Prayer.

Luke 11:4 (NET) - "... and forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."

When it comes to forgiveness and its importance, there are numerous examples I could give and passages I could recite.

Yet Jesus gave us the finest example of all during His crucifixion.

Luke 23:34 (NET) - But Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing." Then they threw dice to divide His clothes.

That really puts things into perspective.

If Jesus is willing to forgive so much...

... shouldn’t I be willing to forgive my brother of so little by comparison.

One more thing about forgiveness.

With forgiveness comes freedom.

When we feel wronged and are unwilling to forgive, we cannot help but dwell upon it.

As we dwell upon the wrong done to us, our life is like a ship held firmly in place by an anchor.

When we forgive...

truly forgive...

we don’t just pull up that anchor...

we cut it loose completely...

and free ourselves from our burden...

and thus free ourselves to move forward with life again.

Some things may seem harder to forgive than others.

No matter the circumstance... we don’t have to do it alone.

We can ask God for help.

With God, all things are possible.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

- Fear -

We all battled with the fear at different times - this is a feeling that can paralyze our journey. Doubt, insecurity and fear, in any way, prevent us from walking in the plans God has for us.

Many times we are afraid to acknowledge our capabilities , we fear 'cause don't see beyond the whats happening or even by lack of faith. Different from what the world thinks, you can confess your fears, and when this is done the way wise, produces fruits of daring, because the Lord has pleased us incase of force.


The enemy sends fear to torment us. He wants to stop us doing everything God wants us to do and deprive us of receive all he wants that we have. We can exchange our fear by faith if we choose to believe in God. In Isaiah 41: 10, God encourages his people saying: fear not [there is nothing to fear], because I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you in difficulties, Yes, I will help you ... When we realize that God is with us and that we are able to do all that he asks of us, we will overcome the fear.


We feel fear when we must confront certain circumstances in our life is perfectly normal-it is not wrong to feel fear. Is what we do, despite our fear, that makes the difference! The word of God says that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13: 5). When we know that he is with us, not prenderemos to fear - no matter what the circumstances.


Maybe you're dealing with the fear of going back to school, start a new job or even a new relationship. Deal with the changes in our lives can often cause we feel frightened and insecure. Some people live in fear of what can happen: "what if I get sick or someone I love die? And if I lose my job or the person I'm dating find another person? " The list is endless. Whatever the fear that you're facing, real or imaginary, God wants to replace it by Your faith and peace.


Remember: you are not alone, and with God on your side you can not fail!

Blessings, 

MaryGondim

www.verdadecongelada.blogspot.com

Broken

For over 10 years I have been attending or working at churches that participate in taking communion every Sunday. During that time in our worship service there is usually someone who shares a short devotion along with explaining what communion is.

Often I've heard the words, "this is my body broken for you." Broken? Is it possible that I've heard that line so many times that I'm losing sight of what it means?


Jesus' body was broken for us...

I know that He was beaten, flogged, spit on, laughed at, punched, and humiliated. Physically I know He was broken.  But there is something about the brokenness that Jesus endured that is beginning to really stand out to me. Jesus was willingly broken. It was a decision that He entered into for me and you.

Jesus' body was broken for me...

He willingly took the pain, the trauma, the abuse, the torture, the shame, and the death that I deserve. He chose to take on the full wrath of God. When I allow that truth to sink deep into my heart and mind, I cannot help but respond. But what is the appropriate response? Is it to casually eat a tiny cracker and drink a sip of juice? Should my response be to hurry through that moment and apathetically pass the emblems to my right?

Regardless of how often you take communion, aren't we all guilty of being casual with it? I think the best response that we can give is to allow ourselves to be broken. When's the last time you allowed the Holy Spirit to break you? To expose you? Have you ever felt broken and in need of your savior? The great lie of religion is that once you've found God you're no longer in need of help. But Jesus' sacrifice was in spite of religion. His death was a ransom to rescue each of us from the depths of Hell and the lies of religion.

What if the next time you hold that cracker and juice you pray a prayer of brokenness? Maybe then the words and the experience won't be so casual, instead it will be a powerful moment of vulnerability in which you encounter a risen Jesus who is able to break you and then restore you.


Jesus' body was broken for you... by choice.


How will you respond?

Tough Love

If you're a parent, you know that one of the most important lessons you can teach your children is the "law of consequences": if you choose to misbehave you're going to suffer the natural and ordained consequences of your acts. Learning what are the consequences of making certain choices, and acting accordingly, is fundamental to "growing up." Notwithstanding all the guidance provided by parents, teachers, and scripture, it's still largely a trial and error process--we end up learning  "the hard way"!

That process doesn't end the moment we become legal adults. Indeed, it's pretty clear when you think about it that the lion's share of misfortune we see around us results from bad choices made by "grownups," and that we ourselves are the authors of most of our own suffering. We succumb to temptation, abuse our minds and bodies, lie or cheat to serve selfish ends, bicker with or hurt others, and generally ignore or flout the Commandments God gave us as a pathway to safety and happiness in this life. And what usually results?  Broken relationships, ill health, legal and financial trouble, loneliness, disappointment, bitterness, despair. Often people in such circumstances disclaim any responsibility and blame or deny God--"It isn't fair!  I'm not that bad!"

What they fail to recognize is that natural consequences are God's wise way of making us appreciate our sins and of guiding us away from them.  In King James parlance, it's to "chasten": to correct by punishment or reproof; take to task; restrain or subdue; to rid of excess and refine or purify. Sinfulness makes us blind; God's correction opens our eyes and moves us to act in safer, better, more rewarding ways--ways that lead us, in due time, into His eternal company. The Lord's chastening, like any devoted parent's, is proof of His love: "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (Proverbs 3:11,12)  In times of trouble we may be tempted to believe the lie that God would not allow us to suffer so if He really loved us. But does a good parent shelter his or her children from the consequences of their own acts, just so they won't be disturbed?  It's precisely because God loves us that He allows us to experience the trials that bring knowledge, improve our character, and draw us closer to Him.

Moreover, if we respond positively to the Lord's correction, he will not afflict us endlessly, but comfort and reassure: "For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole." (Job 5:18; see also Lamentations 3:31-33)  The whole lesson is so aptly set forth in Paul's letter to the Hebrews:

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? . . . Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Thus, the trials we endure as a result of our own choices are meant to make us better, holier people. Let us not rail against God, but admit our shortcomings and pray for strength to overcome them. We should reflect honestly on our conduct in times of trouble, seeking the lessons we need to learn to move on and upward. And we should always be thankful for that Tough Love we get from our loving Lord.

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

I will not sacrifice to the Lord offerings that cost me nothing

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15)
Have you ever thought about what it means to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise? That word “sacrifice” means that it cost you something. It means doing something when you don’t feel like it. It’s when you say, “God, I’m hurting, but I give You praise.” “God, I’m lonely, but I give You praise.” “God, it wasn’t fair. They did me wrong, but I give You praise.”
But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24
When you praise God beyond your feelings, that’s when praise becomes your faith at work. That’s when praise becomes a weapon. Nothing gets God’s attention any more than when you call on Him in your time of trouble. When most people would become negative and bitter, you have a song of praise. You’re thanking God for who He is and what He will do in your life. You’re not talking about how big your problems are; you’re talking about how big your God is!
Today, understand that praise activates God’s power. He commands us to praise because it opens the door to His victory and blessing. No matter what is happening around you, worship Him! Declare His goodness and see His restoration in every area of your life!

It pain...

  Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,…”

Change can reflect our grandest hopes and dreams. It can reveal our greatest fears. On some level we all want change. But many times we are slow to embrace it, almost resistant. When it comes to making changes we are often very patient and understanding with ourselves. We give ourselves great latitude and room for failure. But when the change involves other people we are much more demanding, far less inclined to give them the benefit of grace. We want them changed yesterday (if not sooner). Oftentimes we require great change from them but we remain convinced that we really have no need for change. “You are the problem. If you would just change, this relationship would work. Everything would be so much better.” We might not say it but we all think it to one degree or another. In the realm of relationships we are quick to place the full weight of change on the other person.

The reality is that when God speaks of change He places the emphasis and need at our feet. The unchanging One reveals to us that so many times we are the breakdown in the process. We are the monkey wrench that has been tossed into the machinery of our own relationships. We are our own worst enemy. We are the problem. Most of us have learned the hard way that we are powerless to change the other person. Nagging won’t do it. Screaming and yelling only lead to greater difficulty. The wall of silence only provides the illusion of peace. Begging. Bribes. Punishment. Discipline. We try so many different things in an effort to get the other person to change. But it never works. We only grow frustrated and the relationship only gets worse. And the whole time we fail to look in the mirror. We refuse to recognize or admit our own culpability. I am not perfect. Far from it. But I forget that. If my relationships are going to change, then that change has to begin with me.

Change begins with the mind. When I begin to think differently then I will begin to act differently. This is far more than just rolling up my sleeves and determining to be different. I am broken. I am bankrupt. Apart from Christ I can do no good thing. Without Him I can no more change the way I think than I can change the color of my skin. That type of transformation in thinking comes only from one place. His Word. His Word transforms my thinking. His Word transforms me. His Word, in turn and in time, will transform my relationships. If I truly want change, then I must begin with His Word. If love is the missing element, I need to find, read, and memorize verses on love. Maybe the issue is hurt and bitterness. Search His Word for those passages that deal with healing and forgiveness. Trust? Peace? Intimacy? God’s Word has an answer for our every need. But if we want to experience lasting change it has to be built upon His unchanging Word.

The world says, “They are the problem,” always looking to cast blame at someone else’s feet. That doesn’t work. It just creates more alienation and separation. Stop casting blame and start taking responsibility. You can’t change the other person but through God’s Word you can bring change to yourself. That is the starting point…His Word. As His Word transforms my thinking I become a new person. As I become a new person God begins to work through me to impact those around me. A broken tool can fix nothing. Focus on the thing that needs to repaired. Look to yourself. And look to His Word. Change will be coming!

Trusting God

Matthew 19:14 (NET) - But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

God continually blesses me in unique ways.

Our church hosted Vacation Bible School this week and I always find this week to be very rewarding.

This year’s theme was about trusting God.

I had the privilege of teaching two of the adult classes.

One night I had to base the class on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

I taught this class from the perspective of the Disciples, Martha, Mary  and those around them.

I explored their feelings as revealed in the Bible and showed their need to trust God.

My second night, the class revolved around the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

I taught this class based on the fact that no one trusted God more completely than Jesus did as He followed the Father’s will completely. Doing so meant a painful and humiliating death by crucifixion.

The other evenings I got to be around children whose ages range from toddlers to those attending grade school.

They also were taught about trusting God in ways that were appropriate for their ages.

I love to see how our relationship with God grows deeper as we grow older.

I marvel at the energy and enthusiasm young people have and their willingness to engage themselves fully into the accounts from the Bible.

I enjoy working with the young people who are visiting with us for the first time.

At first they’re not sure if they want to trust this "old man" with the full beard.

By the end of the week, it’s as if they’ve known me for a long time.

Maybe it’s because this "old man" still has a bit of a child within him.

To tell the complete truth, I actually learn a little bit from them as well.

I know that everybody believes that their child or grandchild is special.

Rightly so.

Based on my study of Scripture, I know that each and every child is special to God.

As a result, each and every child is special to me.

I think children pick up on that somehow,

Why do I do this?

I was fortunate growing up because God provided me with many good role models.

Some are no longer living, but I still think of them fondly.

It is my sincere hope that I will be thought of in that way.

I have concluded that the time I spend this way is not time spent.

Rather, it is time invested.

There is no better investment of one’s time than helping a child develop a better relationship with God!

I may or may not get to see this investment pay dividends in my lifetime.

Whether I do, or not, really does not matter.

I simply must have faith that it will.

After all, isn’t that what trusting God means?


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

Life's Necessity

             On one occasion a Jew born in Bethlehem began preaching about the Kingdom of God and the select disciples for an important Ministry. Of course you know what I'm talking about Jesus. This man had grown up in a tough environment. Judea was living on the domain of a cruel and tyrannical Empire, the Roman Empire. The social condition was deplorable, aggravated even more by collecting taxes at exorbitant charged by the emperor. The environment was not the most quiet. The Jewish people listened just the "silence" of God. Four hundred years without any kind of prophetic Word. This was the wider context of Jesus ' life.

            Born in the fullness of time, as the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians (see 4.4). Jesus was ready for the beginning of a Ministry that would change the history of mankind. His first large sermon was proclaimed in a lot:

"Seeing Jesus, crowds surged to a bunch and settled. approached him his disciples, and he began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the humble in spirit (…) Happy those who mourn (…) Blessed are the meek (…) Happy those who hunger and thirst for Justice (…) Blessed are the merciful (…) Blessed are the pure in heart (…) Blessed are the peacemakers (…) Happy those who suffer persecution for righteousness ' sake (…) Happy ye (…) Rejoice and rejoice (…) " Mt 5.1-12

             I think some people when they heard this speech simply stood up, made some gesture of disapproval, turned their backs and went away. Others might not have had such education. "Nonsense!" Could have yelled at some more fanatic of the Pharisee crowd. "Crazy!" "Crazy!" Ah, sure many should have thinking. Jesus was in front of a crowd who dreamed and hoped for a Prophet for years. He was preaching to a community that no longer supported the burden of constant abuses and humiliations sponsored by Rome.

                You can understand this? Did you can see hatred and rancor that much of the Jewish population was feeling at that moment? Their children were being humiliated. Their women and daughters flouted and even raped. Whole families suffering serious financial needs. Their faith being corrupted and desecrated every day. Jesus did not preach a sermon expository or themed on a sunny Sunday morning for believers accustomed to your message. His first large sermon was an affront to the eyes of Jewish society fragile.

                The people was no longer accustomed to hear words like peace and passivity, gentleness and mercy, justice and stuff like that as a source for any kind of joy. This sounded like collusion to damn Caesar Empire. The environment was more conducive to riots, heated arguments and conflicts. Everyone was waiting for a speech challenging and haughty. Something that could inflame the hearts and arouse the wrath of the entire people the point of a war.

                In our current society, where many Christian values are known and disseminated, the sermon on the mount is still confusing to the heart of some people, including Christians. We live on the verge of a nervous breakdown. We are increasingly impatient with everything. We want to change things. We ask for Justice, peace and love. We seek to be happy, but we increasingly sad and lonely. It is less than in the contemporary world are finding increasingly depressed people or with some kind of change in mood.

How is your heart? He is prepared to take possession of joy offered by Lord?

                Happiness is not always found in the things that we think is the best. Maybe your happiness is to make someone else happy. Have you thought of this possibility? The Apostle Paul sums up this proposal of happiness produced by Jesus when he says: "I have shown you in everything, working well, it is necessary to provide assistance to the needy, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus: More blessed (greatest happiness) is giving to receive" (acts 20.35).

               You have sought happiness, doesn't? But what are the words that you have saved in the heart? Only in Jesus we can achieve the dreamed joy. He calls us to be truly happy.

Blessings,

MaryGondim, 

www.verdadecongelada.blogspot.com

Remember, Repent, Reform

O God, thou knowest my foolishness;
and my sins are not hid from thee. ~ Psalms 69:5

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture--not because it expresses a happy thought, but because it's so true, and something I need to repeat every day in prayer.

Of course, it's necessary and right for a believer to daily remember the countless blessings he or she receives at God's hand, and to give thanks and praise for them. We are so grateful to have His guidance and comfort in our lives!  But sometimes this sense of well-being can lead to complacency, pride, and even arrogance. Seeing the spiritual, moral, and temporal travail of so many around us, we may start to feel as though we are impervious to troubles, that Satan can't touch us, and that we are and always will be superior to those others who haven't gotten, as we have, "right with God."  Our prayers may start to sound like those of the Pharisee: "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican" (Luke 18:11) -- and less like those of the publican, who, "standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."  (Luke 18:13)

The publican, who was the one who went away justified (Luke 18:14), had it right. As conscious as we should be of our blessings and of the things that are right in our lives, we should be at least as mindful of our sins and shortcomings, and truly sorry for them. We should always remember that the good things come only through the Lord's grace and forgiveness, and that they are not "earned" in the conventional sense by anything we have done. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We need to confess this in humble and contrite prayer ever day, begging God for the wisdom, patience, and strength to do better. Repentance also needs to include a firm resolve to live in a more righteous and Christ-like way, and real action on our part to carry out that promise. And all this should be capped off with an ever-present thankfulness to our Lord for His great mercy, without which we would be irretrievably lost.

So, pay attention every day to the "three Rs": Remember (our sins), Repent (sorrow and confession), and Reform (actually change conduct). In doing so we should never fall into the self-righteous arrogance of the distinguished Pharisee, but walk away justified, like the "lowly" publican--and happy in Christ's embrace!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

SHINE FROM THE TOP

Question: Should  Christians take leadership position by choice or only when called by God?

Answer: Yes they should at every opportunity .

Question: Why?

Answer:        Because we (Christians) cannot afford to be non challant or care less about leadership. If we do, the consequences are dire.

Question: Explain

Answer:        The bible says a mango tree cannot produce orange as a fruit, neither can an orange tree produce  mango as fruit. If we allow people who are not renewed, who are not righteous (not the righteousness of men but that of God) to rule over us, take leadership positions, they will only bear fruit according to their kind. 

The best Unrighteous leader  can only  do the best unrighteous work, lead in the best unrighteous way and produce the best unrighteous result... But for us Christians, even when there is no obvious call to leadership, we will always and only do righteous works, bear righteous fruits and lead in a righteous manner. Permit me to say that God can use anything or any man, hence, an unrighteous man can do some righteous things but won't it be better if we just take the step and appropriate the resources of heaven to better the lives of our fellow men?

Knowing fully well  that we are light of the world, can we imagine how far and wide our light will shine if it shines from the top? I mean at the top of our companies, our municipal councils, town unions, regional/state  governments, local governments and so many more other positions in private and public places.

There are so many other reasons to aspire to leadership positions but this is the much we can accommodate now.

Question: Is there any scriptural basis for your stand?

Answer: Yes. 1Timothy 3:1 says"Faithful is the Word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work." (ModernKJV). what it means is that we can reach out, New Living Translation says "ASPIRE". We can Aspire to become an overseer (a Bishop) of our office, localty, state/region, country etc.

Let us know that if we do not, wicked men would and since deep calls to deep,  evil men will perpetuate themselves and wickedness will abound. Men who would have lived a quiet righteous life will turn to wickedness just so they can survive. This is the tragedy of our days.

It is the story of my country, my state my environment. Look around  you, see if your case is different from mine, if not, it is time to Let our light shine for the world to see... IT IS TIME TO SHINE FROM THE TOP.

War in the 21 century

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 Going to War 1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”  

What kind of trouble are you facing in this time?

Health?
Finances
Familiars troubles?

Everyone goes through seasons of disappointment or difficulty. We all have unexpected setbacks. Maybe you’re going through something right now that you don’t understand. Here’s the good news: that disappointment is not the final chapter. God never ends in a negative. If you will keep moving forward with your life, God promises that He will bring you to a flourishing finish. Not a defeated finish, a bankrupt finish, a betrayed finish, or a barely-get-by finish. No, in your future, God has a victorious finish.

I don’t know but when you face thing bigger than you, just remember:

1 – God is with you anytime. He didn’t put you there by the way. God is able and knows what to do.

2 – Put God in front of every single thing you face. Here in the battle, the priest goes first. Share your trouble with your pastor or church’s elders, they can pray for you or give you a good advance.
That setback, disappointment or betrayal that seems like it’s working against you, God knows how to turn it around and cause it to work for you. The key is that when you’re in difficult times, don’t settle where you are. Don’t put your roots down and think that things are never going to change. No, for every setback, God has already lined up a comeback. For every injustice, He has vindication. For every disappointment, He has restoration. Right now, just begin to thank Him for what He’s going to do. Praise Him for His faithfulness. Rejoice today because He has a plan to bring you into a flourishing finish!

REMEMBER:
Remember God in all your ways
He is able
Do not fight alone
Cry to help
Be blessed!
Pati Nanni

Reflections on Loss

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NET) - Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written that will happen, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where,  O death, is your victory? Where. O death, is your sting?"

Many people I held dear have passed away this year.

Some were members of my family.

Some were members of my church family.

None of us likes saying goodbye to those we hold dear.

Yet I find one truth inescapable.

Each of these remarkable people had an impact on many lives including my own.

I gratefully acknowledge the fact that I would not be the same person I am today had it not been for their influences.

Another great truth that I know is that every single one of these people I held dear were saved.

That provides me with a tremendous amount of comfort.

Why does that comfort me so much?

Scripture assures me that all who have put their faith in Jesus Christ will have eternal life.

As a result, I confidently know that these loved ones will have eternal life.

Even though I feel a personal sense of loss I can still rejoice for them.

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NET) - Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from  the Lord - for  we live by  faith, not by  sight.

After further reflection, I am reminded of two more things.

First, I am reminded of those that I care about that have not yet been saved.

I am forced to ask myself if I am doing enough to bring them to the Lord.

Facing facts, each tick of the clock brings them closer to the end of their earthly journey just as it brings me closer to mine.

The time remaining between us is diminishing, but I have to keep trying even if trying means losing a friendship.

I risk the very real possibility that some of the friends I so want t bring to the Lord may weary of me or my persistence.

They may even decide that they no longer desire my friendship.

That is a risk I must be willing to accept.

After all, if I were willing to allow a friend to die spiritually, then I would not be much of a friend in the first place.

Second, I am also reminded of a time when my church family experienced the death of someone very dear to all of us.

I knew that each of my Sunday School students would be experiencing the pain of this loss and I prayed for His guidance in what I could do to help ease that pain.

I will never forget the response He wrote upon my heart and I will share it with you now.

"When someone special to you is no longer there, it leaves a hole that can never be completely filled. You can make that hole smaller by simply drawing closer together."


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

As for ME

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God." (MSG)

     Whether you realize it or not, your family worships at the alter of a god. For most families in America it's the god of money. For some it's the god of time and schedules. 

The fact is there are families in this country who are trying to serve multiple Gods. Take for example those families who attempt to gain the best of both worlds by either coming to church on a Sunday when it's convenient, or choosing sporting events or family trips. 

Here's what I want to know: Can you really serve 2 masters these days?

Increasingly, the sanctity of Sundays is fleeting. No longer do "Christian" moms and dads fight to protect the importance of our day of worship. Families are being raised to believe that Church is an option and that gathering is good when conducive to your schedule. Now, if you're a part of a family that has not sold out to Jesus, then you are free to do as you please. But for the "Christian family," something has to change. This post is for you!

I am beyond sick and tired of seeing parents teach their children that what's most important is everything BUT God. Do you think that for a moment this is healthy and that it pays off in the end? Stop and consider that you are teaching your child. 

The reality is that you are teaching that a casual faith is good enough. Casual faith is the exact opposite of what Jesus taught. So, by allowing your family to serve multiple gods you are in a sense damning your kids. I know that sounds harsh, but Christianity is meant to be evangelistic and generational. As the parent you must model Scriptural principles and show your child how important corporate worship and participation in biblical community is. You will be held accountable if you claim to follow Jesus but fail to lead your family. Your children's faith is shaped by you! Take that seriously!

You cannot serve 2 masters, nor should you want to. Now is the time to choose whom you will serve. As the leader or my family, each week we will gather with the body and we will be involved in a small group. The rest of the week is up for grabs. I will raise my children to know that money is evil and time robs us. I proudly declare: As for ME and my house, we will serve the lord!

What about you?
www.mikewhittymore.com

Mothers Every Day

This coming Sunday is Mother's Day in the United States. Millions of dollars will be spent on greeting cards, flowers, and other gifts for mothers. And yet, mothers and motherhood are still undervalued in contemporary culture and among too many people--even many who consider themselves Christians. Elderly mothers, typically widowed, are often left alone and virtually forgotten, even by children who live nearby. In other cases, enmity over some past slight or disagreement festers between a grown child and his or her mother, and they stop speaking to each other. Tempers flare because a mother is thought meddlesome for offering advice or an opinon. On a wider social level, pressure on young women to forgo raising children and pursue a career outside the home is enormous, and those who put family life first are widely depicted in the media as fools, rubes, or afflicted with a miserable, empty life.

In God's Kingdom, on the other hand, mothers and motherhood are treasured and vitally important. We are commanded to honor and reverence our mothers (Exod. 20:12; Lev. 19:3), to heed their teaching (Prov. 6:20), and. in our righteous obedience, to "let her rejoice who gave birth to you." (Prov. 23:25)  We must not dishonor or grieve our mothers through foolishness (Prov. 10:1) or rebellion (Prov. 30:17; Micah 7:6). For her part, a mother is admonished to love her children as well as her husband, to be discreet and chaste, and to be a good homemaker, so as to honor God (Titus 2:4-5). Above all, a mother is to "teach [God's commandments] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deut. 6:6-7)  We have the archetype of faithful motherhood in Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, who reverently accepted the great responsibility that God placed upon her, diligently taught and cared for her Diviine Son, grieved inexpressibly to witness His suffering and death, and gloried in His resurrection.

There is in all literature no more apt description of the good wife and mother than that found in Proverbs 31:

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed . . .  (Prov. 31:25-28)

I have been so infinitely blessed to have this image fit the mothers who figured most prominently in my life--my own mother and my dear wife, the mother of my children!

Honoring, caring for, and blessing our mothers is not something that can or should be done just through a card one day a year. The relationship between a mother and a child is infinitely precious in God's sight, and one that lasts for eternity--it should be treated accordingly!  If there is friction or enmity between you and your mother, heal it now and completely.  You can't imagine what blessings flow from simple apology and forgiveness!  No matter how young or old they are, children and mothers should be speaking with and visiting each other as often as reasonably possible--no one should ever be alone and forgotten! And no feasible expense or effort should be spared to take care of our aging mothers (or fathers), and to see that their grandchildren get to know and love them deeply.

In other words, treat every day as Mother's Day!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

BE YOURSELF

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!"

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"(John 20:24-29)Goodnews version

He is nothing like us in so many regards, and when we are at our weakest, the difference between how He treats us and we treat ourselves shows how different He is from us...

He does not make an unnecessary demand of us, He is like a mother who does not expect her 2 year old daughter to cook for her in the kitchen. The scripture says "He knows our frame...". At every stage of our life He understands our weakness and strength and deal with us accordingly with the hope that we will get to live above the level we currently are... He is just so different from us.

In the scripture above, our interpretation reveals that Thomas doubts (and we coin the name 'Doubting Thomas" for him) but Jesus was not looking at that, He rather prefer to quell his(Thomas) doubt to bring Him at par with the other disciples who already believe. Jesus was not condoning Faithlessness, doubt or unbelief, He would rather have us "believe without seeing Him"(John 20:29b) but in case we are like Thomas, He won't criticize us, make us see ourselves as babes in the faith or express disappointment that after 3years of intensive discipleship filled with so many signs and wonders and great revelations, this is the best we could do... No! Jesus won't do that, He would rather remove our doubt as He did to Thomas.

The beauty of what He did to Thomas is that He would gladly do that to all aspects of our lives... whether we are sick when we should be well; poor when we should be rich; borrowers when we should be lenders; students when we should be teachers; immoral when we should be holy; wicked when we should be righteous etc. For He is our high priest, our advocate, He understands all that we are facing(Hebrew 4:15).

All that we have to do is be like Thomas BE OURSELVES, be open and sincere to Him about who we are, what we think etc and when He reveal Himself- the truth, we should not harden our heart but take His help and move from where we are to where He would have us be.

Paying to live

 Deuteronomy 13:6-10 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), do not yield to them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them. You must certainly put them to death. Your hand must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people. Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Well, maybe one of the texts more difficult to teach, too
 little heard in our preaching. I must say that I do not remember a sermon on this text, but lets to think and talk a little about him.
If the one I love urges me to go against the Lord, shall I kill him! Wow
Think about the kind of gospel that is preached and lived today. The staff gets a cell phone and no longer comes in the church. Not counting the 'eternal love' sworn for many teenager, (encouraged by the Facebook) that endures 'forever' 15 days! 15days where sin reigns in this 'eternal love' and the target of 15 days is only one of those involved to turn away from God! Even more idolatry very familiar sight in our own culture where parents are responsible for taking or prevent their going to church and also the presence of God.
Now is my turn,  as a leader I say, do not listen to this music, do not access that kind of thing on the Internet, do not walk with that kind of people they can take you to sin, only saying these things makes people ugly face and scandalized, imagine saying "kill your father!"
What is this gospel that we are living? Surely God will not tell you now kill your father for not letting you go to church nor your brother made ​​you feel so bad about being a believer.What I am emphasizing the gospel in this paper is cheap, relative, loose and easy to live today, so easy that is not leading people to salvation, as far as I know, be strong (Luke13:24) and narrow (Matthew 7:13) are linked to salvation!
Think
Review your concepts
And should turn again!
Be safe.
Jesus loves you
Pati Nanni