Author: Brother Brian

Brother Brian currently serves within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic School System. He is currently in his twentieth year of teaching.

Reflections 3: Virtue of Charity

“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfection disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then shall I know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-13, NKJV, Pp. 1793).

Before I speak on the topic of charity, I must address from where it comes from. For indirectly Apostle Paul in his description of love was also describing God. Love never fails, because love is God, God is love. It is only through this love of God’s which He has so freely given to everyone that we exhibit the heavenly virtue of charity.

Charity is more than benevolent giving; rather it is also, limitless, unconditional, it is filled with an open hearted-acceptance, and overwhelming need to do for others, much like God has done for us. Charity in short is loving, kind, and patient. It cannot be expressed out of envy, boastfulness, pride, rudeness, and it is never self-serving. Charity works out side of the spectrum of anger, of keeping records of wrong doings, as it is more powerful when applied through understanding and sympathy toward our fellow men and women who have less than we do. But the real miracle behind charity is found in the ideal giving of those who seem to have everything. The best example of this is a rich man who has everything but piece of mind, who constantly seeks for solace for actions done in order to become rich, or the remain rich, or in some other matter not related to finances but of relationships, ect. The act of forgiving this person or the offering of kind words which completely changes their way of thinking and or believing for the better can be charity as it lifts them from the bondage of guilt. I offer this example because I have known rich people that on the outside they seem happy, but on the inside they are dying, unfulfilled, left wanting for the words and the love of God.  Mind you this doesn’t have to be a rich person either; anyone could find themselves seeking God in this manner.

Charity therefore, comes from love, which comes directly from God. Charity does not originate with the human soul until God places his hand upon you. Yes, people do nice things for each other all the time, but true charity is the releasing of some sort of bondage which lifts another person’s spirits in such a manner your own heart is filled with the love of God. I liken this to random events, or better known as random acts of kindness, doing something completely unexpected for someone else, for the sake of doing it. This heavenly virtue is second only to love because it comes from love which comes from God.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-13, leaves no stone unturned. It leaves no one out whether you are an adult or a child. It is absolute in its message and can serve to affect your life in two ways. The first being it can if you abide by it, and do what is commanded by God, should set your heart free of sin. An example of this can be taken within personal relationships more predominately between husbands and their wives. If you show your spouse patience, love, kindness, and do not envy them in their accomplishments, nor put them down from your own boastfulness and pride then your heart will be lifted and filled with love, because they will want to love you even more. This also makes your heart slow to anger, much more forgiving, which is the building blocks of truth, loyalty, and trust. In the end this moves you to always wanting to protect them and to cherish them, thus preserving your relationship for an eternity. However, more negatively if you do not do these things which God has commanded, then you are instantly convicted in your heart and you are held prisoner of guilt and of shame for all time, until you ask God to release you. This releasing is in fact Gods greatest act of charity that which He shows through His mercy and again His never ending love.

Charity is always filled with hope that those who experience it shall pass it on to others they know and or don’t know.  It is hopeful that lifelong lessons are learned by the knowledge gained within the act of charity itself, whether it be given or received. Like love it is never failing as it spreads love like wildfire with each charitable act, and as promised by Jesus, we shall receive within the same measure we give to others.

Charity as it is written about in the Bible predominantly speaks upon the idea of giving up all your worldly assets to those who have nothing. Jesus speaks about giving away your wealth in order that you may be able to follow him;

“20 All these I have kept,” the young man said, “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.”

Jesus’s use of the word perfect is not in the strict meaning of doing no wrong, but rather being complete, with nothing left wanting. This is tied to charity because the rich man had vast wealth and the scriptures say he was saddened because he was unable or unwilling to give up his wealth even though it would allow him to follow Jesus. Suppose for an instant that the young rich man had released his burden of wealth, how many people might have been impacted positively? How many starving street dwellers would have been feed, and given a place for the night? What treasures would the young rich man have received in heaven as Jesus had promised him? Ironically, his name does not appear in scripture, just the denotation of (a young rich man), but all the Apostles who gave up everything and followed our Lord, their names are written in the Bible and in the Book of life forever, their stories have been told for over two thousand years, for we know their names.

“7 Every man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9: 7, NKJV, Pp. 1813).

The true disconnect of the wealthy is found in the earthly privilege that they receive because of their wealth, and it is this that keeps them from giving it up, and keeps them in slaved to their wealth. Instead they fall to Satan’s temptation of being one who has, rather to one who has not. This is exactly the same temptation Satan used on Jesus in the desert:

“Then taking him to a high mountain, the devil showed Jesus in an instant all the empires of the world, “I will give you the power and glory of these kingdoms, for it is mine, and I can give it to anyone I want. All you have to do is worship me.” Jesus retorted, “It is written: ‘You must worship God and serve Him alone.’ Having exhausted all these ways of tempting Jesus, the devil left him, to return at a later time” (Lost Gospel Q, Q8, Pp41).

The instruction of Jesus to give it all up was in and of itself a test that he knew the young man would fail, because his heart was not in the things of heaven, but focused on the things on earth.

“17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done” (Proverbs 19:17, NKJV, Pp. 985).

Charity is compassion, it is that hand in the darkness; it is the prevailing voice which gently guides you home when you are lost. It invokes untold emotions and sparks such incredible acts that defy all known logic. It is that kiss on the forehead to a dying wife, the gentle nudge of husband whose spouse is gripped by fear, the loving hug of a parent who has consoled their child, and it is that great reassuring smile of a stranger that has come to the rescue. God is in every act, He is present in every word, and he is an integral part of the giving of love which is turned into charity by everyone of our unselfish and unconditional deeds. My eyes fill with tears each time I see children spending time with the old, men helping to save a life, a women who shows her nurturing side to a child in need. In any of these examples it could easily be said about anyone one of us, showing that charity or receiving it. Truth be told, God exhibits his charity every day within each request of every sinner who asks for his or her sins to be forgiven. The heavenly virtue of charity is written upon your heart and once you make it a staple in your life there is nothing else which fills your soul with as much loving-kindness of God as to do something for someone else who needs that act to be done. Everything else falls away and your life is then being guided by God; your faith restored, your hope renewed, and your heart filled with God’s love.

Challenge question: With love being at the root of charity why are we not more charitable? List ten different charitable acts which you can do right now for ten different people whom you know or don’t know. Then once you have done these things, keep then between you and God.

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

Reflections 2: Virtue of Kindness

“36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  37 Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38 Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6: 36-38, NKJV, Pp. 1582).

The question I ask myself every day before I go to sleep at night, faithfully without fail is; “Have I been kind to those around me and to those I have dealt with today?” I don’t always like the answer. In self-reflection I learn so much about who I am as a human being. I see my flaws more clearly, and in that process I see God’s loving hand molding me and shaping me like clay. In this walk with God I ask him questions and truthfully I don’t always get an answer when I would like to have it, but he always answers me when I least expect it. His kindness and His mercy is the virtue I try very hard to live up to with every breath I breathe.

So what is kindness as a virtue? It is charity for the sake of charity; it is doing for others because it is the right thing to do not because of some monetary reward. It is the showing of compassion for the sake of compassion, not because there is some emotional need being filled in return. It is being a friend to those who you otherwise would not be a friend to or even talk to, for the sake of friendship. It is showing empathy to those who are going through hard times, for the sake of showing them that you truly care, not because you will be given glory for it. Kindness is such a powerful word, it can be such a powerful act, and it invokes such powerful emotions when we express it with all our heart and soul.

“16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3: 16-18, NKJV, Pp. 1923).

Honesty is tied to integrity, which builds trust; this is such a powerful combination as with these values in place and an everyday part of your life kindness flows. It is very much like a snowball, once it starts rolling it automatically collects more snow and the bigger it gets. Like a snowball your kindness attracts the attention and respect of people who you have been kind to and the kinder you are the more they will want to be near you.  Our Lord and Savior was very much like this, for Jesus so wanted everyone to hear his message and to act upon it. His acts here on Earth reek of kindness, especially to those who were defenseless. He kept company with the lowliest of people, in the unlikeliest of groups, and healed those who were in and of themselves the most controversial and dysfunctional characters of their day. Jesus found time to listen, to love, to feed, to celebrate everyone and every moment in his life. He took great pleasure in being kind and has never asked for anything in return. It is this thought that burrows deep into my heart and brings tears to my eyes, because He gave his life for every man, women and child, and asks nothing in return for this price of man’s sins. How kind and merciful is this act of Jesus? How can we possibly fully measure his kindness to us?

I am humbled every time I ponder these two very powerful questions. I am also lead to the idea of how much more kind should I be with all those who I deal with daily. I will admit that members of our family and people who we love the most in personal relationships are the hardest to show kindness to all the time. This holds true for the single reason that kindness to our loved ones should be without prejudice or resentment. It is easier to be kind to a stranger who we do not know the back story too. But when we know some or even the entire story we have a tendency to become judgmental, jealous, filled with hypocrisy, selfish, and to some extent we over power, (always with the best intentions of course), the decisions of those we love the most. Somewhere in this mix we fall to Satan’s temptation of pardon less, possessive love, which is not love, but a form of control. We stop being a friend, a lover, a good parent, a good son or daughter, and a good person, turning into instead a scared, insecure, pathetic version of ourselves. It is only through self-reflection do we see these qualities clearly. It can be painful to see, and we often spend a great amount of life ignoring it, justifying our actions and never taking the blame for our lack in moral conduct. This in truth is the act Satan knows will help him to separate you from God in this eternal war between good and evil.

“22 What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar” (Proverbs 19:22, NJKV, Pp.986).

Therefore, it is important to remember James, the brother of Jesus who described kindness as being pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. As it is equally important to remember how God looks at us from the judgment set, for the more you give the more you will receive.

One of my favorite lines found in proverbs 19 would have to be Proverbs 19: 20, because it is the hardest to do. It is the act of kindness when a friend or loved one takes the time to share wisdom with you, and in our world of today this activity is almost a lost art. Moreover, when we do share in this way it is often times received as being anything but kind.

“20 Listen to advise and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20, NJKV, Pp.986).

How many times have I given advice and it been ignored? Likewise, in reverse if we ask this question we must also ask, how many times have we received advise and ignore it? Within the dismissal of advice, what was lost had we attempted it? Personally, I know most of what I ask of my family will never be heard, because no one listens, because they know me, they know my back story, my flaws, my weakness, and thus the perfect advice is ignored. This was the same problem Jesus ran into when preaching to the people of his hometown for, “4 Jesus said to them, “Only in the hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor” (Mark 6: 4, NKJV, Pg. 1536).

Satan uses these biases against us so that we will become frustrated and fight with those we love. I know in the past I have fallen to this greatest of deceptions and instead of attacking the problem with love and coming from a place which is pure of heart I retaliate with cruelty. We abandon kindness in those moments, just like we abandon God when we are mad at him and blame him for our own short comings. I bring this up to make this point; though we are imperfect and react badly at times, the virtue of true kindness is absolutely unselfish love; it is motivated by a pure heart, without motives driving the action being shown or expressed. It is voluntary given without bias or spite. It is the purposeful, everyday practice which inspires others to be kind and merciful. As a virtue, kindness is the smiles warn upon our face, that cheerful demeanor when asked a question, or being greeted. Kindness can be as is simple as the way we say “hello” when we really want to say “what!”, or it can be as simple as the act of listening without offering advice.

For in Matthew we find the true test of kindness,

 “21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21, NKJV, Pg. 1478).

At the end of the day before I go to sleep I also ask myself these questions, “Did I give any amount of satisfaction to those I dealt with today? More importantly am I satisfied with myself in regard to the day’s activities? Did I express loyalty to those I love? Did I show compassion and integrity in all that I did today?” As I stated earlier, I don’t always like the answer I receive to these questions, and it always reminds me that I need God in my life; I need his example of kindness and of love. I need to hand my sins over, and I need to allow Him to help me to perfect the right amount or measure of kindness that He would require of me each and every day.

Challenge question: If our kindness is measured in heaven, why do we struggle so with being kind to others?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

 

Reflections 1: Virtue of Humility

“3 I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 3-4, NKJV, Pg. 1497).

Humility is a virtue that as a parent or a teacher we want all our children to have and to express to others around them. What we fail to see is that this characteristic of one’s personality is learned by example; our children watch very closely what we do, how we do it, and what we say to others. They see how we treat our family, friends, strangers, and enemies; no matter the intent this trait is what they emulate, and what they will become strictly by observation. Humility as a learned attribute to one’s character can be expressed in many ways because it means something different to each and every one of use. To Jesus, it is about becoming like an innocent child, changing how we treat others, and accepting openly the hand of our brothers.  To be humble is to place the needs of others first, to become modest; never taking credit for what you did not do, the automatic giving of respect, it is thinking about yourself less, and becoming active in charity. A person who is truly humble can look at themselves in self-reflection and see the error of their ways. To stay humble is a constant battle because we are not humble by nature; rather we are born in rebellion against God.

The most perfect example of humility is found in our savior, Jesus Christ, as he was arrested and tried by men who wanted him dead. They struck him, spit upon him, beat him, and judged him, only to crucify him, and our Savior took it and died for our sins. Jesus did not strike back, put a plague upon them, he did not cruse at them, nor did he seek revenge, rather he remained brave in the face of danger. He remained reverent in all his actions and teachings, accepting completely the sacrifice that was involved. He was like a child before his accusers as he had nothing to confess. Jesus showed courage in the face of his looming torcher and death while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, for his task was the most difficult ever assigned by God. Jesus confronted his fear and uncertainty replacing it with love for all mankind.

“12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23: 12, NKJV, Pg. 1506).

Jesus could have boldly stated making it clear to everyone his true mission and brashly misusing his power and authority, taking up the sword and caused a revolution as some men had wanted him to do. Jesus could have laid claim to the thrown of David, and been king of men, but if he had done all these things he would not be fulfilling his true purpose, as the true son of God. In retrospect his death would not have save humanity. His actions would not have been Gods will, and would have been viewed as being just as lofty as those he called hypocrites. Jesus would be anything but humble, and again his death would have been meaningless.  He could have declared his power and stopped the pain, suffering, and brought himself down from the cross had he wanted to. But again this would be showing a lack of humility, making his death and sacrifice again meaningless.  In fact, Jesus could have caved into his more mortal desires and married and had children, never fully realizing his full potential, ignoring God’s mission for his life. He could have become the exact opposite of humility, that being selfish and prideful, tiptoeing through life never sacrificing anything, with one glaring exception, the saving of the human soul and ultimately the redemption of man. The very fact that Jesus did not give in, ignored the obvious outcome of his actions by provoking the Pharisees, and ignoring their orders to work miracles so that they would believe in him, Jesus was exalted.

The truth is any one of us who choses humility in the eyes of God choses to be exalted.

I remember once as a young boy my grandmother took me shopping. She was going to buy me some new school clothes; I remember her making me try each and everything on until I couldn’t take it anymore.  After most of the afternoon had gone I was tired of trying on shirts and pants and shoes… I looked at her and said exasperated, “Are we done? Just buy the damn shirt and let’s go!” I will never forget the look upon my grandmother’s face. It was if I had not appreciated what she was doing for me, and truth be told I didn’t, in a childish way I expected it as if it was her duty to me. My grandmother looked at me through her glasses and said very calmly, “What I do for you now you may not appreciate, but when you are on your own and have nothing you will remember this day my boy. Then you will appreciate me.” I had been anything but humble, for her words cut me to the bone. I did not want my grandmother to feel I did not appreciate her. But yet my words made her feel that way. I knew if I had tried to say sorry she would not accept it, and I would only be saying it because I felt bad. So I was caught within a dilemma, “What should I say? What could I say?” The ride home was long and quiet; I knew she was going to tell my mother when I wasn’t around to hear. I knew my mother would be disappointed in me too. I cannot tell you how bad I felt, I just wanted to find a hole and hide in it forever. But it was from this, I learned to become humble in all aspects of my life. I owe that to my grandmother. To this day I say thank you when someone does something for me, I make sure they know how I appreciate them for all they have done. Though I am not perfect in this, I try very hard to remain as humble as possible.

“6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.   7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1Peter 5:6-7, NJKV, Pp.1935).

Becoming humble is a struggle; it requires dedication, long suffering, and practice. Signs of humility appear in your everyday speech from the most common words such as, “Please” and “Thank you”, to words like, “It would be my pleasure” or “It would be an honored.” It is in the actions you make, from opening a door for an elderly person, to thoughtfully offering your services to a person who needs your help rather than passing them by. It is in the thoughtfulness of others as you give your time to a charity, or in giving a family member that special, reassuring pat on the back when you know they are down. My personal favorite is always acknowledging your spouse, for all the things they do daily to make your life better than it would have been if you were on your own.  The giving of roses or a card for no reason out of the blue is a great place to start. Humility is not submission, but the act of thinking of others more than you do yourself. It is a tender act of love, compassion, and or mercy that shows what is truly in your heart. Humility is the shedding of a complicated, self-serving mindset into that of a child-like acceptance of others and of their needs, all without asking for a reward or having an expectation of something in return. Humility is selfless and needs no reward, for the act itself is its own reward. Finally Humility is that moral compass that keeps us honest, and on the right path. For those who master the virtue of humility, the doors to the kingdom of heaven are opened, and God Himself is standing there waiting to receive you.

Challenge question: Wouldn’t it be easier when we become hotheaded, and self-righteous, to remember that humility is what God expects in all situations?  In those instances doesn’t it just make more since to quiet your tongue until you have come back into a calmer mindset?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

To My Readers

First, I want to say how awesome you all are. I have currently over 100 reviews I have not had time to get to as I am a professional educator and student going for my second Masters in Education. I will however answer each and everyone of you here shortly.

Secondly, I have been asked by a majority of you how can you obtain an agreement to use some of my material in your own postings and publications. At this time I do not have legal contracts, but will accept emails at listeningfaithfullyblog@gmail.com, with the material you would like to distribute pasted in the body of the email or an attachment. I look forward to hearing from you and will be happy to discuss other arrangements and offers you may have. As terms of posting my material I also ask that you send me a digital copy of your publications so I can post on a special page here at Listening Faithfully Blog.

Thank you all again on your warm and kind hearted words of encouragement and I look forward to hearing what you think on future postings.

God Bless,

Brian Keith

Special Posting: Brotherhood

On this special day, July 4, 2011 the United States of America celebrates its 235th birthday and independence from Great Britain. However,  as I reflect upon this day and listen to the firecrackers and fireworks explode, we as Americans are celebrating the victory which set us free from oppression. This noble of ideals we  inherited by men fighting centuries before in Europe, and before that in the times of Jesus. The idea of fighting for freedom is as old as mankind, and in that we celebrate freedom as a nation, but as one of many countries who also have and celebrate independence, for every man and women and child seek freedom naturally, as it was intended by God. We are all truly brothers and sisters in Jesus, in the ideals of freedom, we are the brother of mankind.
Happy 4th of July America….
God Bless

Reflections 6: When We Let Go

 “13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13).

Have you ever become so filled with fear that you forsake everything you have worked so long and hard for, or forsake those you love, or forsake the plans you have made that would have bettered yourself and maybe your family? Have you ever accepted help from someone thinking it was a God send, then you hit turmoil which kicks up your own personal fear, then you react by letting that person slip from your life because of your own fear and confusion that the help may not have been genuine? Does the word commitment send tiny little shivers down your spin? I have written on the sin of fear, and the sin of placing fear into someone else’s hearts for their own gain. But this reflection I want to direct ones attentions to how we can lose our souls if we let go of God because of fear.

Too often the paralyzing reality of our actions and of their consequences come back to play tricks with our mind. I would like to subscribe that the very thought which brings this torrent of fear into your life is placed there not by God, but rather by Satan. If you are separated from God when this suggestion is placed you will become confused, hurt, scared, even begin to second guess what you already know to be right. Days become longer as you contemplate every signal angle, but are left empty. That emptiness eats away at you until finally, you’re feeling of being scared blooms  into full-fledged fear. Notice I place the blame on both Satan and the one who allowed themselves to be separated from God in the first place. Go back and count how many times the word you or a variation of the word is mentioned. Satan has no place in your heart if you have the door closed to him and opened to God.

“7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind” (Timothy 1:7).  

In order that this is brought into context, God is often blamed for giving fear to those who suffer from it. But in reality God does not make you fearful, rather he gives love, and love gives sound of heart and of mind. With God we begin to see reality, see the truth in a way we have never experienced it. I have personally known people who live their lives from moment to moment, seeking but never finding, because they maintain the old practice of following God ten paces from behind Him. They can barely make out the whispers of God in their ears, and suffer inwardly because of it, always wondering what life would be like if only they had a personal relationship with God. Instead of holding fast to His hand, they follow from a great distance. The word commitment is so scary that they seek to do everything on their own, which leads them to seeking things of the world, in particular money. These people say stuff like, “If I could only win the lottery!” or “I want to merry a millionaire.” They seek the easy road, because down deep in their soul they know that sacrifice will be part of their life if they hold onto and are committed to a life walking with God.

“28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” ( Matthew 10:28).

Our priority’s get so screwed up that we let go of God, and take hold of the world. Forgetting that even though people can hurt you, blame you, persecute you, and even kill you, they do not have dominion upon your immortal spirit. But when contemplating these thoughts, who created you, who gave you life, and who is the only one who has the right to destroy that life, and the soul which it was attached the answer is always God.  It’s pretty silly that it was that same eternal, loving, nurturing God that you let go of. It is this which makes it holy to have a healthy fear of God, but also surcome to a rewarding and healthy relationship with the one most powerful, most holy, of spirits that is trying to mold you into the more perfect you.

In my personal life I have seen people who have sought to tear down all that which I have built up. I have experienced people who would read a paper, or listen to a slick talker and believe all the wicked things said against me with their ears instead of their hearts. I have had relationships with people who say they love me, but their actions are exactly the opposite of their words. Most notably I have had dealings with people who appear to be helping when in fact they are placing fear into the life of the ones I love most for their own personal gain, to satisfy their own need for power. Satan introduced fear, and people weld it like a weapon. It is no lie I have suffered panic attacks in the bulk of such treachery, and have allowed fear into my heart when I probably should have allowed Gods love to vanquish it forever. The point is that we are all human, we are all sinners, and we all make mistakes. God has no problem taking hold of your hand that from time to time has slipped from his.

“3 The Lord shall give rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the bondage wherein thou wast made to serve” (Isaiah 14:3).

I have found no better rest at night from my worries than when I pray, and ask God to take from me my pain, my suffering, my anxiety, my hatred, my disbelief, my frustrations, my anger, my sins, and my lack of faith in my family, friends, loved ones, and in Him. That is something you will not hear many people of faith admit, let alone write it and publish it for the world to see. But our God wants us to shout out his name, preach to the world of his slender, of his love and forgiveness. That is a message that Satan wants to destroy. It is because of that very message that he places fear into our hearts, because fear gives way to doubt. God sets the example of love and forgiveness; it was the very message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you hold anything against anyone; forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:25, NIV, Pp. 1550).

In short, fear makes us let go, makes us turn hard of heart, become unreadable, unpredictable, moody, feeling constantly guilty, clogs our minds with contemplation, sow the seed of distrust, builds walls of anger, and sending our souls into torment and despair. When we let go, we let go of more than of the thing we fear will happen, but immerse ourselves into a hell built from fear, where our worst nights will play out.

Challenge question: If God will forgive us of our sins, then what do we have to fear? Why would we ever let go of Him?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

Reflection 5: I Am Like Your Father

“Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordon River to be baptized by John. After Jesus was baptized, he prayed and the sky opened up. The Holy Spirit came to him as a dove, and a voice came from the sky saying, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your father” (Lost Gospel Q, Q5, 1999, Pp.38).

As a teacher of children at the elementary level, I have always found great pleasure in my mission that God has called me to. I was lucky to have been anointed with oil in this mission of educating children. I take what I do very seriously, thus I follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Likewise, God bestowed upon Jesus his mission upon being baptized. Just as God bestows upon all teachers and ministers to be protectors, role models, educators, even mentors of his children. Interestingly, God also has bestowed these same responsibilities and more upon all parents. It is the seriousness of this topic to which I want to address.

The “mission” of raising children, educating others, and being a worthy example of a life lived with the promises of God is, (if you take it seriously), a vocation according to Apostle Paul.

“4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called, – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1-6, 2002, Pp. 1835, NIV).

As written by Moses we all are charged to the following;

“6:4 Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 2002, Pp. 252-253, NIV).

The role as teacher and as a parent I have found at times to be draining, exhausting, sometimes leaves me unfulfilled, and even lonely. This is mainly due to the internal struggles of will-power the children will attempt to use against me in their attempt to get what they want, or to test the boundary-line I have set for them, whether they realize the true forces behind my reactions and linking that to what is happening as a consequence at times is a real struggle. In truth many children I teach come from broken homes, they have no real discipline of their own because the environment they are being raised in, based upon their parents ability, or inability to provide a stable home, one that follows the commandments I have listed above. But if you take the word discipline as what it is supposed to be, then it is nurturing, staunch, filled with wisdom, and exudes love. It builds character and bestows respect. I have always said this to my children that I teach, fully realizing that if I was a public school teacher I would be fired due to unfortunate legalities which are supported by every state in the union;

“I love each and every one of you… I am here for you…I want nothing more than you to succeed. I am like your father, (meaning like God) in that I demand your respect, and in return you shall gain respect a thousand fold, you will gain the knowledge you need to be successful, and you will always have a place that is safe. I promise to listen to you, if only you first speak respectfully. I promise to be fair, if you first always speak the truth. I promise to never lie to you, if you first put forth the effort to find the answers to your questions.” Then I pray with them the Lord’s Prayer.

It is amazing how fast tough kids crumble when they hear that there is someone willing to be there for them, to help them, guide them, to love them. So there is no misunderstanding what so ever what I mean and what is implied by the term “love”. It is always used in the Christian context and is prefaced as the love from God, shown to all people by Jesus Christ. The children understand I am not their biological father, and that I am not God. They look up to me because I hold them accountable. I do not waver or spoil them, but reward them when they do well by giving them the grade they deserve. They earn everything in my classroom and this allows them to feel safe. Everything is said out loud, as I hate secrets. In the totality of my professional career as a teacher, it is the respect the children automatically begin to give that I guard with every fiber of my being. I am like their father as sadly many of them have none.

It is this “love” that which God is demanding from all of use to show one another. With the right kind of discipline children respond positively, ironically so do adults. In fact as an adult we first and for most desire respect from those we deal with, be it from a friend, loved one, neighbor, child, or stranger. Respect comes from the willingness to listen to the other person. This willingness comes from discipline, or more over how you were raised, by the example your parents set. If they showed love towards each other and to all they encountered then the offspring would follow suite. Thus, “love” is the root to all things, and “love” comes from God.

“6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6, 2002, Pp. 989, NIV).

As I did my research for this reflection, I found an awesome manuscript entitled “The Duties of Parents”, originally updated and revised by Tony Capoccia in 1998, based upon the work of J.C. Ryle (1816-1900). In it I found one line I thought was extremely true and is an issue all teachers and parents face today, that which is based on the above scripture;

“Hint #1. If you want to train your children correctly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they want to go” (Ryle, J.C., Capoccia, T., 1998).

I also believe that we love as a direct response to the fact that we care about a specific outcome. We follow the commandments set forth by God, as all the lessons I teach are based upon biblical scripture, dealing with discipline, such as;

“24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” (Proverbs 14:24, 2002, Pp. 977, NIV).

“18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death” (Proverbs 19:18, 2002, Pp. 985-986, NIV).

“15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15, 2002, Pp. 990, NIV).

“13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death” (Proverbs 23:13-14, 2002, Pp. 991, NIV).

“15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother” (Proverbs 29:15, 2002, Pp. 1000, NIV).

“17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17, 2002, Pp. 1000, NIV).

Note: The over use of the term son, him, or he, is a direct translation from the bible, but should be meant and include the female gender as well. So please insert the words, “our children” and “they” where applicable.

Thus my students inherent response is to respect what I say because I model what I teach to them. I truly care about their future education; one could say I am invested. The children become invested in their own success because they now have a set of guidelines to follow, and they care about what I think of them. Just as all good teachers, ministers, and parents should be invested in upholding the commandments set forth by God, as these words of wisdom produces successful children.

The perfect example of how we all should look at raising children falls back to how God loves and treats us, his children.

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, 2002, Pp. 1632, NIV).

To be a good parent, role model, teacher, or guardian is akin to being a good Christian, as our children learn from our example and it is this very reason why God chose Abraham to so bless the world as the father of nations, for God knew that Abraham would follow his commandments. Thus, Abraham serves as an example of parenthood, of wisdom, and of how to follow God.

“15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” (Genesis 22:15-18, 2002, Pp. 1632, NIV).

We cannot ignore that as parents and teachers we have modern laws which bind and restrict our behavior around children, some of which is needed, some we can do without. It is the manner of in which we interpret the current laws which decide the fate of our nation, as our children are truly our future. We only have to look at what influences them to see the overall impact. The further away from God our laws become, to less respect our children will show to each other and the world population. The further away from morality the further away they are from a two parent home, a Christian life style, and life filled with God, because everything which fills their hearts is center around their own wants and not on the needs of others. The less we tell our children that we love them, and the less time we spend with them, the more they seek that love and attention from someone else, somewhere else, most likely from those who do not uphold the teachings of God and or are willing to break and defile our children’s innocents . The more we allow the decay of the two parent model, the farther we are from obeying God, the farther we are from raising our child in the ammunition of the Lord. Ironically, the closer they are to becoming lost souls; dead to the world even though they walk, talk, and go about their daily routine, their soul in the eyes of God are dead. The farther they will sink, fall, stumble and search, hoping to find the right answer, to fill that vast emptiness they have inside that which is unquenchable. Sadly they will fall prey to those who will convince them they are like their father too, but in truth they are more like Satan, the great deceiver.

The true test of those who follow God and do for their children as God commands will most certainly fulfill these words of Jesus Christ;

 “12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:12-14, 2002, Pp. 1659, NIV).

So what did Jesus do? He loved all the children, even the ones that where hard to love. He loved all of us, just as his father in heaven loves all of us, even the most unlovable, most disgusting, over baring, bossy, impatient, and cantankerous members of the human race, for he found it within his heart to love us all. Therefore, as a parent we start teaching our children with the bible, by reading to them the stories which are filled in morality, truth, and wisdom. We spend time with them, even if that time is short; we make the time to tuck them in, to listen to their fears. Teachers who spend more time with our children than we do, must uphold these same values, and be a positive mentor, through both daily words and actions. Finally by providing each child a safe place in which to fail and learn, knowing they have a steady hand to guide them in the truth of all things in their world, to be like their father who is in heaven.

Challenge question: If we follow God’s commandments as it relates to the raising of children, aren’t we really aspiring to be like God?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

Link to “The Duties of Parents”: http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/parentsjc.htm

Reflections 4: Damnation

“11Then I saw a great white throne, and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  13And the sea gave up the dead who were in it; and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.  14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15, NKJV, Pp.1188).

Damnation: 3. “Theology . Condemnation to eternal punishment as a consequence of sin” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/damnation ).

The living and the dead whose names are not written in the Book of Life, according to the Holy Bible are damned, and will burn forever in the lake of fire and brimstone. Forever damned for ones sins against God. When I read this I think about those people who have rejected God, rejected the teachings of our Lord and Savior, reject morality as it is so described in the Bible, and who think there is no consequence to their actions, I want to scream out loud, “Fools wake up!” Satan as described in Revelation will burn in the lake of fire. So if this is true my logical-self demands me to believe anyone linked with Satan, doing his bidding will also parish in the lake of fire and brimstone, not for a day or two, or a week, or a month,  or a year, but forever. Is this wicked behavior worth it? I dare say “No! It’s not worth it!” But for those among us who are truly lost will be blinded by their sins, which mount into a multitude, stacked so high they themselves have lost count, lost all feelings and emotions, and will burn in Hates forever. The told sum of sin-debt Jesus talked about and which the Apostle Paul wrote about so eloquently in I Corinthians bears enough testimony for the logical thinker to turn about and rethink ones actions while here on planet earth.

“8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you” (I Corinthians 6: 8-11, NKJV, Pp. 1102).

The most dramatic of these things which are of the wicked, according to the Bible and where supported by Jesus can be found in various New Testament Books such as Mark;

“18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments; Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother” (Mark 10: 18 – 19, NKJV, Pp. 979-980).

In the above verse from 1 Corinthians, Paul supports Jesus as found in Mark, by mentioning specifically, adulterers, thieves, and extortioners, or in the words of Jesus defraud.

Moreover, the unchanging word of God is supported by Jesus and Apostle Paul in the following verse from Leviticus as it relates to homosexuals and sodomites;

“22 You shall not lie with a male as with a women. It is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22, NKJV, Pp. 111).

For those of you who require a less known voice as it refers to all sexual sin which permeates throughout the entire bible, and which supports the word of God, Moses, Jesus, and all the Apostles, then this one verse from Jude, a bond servant of Jesus and brother of James,  sums it up nicely;

“7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality, and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7, NKJV, Pp.1173).

For it is these people to which is being referred too, that will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Bible is vast with a plethora of sins, all which are seen by God as an abomination. There are so many who live lives divorced from God, who will speak in a manner as to try and convenience the people of God that these sins mentioned above are not sins, but rather man’s nature, thus is not punishable by God. There again, my logical-self argues violently against such immoral arguments, as again God is unchanging in his will and is perfect, thus needing not to change. However, the words from Jesus as it relates to those who boast in their own works, in their own defense, and who argue matters which come from Satan because they are blind to their own sin, is indeed the most telling;

“42 Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand my speech? Because you are not able to listen to my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murder from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God” (John 8:42-45, NKJV, Pp. 1035).

Jesus also points out that their will be those who will be expecting to be saved but are not;

“21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord.’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV, Pp.941).

Damnation if taken seriously is a punishment that will last forever. It is shared by those who have been fooled by Satan, which is one third of all the angels, and all those who are blind, rebellious, hard of heart, staunch in their attitudes, with the conviction they shall suffer not. It is the most twisted joke which is being played upon humanity by a master deceiver, one who has indeed deceived himself. By virtue the path of the damned is wide, but the path of the righteous is narrow. To be sure God’s judgment is final and righteous. It is absolute without blemish or flaw. There will be neither argument nor rebuttal. For God’s judgment is eternal and fair.

“23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”  24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die” (Ezekiel 18:23-24, NKJV, Pp. 818).

It so completely amazes to me that so many people rather live for their own wants and desires, all of which are a sign of contempt and selfishness. The road signs are clearly marked we only have to read where they are leading too. Jesus was very specific on this point, as is God. Our immoral behavior will be judged according to their own works. The real fear I have every time I read Revelation, Leviticus, or any passage that I recognize where I have sinned against God, I have to stop and ask myself, “Where am I when my life is done?  Am I in the Lake of Fire, or am I with God?” Each time I contemplate this question it takes the breath from me, because though I have not sinned as much as others, I have sinned, and I have no other choice but to own it, as does the rest of humanity.

“23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” ( Romans 6:23, NKJV, Pp.1089).

It is all too easy to say that if we just ask for forgiveness then we are forgiven. When hearing this message some of us nod their heads and reply, “Right… I have heard that all before.” All while discounting the simplicity of God’s love, compassion, and want for all of to join him in eternal life in the kingdom of God. But never the less, if you are sincere in you’re asking God through his son Lord, Jesus Christ for forgiveness, your name will be written in the Book of Life and your sins forgiven. The truth is there is no sin which God cannot forgive.  But be warned, you must mean it, because when your sins are forgiven you can feel it deep down in your soul, and you begin to express this in your everyday life, much like Apostle Paul. However, the first step as outlined by Jesus, as written by Matthew if followed, will radically change how you act, and what you believe in;

“22 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matthew 22:37-40, NKJV, Pp. 959).

Challenge question: If we don’t ask for Jesus’s forgiveness and live a righteous life now, then when?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

Reflections 3: The Test of Love

“47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47, NKJV, Pp.1000).

Last week, and in many other posts, I have said that there is one requirement that we Christians have before God. This requirement is to have absolute faith in Jesus Christ no matter where he should lead us. In fact my exact words where, “To follow Jesus we must commit our souls to Him completely, lay down our own wants and desires and follow Him with absolute faith, without question of where He is leading us.” In addition to making this point, I also gave many examples of how some people just can’t come to grips with this, and in fact one of my readers commented to me personally, “God also wants us to question and not follow along like a blinded sheep.” Admittedly, after reading this comment I was somewhat taken aback. I wondered where I had gone wrong, so after a full week of contemplation I want to bring all of you full circle on this point.

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty, 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:40-42, NKJV, Pp.1000).

I ask, “Did this forgiving of debt have anything to do with mercy, with love?” Simon is being given a test that it took Apostle Paul half a lifetime to learn. Paul prosecuted Christians in the beginning. He was actively hunting them down watching them die at his own hand. His heart was filled with anger and violence, so much so his life was overflowing with such torment. His love was little, thus he loved little. What did it take to bring Paul from this pit of darkness, and give him a new lease on life? It took a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. It took Paul the very breath of Jesus in his ear, the blinding of his eyes, in order to instill and wipe away his old habit of hatred and persecution of others, and allow himself to be persecuted in order for him to truly find faith in God. Paul’s conversion was a new found unquestionable, unshakable faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  What a radical transformation from the old angry Christian hater to the new Christ follower. Like Paul, Simon is faced with the one true test of love.

43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then he turned to the women and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this women has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this women has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore, I say to you, her sins are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:43 – 47, NKJV, Pp.1000).

This woman had a choice, she had free will, and she could have chosen not to accept Jesus in this manner. As the story unfolds we find not only did she completely surrender to Jesus, but she sought Him out, and she faced the many men of so-called faith who accused and cursed her. The word forgiven could have been replaced by accepted, but then the granting of forgiveness would have been mute. The table was prepared, the house filled with Pharisees, Jesus could have said you are accepted, and avoided criticism, but his purpose would have been unfilled. What a shame all that would have been, what a great opportunity would have slipped by unnoticed? The question, the criticism, which sparked this great test of love was one filled with scorn.

“39 This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of women this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39, NKJV, Pp.1000).

But I ask, “Are we all not sinners?”

Yes, we are all sinners, yes; we all have free will, and yes; God wants us to question why we believe what we believe. If our God was not such a forgiving God, He would not have forgiven us our many indiscretions. If our God was not a loving God he would not have given us free will, coupled by an inquisitive nature that often times gets us into trouble. If our God wanted us to be blind automatons He would not have sent His only son Jesus to open our eyes so wide to His most perfect grace, His most perfect unconditional love.

It is because we are sinners we need God’s forgiveness, His divine mercy. No matter how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves. Without being tested by love, we love little. Without God showing us love, we would never know God. Apostle Paul would have forever been blinded by his hatred of people of different faiths, Simon would have never seen the light of day, the Pharisees would have never been moved to question God in the manner they did, and our daily struggle would be unbearable, as we would truly be forsaken. Historically speaking, Rome would never been converted to Christianity, and if that didn’t happen, you and I would not be having this conversation.  Without questioning our faith, our journey with and too God would be meaningless, for we would cease to seek, and we would never find. The only right answer is to do what the sinful women did before Jesus; the only action we need to show is our gratitude. The daily walk through our lives is filled with meaning when we surrender completely, and demonstrate with every breath in our bodies’ absolute faith in Jesus. Only then are we truly set free of our earthy shackles and begin to live the many blessings God had in store for us all along, but first we must pick up our cross and follow Him.

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the women. “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:48 – 50, NKJV, Pp.1000).

Challenge question: Where would we be if we did not have Gods love, if we were never tested by that most perfect love? Then without Gods love wouldn’t we be even more lost than we currently find ourselves?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.

Reflections 2: When We Follow Him

“24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24 – 25, NKJV, Pp.952).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is so direct, so cunning with His words I think sometimes we hear them, read them, and can even feel the emotion behind each and every phrase that he spoke, but somehow we fail to allow his message to sink in and really touch our souls. I feel we erect a barrier, a shield of shorts around our hearts that allows nothing good in, which prevents His healing touch to really work the miracles in our lives in the way they were intended too.  As I reflect upon Our Lord Jesus, His message, His longing for us all to put down our troubles and worries and pick up our cross, I have to also suggest that the faith Jesus exhibited in God is what gives meaning to His words, to His message, to His command to Follow Him.

I am also led to the conclusion that Jesus’s message was delivered in such a way that for those men and women who heard his voice, touched his skin, and who had the privilege to hug and interact with Him, they understood exactly His intent, for the message was crystal clear. Some of them, as some of us today just refuse to submit to Jesus. In fighting this unwinnable battle of wills we are also fighting against God our father in heaven. In propagating this strength test of sorts somewhere down the line we make a conscious choice. Some of us rebuke God because it is an easier road to follow, leaving our cross to rot where it is. Still others are so horrified that it is our very life we are required to willingly sacrifice that we simply panic and do everything imaginable to save it, condemning ourselves in the process.  But the majority of us are like Apostle Peter, we have no problem with the sacrifice of our own life, if it would mean Jesus didn’t have to die, and as innocent as that may sound it was against the very purpose of Jesus Christ being here in the first place, because through our death, we die a sinner, a rebel, and are ultimately separated from God Our Father. So to Peter, Jesus replied the only way he could and in doing so he also was talking to every man, women, and child that would ever live on this planet.

“22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ 23 But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:22 – 23, NKJV, Pp.952).

To follow Jesus we must commit our souls to Him completely, lay down our own wants and desires and follow Him with absolute faith, without question of where He is leading us. It is this requirement that separates the people of God from every other people in the world. It is this one prerequisite that keeps the people of God focused on the end game, thwarting any distractions.   Yet, some of us can hear His calming voice, but with our eyes we see the enemy coming closer and like Peter, we become fearful which leads us to become irrational and then we sin before God.  I find this response to be ironic, because Peter knew as did the other disciples, as we all know today, why Jesus was headed down the road that he freely chose. Yet, even armed with this knowledge Peter still allowed fear to momentarily blind him making him unable to accept the truth of Jesus’s mission. In retrospect Peter was coming from a place of earthly concern, fooled into believing this concern for Jesus was coming from a place of love. In allowing this Peter momentarily allowed Satan in, and Jesus saw it, heard it, and was responding to it. In that moment, Our Lord was also responding to each and every one of us each time we allow Satan in, speaking directly to our immortal soul as he cast Satan out.

“26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NKJV, Pp.952).

As I have stated before and will state again, it is righteous to have a healthy fear of God and a massive amount of respect for Him. For it is with His grace we continue to multiply, to live, and be so blessed. It is because God loves each and every one of us that we exist at all. It is so mind-boggling to me that some of us are so lost, so hungry for God’s love and yet run so fast in the opposite direction. Grant-it for many it is out of ignorance, but for those unlucky people who continue to practice willful disobedience in living an immoral, offensive life that which is chalked with sin, so much so it physically destroys them and hurts everyone around them, while ignoring God’s many pleas, for them we must pray for Gods mercy. For in all they do, in all their efforts they have accomplished nothing, for we are nothing when compared to God, as all things are accomplished through Him and by Him alone. I know God must really shake his head in wonder every time He looks down from heaven, hearing our many complaints, requests, and cries for help, only to turn the other cheek when He presents us the answer. Truth is Jesus asked this very question over two thousand years ago when He frustratingly announced;

“26 But why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46, NKJV, Pp.998).

Jesus went on to explain the many differences in a person’s heart that does what he says, from one who does not in the following two verses, and as straight forward as His commandments are, none of them was as direct and as skillfully aimed at our human hearts as when he said over and over to the multitude, “Follow Me.” He said it because we are lost, and within Him, through Him we are found.

I am constantly inspired by those of us Christians who confess their faith and live a day-to-day life filled with God’s commandments, but I morn for those who live their lives as they see fit, absent of remorse while skillfully executing their own set of faulty morality. I can tell the unmistakable difference in a person who is filled with love from God, from one who is filled with love of self. The person filled with the love of God is peaceful, and holds a heart that strives to do good not for themselves, but for those who are around them. In their presence you feel safe, secure, and at peace, because they are humble before our God. But the person filled with selfish ambition and blind, reckless greed, well for them they betray their own self-serving intentions by the words that come from their diseased hearts.

Challenge question: Now that you know what is required what will you do in your own life today to honor God our most deserving Father?

Amen

If you have been moved by this blog I humbly invite you to leave a message telling me your thoughts and how this reflection has touched you. May peace and love be with you all the days of your life.  May God keep you and bless you.