What would you like to know?
God speak to me this morning.
What would you like to know?
Wow crazy. That’s you?
It’s me.
You, God? You’re asking what I want to know?
Yes.
You sure?? In the bible it’s only when someone’s been really good that you ask them stuff like that – almost acting as though you were their servant.
My word teaches you that some men’s sins go beforehand and some follow after. Some sins have visible effects and others are easier to keep secret. Are you more concerned about sins that everyone can see? Yet according to the verse the other sins will follow you even though they are invisible, and they will eventually become obvious. Could these be more dangerous and destructive than the first type? For there is an immediate incentive to deal with visible sin, but invisible sin can grow large undetected and be more difficult to deal with. Search and try your ways and judge yourself that you may be pure within and without and not be judged.
I stood in line waiting for my turn to pay as my kids anxiously waited to gorge themselves on a buffet of pizza and salad…maybe on the salad….probably not on the salad. As I was waiting I couldn’t help but survey the room. I noticed couples and families with young kids running around trying to find the game room. It was a tapestry of smiles and laughter.
Then I saw four people sitting around a square table, two women and two men. They were older, 60’s maybe, and I could tell they’d been friends for some time by the way they interacted with each other. There was a comfort there that’s only developed over time.
The most primitive rule for living is to avoid pain and seek pleasure. The most elementary forms of life will do this. It is a stimulus -response immediate gratification approach. Yet have you not faced difficulties voluntarily and delayed gratification to seek better eventual outcomes? This indicates a higher view of life and this progression continues upward to the ultimate view of life. If in this world only you trust in me you are of all men most miserable, but you are called to a city founded in heaven. Your spiritual sojourn may seem to add to your trials and tribulations in this world but these are not worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in you.
Today we're going to have my daughter, Charity Kayembe, share the next segment in her exciting blog series with us.
Be blessed!
I told you not to cast your pearls before swine, or give that which is holy to dogs. Do you find this to be a troubling passage in a book of gracious words? Obviously these references are to people and you are to preach the gospel to every creature. Must your now decide which people are swine? These are not permanent classes of people. You have come far in your walk with me, and even those who are saved may not be ready to receive the pearls I am giving you now. Offer to lead onward those who are ready, but do not force the issue. Remember how long it took you to get where you are and offer the same grace to others.
You are familiar with my story of the prodigal son. With whom do you identify in this story? Most people who are new in the faith see themselves as the prodigal, coming back to the Father for reconciliation and restoration after coming to their senses and turning away from sin. Do you still make this identification after being saved for many years? Do you ever become the older brother who was not pleased to have his brother return and receive undeserved favor? My word offers redemption for sinners. It also cautions those who lead a life of faith not to become self-righteous and judgmental.
I received this email from a friend of mine who wrote after reading my last post about the problem with loving enemies.
Do you recall the story of two of my disciples discussing current events on the road to Emmaus? I joined them although they didn’t recognize me. I let them fill me in and then explained to them the real significance of these events. How many believers have expressed an interest in hearing the content of this unrecorded dialogue? Yet I promised that wherever two or three were gathered in my name that I would be there in the midst of them. The conversation on the road was a perfect example of this. If you join someone to converse in my name and expect my presence with faith and intentional awareness then your hearts also will burn within you as I speak.
I taught you that all men would know that you were my disciples by the way you loved one another. Does this suggest that you must decide who qualifies as ‘one another’? Other passages of scripture should make you wary of making such a determination. I faced the same question when a man asked me, ‘who is my neighbor?’ I answered with the story of the Good Samaritan. The man who showed kindness was from a different culture with heretical beliefs. This answer was meant to stretch my audience and it is fitting to consider these as the same question.
