Things I Think…
1. Don’t miss the link to the free ebook on the seven churches of Revelation…good stuff…important stuff…
2. I’m teaching through the book of John and of course, John 3:16…where the universal nature of the love of God is declared.
After that declaration, Jesus gives an example of that kind of love by offering entrance to the kingdom of God to someone despised by the religious of the day, the “woman at the well”. It’s Jesus showing what God’s love looks like in practice…
3. Jewish men had a prayer thanking God that they were not “Samaritans, women, or dogs”… so when Jesus met with the Samaritan woman, He was demonstrating the real nature of the love of God, much to His disciples chagrin…
4. In our divided times, who do you thank God that you’re not? Who do you judge as unworthy of the love of God and Christian fellowship? Who would your friends be offended by if you treated them well? We all have a list, if we’re honest…Jesus has no list and no regard for the ones we make…
5. If you really want to see “God revive America” start by loving your enemies list and loving the neighbor you can’t stand…if you can’t or won’t do that you’re only interested in your own kingdom where you are king…
6. “Traditional” values only become “Christian” values when lived in the love and spirit of Christ…
7. For example… I can say without hesitation that there are only two sexes and no amount of surgery or pharmacology can change one sex into another…but if I don’t have love for the broken and confused who believe you can…I’m not reflecting the ways of heaven, but projecting my own comfort zone…
8. We live in times of such increasing deception that I am constantly asking “is it I, Lord?”…
9. If you “believe the Bible”, then you should believe that, in the political and social arenas, things are going to get worse until Jesus arrives and the arena we should be most concerned about is the church…
10. Let’s be blunt…most of of the “prophets” from Bethel and like oriented places are frauds and grifters…but there are many prophetic voices out here straining to be heard over the lies…the problem is that we prefer the lies…
“all the “prophets” from Bethel and like oriented places are frauds and grifters”
I dissent strongly with the admission that they do open the door for those who grift and defraud. When esteem is offered by these means there is never a shortage of opportunists to rise for the rewards. Nevertheless many operate with honor and care and great love for the flock.
Perhaps for you #4 is answered by #10. And those who fit your description of fraud and grift would be on my list as well. But not “all” not even close.
Alan,
I knew that would rouse you from your absence. 🙂
I am on various email lists from the “prophets”…and I’ve yet to find one that is not a grifter of biblical proportions.
If I find one, I will stand corrected…and change my opinion to “most”.
In deference to your experience I will change it to “most”…but will go no farther without evidence…
I love #3 — a fresh reminder of the generous, totally unmerited love of God. Thank you.
bob1,
We lose the disciples disgust with this interaction in the translation…it amuses me no end until I realize that Jesus offers those same conversations to people that disgust me…
#4 Yes, it applies to all of us. For me, it’s some of the members of my family, close family members. They have lived in so many self-destructive ways that I find it distasteful, yet I would have ended up in the same place if God hadn’t brought me to Himself. So, when those thoughts come, it’s time to repent and make a phone call/email to see how they are. And, I pray for them specifically, both in terms of their spiritual state and their lifestyles. I fled from them as a teen and college student; now I find myself reaching out and asking God to help me love them.
Linn,
We all have a list…mine is shorter than it used to be…but it’s still pretty long.
I respect your dedication to Christ in this matter…it’s helpful!