Category: Uncategorized

  • Love Your Enemies

    The pastor plans his sermons as far in advance as a year at our  local assembly. That makes the timing of yesterday’s text providential.

    The text? Jesus is speaking…

    “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tuniceither. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

    “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36 ESV

    A Federal election was announced this weekend here in Canada. South of us, the President is making massive changes, many impacting our country. The result? Panic, anger, hatred. The politicians demonize their opponents, and their followers drink the proverbial Kool-aid. It is happening on all sides of the political spectrum.

    People we have known for years are suddenly our enemies. Civil discourse is tossed out the window. Our social media pages are filled with horrific hate and fear-filled rants.

    I’ve had to snooze many people’s posts because of it. I read their posts and want to retaliate in a similar manner. I confess it is a struggle for me. I couldn’t hold back without the Holy Spirit working in me.

    I can easily forget that conspiracy theories aside, most of these people are well-intentioned and want the best for others. They often want a solution radically different from the one I see as correct. I can struggle to keep from throwing out relationships because of these differences.

    The text made a dialogue between myself and the Lord happen in my head. Perhaps you can relate to this to some degree.

    Love them? But Lord, do you know what they stand for?

    Bless them? But Lord…?

    Pray for them? Okay, Lord… smite them! No, Kevin! Pray for them to be drawn to me. Pray blessings, not curses. Remember, I love them, and they are created in my image.

    Pray for them? You mean so they think like I do? No, Kevin! Pray so that your heart is changed and I’m magnified.

    Lord, don’t you know how hard that is? Of course, I know. That’s why I have given you my Word and my Spirit.

    Lord, I don’t want to! Kevin, I didn’t ask if you wanted to. I commanded you to do so. You show your love for me by following my commands and loving. So you want us to “love your enemies.”

    Fine! If I have to. I guess. 

    So my friends, I will strive to trust in Him. I will do my best to love you and pray that you are blessed, even if (especially if) we disagree and somehow see each other as enemies.

    His ways are not my ways. His ways are always right. I’m going to need a lot of help from the Holy Spirit.

    I pray that you join with me in praying for those you find it difficult to love.

    Let us be known as people who love no matter what.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Are They/Them our real enemies
    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living

  • On Trial – For Your Life

    Englis court judge in traditional wig and robes

    I am a fan of good detective and police stories. I  enjoy a good who-dun-it television program. A good courtroom drama can be fun as well.

    I prefer the ones produced by British networks over those done in North America. Typically, the stories are better told, and there is more emphasis on the story than glitz and glamour.

    I am not alone, as these types of stories sell millions of books and comprise some of the most-watched programs on television. There are even specialty television and streaming channels dedicated to this type of programming.

    It has been disappointing of late that the newer programs in this genre have tended to rely on far too much gratuitous nudity, sex, profanity, and graphic violence to keep their share of ratings. Usually, the stories can be well-told without all the debris being thrown into the mix.

    One of the Old Testament’s twelve so-called “Minor Prophets” tells a fascinating courtroom story. The prophets are not called Minor Prophets because of the importance of their words; the term refers to the volume of their writings. These books are shorter than the so-called Major Prophets like Daniel and Isaiah.

    It’s a real life trial for your life.

    Our story is set in heaven.

    Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by. And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Zechariah 3:1-7 NIV

    The high priest Joshua stood in front of the Lord. Satan was busy accusing him. Satan does not have to lie to accuse any of us. We give him plenty of ammunition, all of our own. 

    Joshua was guilty of sin; we can tell that from his “filthy clothes.” Yet the Lord was more interested in restoring him than condemning him.

    The narrative continues with even better news.

    Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3:8-10 NIV

    The Branch to come is, of course, Jesus. He came and sacrificed so that all sin could be atoned for in a single day. I also find great encouragement in verse ten. Being able to sit under the fig tree with a neighbor is a sign of prosperity and peace, but the ability to invite that neighbor is a privilege.

    Those who have found redemption in Christ are given a wondrous opportunity. We can invite our neighbors to join us in that peace and joy. We can tell them the good news about Christ. We have been found guilty, but the penalty has been paid on our behalf. We can help that happen for others by letting them know about Him.

    Until next time, rejoice. If you know Jesus, you will come through the ultimate courtroom drama unscathed and blessed.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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