OFFENDED

Offended?

1 Corinthians 1:23 (NLT) 

      ”So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NLT)
   “For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.”

Galatians 6:14 (NLT) 

    “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Acts 4:17-18 (HCSB)
     ¹⁷ However, so this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again. ” ¹⁸ So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

In our “Political Correct Society” one of the techniques often used to intimate Christians is the manipulative statement: “That Offends Me!’’ This is used to hinder the freedom of speech we are all constitutionally guaranteed. It is an effort to silence Christians from their Biblical Witness to the Gospel anchored in the crucifixion of Christ. The Apostle Paul reminds us in “1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT) “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. ⁴ He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”

Paul also states with great courage: “….I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 (NLT) Again he affirms:” As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 6:14 (NLT)

The words of that wonderful old hymn, on which our faith is founded, expresses our love and loyalty to Christ so well.

 

 2 Timothy 1:8 (NLT) 

   “So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord…..”

ONE LOAF

Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,

for we all partake of the one loaf.

1 Corinthians 10:17 (NIV)

Acts 17:26 (NET)

     “From one man he made every nation of the human race….”

Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT)
     ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves….. ²⁷ So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Psalms 8:3-4 (NET)

      Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,

Psalm 144:3 (NLT)
     O LORD, who are we that you should notice us, mere mortals that you should care for us?

Romans 5:8 (NET)

     But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

1 John 3:16 (NLT)
     “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us….”

Dear Father, the question for the ages is: “Why do you notice us, care for us, and gave your Son to die for us? How infinitely precious and priceless is your love for us!  Father I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for us: “ ….. I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—”  Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)

Oh Father this is what our world needs so desperately. There is such division, strife, hatred and violence that only your love can forgive, heal and change us. I pray that our nation and the world will grasp the reality that though we are many colors and cultures we are one loaf, one human race. Father you exhort us in Malachi 2:10 (HCSB) “Don’t all of us have one Father? Didn’t one God create us? Why then do we act treacherously against one another….”

Father save us from our self that we may selflessly love each other the way you love us. In the name of Your beloved Son and our Savior Jesus. Amen

Who's the Boss?

Romans 13:1-5 (NLT)
     ¹ Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ² So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. ⁴ The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. ⁵ So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Titus 3:1 (NLT)
       Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

1 Peter 2:13-14 (NLT)
     ¹³ For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, ¹⁴ or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

Acts 4:18-20 (NLT)
     ¹⁸ So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? ²⁰ We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

Acts 5:27-29 (NLT)
     ²⁷ Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. ²⁸ “Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?” he demanded. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

Reformer Martin Luther spoke in good faith and conscience at the Diet of Worms: “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason-for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves-I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one's conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”

Father what appears to be a dilemma in how we respond to human, religious or governmental authority, is in reality as clear as crystal. We understand and believe that You are the Sovereign LORD, and Your Scriptures are our absolute authority. Therefore how we respond does not leave us in a dilemma. Father, like Martin Luther, may we be submissive to the appropriate authority You have established, with a clear conscience, and a courageous heart. May we also willing and graciously accept the consequence of suffering for our obedience to You in an unjust, unbelieving, and intolerant society. May we be ever mindful of 1 Peter 4:16 (NLT) “But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!”   

Father, help us to love You and Your Scriptures. Help us to demonstrate that love by humbly and faithfully obeying Your will as revealed in Your Word.

Through Jesus our Savior and Lord, Amen!

BALANCE

Tristan on the Beam in perfect balance

I love this little, big man. He is demonstrating one of the most important principles in living. Life is about balance. One aspect of it, and there are many, is concentration and commitment. Let alone the joy of achievement. Way to go Tristan and will done. I love you and am proud of you. Grandpa

Proverbs 28:2 (NLT)

     When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.(Balance)

As mentioned above, stability is one of the vital virtues that affect life, family or government. Another example is the balance between wisdom and knowledge that results in stability which brings peace and prosperity. Consider the balance of love and truth; work and rest; faith and action; trust and faithfulness. There are so many of these spoken of throughout the Bible. God gives us this stability or balance in the Gospel, the good news, of His love and sacrifice for us. How wonderful that in Christ and through our trust in Him we have an abundant life in the balance of God's purpose and plan for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
     ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Father, how grateful we are that in a world that is broken by sin, rebellion, disbelief and is totally unstable You, in grace, give us stability and balance. 

Thank You, in the name or Jesus, who is both the center and circumstance of our life, a perfect balance. Amen