The question is simple: Who do you turn to in times of need?
I commend individuals on both sides of the Health care Debate who are willing to stand by their beliefs. Freedom of religion and to speech is a right God gives to all, and both are precious.
Often when I write a letter to the editor in my local paper I get blasted online by nasty personal attacks by people who hide behind pseudo-identities, make-believe-names. They have no problem spouting their opinion but they wouldn't dare want anyone to know where they live or who they are.
As a columnist (or blogger), when you write about how you view issues and you have your picture and name associated with what you have stated, you take a stand to own your beliefs in what you express in print. This is bravery and should be commended in our web-world today.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ as My Lord and Savior. Too often the word 'christian' is diluted by meaning anyone associa
This is not always the case of people who claim to be Christians. Only true believers are indwell-ed by the Holy Spirit who guides followers in the understanding of the Bible. To non-believers, the Bible seems confusing, contradictory and man-inspired words.
Since God calls Himself the Lawmaker and Judge, I yield to God the responsibility to judge someone's heart. I am only to observe someone's words and fruitful actions, to give me insight to allegiance of their inner heart. Only He knows whether someone is truly born from above.
I must have grace and forgiveness for any who call themselves "Christians", not wanting His Body to be divided. Anyone claiming to be a Christian needs to be careful not to hurt the reputation of Christ, which I am certain I have done many times without aiming to do it.
It is hard when people claiming to be "christians" view God's will differently. It takes a heart willing to be wrong and simply to learn from God to truly be able to properly discern the Bible. And even in this desire we - people - still can make mistakes in our interpretation.
We should always be eager to learn and study His Word for ourselves and to develop our personal one-on-one time with God to help us hear His truth more clearly. I trust there are people on both sides of the social and economic justice issue that are truly Christians, each at their own stage of maturity. We need to focus more hearing on God and less on hearing each other.
It is a fact that God loves the poor, sick and needy. They often need and want His help. Their condition in life helps them to know they could not depend on others and therefore they cling desperately to Him. Being desperate for God is not a weakness, but a blessing.
It is also a fact that God loves the rich, the healthy and those who think they have their needs met. These people often don't identify their inner need, and feel they have no reason to go to God for help. Their condition in life keeps them from that they need to desperately cling to Him for the true riches in life. Being self-sufficient and independent is not a strength, but a hindrance to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God loves when we learn to live dependent on Him to provide our needs. It is when we can step further into needing Him alone, that we truly cross the road to being mature Christians. When we can say "if I have nothing from the world, but I have God, I have everything!", than we are free of the bondage of pride, lust and covetous longings. We are finally at a point of true rest and contentment, lasting peace and joy.
To me, it is a simple question of who do we turn to when we need help, God or government?
God owns all the resources of the world and He is able to distribute them as He deems best. If we seek God, He will meet all of our needs. The Bible makes this very clear. I am not saying that Christian should stay away from government, not at all!
Believers must be involved in the leadership of the country and the needs of the people, but the government should not be placed above God as the answer to all that woes us. It is the churches responsibility to take care of the sick, poor, imprisoned, orphaned and widowed. When we enact laws to give this responsibility to our government, we are not using the institution (His Church) that God intended to meet these needs of social and economic needs.
What we all really need is the gospel of John the Baptist and Jesus!
No, we are to turn to God, and allow Him to flow through the revived Christians the money, ministering, assistance needed in our own communities and around the world. Charity is given with a cheerful heart, and love moved by compassion to action. When government becomes the economic and social 'savior' to the needy, the answer to their suffering, what need will there be for people to run into the arms of God.
I hope this letter is not seen as negative toward believers who see God differently. I am reaching out as one sister trying to speak to her brother. Is it possible for there to be any common ground for believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?
Something I continue to wrestle with in my own heart, and surely will not finish totally until I am called home to Heaven.
May God look at all of us with mercy, for our sins are many!
I commend individuals on both sides of the Health care Debate who are willing to stand by their beliefs. Freedom of religion and to speech is a right God gives to all, and both are precious.
Often when I write a letter to the editor in my local paper I get blasted online by nasty personal attacks by people who hide behind pseudo-identities, make-believe-names. They have no problem spouting their opinion but they wouldn't dare want anyone to know where they live or who they are.
As a columnist (or blogger), when you write about how you view issues and you have your picture and name associated with what you have stated, you take a stand to own your beliefs in what you express in print. This is bravery and should be commended in our web-world today.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ as My Lord and Savior. Too often the word 'christian' is diluted by meaning anyone associa
This is not always the case of people who claim to be Christians. Only true believers are indwell-ed by the Holy Spirit who guides followers in the understanding of the Bible. To non-believers, the Bible seems confusing, contradictory and man-inspired words.
Since God calls Himself the Lawmaker and Judge, I yield to God the responsibility to judge someone's heart. I am only to observe someone's words and fruitful actions, to give me insight to allegiance of their inner heart. Only He knows whether someone is truly born from above.
I must have grace and forgiveness for any who call themselves "Christians", not wanting His Body to be divided. Anyone claiming to be a Christian needs to be careful not to hurt the reputation of Christ, which I am certain I have done many times without aiming to do it.
It is hard when people claiming to be "christians" view God's will differently. It takes a heart willing to be wrong and simply to learn from God to truly be able to properly discern the Bible. And even in this desire we - people - still can make mistakes in our interpretation.
We should always be eager to learn and study His Word for ourselves and to develop our personal one-on-one time with God to help us hear His truth more clearly. I trust there are people on both sides of the social and economic justice issue that are truly Christians, each at their own stage of maturity. We need to focus more hearing on God and less on hearing each other.
It is a fact that God loves the poor, sick and needy. They often need and want His help. Their condition in life helps them to know they could not depend on others and therefore they cling desperately to Him. Being desperate for God is not a weakness, but a blessing.
It is also a fact that God loves the rich, the healthy and those who think they have their needs met. These people often don't identify their inner need, and feel they have no reason to go to God for help. Their condition in life keeps them from that they need to desperately cling to Him for the true riches in life. Being self-sufficient and independent is not a strength, but a hindrance to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God loves when we learn to live dependent on Him to provide our needs. It is when we can step further into needing Him alone, that we truly cross the road to being mature Christians. When we can say "if I have nothing from the world, but I have God, I have everything!", than we are free of the bondage of pride, lust and covetous longings. We are finally at a point of true rest and contentment, lasting peace and joy.
To me, it is a simple question of who do we turn to when we need help, God or government?
God owns all the resources of the world and He is able to distribute them as He deems best. If we seek God, He will meet all of our needs. The Bible makes this very clear. I am not saying that Christian should stay away from government, not at all!
Believers must be involved in the leadership of the country and the needs of the people, but the government should not be placed above God as the answer to all that woes us. It is the churches responsibility to take care of the sick, poor, imprisoned, orphaned and widowed. When we enact laws to give this responsibility to our government, we are not using the institution (His Church) that God intended to meet these needs of social and economic needs.
What we all really need is the gospel of John the Baptist and Jesus!
"Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent over your sinful ways, and turn to God for all your needs."The gospels never teach Christians to turn to government for help.
No, we are to turn to God, and allow Him to flow through the revived Christians the money, ministering, assistance needed in our own communities and around the world. Charity is given with a cheerful heart, and love moved by compassion to action. When government becomes the economic and social 'savior' to the needy, the answer to their suffering, what need will there be for people to run into the arms of God.
I hope this letter is not seen as negative toward believers who see God differently. I am reaching out as one sister trying to speak to her brother. Is it possible for there to be any common ground for believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?
Is it just a nice Sunday message, or is He really everything we need?
Something I continue to wrestle with in my own heart, and surely will not finish totally until I am called home to Heaven.
May God look at all of us with mercy, for our sins are many!
Hey Ms. Lindy - I have "started" a blog, I guess you could say...Haha, you are invited to read it. ;-)
ReplyDeletehttp://whimsicalrachel.blogspot.com/
Lindy, I was just reading through your comments you left on my blog, and they really were encouraging. You definitely have the spiritual gift of exhortation!! It's written all over you.
ReplyDeleteLove and God bless!
~Rachel