Outside of the Covid pandemic the most disturbing subject our nation and world are wrestling with is equality.
Our nation tried to get it right in the beginning with legal documents declaring equality for all, but in practice we failed miserably. Through the years laws and constitutional amendments endeavored to correct the injustice, but again we still fall short.
There is a solution. One that could make a huge difference. It is recognizing God’s Word and applying it.
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
A long-standing Christian couple (Mike and Jane Tomberlin) that have been and remain pillars of the Church in North Carolina said it best:
“The world is still trying to work out equality for all; but I know when I walk into a Bible-believing church, that it is the only place where the idea of equality reigns. Want equality? Find a church that believes the scripture, honors the ascended Christ and the in-dwelling of the holy spirit, and you are the closest you will ever get to a prejudice-free place on God’s earth.”
Agape,
Bob
As remarkable as it sounds, Jesus prayed for us 2,000 years ago as recorded in the Scriptures.
You and I must be very special to be a part of our Lord and Savior’s prayer time. Here it is in John 17:20:
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”
This particular section of John, Chapter 17, to me is one of the most heart grabbing narratives in the Bible. Jesus is about to give Himself over to the authorities to be beaten unmercifully and then crucified. This dramatic section unfolds a story of love unmatched in any other writing done by man. Jesus prays for those he served and those who would believe on Him in the future. He desired that they all would be one in purpose with God’s ultimate plan of having a family. The prayer closes by Jesus declaring “…that the love wherewith Thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
The fruition of this request is evidenced in Romans 5:5 and in Colossians 1:27.
Romans 5:5:
… because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Colossians 1:27:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
We are truly a blessed people beyond measure. Our response should be one of untiring love and thankfulness to our Heavenly Father and to His son Jesus Christ.
Agape,
Bob
What an election year this has been (and it seems not quite over yet!). As believers it is important for us to participate. By praying and voting our actions will be meaningful.
God’s Word indicates that He held elections and chose us! One thing every Christian needs to recognize and embrace is that they are the elect of God: “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” I Thessalonians1:4.
Yes, the Creator of the universe elected you and me. He voted for us! Perhaps many of us have gotten involved in political campaigns. Now that we know He chose us, why not be an activist for God.
Romans 8:31-33:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Now the next question is: how are we to act as those elected by God?
Colossians 3:12-15:
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Our world needs some sanity, something that is solid and makes us proud of who we are. As God’s elect we are blessed to represent our Heavenly Father in all that we do.
Agape,
Bob
New Christians soon discover from God’s Word that the key to receiving anything from God is believing:
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him:..
Mark 9:23: …all things are possible to him that believeth.
I Thessalonians 2:13: …but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
The act of believing connotes trusting, having confidence and being convinced. A natural man’s believing depends solely on what he can see by his five senses. When man becomes born again of God’s spirit, he now has to make the transition from believing worldly sources to believing the invisible God. This can be quite daunting to say the least.
But really, when a person becomes familiar with the ways of the Heavenly Father, believing in the power of God is not all that hard. God has given us a full exposure to His power via the gift of holy spirit. As we operate the nine manifestations of holy spirit, like speaking in tongues, we become more and more familiar with our capabilities. This in turn should give us the confidence to believe in operating more fully the power of God resident in us.
I Corinthians 2:4 and 5:
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
When the believer operates the power of God with the spirit of God within, he gets familiar with the source. That is why I like speaking in tongues. It is a miracle every time I do it, yet I can do it all the time. This constant use of the spirit allows me to become more and more familiar with operating the power of God. I become more adept in doing the things of God, thereby I can believe.
Let’s realize this truth that we are demonstrating the spirit power by speaking in tongues. This should help give us the confidence and assurance that we can believe anything God says or what we read in God’s Word.
Agape,
Bob
You see it in movies, on TV shows, in plays, and in books the theme “family first.” After all the drama, character building, and story narrative is over, in the end family prevails in one way or another. I get it. Family is the foundation to life period. God created man and woman and them having children. It is all about family. Virtually in every culture, in every nation regardless of religion or government, everyone realizes that family is what makes life worth living. Even in the animal world we see it. Family is the cornerstone of man’s existence and is the answer to man’s problems.
Our country is embroiled in racism right now. What is the solution? Many black Christian ministers are pointing out the absences of family in a majority of black men’s lives. They grow up without fathers. The family unit is what God designed for the greatest benefit for all mankind to grow up in.
E.W. Kenyon shares passionately how important family is to Christians in his book: The Father and His Family.
“The primal dream of the Creator God was a family of sons and daughters, on whose love and response, His spirit, His heart nature could feed.”
“Christianity is not a religion; it is a family, a Father and His children.”
“What is the reason for man? There is only one answer, and it is very simple: the lonely heart of the great Father God.”
“We are God’s Family representatives on the earth. We are not Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalians, or Roman Catholics, but we are God’s sons and daughters, God’s family.
As members of the family, we are to minister to each other and watch over each other in love.”
Ephesians 2:19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
What is our response to the Father Who has made us His children for eternity?
Ephesians 3:14-17: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
What a family we belong to! Having seen God’s heart for you, let us now be our best for our Heavenly Father. Let’s renew our minds and walk with the power of the holy spirit within.
Agape, Bob