It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the details of being a Christian. There are theological issues to resolve, questions we don't have answers to, and disagreements that have existed since the beginning. Sometimes, it's easy to miss the forest for the trees.
So this week, let's step back and get back to the basics.
If you're frustrated in your life, confused by issues, or way too busy for your own good, take a moment to relax. Take a deep breath. Ask God for a refreshing spiritual breeze in your life.
Then read the following two passages for a reminder of why we're Christians.
You are a child of God.
May that be the single thing that sticks in your mind as you tackle whatever life throws at you this week.
God loves you, exactly as you are. So take that love and share it!
So this week, let's step back and get back to the basics.
If you're frustrated in your life, confused by issues, or way too busy for your own good, take a moment to relax. Take a deep breath. Ask God for a refreshing spiritual breeze in your life.
Then read the following two passages for a reminder of why we're Christians.
1 John 4:7-19
King James Version (KJV)7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.1 John 3:1-3
King James Version (KJV)3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
You are a child of God.
May that be the single thing that sticks in your mind as you tackle whatever life throws at you this week.
God loves you, exactly as you are. So take that love and share it!
Can we paint this on Westboro Baptist Church's walls? On the walls of the rest of the haters and bigots who have lost sight of this, yet call themselves Christians?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe. I am at a rather low spot right now (though it ought to be a high spot), and this helped to put some perspective on the whole situation.
Peace <3
Jay
In God's eyes homosexuals are an abomination. It makes me angry when I see these gay rights activists wanting church weddings when they are in effect going against God's will.
ReplyDeleteIt is a problem with a lot of religions where individuals twist the scriptures to meet their own ends then profess to be religious. Hogwash!
I understand gays wanting their relationships to be recognised by the government but not the church. BTW whilst I believe Jesus was a really nice bloke, I don't have a lot of faith in this God person. If he is that powerful he must be a right prick for not ending suffering and getting rid of blasphemous twats like me.