Having the Courage to Endure....

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV.
 
Today's blog is just to remind us of the courage we must have as enemies of evil and all adversaries of Christ. As ambassadors for God we will constantly be challenged and tried by temptation, tribulation and distractions in our life. Therefore when challenging situations arise remember to keep your courage and endure, react in love and patience so that even then you may glorify God along with your fellow believers in Christ Jesus.

Dear God enable us to push on giving you the glory. Amen.

What's going on?

John 9:1-9

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
⁶ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
⁸ His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

In today's text we encounter this (person) born blind, and the followers of Jesus immediately equate the (persons) blindness to sin and punishment. If we are honest with ourselves many people still think this way even today. When we see others who are disabled and even in our own lives we think bad situations are happening to us because of things that we have done. Just because you suffer trials and tribulations in life does not necessarily mean that you brought them on (all of the time)! Friends we must step back and really look at "What's Going On?" Marvin Gaye had a hit song called "What's Going On?" Where he looked at the systemic problems in American society. I believe Jesus was trying to get his followers to think outside the box, step back and ask the question what's going on with this (person) born blind? 

Jesus reminded them and through the text today, reminds us that some things happen in our lives so that God can be glorified, so that God can be lifted up!  What's going on in your life today so that God may be glorified? What trials are you enduring so that God may be lifted up? Take a step back and think about what's going on?

Dear God empower us to see your hand moving through our lives at all times in the good and the bad so that we may come to know you better. Amen.

Open Door Conversations

^{Colossians 4:2 (NIV)} Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

The Apostle Paul is reminding the Church that we are not to be angry, evil, judgmental or mean to outsiders (persons who are not Christians), but we are to speak wisely in grace making the most out of every opportunity to evangelize. In my own words I say we must have open door conversations! Conversations where we leave the door to Christianity open for all to walk through. We must have conversations that don't condemn but invite, conversations that don't demoralize but that love. 

Family today whom ever you encounter I encourage you to have an open door conversation wisely inviting someone to come and see the Jesus you believe in.

 

Dear God today help us to speak in grace and love to all we converse with today. Amen. 

Be Well, P.J.

Everyone won't believe

Living as a Christian is not easy and usually comes with some form of persecution. A very real fact is that everyone won't believe that Jesus Christ is God.  There are people in our families, on our jobs and that attend our schools who do not understand Christians and mock our lifestyles because of their non-belief. Sometimes sly comments and harsh unfair judgments make us feel bad and even angry, during times like these we must remember Matthew 5:43

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus reminds us what we are truly called to do as Christians, Love and Pray for one and for all. Everyone won't believe as we do, and that's not our problem! We are called to love.

Dear God today increase our capacity to love and teach others how to love as you do. In Jesus name we pray.