Power of Unified Faith

I recently saw a video of a number of bystanders righting a vehicle that had just crashed in order to save the driver. The first to arrive could not even begin to move the heavy SUV, however, as more people joined the effort and worked in unison they were able to save the occupant. Jesus was preaching and the place was so crowded that no one else could get in. A man was very ill, too ill to get to Jesus until four friends stepped up. Mark 2:5 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” When we, the church, work together in unity, even “the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.” There really is no greater power on earth than the unified body of Christ (the local called out assembly of Holy Ghost filled believers.) And therefore, no greater shame and sin than those who would divide the body and hinder the mission of the Church. Come together, forgive, “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of God.” With God all things are possible!

Breaking Free

I remember a time whitewater rafting when I was thrown under the water, a raft was over top of me, the rushing water tossing me against the rocks and it seemed so long before I was able to come to the surface, catch a breath of air and see the light. Knowing there was help along the shore and vest on my body wasn’t really enough to quell the anxiety I was feeling in the moment and the moment seemed to last for a very long time. While you struggle to break free of something from your past, some present desire that you know is not in line with God’s will, or some great fear of failure or loss you can become filled with anxiety or sink into the dread of hopelessness, “I’ll never get out of this.” You know you must break free, but you can’t seem to overcome that barrier in your heart & mind. It always comes down to faith empowering your fight.

1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

You can do it. God is on your side!

Lifting Others Up!

Our world has gone crazy with attacks and accusations flying everywhere and against almost everyone! How sad it is that civilized people can’t seem to listen without being offended and neglect to speak with courtesy and concern. The selfishness and hatred that seeks to see another suffer and fall is nothing less than the way of the devil himself. Everyone would do well to remember the truth of Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Christian, we may expect this from the unsaved of this world but such behavior has no place in the Believer’s life and communications. Instead, we are told to lift others up not push them down nor celebrate when others fall.  We will reap what we sow.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Saying things that will hurt another, passing on some gossip you have been soiled by, cheering the failure of others is the opposite of Christ-like. Bearing another’s burdens, lifting another up requires that we remain clean of these offences and that we try not to miss opportunities to encourage others in righteousness through our words and our deeds.

Jay

The Better Life

FRESH HOPE

The Lord's Side

Snarling Christians

Snarling at other folks is not the best way of showing the superior quality of your own character. –Anonymous

 James 3:13-14 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

How often do we close doors of opportunity to minister to the needs of others because we snarl and snap at those around us? Venting anger, disappointment, hurt and fear is commonplace today; however, that does not make it right or profitable for the Believer.

Does snarling really help? Does it draw others toward you? Others that could be supporting you rather than fighting you. Others that you may, by the power and command of God may be able to help, comfort or lead in righteousness.

It does require more effort to care, listen, and meekly lead and to bear one another’s burdens than to drive with hopelessness. The character we display by walking and working side by side would be much more effective at facilitating change if we could only keep our tongues speaking hope and grace, which points others to the saving healing grace of our savior Jesus Christ.

Pastor J