I think this bears repeating; so I shall.
The scripture most blurted out is two words – “Judge not.” Matt 7:1
It seems to me there is much more to it than that.
The New Living Translation says it this way Continue reading
Religion
Judgment vs Condemnation
I saw a status on Facebook that has had me meditating about it ever since.
It said, “Don’t judge me just because I sin differently from you.”
There is something wrong about it and it’s taken me a few days to put it together.
There is nothing wrong with judging another person! Continue reading
9/11 – Retaliate, Rebuild, but not Return
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Ps 33:12
In his inaugural address, President George Washington began talking about the “Almighty Being who rules over the Universe”, the Great Author of every public and private good, and the invisible hand of providence.
He said a nation such as ours could not have come into existence “without some Continue reading
How things have change – how things have not changed
I like to listen to audio books while mowing. My iPhone, a pair of earbuds, and ear protectors make for some very entertaining and easy yard work.
Lately I have been listening to Pollyanna. I have always loved the movie that stars Haley Mills but must admit the book is very much different.
While listening on Saturday I heard something that really caught my attention. Continue reading
Removing God
In case you missed it, the DNC removed “God” from any language in their platform. Then they added it back.
I watched the video of the vote, which took three tries, and I don’t think they had a 2/3 majority to add “God” back. Continue reading
The Waiting Room
Each of us has done the same thing while at the doctor or dentist office. I do it when I’m getting the oil changed or the tires rotated.
What is it?
Wait! Continue reading
Not a failure in Christ
There are many times I have felt like a failure. I try to accomplish something and it doesn’t work.
I’m reminded of Thomas Edison.
As he tried to improve the electric light, his ideas just did not work to his satisfaction. Continue reading
Get the story right!
Finally, two men came forward who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'” Matt 26:60-61
An ambulance drives by and everyone is curious as to what has happened and to whom. The telephone rings and a story is told.
Then another and another but they’re all different stories. Continue reading
Fasting explained (part 2)
Isa 58:6
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
- Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
- Lighten the burden of those who work for you.
- Let the oppressed go free
- Remove the chains that bind people.
- Share your food with the hungry
- Give shelter to the homeless.
- Give clothes to those who need them
- Do not hide from relatives who need your help. Continue reading
Fasting explained (part 1)
Isa 58:6
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
- Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
- Lighten the burden of those who work for you.
- Let the oppressed go free
- Remove the chains that bind people.
- Share your food with the hungry
- Give shelter to the homeless.
- Give clothes to those who need them
- Do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Is there a realistic way to accomplish God’s word for fasting? There is in a spiritual way. Now I do not think that God is doing away with a traditional fast but He is expounding upon it.
- Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
Sin is the great imprisonment in our lives. Christian’s hold the key to opening and releasing the prisoners so we can free those that are wrongly imprisoned.
Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah when He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor;” Luke 4:18
In the midst of this Isaiah says, “To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” Isa 61:1
You can allow the Spirit of the Lord to anoint you to also proclaim the Gospel and set free those held captive by sins grasp.
- Lighten the burden of those who work for you.
If you have a business and employees this one is easily possible for you; but does it have an application for those that do not have a business or employees?
There are people always working for you, not necessarily in the monetary or employee sense.
Some are earnestly praying for you, while others are trying to help you behind the scenes.
You can lighten their burden for you by doing them and yourself a favor – live for God!
I know a young lady that is a burden to my heart. She is constantly saying and doing things that are not morally good. She could lighten my burden by getting her heart right with God and living for Him.
Matt 11:28-30 –Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
- Let the oppressed go free.
I know you’re not the governor of the state or a warden, so how can you accomplish this?
I think more people are oppressed by their own attitude. They are held from going forward by something in the past.
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The truth of God’s word tells each of us how to be free from anger, hatred, and malice, which are attitude related.
Share God’s word and pray for someone to be released from these things.
- Remove the chains that bind people
A chain is something that is used to connect or hold something down. These chains take may different forms. Many are chained by fear. Fear of the water will keep you chained to the land.
2 Tim 1:7 – God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear does not come from God; fear comes from inside each of us.
Fear keeps us from stepping out by faith. Again, it is God’s word that banishes fear!
More next time.
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 