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Seeing Through God’s Eyes, Feeling Through His Heart

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When we look out of Christ’s eyes and feel through His Heart, worlds change, kindness abodes, and His richness lives in us forever. ~Lisa Blair

God offers grace and mercy to all who ask. He doesn’t focus on our pasts any more than he focused on what some would consider His den of thieves. He transformed  Paul and all of His disciples in His likeness. He is still in the transformation game. He transforms all of us, everyone who is reading this post, and those who are still seeking and reading this post,  have been or can be transformed into His likeness and become a part of His family. Read Acts 9: 1-17.

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man (Paul) and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:13-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I read two transformation stories today. One about a former drug dealer and felon who had his felony expunged, ran for public office and was elected to the Leavenworth City Commissioner and is now the Mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas, USA, and a story that represents many transformations aired on Goalcast.

We should never condemn ourselves or others to a life of failure or our sins. God is our Savior and has opened His arms awaiting our return; we are the Prodigal Son. Why, because our birth took place in heaven. God gave us life and a plan for our lives. When we were born into our human family, this gift came with us. We were given free-will, and we chose our path, which often is exclusively God’s Plan for our lives. We wander like the  (Parable of the )Prodigal  Son. God will always take us back if we ask for His forgiveness.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:17-22, 24-25, 31-32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Life presents many obstacles but as long as we put God first, see out of His eyes, feel through His heart our failings and that of others no longer seem important, we begin to live in kindness, love, and peace. It is time to stop demonizing ourselves with self-talk, and others.

Scriptures – Bible.org
Images – Google Images
Resources – Biblegateway.org

VISIT https://www.facebook.com/1339965909481783/posts/1606818256129879/GOALCAST VIDEO.

Thank you for reading my Posts. God Bless!

The Case of Burdens

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The previous scripture we studied, ‘if you love your neighbor as you love yourself, states you are fulfilling God’s law’ (Galatians 5:14). It is further exemplified in Galatians 6:2, which states we are to bear one another’s burdens. Burdens are sins, challenges, and temptations. Bearing on another’s burdens does not mean that we much carry their burdens.

This scripture means that, as Christians, we should have sympathy for one another and support one another when they fall. This does not mean we should suffer for their trespasses. It is our duty to pray for their redemption in kindness and Godly love. Our support begins through prayer and then in other ways, if appropriate.

The previous scripture we studied, ‘if you love your neighbor as you love yourself, states you are fulfilling God’s law’ (Galatians 5:14). It is further exemplified in Galatians 6:2, which states we are to bear one another’s burdens. Burdens are sins, challenges, and temptations. Bearing on another’s burdens does not mean that we much carry their burdens.

This scripture means that, as Christians, we should have sympathy for one another and support one another when they fall. This does not mean we should suffer for their trespasses. It is our duty to pray for their redemption in kindness and Godly love. Our support begins through prayer and then in other ways, if appropriate.

Praying for those who are willfully harming others is not an easy task, nor is it easy to forgive those who have personally injured you in any way. It is not our nature to carry their burdens. Paul shares that, as Christians, we must support one another through prayer and not fall prey to Satan’s wiles through actions such as speaking and purposely condemning them, hating them, hoping the worst for them, and in any way attempting to tear them down through these means. We are to be sensitive to their plights, stand in love, and pray for their redemption and healing.

None of us is above sinning. All of us fall short of the glory of God. We are warned that we should not rejoice in others fall. Christ does not rejoice in our failings, and we should not enjoy another’s faults. In bearing another’s burdens, we are acknowledging that we to have burdens to bare and want Christ to carry ours as well as our neighbors.

Resources – Galatians 6:2, Studylight.org, Biblestudytools.com,enduringword.com
Images – Google Images

I am holding to the task of Resolving and Acting on the resolve to become a stronger Christian in the face of everyday life in 2019. Join me. Each step we take should bring us closer to Christ.

Thank you for reading my Posts. God Bless.

Fulfill the law with love

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www.bible.com/111/gal.5.14.niv

The entire law is fulfilled when you love your neighbor, not because you like them, or you agree with their behavior, but because they too are a child of God. when I was young we were taught to dislike/disagree/hate the behavior, not the person. Our carnality often dilutes our love for one another.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us br glad and rejoice in it.

Is It Enough?

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Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. Birthday. We are honoring him for His work as one of the most prominent Civil Rights leaders throughout time. As a minister, he lived the Word. Being human Dr. King, had faults like the rest of us and questioned his effectiveness in spreading the Word and effecting change. Like most of us, he probably queried why God chose Him to do such a monumental work. God select’s people to do His work, we do not choose our path. Some of us do very public work to effect change, others of us live our daily lives living the Word in less conspicuous ways.

We all impact the world in different ways. During my earlier years, I led organizations that focused on diversity, racism, civil rights, and education. I am certain my work made a difference in ways that I cannot even phantom, but my thought today is – was it enough?

Jesus walked the earth and did not question if His work was enough. He laid the foundation for our salvation. His disciples probably questioned their work and wondered, is it enough? The truth is that we are human and will always question whether our work is sufficient.

God instructed us to carry forward in Jesus Name; to carry our cross; to do our best to exude Christ-like behaviors and not only speak about the Good News but to demonstrate it in our daily lives. That is all He asks. Therefore it is enough.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you to do.” Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV

I believe, it is enough if we are walking the path God paved for us before we were born into this world. We should never fall prey to the evil one’s effort to dilute our effectiveness. We should not doubt our effectiveness if we know we are on the path. If you are uncertain, take time to evaluate what you have done, and ask God to show you your walk. He may not show you everything but will often connect the dots. He may bring memories forward about certain events, places, and people you have been connected to during different phases of your life and how you impacted their lives. Like water that cascades outward when you throw a rock into a pond or ocean, you may never know how many people, places and things were affected by your due diligence to spread the Word.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV

Watch – Serving Others Video by Rev. Dr. Bernice King

Images – Google.com
Scriptures – Bible.com
Video – YouTube

I am holding to the task of Resolving and Acting on the resolve to become a stronger Christian in the face of everyday life in 2019. Join me. Each step we take should bring us closer to Christ.

Thank you for reading my Posts. God Bless.

Our Cross To Bare

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When we take up our cross, we agree to follow Christ and take on the burden of denying self for the sake of others. We vow to employ the characteristics of Christ over and above our own human desires. When we pick up the cross, we choose to spread the Good News through discussions, actions, and deeds.

Read Galatians 5:22-23, Fruit of the Spirit.

Other Posts I Authored:

YoungChristianwarriors.com (my other site)

• Why and How Do We Deny Ourselves, Dec 12, 2018

• Chosen To Be Like Christ, Nov 10, 2018

• Dying to Self, March 24, 2018

• Hear, Listen, Understand the Word of God, Jan 16, 2019

• Fruit of the Spirit, Jan 14, 2019

• Defining the Fruit For Children, October 5, 2017

Hear, Listen, Understand the Word of God

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Matthew 11:15 seems common sense, but it is describing how to hear/listen and understand.

  1. We must be willing to hear and exempt our mind from prejudice. We cannot attempt to interpret according to our limited understanding.
  2. We should seek to understand the Gospel and endeavor to experience and practice it just as it is stated.
  3. We should listen to the Word because it is pure, plain, and the living Word of God.

God created the earth and all things on and in it. All things on the planet produce sound waves. Our ears were made to hear the subtlest of tones.

Process

When we read the Word out loud or to ourselves, we hear the sounds and interpret the words. The key is to listen for the meaning of what God is saying to us, and not rely on our (own) interpretation. As we listen intently, we begin to understand the truth God is sharing with us. And, through these truths, we begin to align our actions to become more Christlike.

The more frequently we read the Word of God, the deeper it is planted into our hearts. Once it is planted in our hearts, the more readily available it becomes when making daily decisions, large and small.

As the Scripture says, anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. As we become equipped with the Word as our guiding principles, we gain wisdom. Wisdom is the product of listening to the Word for understanding. Wisdom, in turn, develops our faith, and our faith covers us in the Word of God and leads us to salvation and eternal life.

I am holding to the task of Resolving and Acting on the resolve to become a stronger Christian in the face of everyday life in 2019. Join me. Each step we take should bring us closer to Christ.

Thank you for reading my Posts. God Bless.