The job of the evangelist is not done until the evangelized becomes the evangelist.
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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 KJVR

Evangelism is nothing more than one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.

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Monday, December 20, 2010

Brothers building Brothers - 12/20/10

Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  Colossians 3:12-13

Interesting thing about forgiveness, there are no alternatives for the believer.  There is no choice but to act toward our offender as Christ acted toward us.  Why is that so difficult for us?  Why do we insist on nursing our feelings of hurt and indignation?  I’m sure you have your reasons and they are just as foolish as mine.  The great thing about God’s word is that it does not leave us without resource.  It never asks of us what we are not or cannot be equipped to do.

Should not the fact that I was chosen by God before time and without any merit I was given the righteousness of Christ and loved supremely by the God of the universe, be enough to overcome any wrong that any person could ever do to me?  Say yes.  But of course, seldom do we respond correctly when the hurt comes.

I believe my problem is that I revel in my standing before God and then shirk my responsibility.  Verse 12 continues by saying “put on”; a command, a call to Christ likeness. (See verse 16 for how to get dressed)  The list of things to put on includes all that I will need, to go to the person who has wronged me and to forgive them, or to go to the person I have wronged and either be forgiven or ripped on as I ask for forgiveness.  My failure is putting on the robe of humility and imitating Christ in his crucifixion.

Without an alternative,
Your brother Jack

Monday, December 13, 2010

December 13 - GOD'S THOUGHT OF ME

"Thou art a God that seeth me."-- Gen_16:13 (R.V. marg.).
"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God."-- Psa_139:17.

HAGAR WAS an Egyptian slave-girl, who had been brought up amid the idolatries of Egypt, and had no sort of idea that the gods had any personal interest in so insignificant a human atom as she was. Probably in Abraham's encampment she had heard of Jehovah, but would doubtless think of Him as being equally outside the limits of her little life. What care should the God of her master and mistress have for her, as she fled from the harsh treatment of Sarah, and was in danger of perishing in the lonely desert! Then, suddenly, in her despair, she heard the voice of the Angel-Jehovah speaking to her, and she called Him "The Living One who seeth me".
To her the thought was an inspiration and comfort, enabling her to return and submit herself to Sarah. But to many these words have been a note of fear and judgment. They have thought of God as spying upon their evil ways, and have shrunk from the thought of His eye seeing them. That thought, however, is not the significance of these inspiring words, but that we can never wander into the far country, or take one weary step in loneliness without the tender notice of God our Father, who notices even the sparrow that falls to the ground.
The Psalmist had the same thought when he wrote the 139th Psalm. When he says that God knows his downsitting and uprising, that his thoughts and ways are all open to His Almighty Friend, it is in a tone of rapturous gladness. It is the prerogative of friendship to love the presence and thought of a friend, and the crowning characteristic of Christianity is that we are admitted into personal friendship with our Lord. He knows our thoughts afar off. With an instant sympathy He enters into our anxieties and discouragements. Wherever we go He precedes and brings up the rear; we are beset by His care behind and before. Let every reader open the door to this great Friend, remembering that His one test is obedience: "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Thus you will find His presence the delight of your life (Rev_3:20).

PRAYER
We thank Thee, O God, that Thou hast been about our path, considering all our ways, and encompassing us with blessing. Thine eye has been upon us to deliver our soul from death, and to be our help and shield. For all Thy gracious care we thank Thee. AMEN.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE  LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND  STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO  GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID  LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID  SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A  TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH  SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT  LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL  KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY  MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND  DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE  CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT,  ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM  HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH  DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES  SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST  READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A  BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS  NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING  TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD  PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS  DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE  YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING  HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY  ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM  HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY  EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO  CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH  VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY  CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR  MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY  CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO  SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO  WEEP.

I WEPT FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND  WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T  WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF  HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED  OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON  SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT  MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY  FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'