We Are More Alike Than Different

 

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:5-8

The Apostle Paul wanted Christians to present a united front against those who opposed the church.  There is still some discord between various Christian denominations because they do not agree on the same interpretation of all the scriptures.  While we may not all understand the scriptures in the same way, we all share the common confession of Jesus Christ, Lord, Master and Savior.

We are different denominations, but we all serve the same God, and we should act like it because we are more alike than different.  Our Christian unity enables us to better present the Gospel to the World.  

 

So, with one voice glorify God.  

 

Amen. 

Not Karma - Mercy

 

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

Give and it will be given to you.  They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

Luke 6:36-38

One of principles of Christianity is that we received mercy from God and, therefore, we are to be merciful to mankind.

 

Did you ever notice that mean people sometimes stay mean?   We are nice to them and they return our kindness with meanness. 

 

This may make us think that the Bible got it wrong about getting back what we give. But then someone who we hardly know will do something kind for us, and there it is: Pressed down, shaken together, and running over - the mercy we gave coming back to us.

 

It’s not karma.  It’s mercy.

Equipped For Battle

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17

The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the Word of God.  

When we choose to live our lives with these gifts from God, we are equipped to withstand the forces of evil which attack us and our testimony.  And, sometimes, just being known for these characteristics is enough to warn off those who would want to mess with us.

Get equipped for battle - pray and study God's Word. 

 

Enrolled In Heaven

For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.  For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain it will be stoned.”

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.”

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to myriads of angels, to the general assemble and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Able.

See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking….

Hebrews 12:18-25

Before Jesus came, only the High Priest could enter the inner area in the Temple known as the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of God resided.  It was so sacred that the Priest's robe had bells and pomegranates sewn along the bottom, so that those on the outside could hear the tinkling bells and know that the Priest was alive.  And, just in case something went wrong, there was a rope tied around the Priest's foot so they could pull him out.  No one ever entered the Holy of Holies for fear for being struck dead by God.  

Then God sent Jesus to us so that we could enter into fellowship with Him.  

Jesus came and died for our sins and arose from the grave and ascended into heaven.  Jesus was the ultimate and final sacrifice, once and for all so that everyone could come to God without fear.   

This scripture paints a picture of how God views us and welcomes us into fellowship with Him.  We are part of the general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven.  

And, this is why we should not refuse Jesus when He calls us.   

 

Those Lost Sheep

 

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

And so He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." 

Luke 15:1-7

The lesson here is that we should never underestimate the power of God.

When we look at people we only see the exterior; we do not see the heart.  We may think some people are so far from God that there is no hope for them and what's more we may think, "Well, they are not the people we want in our church."

But Jesus does not see what we see.  He sees people who are hungry for the love of God and who are ready for a life change.  And, then He pours His love on them and welcomes them into the family of God.  

We are a part of this when we extend the hand of Christian fellowship to others.  Some may show up at our church, others may be at the supermarket or park or where we work.  Everyone is the same with God, He loves and cares for everyone. 

So, look for lost sheep and tell them about the love of God. 

Be At Peace

 

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7

Wow!  This sounds impossible, but here it is.  We are called to make peace with our enemies.  

I am thinking we do this by ignoring much of what our enemies try to do to us.  And, we can try peace offerings like treats or offering to help them out with some project they are working on.  

We may not be friends, but we can work on a peaceful co-existence. 

God Is Not Partial

 

Opening his mouth Peter said, “I most certainly understand that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” 

Acts 10:34-35

There you go.  How is it that Christians are labelled as intolerant, when the Bible clearly states that everyone is welcomed by God?  God is not partial; He does not favor anyone group of people over another.  He loves all humanity. 

I think where the conflict comes is that some people read the Bible and do not like what it says and decide that God is against them.  The truth is God is for all of us, what He is against is life destroying sin and evil.  Christians who embrace the teachings of the Bible should not be labelled as intolerant any more than Hindus or Buddhist who embrace those teachings. 

So, it is a case of “don’t blame the messenger.”  We come carrying the love of God for all humanity and our beliefs that are based upon the Bible.  If people do not like what the Bible says then they do not have to join us.

But, because we embrace and believe the teachings of the Bible, we will continue to share the message of one way to God, through His Son, Jesus, and we will continue to love and pray for all people.

Minister Yes Mingle No

 

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

        “I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

        “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.  “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.  And I will be a father to you.  And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

The people of God face the question of what relationships they should have with unbelievers.  When the Apostle Paul spoke to the Corinthians about this he quoted the message to “be separate” which God gave to the Old Testament Prophets Isaiah and Hosea.

This is good advice for Christians.  There are those who want to stop us from speaking about Jesus, those who want to lure us into sin, those who would like us to fall from grace and even some who would like to kill us. 

We know that the best defense is a good offense.  A good offense is to keep our distance.  We can be friendly, but not necessarily friends.

 

We can share the Gospel with unbelievers and invite them to church and see what happens.  And, perhaps they will become believers because God’s arms are wide open and waiting to receive them.

Inspired By God

 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that the man (and woman) of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16

One thing I suggested my children do to help them make better decisions was to ask themselves, “Do I want people to see this on the news?”

Once when my daughter made an error in judgement I asked her if she asked herself the question. She replied, “Yes, but I didn’t answer it.”

That is the way we can sometimes be with God’s word. We might not particularly like what it says, but that does not detract from the fact that it is the truth and it is in our best interest to do that which God has commanded us to do.

God’s Word, the Bible, provides us with advice to equip us for good works and a good life.

Nothing Is Too Difficult For God

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

Jeremiah 32:27

When we face big challenges, we can count on God to help us. 

No matter where we go or what we do, God is with us.  

So, be brave.  Do what you need to do and know that the Lord, God of all flesh, is working for you.

God said it, believe it: Nothing is too difficult for God.  

Nobody Is Perfect

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?”

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus wanted us to know that we cannot win people to the Gospel by pointing out their character flaws. And, that the truth is that we all have plenty of flaws which need fixing because people are not perfect.

Jesus wants us to love others unconditionally. And, generously share the Gospel message with everyone. 

It is when people receive Jesus as their Lord, Master and Savior that the life transforming work of God begins. And, our part in it is to be there as their cheerleaders.

 

 

Show Hospitality

 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

Hebrews 13:1-3

Hospitality and compassion never go out of style.  Jesus showed hospitality when He miraculously feed the five thousand, and He showed compassion when He forgave the thief who hung by His side at His crucifixion.

 

Christianity is a fellowship which is open to all and we as Christians are charged to make the first move when we meet people.  Showing hospitality costs us nothing and opens doors for us to share the Gospel.  

 

So, be brave.  Say "Hello." 

On Some We Have Mercy With Fear

 

And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 

Jude 1:22-23

Did you ever make a new friend, and then discover that they have some big sin issues?  So, what do you do?

Well, I don’t just jilt them, but I have some rules.  First, I don’t go over to their house and they don’t come to my house.  I meet them in a public place.  Second, I make clear to them that I am a Christian and that I believe Jesus Christ changes lives, and that He can change their life, too.  Sometimes this ends the relationship because they think their life is fine, which is OK, because I am just the messenger and I know that God will send another and another and another with His message so they will have ample opportunities to get it.

As Jude said sometimes it is as though we “snatch them out of the fire,” and on some we “have mercy with fear.” 

Lean On One Another

 

Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13

We are surrounded by sin. It tries to invade our lives with all manner of evil. We see wars and crime and hate and discouragement. Sometimes Christians are beaten up by the onslaught of evil and give up.

Paul tells us to stick together and encourage one another in the faith. When we speak words of kindness and encouragement to one another it is a two way street, as we give encouragement we are encouraged.

We are called to care for each other, let us do so without reserve. Lean on one another, encourage one another, believe the living God.

Delight Yourself In Abundance

 

Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;

And You who have no money come, buy and eat.

Come buy wine and milk

Without money without cost.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And delight yourself in abundance.

Incline your ear and come to Me.

Listen, that you may live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you….

Isaiah 55:1-3

All we accumulate on earth is temporary.  The new car we love will rust and fall apart.  The fancy restaurant dinner we enjoy, will be gone in an hour.  Our designer clothes will go out of style. We buy more and more and still are we are not satisfied because none of it lasts. 

So, what else is there?   There is the God's everlasting covenant with us - the promise of salvation through Jesus.  

Even if you feel far from God, He loves you and He has a plan for you.  God sent His Son, Jesus to give His life as a sacrifice once and for all for our salvation.  It is the free gift of God and it is yours for the asking.  All you have to do is pray and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to be your Lord, Master and Savior.  That's it. 

Get to know God and delight in yourself in abundance. 

 

  

Get Moving

 

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.

And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go, behold I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes, and greet no one on the way.”

Luke 10:2-3

When Jesus appointed the seventy, He chose ordinary people.

It was not about their education or the clothes they wore or the money they had, it was about the people believing He was the Son of God and the Savior of the World.  He even warned them they might encounter trouble, and still they went out from city to city, preparing the way for Jesus.  

The message for us today is that we may not be the best educated or wealthy or clever, but we too have a mission and that is the carry the message to people that God loves them and sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem them and forgive their sins, and that, with God's help, they can turn their lives around. 

The harvest is plentiful, get moving.  

Break Those Sterotypes

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, and as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Colossians 4:5-6

First impressions are lasting.  The Apostle Paul knew this that is why he advises us to think about how we treat those who we meet. 

We do not have to fake being kind because we are kind or at least we should be kind to everyone.  We do not have to agree with their life style or their behavior.  But we are acting as Christ’s ambassadors and therefore, if we practice engaging our brains before our mouths, we will do much to further the Gospel.

The next thing we know we will be hearing things like, “Wow, I thought Christians were kind of stuck on themselves and their little groups, but you, you are different.” 

It is your job to break those stereotypes.  Do it well and do it with kindness.

 

Slow Down

 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20

For some of us, like me, we are quick to fire off our mouth when we hear something or see something we think is not right.  We get angry quickly and, sometimes this gets us in trouble.    

Knowing we are inclined to do this requires some extra effort on our part to remain silent and think before we speak. Mom's advice to count to ten before we speak is good advice.  For me, I count to 100, just to be safe.  This not to say we should not correct a wrong, but that we should choose our words wisely and stay on point.  

It is about recognizing that the righteous indignation of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  

When Christ Rules Our Hearts

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond in unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

 

Wow!  We can chose to abandoned our grouchy nature and put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

When we let Christ rule in our hearts, things happen that turn us around and reshape our attitudes and make us nicer people.    

Doubting? Doubt No More

 

But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.   So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Eight days later His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be to you.”  Then He said to Thomas, “Place your finger here, and see My hands; and take your hand and put it into My side; and do not continue in disbelief, but be a believer.”

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”  

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you now believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

John 20:24-29

We can understanding why some people have a difficult time believing that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world when we consider that Thomas, who was one of His disciples did not believe that the other Disciples had seen the resurrected Jesus.  

Thomas' doubts mirror what many people feel when the truth of the Gospel is presented.  They cannot see a purpose to it or a reason that they would want to ask Jesus to be their Lord, Master and Savior.  Their doubt is real. 

When I was a young adult, I had a friend who thought because I was "religious" I should become a nun.  I had shared the Gospel with her, but she did not get it and thought I was religious nut.  We lost contact and then years later, she called me and said that she had became a Christian and she knew what I meant about love of God.  

That being said, we should not put too much stock in those who reject our message because others will come along with the Gospel message and they may be receptive to it because those words we spoke to them have settled in their hearts.  

   

   

  

 

 

 

Just Like That The Wind and Waves Stopped

Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.”  So they launched out.

But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”  And, He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped and it became calm.

And He said to them, “Where is your faith?”  They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

Luke 8:22-25

 

The Disciples woke Jesus up to warn Him that the boat was going to sink and they were going to die.  What Jesus heard was a cry for help and He helped by rebuking the wind and waves and just like that the wind and waves stopped.

 

Even though the Disciples had witnessed Jesus perform many miracles, they were surprised that the wind and waves obeyed Him.    

 

This is the way it is for us.  We sometimes short change the power of God by thinking that God might not be interested in our prayer requests because they are too big or too small.  When the truth is that God is intimately acquainted with us and knows what we will ask Him before we even ask.  Just like the disciples on the boat when they woke Jesus up were not sure what He might do, we underestimate the power of God to answer our prayers.

 

And, what's more sometimes God's answer is more spectacular than anything we can imagine.  

 

Dare to pray big - take everything to God and see what happens.   

Oaks of Righteousness

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Isaiah was a prophet who foretold the coming of Jesus and His ministry.  His words here proclaim that Jesus will restore the brokenhearted, bring liberty to captives and prisoners, care for those who mourn, strength the weak and powerless, and bring the good news to all so they may become righteous in God's sight.  

Jesus read this passage in the synagogue at Nazareth at the beginning of His ministry (Luke 4:18-19).

Even more important is that Jesus did all this and more.   

So, what has this to do with us?  It is model for our own ministries.  We can work on becoming more sensitive to the needs of those around us and showing compassion for their difficulties and celebrating their joys with them, all in the name of Jesus.  

And, by doing this and because of the power of God, people will find Jesus and become oaks of righteousness. 

Please Your Neighbor

 

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.   

 

For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."  

 

Romans 15:1-3

I think Paul was talking about helping others, even if we think they don't deserve help.

This means taking time to talk to someone who is having a tough time.  It is not for us to judge whether or not another person’s problems are of their own making or not, but rather a matter of showing compassion.

When we act with compassion, we build up the kingdom of God.

Fight The Good Fight

 

I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.  

For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:1-8

The Apostle Paul was no stranger to controversy.  He was frequently punished for his faith being beaten and jailed and tradition has it that he was beheaded by Nero.  To say he had a tough life is to put it mildly.

But, Paul never stopped preaching the truth of the Gospel.  In this scripture Paul reminds us to do the work of an evangelist - preaching the truth of the Gospel even if there are those who oppose our teachings preferring to be coddled by those who teach false doctrines.  

We are to preach the word and be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction, so that no one can say they did not know the truth.

We fight the good fight to bring truth and salvation to others so that when we stand for judgement before God we will receive the crown of righteousness.  

Fight the good fight. 

Forgive And Be Forgiven

 

Jesus said, “When you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you, your transgressions.” 

Mark 11:25

Forgiveness is not easy.  By nature, when we are wronged, we want to get even or at least be angry.  This anger can be misplaced on other people.  We yell at people we love and neglect to show affection where it is due because we are angry about something that has nothing to do with the people who we are dealing with.  Not forgiving results in us sinning against others.

There is no sin too big for God to forgive, so who are we to decide there are sins too big for us to forgive?  Forgiveness does not mean that what happened was right, it means that we are unburdening ourselves of it. 

Perhaps as we pray each day for our families, loved ones, and concerns, we should also pray for those who we need to forgive and forgive them, if not for their sake, then for our own sake.

We Are Blessed

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

God blesses us for doing what is right in His sight.   

 

When we are not feeling victorious, we can rest upon this promise. 

 

We may not see the blessing, but it is coming.   

  

 

The Name Which Is Above Every Name

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Philippians 2:5-11 

 

No one will escape this truth, Jesus is the name which is above every name.

God Has Work For You To Do

 

...For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29

It happens, people walk away from God.  Perhaps it is because of persecution or sin or life circumstances or difficult people or any of a hundred other reasons.  Sadly, this may be us.

But God does not let us just walk away, He stands, ready and waiting for us because He has called us and He has plans for us, and although we may think our ministry is over, with God nothing is ever over. Those who God calls are His and He will not relinquish them.

If you are standing at a distance from God, come back to Him. He is waiting. His gifts and call for you are irrevocable. God has work for you to do.

Guardian of Your Soul

 

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return, while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

For you were continuously straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25

We have Jesus as an example of how we are to respond to those who try to humiliate or harm us because of our Christianity.  

Jesus uttered no threats but trusted God that He would judge Him righteously.  Even as Jesus hung on the cross He offered no vile response to His captures, but instead promised salvation to the repentant thief who hung by His side.  (Luke 23:42-43)

Know this, if you have strayed from the Gospel, you can return to Jesus and ask and receive forgiveness because He is the Guardian of your soul. 

Boldly Offer To Pray

 Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. 

They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. 

Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He  said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. 

And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Mark 7:31-37 

Everywhere Jesus went He demonstrated that He cared for people.  He ministered to the sick and to those with handicaps.  He did not differentiate based on who the person was or where he/she was from, but with each one demonstrated the power of God to change lives.  

Jesus did this for the man who was deaf and unable to speak clearly, when He healed him, not for His glory but by the power of God.  Afterwards, He ordered the people not to tell anyone what had happened.

But, the people who witnessed the miracle could not contain the news and word of the healing power of God through Jesus spread,  

The lesson here is that we should not lose hope, but to continue to pray for those who are sick or suffering.  Praying with someone gives them hope and improves their outlook on life, both of which help with the healing process.  

Boldly offer to pray for healing with those who are sick or suffering because it is what Jesus would do.

The Money Changers

Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple grounds.   

And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 

Mark 11:15-17

Even today we still see some pastors and churches selling and buying.  They may be promising salvation or healing for a price or  selling faith objects that offer protection to the buyer.  It might be a special "Bible" with extra non-scriptural text which offers information no one else knows.  Or, at its worst, in my opinion, are worship events that require an admission fee.  And, then there is the matter of charging a fee for children to attend summer Bible School.  It is all about the dollars, not about reaching people with the Gospel.

Those who promote buying and selling in the church defend their actions by saying it costs a lot to operate a ministry or a church.  In my opinion, they are out to wring as much cash out of people that they can get.  They are not operating to meet the needs of people or to promote the Gospel. They are operating for profit.

So, what do we do?  We do not lend support to the money changers.  And, given the opportunity, we can call them out.  

Most of all, we can preach the the truth that salvation is the free gift of God through His Son, Jesus, and all anyone has to do to receive this gift is to acknowledge they are a sinner, ask forgiveness and accept Jesus as their Lord, Master and Savior.