I have made myself a servant to all

 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;   to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.(1 Corinthians 9:19-27)🏆

 Character counts . . . .yes, even in politics! I think our political system has lost track of why someone should desire office. It is to serve! Many seek the prize but for the wrong reason. I witnessed a Presidential debate recently that was embarrassing. Both sides seeking to prove the other wrong, name calling, and general a public display of disrespect.

Paul instructs us to seek to serve, to run with purpose, and to be temperate in so things. . . under control. None of this is evident in our candidates as of yesterday. 

What do we do? As Kingdom citizens we need to pray and examine closely the person AND the policies. God help us!

some times losses are the best thing

 

Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to receive glory. What I’m about to tell you is true. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only one seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it.(John 12:23-25)

I had a weekend of disappointments and losses. Plans for a weekend full of activity and excitement ended up with very different results, yet beneficial all the same. You see, some times losses are the best thing that can happen in one's life!

Jesus was hinting at His pending death here in John 12. As with a dead seed which takes root in fertile soil, we too must allow the losses in life to take root in our soul and allow God to grow good fruit from it. Rather than waddle in sorrow, seek His wisdom on how to grow! 

Whether it is a planned activity that was cancelled, lost friendships,  or even a loss in sports, sometimes losses can be turned into big gains. This weekend plans were redirected, yet we realized it was for the best. The plans we made were not in our best interests. People that disappointed us drew us closer together. Even the loss by my favorite team may just teach them to work even harder in practice for future games! 

What is God teaching you through loss? We can choose to get better or get worse . . . .

 

Ambassadors of reconcilation to all people groups, not just "mine"!

 Attention CHRISTian!

The Bible simply and clearly says that we (believers) are God's children and Christ's ambassadors. Because of this, we should not be passive. Instead, we should learn to stand on life's issues. We are salt and light, bringing in God's colours and flavours to this bland, tasteless world we in which we live in but don't belong.We all have a role to play in letting Christ's light shine in the darkness. 

 "And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!' For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

 "Reconciliation" means to make right, to heal, to bring together. The "world" means everyone . . . . every culture, every ethnicity, every color, every race, every language, every tribe (Revelation 7:9). We have been given the task as ambassadors to represent Christ to everyone and to make every effort to bring them to Christ!

If we are really praying, "on earth as it is in heaven" than His will is for all peoples to be one as He and the Father are one (John 17). I know it will get better. The bible says so . . .in eternity. However, we . . . His people . . . who are called by His Name . . . right here and now . . .need to humble ourselves and take a stand . . . . for Him! 

No Republican . . .No Democrat . . .No organization or movement but that of God and His people . . . . as one!

be doers of the word.....stop talking, shouting....DO SOMETHING!

 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.(James 1:22-27)

Fellow CHRISTians . . . Those of us who really love the Lord and want His will here in earth as it is in heaven . . . those of us who know one day every tongue, every tribe, every nation will be one . . . .yes we the people of Christ . . .

 

It is high time we wake up and start doing the Word and living the Word as One body, agreeing with the Word and using our ministry of reconciliation to heal our land as we humble ourselves, repenting our wicked ways and actually seek others for the Kingdom, not for our causes!

 

I am tired of the social noise and the Church silence. I am not talking about the few individual pastors and churches who are actively calling us out to action. I am speaking to the Body. . . .why are we silent, still, quiet? September 26 there is a call for a prayer walk in DC, but I have had believers criticize it . . . a prayer walk! Watch this video then let me know your thoughts. Agree or disagree? It's time to act!

 

https://youtu.be/8tEdZeRRJ7A

 

 

 

See you at the pole 2020

See you at the pole 2020

so you will know....

 

I’m writing these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God. I’m writing so you will know that you have eternal life. Here is what we can be sure of when we come to God in prayer. If we ask anything in keeping with what he wants, he hears us. If we know that God hears what we ask for, we know that we have it.1 John 5:13-15)

 John wants his followers.....even you and me....to KNOW for sure of the promises of God. He doesn't want any guessing going on within our minds. Once we know, we can walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil! (Psalm 23:4) We can actually walk through this Covid-19 situation and without fear and frustrations, know that God is still right here with us!

Despite the pandemic, despite the injustice, despite the unrest, despite the doubts and unanswered questions, we keep seeking after Him and His will and stand upon His promises! We know He knows and we know He cares and is working it all out. Stay focused upon Him . . . and know  better times are coming.

If you believe this, you will have life !

 Jesus performed many other signs in front of his disciples. They are not written down in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to him.(John 20:30-31)

I have some questions.......

• What do you believe? 
• Who do you believe? 
• Why do you believe it?  
• Are you living it?

Your answers are crucial as to where you will spend eternity! John says if we believe, we will have life....eternal life with

Christ. However, that life starts here and now!

False teachers or true preachers? We need TRUTH today!

 

Timothy, stay there in Ephesus. That is what I told you to do when I went into Macedonia. I want you to command certain people not to teach things that aren’t true.  And command them not to spend their time on stories that are made up. They must not waste time on family histories that never end. These things only lead to fights about ideas. They don’t help God’s work move forward. His work is done by faith.  Love is the purpose of my command. Love comes from a pure heart. It comes from a good sense of what is right and wrong. It comes from faith that is honest and true. Some have turned from these teachings. They would rather talk about things that have no meaning.  They want to be teachers of the law. And they are very sure about that law. But they don’t know what they are talking about.(1 Timothy 1:3-7)

Paul warns Timothy to not tolerate false teachings, but confront them!  I was reminded of this very thing yesterday in church. There are many popular teachers in the public eye today . . . .yes false teachers! I won't even go as far as saying preachers! I hold that title for those instructing their sheep in the ways of sound biblical teaching! 

So how do we know whom to listen to and whom to ignore? First, be sure your shepherd is sound! Test the spirits. Know the basics for yourself. While everyone has not attended bible college, seminary or even in depth bible studies, the basics are the basics! 

There is ONE God in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is God in the flesh, fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, Mary. He has always existed . . . before time! (John 1:1) Salvation comes by faith through the grace of God and Jesus' perfect and eternal blood sacrifice. Jesus was born, died on a cross for the sins of man and rose from the dead physically and was seen by over five hundred witnesses. He physically rose to heaven and will return to judge the earth all of us! We have a choice to accept Him or reject Him, but we must choose while we yet live! Hell is a real place of eternal torment for those who reject Him! We are all indeed sinners and we need a Savior to rescue us!

So you choose . . . but choose wisely! BEWARE!!! There is no room for fake truths, fictional narratives, or cute stories. We need TRUTH today!!!! 

 

Even when waiting, He is working!

 

The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to honor you in the eyes of all the Israelites. Then they will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Speak to the priests who carry the ark of the covenant. Tell them, ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan River, go into the water and stand there.’ ”(Joshua 3:7-8)

As then people of God waited at the Jordan, watching its rushing waters, He was working, planning, rescuing. The people just could not see it! The priests were told to move. God challenged them to trust Him even when things seemed to be still. It the midst of this pandemic, when everything seems still, while we wait, He is still working! Will we trust Him? 

Read the comments that income across this morning when searching for answers . . . . .

God knows we need to be reminded of our dependence on him over and over again for as long as we live. Few reminders are more vivid or visceral than waiting by flooding rivers. Or spending nights in a lion’s den. Or watching for heart stopping moments to see if Xerxes would extend his scepter. Or waiting in the Garden of Gethsemane while your rabbi pours out his soul and sweat in anguished prayer, knowing there are dangerous men who want to arrest him and you. God knows that these reminders of our dependence are frightening and place profound strain on us (even when things turn out well in the end). That’s why he shows us that we can trust him and wait on him. He has been his people’s helper over and over and over again across the millennia—and he will help us now no matter what may come. (https://www.ccef.org/anxiety-waiting-and-the-coronavirus/)

We should not be passive!

 I ran across these words when searching for answers this !morning . . .

 The Bible simply and clearly says that we are God's children and Christ's ambassadors. Because of this, we should not be passive. Instead, we should learn to stand on life's issues. We are salt and light, bringing in God's colors and flavours to this bland, tasteless world in which we live in but don't belong.We all have a role to play in letting Christ's light shine in the darkness. Here are some Bible verses telling us to take a stand on life's issues.

Paul said it like this: 

No matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then I will know that you remain strong together in the one Spirit. I will know this if I come and see you or only hear about you. I will know that you work together as one person. I will know that you work to spread the teachings about the good news. So don’t be afraid in any way of those who oppose you. This will show them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. That’s what God will do. Here is what he has given you to do for Christ. You must not only believe in him. You must also suffer for him. You are going through the same struggle you saw me go through. As you have heard, I am still struggling.(Philippians 1:27-30)

It is not enough to just believe as a CHRISTian, we must live it out! We must take a stand in life. . . . as individuals and most importantly, as a Body! If the world could only see families living for Christ, schools living for Christ, churches living for Christ, rather than an individual here or there, imagine the impact! 

 We should not . . .we cannot be passive CHRISTians in this world!

A calm faith

How we live during this pandemic says a lot about our faith. Do we panic? Are we easily swayed by the latest tweet, post or news media update?  Are we led by social media or God's Word?

Many know these verses, but have we considered them during theses days of fake news, sensationalism, and political jargon?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.(Ephesians 6:10-13)

We believers can learn some powerful truths to build our faith during these trying times and togetherness to a lost world craving Truth! We see how quickly the world can be brought to hysteria by the news media. Is there any doubt that the Antichrist will be able to control the entire world when he comes? This pandemic has been similar to a “dry run” just to see what works and what doesn’t work. To learn that Satan’s entire army of angels is indeed working to that end you only have to read Scripture.

We can also be assured that God is in the throne and allow others to see it by now we live. Worse things are to come. Can you imagine how terrible it will be after the Rapture occurs and the Tribulational period begins? Sin is the cause of evil and disease in the world, but Christ died to save us from its power and penalty. This is what we need to teach and model. Others will be drawn to Christ by a calm faith and a non-dramatic response.

Start at home.....God is still God!

 Jesus sent these twelve out with the following orders. “Do not go among the Gentiles,” he said. “Do not enter any town of the Samaritans.  Instead, go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that have become lost.  As you go, preach this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases ‘clean’ again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely. “Do not get any gold, silver or copper to take with you in your belts. Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs.  When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at their house until you leave.  As you enter the home, greet those who live there.  If that home welcomes you, give it your blessing of peace. If it does not, don’t bless it.  Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don’t, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet.  What I’m about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves.(Matthew 10:5-16)

Jesus sent the twelve out among the Jews . . . His people. He gave specific instruction not to go among the Gentiles or Samaritans, but the people of Israel!

In these challenging times of sickness, unrest and real fracture and divisions . . . yes, among believers, I believe it is time to start at home! Forget about the unsaved, the unsure or the unknowing for a moment: What about our family members and church members who seemed to have lost it?

I don't know how many times I have seen or heard words and reactions on social media from believers which totally contradict a biblical worldview! Have we been so duped by the enemy to support any and every social cause, political agenda, or policy that comes along, simply because it sounds good on the surface? What has happened to sound scriptural teaching and commitment to His Word? 

It s ok if you don't agree, but His Word is Truth! By the way, God does not change for politics, social media, culture or for our feelings!  He is still God!

My bride and joy

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth.’ (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) But here is what I tell you. Do not fight against an evil person. Suppose someone slaps you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to them also. Suppose someone takes you to court to get your shirt. Let them have your coat also. Suppose someone forces you to go one mile. Go two miles with them. Give to the one who asks you for something. Don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow something from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor. (Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.’  But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. Then you will be children of your Father who is in heaven. He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that.  If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that. So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.(Matthew 5:38-48)

I write this morning to honor my wife. Yes, it is the solemn remembrance of the 9-11 tragedies.  I think back to that day when I heard the news on the radio while preparing my mail route. New York....the Pentagon....PA....

You see, my wife had just left the Pentagon less than a year earlier to serve full time in our mission work. Her obedience to the Lord (Joshua 1:9) kept her with me. God called and she obeyed! She lost thirteen co workers that day. To this day she cannot return to the Pentagon nor choose to "remember" this day. It is still forced. Yet I celebrate my loving, caring, and obedient bride. Because she loves and trust the Lord so much, she is with us today!

Now over twenty years of ministry together, I have seen her live out the verses found embedded in steel that day in NY. (SEE PHOTO) She loves. She cares. She gives and forgives. She sacrificed her career. She sacrifices her health. She sacrifices daily for me, our children, our grandchildren, for more than sixty kids who have lived within our home, and she lives out Jesus'commands to serve and not to be served!

To grieving families I offer the hope of Jesus! To children with parents who were lost, I offer the loving arms of Jesus. To my wife, I offer my life and commitment. To my Lord and Savior, I give my heart and soul for eternity! 

Thank you Tamara Althea Douglas-Carroll . . .my rock, my bride and joy. Thank you Jesus, my Rock of Ages!

saved daily by His grace

 

By the law, I died as far as the law is concerned. I died so that I might live for God.  I have been crucified with Christ. I don’t live any longer, but Christ lives in me. Now I live my life in my body by faith in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself for me.  I do not get rid of the grace of God. What if a person could become right with God by obeying the law? Then Christ died for nothing!(Galatians 2:19-21)

Paul (Saul) was once a respected, educated, powerful and popular Pharisee. Then he met Jesus, or should I say Jesus met him! He realized he was never anything without Jesus and never would be. Saul died and now Paul lived: rather Jesus lived through Paul. 

Whatever we do, whatever we accomplish, however much we earn or accumulate, it is nothing . . . .We are nothing without having the One Who died for us as our Lord and Savior! It took me decades to come to that realization. Over thirty years in church, it took tragedy and loneliness outside of church to allow Jesus in.

After nearly thirty of life with Christ, I am still humbled by his grace and my stupidity! Like Paul, I finally realize it's all about Him, not me! Still a sinner, being saved daily by His grace! Lord willing, I will sin less and less until that day He declares me sinless!

Focus upon the Holy Spirit!

The power of sin should no longer control the way we live. The Holy Spirit should control the way we live. So don’t live under the control of sin. If you do, you will think about what sin wants. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the Spirit wants. The thoughts of a person ruled by sin bring death. But the mind ruled by the Spirit brings life and peace. The mind ruled by the power of sin is at war with God. It does not obey God’s law. It can’t. Those who are under the power of sin can’t please God.(Romans 8:4-8)

How is it possible to focus on the Holy Spirit with so much evil going on around us? We see  sin everywhere . . . on TV, on the internet, in our neighborhoods, in our homes, in our schools, even in our churches! Though we are ALL sinners, those of us who are in Christ have the power within us to not sin!

As impossible as that sounds, it can be done. Have I mastered it? Nope . . . not yet. However, I attempt to every day by His power, not mine. I am learning to surround my self with His Word and His people (my wife especially) to keep me focused. When I see or experience evil, I am learning to discern whether or not I should even entertain the thought to confront it. 

Sin and evil seem to seek me out if I don't search for it myself.  What about you? Have you put up barriers to keep out sin? Have you removed some people from you social circles and replaced them with some Godly influences? Do you have others to keep a watch on your internet choices? With whom do you share your music play lists? Do you even read scripture, seek biblical articles and videos, have a church home?

You see, just like we choose to sin, we choose not to sin! Instead of focusing upon our next sinful endeavor, try focusing upon the Holy Spirit inside and His choices for you! It's a process . . . .

Do we trust God at His Word?

 

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." (2 Chronicles 7:14-15)

We hear this verse often. We hear it in church, on the radio and on TV. We even hear it sung within CHRISTian lyrics. But what does it mean .  . . . Do we really believe it or is it just hopeful thinking? The real question is do we trust God at His Word? 

Matthew Henry comments in this fashion:God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy. . . .

Many are calling for revival. Yet it must start working an individual as the Spirit moves like it something King Solomon. As it moves on people, then it can move within communities and even a Nation! We have to begin to live as if we truly trust God at His Word and then live it out! 

CHRISTians, young and old, black and white, male and female . . . . Are we willing be humbled to repent of our sin....even the sins of a people, and truly turn away from the racism, injustice, prejudices (of ALL people), discrimination, and hatred? Will we ever see people as one made in the image of God . . .ALL people? Do we really desire healing, or simply favor? 

Perhaps God will relent, heal, and bless our Nation and our world once again . . .or He  may have just had enough! I believe  He is giving us a chance . . .what about you?

Labor....Work and Reward

 

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24)

What does our work have to do with God? After all, we have to work to eat and pay bills right? But even that is biblical. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Let's face it: all through life we labor. We work as students. We work as adults. We even work around the house and work to stay in shape. Life is all about working to gain something. In fact, as a man, we gain much of our self- worth from our work!

However, as believers, we need not work for man's applause or reward. This will always leave us disappointed! There will always be someone better. Someone else will receive the trophy, the promotion or the credit. We as Christ followers need to learn to do all we do for the glory of God! Always do your best. Never cheat in your efforts. When the job is complete know inside you gave your all . . . for God, not man! God knows and one day, even if in glory, He will reward.

So rest this Labor Day! Enjoy! Thank God for the ability to work, study, perform, even exercise. Its all labor for God! Well done . . . great is your reward . . . from God, not from man!

Have fun kids!

 

Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops. 

You don't know where the wind will blow, and you don't know how a baby grows inside the mother. In the same way, you don't know what God is doing, or how he created everything.

 Plant early in the morning, and work until evening, because you don't know if this or that will succeed. They might both do well

Sunshine is sweet; it is good to see the light of day.

People ought to enjoy every day of their lives, no matter how long they live. But they should also remember this: You will be dead a long time. Everything that happens then is useless. 

Young people, enjoy yourselves while you are young; be happy while you are young. Do whatever your heart desires, whatever you want to do. for everything you do. (Ecclesiastes 11:4-9)

Our young people are under so much pressure today. I am glad I am not young! I was able to enjoy my youth. I played in the streets. I went from one neighbor's house to the next playing. We played baseball all day at the park and basketball until it got dark in our back yards. We played touch football in the street. When we got to high school we played every sport we could because it was about the name on the front.....no names on the back! More importantly, we went to church together, we ate dinner as a family and we were allowed to watched Saturday morning cartoons in our pajamas until noon! We did not plan for our careers at thirteen...we simply played for the team and day dreamed of the future! School was to learn and sports was for fun.

What a difference! Today our kids are planning a career in middle school. They have tutors, trainers, and recruiters. We simply had parents and teachers! Teachers taught us and our parents coached us. In high school our teachers taught and coached! Even college ball was fun! Our parents, however, controlled our decisions!

What does this have to do with the scriptures above? Parents, let kids enjoy their youth! Young folks, it won't be long before you are not young anymore....have some fun! Coaches . . . please think like parents and care for the kids' heart and SOUL, not so much wins, losses, scholarships, , contracts,and future coaching job offers!  God will take care of the rest!

   Have fun kids . . . .God wants us to enjoy this life while we have it to live! Because once we die....well . . . .you get it!

So why live for God?

 The Lord has rewarded me for doing what is right.

    He has rewarded me because I haven’t done anything wrong.

Lord, to those who are faithful you show that you are faithful.
    To those who are without blame you show that you are without blame.

To those who are pure you show that you are pure.
    But to those whose paths are crooked you show that you are clever.

You save those who aren’t proud.
    But you bring down those whose eyes are proud.

Lord, you keep the lamp of my life burning brightly.
    You are my God. You bring light into my darkness.

With your help I can attack a troop of soldiers.
    With the help of my God I can climb over a wall.

God’s way is perfect.
    The Lord’s word doesn’t have any flaws.
He is like a shield
    to all who go to him for safety.(Psalm 18:24-30) 

It can be easy to wonder, ‘what is the point of living for God?’  You probably have friends that don’t live for God, and it seems like they’re having more fun than you. Or maybe you feel like there is so much pressure to be good and do the ‘right’ thing that you question if it is really worth it.
It can be really hard to stand strong in the face of peer pressure and live for God. Even though it can be hard at times, living for God is always worth it. 

So why live for God? Well, for one, He will not disappoint you. Secondly, He promises reward for your choices. Thirdly, it is your choice . . . .no one is making you do it. Finally, living for God allows for failures and imperfections! 

The world and people in it will let us down. God will not! He is consistent. He also has rewards promised and waiting for those who choose Him. He allows free will, nothing is forced . . . no peer pressure or bullying. Best of all, a child of God experiences grace and forgiveness . . .for the asking! 

Yes, we can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens us! Have you tried Him?(Philippians 4:13)

Consequences and Grace

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(Luke 23:32-34)

I was reading from some of Pastor Charles Stanley's writings today as I was pondering  concerns about my alma mater, my son's attendance there, and how present public opinion could change my recruitment strategies. He made it clear as did Christ: The thief dying with Jesus was completely forgiven. Yet moments later, the man died an excruciating death. His sins had been erased in God's sight, but he suffered the punishment for his crime.

Recently, Pastor David Nasser of Liberty stated that, "what is needed now is neither extravagant grace nor rigid judgment, but rather the balance of grace and truth that Jesus exemplifies".

You see, Christ indeed forgives the repentant sinner, yet the physical consequences remain. The more damage done by the act, the more severe the consequences will be, yet His grace will abound even more spiritually!

Yes, my school has been damaged by the acts of a few, yet the founding principals remain intact!   However, God still makes beauty from ashes! We move on and continue to build Champions for CHRIST! 

It is the same with us as individuals. Our sin can complicate things and even run us off the track at times. We may need to regroup, rethink and yes, repair. Despite the obvious consequences, there is grace, forgiveness and hope in Christ! Let's keep our eyes fixed upon Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith!