Be Careful little lips!

Psalms 141:3

Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips.

This is good advice for all time. Regardless of what we say, we cannot control how people take it, what they do with it, or any number of things. Today for example, I expressed my frustration about a situation and something that the person said to me about the situation. Wasn't being disrespectful just expressing frustration. At the end of the day, that person came to upset that I had been "talking about her" and and felt the need to let me know she finds out things. After I overcame my shock, I immediately apologized and told her no disrespect was intended and I was merely expressing my frustration about the situation not about them. 

I learned something valuable and I want share it with all of you. We need the Lord to put guards around our mouths so that there is more control of the words that come out of our mouths to prevent us from not being a good witness for Christ. The only person I have control over is my own tongue so I am praying that the Lord help me bring it under the captivity of His grace and control what comes out of it. That being said, I need to make sure that the words that come out of mouth speak grace and peace and not give voice to things that aren't uplifting and building up people. 

I'm also sure I'm not the only person in need of this today, we all say things carelessly with one intent if any and later have to deal with the consequences of how it was perceived and received by others. Changing how we talk won't be easy but it will be the best thing in the long run of life.

Prayer: Lord help me to control my tongue. Place the Holy Spirit firmly at the door of my mouth so that the words will only be His and not mine. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Grace and peace be multiplied to you my friends. 

Eric

Cause for rejoicing.

Romans 5:6-11
For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

Since returning to Christ, I have had time to reflect on the wasted time, and energy attempting to get out of the call. Today I was sitting and to be honest depression began to set in. Depression over unemployment, depression on sitting home alone while wife is engaged in her job, depression over just feeling hopeless and scared about the future. Stop me if this sounds familiar, or perhaps you have never been in a dark, scary time yet. If so be grateful, which brings me to the above text. 

While I was a sinner I had 3 things God used to describe me, I was without strength, ungodly and of course a sinner, Paul even says we were the enemy of God. Let that sink in, not Satan, or the Devil, but us. Even though we were in that wretched state God proved His love for us by Christ's sacrifice. His sacrifice reconciled us to God and Paul says we should rejoice. I see you rolling your eyes saying get to the point I have things to do. Rather than spending my time focused on what I don't have or what I am waiting for, why not spend the time rejoicing in the simple fact, I am reconciled to my Father, and the righteousness of Christ has been imparted to me. Putting that squarely in my heart and mouth should make Paul's admonition the the Philippians easy. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4)

Prayer: Heavenly Father help me today to rejoice in my relationship with you. That we are not enemies, but family. Your son died, and resurrected so that I might have life and more abundantly. Help me to focus on that and rejoice. 
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Grace and Peace be Multiplied to you my friends.
Eric

Let's All Agree

Matthew 18:18-20
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”

This morning I work up to a Gaither Vocal Band Song "Whenever We Agree Together" and it struck me that as I have been praying about my job situation, and my wife has been praying, that we have yet to do what scripture tells us to do. This past Sunday my pastor, Pat, gave the keys to hearing the voice of God, and the first thing is the scriptures, and the second is the prompting of the Holy Spirit. At 3:00 A.M. this morning I heard beautiful music, and felt a spirit of peace descend into my room, almost immediately the song began playing in my head, along with the above scripture. So this morning I took my wife by the hand and we prayed a prayer of agreement about my job situation. I believe that my Heavenly Father is moving on my behalf giving favor where it is needed, and prompting the decision makers where needed. He does this because 1. He loves me and gives me sustaining grace, and 2. His word says He will. The promises he gave are already loosed, my job if you will is to receive. 

What about you? Are you facing a situation that seems impossible and no way out. You have prayed and prayed yet haven't seen the answer. Find you a partner and come into agreement, claim the promise found here and believe your miracle is on its way. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come into agreement with my dear friend today, that whatever their need, I agree that you are sending the answer to them, abundantly, more than they can even imagine. In the Name of Jesus I pray. AMEN!!

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you my dear friends. 
Eric

Crying out!

Isaiah 30:19

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will most certainly be gracious to you at the sound of your cry for help; when He hears it, He will answer you.

Let's get real for a minute, we have all been in situations where we have cried all the tears we can, questioned, prayed, quoted scripture, and then waited! Waited on the answer you knew was coming, yet you waited( patiently or not). That is where I am at this moment. Sin blocked my relationship to God, so God put me in a place to choose, and I chose to come home to him, rather than as the prodigal live in a pig pen. He has restored me and brought my anointing back stronger, but also with a DEEPER understanding of grace. In my reading today, I saw the above scripture about how he responds to the cry for help. The Message renders it like this. "Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you’ll find it’s grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he’ll answer. " Do you see it? Right there in the text. Cry for help and you'll find its grace and more grace. Paul was told that God's grace was sufficient! I can tell you that it is!!! Sufficient enough to battle the feelings of despondency, and depression, to bring into captivity the thoughts of inadequacy, all the while reminding me that I am a child of the King, and He will take care of me through His grace. 

As you can tell, I don't have all the answers, I'm not a super Christian, nor am I one of the great ministers of our time, still a human trying to live as close to Christ as I can. Like Mary I want to sit at the feet of Jesus, in the Throne room of God and allow Him to teach and change me. 

What about you? Have you experienced amazing grace in your life or only limited grace. Remember he hears our cries, ask Israel in Egypt "Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings," Exodus 3:7 He brought them out, He will bring me out, and dear one He will bring you out too!! Just allow His grace to flood over you, confess your need of Him and He will answer you! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to experience the Grace you want to give. The grace that is sufficient, and powerful to cover, pardon, and bring me to a place of rest with you! In the Jesus' name I pray. Amen

GRACE and peace be multiplied to you friends.

Eric 

He's Coming

Acts 1:9-11
After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

Last night I had a really, REALLY good dream!! A pastor friend of mine, asked me to come to his new church and sing. I never turn down an invitation from him, so I went. I sat down at the piano and sang the old Cathedral Quartet classic, "We Shall See Jesus" and when I got to the chorus, the rapture took place. I was caught up in the air with all the saints!!!! 

It reminded me this morning that “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone." Matthew 24:36 and that it could happen anytime, and I mean ANYTIME!!!! The time is growing short, and as believers we must put aside differences and get into the field and get the harvest. So many people are still lost without the Grace and Love that they will only find in Jesus, we must show them Him and not our doctrine. He said this, "As for me, if I am lifted up[a] from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32 We lift him up as the crucified, risen Lord who says "Whosoever will may come" regardless of their past, or who they are or were, just come. 

I have been fishing once or twice in my life and I never caught a pre-cleaned fish. As a matter of fact, I don't like touching the fish if I can help it, but I never was responsible for the cleaning, my Dad always handled that and I was thankful. In the same way as we are fishers of men, we are not required or asked to clean them, our Heavenly Father handles all those details. 

Lets get as many ready as we can, because he could come at any moment and I want as many as are willing to go to heaven too. 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you friends.
Eric

True Equality

Galatians 3:28
 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.

With all the talk about equality among various groups and hearing all arguments on all sides I am struck at how as believers we miss the most fundamental truth out there. God doesn't see us based on skin tone, gender, or even religious affiliation, he sees us all as His children. Some haven't made it home to Him yet, some are home part of the time, and others live like a Child of the King everyday. Regardless of anything else, we as believers should begin to see the world that way. Every person you come into contact with is created in the image of God, and should be respected and treated that way. 
Remember in the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus, put into stark contrast the actions of various people and what they should have done. He left the question open, Who was that man's neighbor? Indeed we should ask that today, is our neighbor the homeless vet, the Muslim down the street, or the people who look and believe as we do? If you have to think to long on that answer, let me help. They are all our neighbor, and we should seek their good. It is time to let the enemy know that the people of God, are going to rise up and begin loving as Jesus did, without prejudice, without judgement, without preconceived ideas about who they are, just open love. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His work without us getting in the way. 
When they offer hatred, lets offer love, where they offer condemnation, let us offer grace, where they offer intolerance, lets offer the words of Christ, "Forgive them for they know not what they do. I believe when we become the a church that exhibits love and compassion, we can win the world for Christ and in the process, make this place a little better than we found it. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to love as Jesus loved, and love them regardless of their feelings toward me. Let your light shine through me as a lighthouse on the side of a mountain. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN

Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric 

Coming Home

Luke 15:16-20  He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him.17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

I love this story as it mirrors mine in a variety of ways. All of us regardless how of long we have been believers we were at one time like the prodigal son lets examine this story. First the young man had to come to the place he was ready to come home. We can have family, friends, or even our minister tell us we need to come to Jesus, but until we get to the place we see our own need we won't go home. Notice to what the young man says.
1. I will get up- He was getting out of his circumstance, he was finished living the way he was living. He had to see how far he had fallen from where he was. Once he saw it, he got up.
2. I will go to my father- He decided to go home. It isn't enough to get tired of the situation, or circumstance, he has to act on it. He said I'm going home, and I'll at least be a servant. He spent time rehearsing his apology, ready for the punishment of the Father. However, what he got was not what he expected.
While he was a way off, his father came running, hugging and kissing him as tears streamed down his face. He was so busy loving his son, he didn't hear the request to be a servant, he only heard "daddy I'm home!" He threw a party rejoicing that his son was home, although this ran afoul of the older brother (religious crowd).
Today if you have just come home, welcome back glad you are here. If you have been here a while, so glad you are still here, but remember at the end of the day we are all part of the family of God. We should all rejoice when someone comes home, and rejoice daily that we are ALL on our way to a Heaven that God has prepared for each and everyone of us, regardless as to when we arrived.

Grace and peace multiplied to you!!
Eric

Wonderfully made

Psalms 139:14
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

I love building robots, I build them as part of my duties as a robotics coach in school. We build them from Legos, or VEX kits, and program them to do various tasks. It is a lot of fun! As I was building one the other day, I began thinking about the joy God had in creating man. Look at these wonderful bodies and the intricate systems that each employs to keep each of us alive. Everything works in concert with little help from us, we won't discuss the damage that we sometimes choose to do to our bodies. I saw you eyeballing that twinkie!! 
I was born premature, and according to my birth mother the doctors held out little hope I would live, wow they were wrong! So any time I start feeling sorry for myself or kicking myself for something I have to pause and say "wait a minute, I am wonderfully made, and God has a reason, although I haven't found it yet. 
We each should focus not on what we perceive as our imperfections, but that we are created in the image of the Divine, and we are fearfully and wonderfully constructed just as we are. Don't let the world tell you that you aren't worthy! You are the child of the King, made in His image, unique and special. As far as Satan goes remind him of your older brother who imparted His righteousness to you and baptized you in the Holy Spirit, so he needs to return from whence he came in the name of Jesus. 

Prayer: Lord when I am feeling low, or depressed allow the Holy Spirit to remind me that I am wonderfully made in the image of the Divine Creator of the universe and He thinks I am special. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you my friends. 
Eric

Empowered where you are

Galatians 2:7-8
But on the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles), just as Peter had been[entrusted to proclaim the gospel] to the circumcised (Jews); 8 (for He who worked effectively for Peter and empowered him in his ministry to the Jews also worked effectively for me and empowered me in my ministry to the Gentiles).

In this text Paul has confronted Peter about the gospel being spread to the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul hits on a very important concept for those in ministry. If God has called you to ministry, even if it a very specific ministry you can count on Him to equip, enable, and empower you to carry it out. This also reminds each of us in ministry that is ok to be differently called, or have a different set of talents, because He has something He needs us to accomplish, and it is different from other ministers. Sometimes we may look around and say I could do so much more if I was talented like so and so, or if I had been given that ability to communicate like so and so, and we allow the enemy to convince that our ministry isn't as important as another one. Just remember this we are all laborers together, and Heaven rejoices when 1 sinner comes home, so regardless of anything else, we should focus on bringing those we have been sent to minister to into the Kingdom of God. 

Prayer: Father, Help me to be content with my calling and talents and be faithful in using them for you and building up the kingdom. Remind me I have been called, empowered, enabled, and equipped for this and anointed by Your hand. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen

Grace and peace be multiplied to you!
Eric 

The Voice in the Heavens

Psalms 19:1
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.

Like millions today I watched the spectacular display our Father put on. Watching the eclipse was an awe inspiring moment. When the moon completely blocked out the sun, I found myself in a moment of teary eyed joy thinking that my Father was in control of all of this and none of it took him by surprise. It made me think of the scripture where Paul says "but just as it is written [in Scripture],

“Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].” 1 Corinthians 2:9. As beautiful as this sight was, it is nothing when compared to the things the Father has prepared for us as His children. I have always been accused of having a vivid imagination, but if I can't even imagine what Heaven will look like, or the blessing God has headed my way. Take some time today, to thank God, for the sights of today, and thank Him for the sights you are yet to see. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the sights you have allowed me to see today, and I am thankful for the things you have yet to show me. Allow me to see you in all that happens around me and be the light through me.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you today. 

Eric

Goals and Objectives

1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may [a]prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].

Serving 25 years in public education I have been driven by the learning goals and objectives for each class. One administrator I worked for wanted us to post on our walls three things. 1. What are we going to learn? 2. How are we going to learn it? and 3. How will we demonstrate we have learned it? We were charged with putting the answers on the board for the students so they knew the plan for the unit. As I was reading this text last night it struck me that Paul is giving us the learning for the unit of life. 
1. What are we going to learn? We are going to learn that Love is the highest goal a Christian can pursue. Being Christ-like means demonstrating that love to everyone we meet, saint and sinner the way he did here on the earth. Even as God demonstrated his love to us that He loved us when we were yet sinners and lost that He sent Christ to die for us. 

2. How are we going to learn it? We are going to learn this by watching the example of Christ and imitating Him until it becomes part of who we are. In a world filled with hate and venom, we need more Christ in the world!! Look at the examples He left us in the Gospels, seek out examples of people here, and pray Lord love through me until I disappear and they only see you!!

3. How will we demonstrate we have learned it? By living the life that Christ has empowered you to live. Allowing His love to radiate through you into the lives of all you meet. Leaving the love of Christ in our wake, will do more to heal our land than bringing Christianity into the political realm, where nothing is left untarnished. 

I can't leave this topic without mentioning the gifts he mentions. The church has ignored the Spirit-filled life far too long. As the love takes hold and we see the world as He sees it, we will seek the gifts not to show off, but to reach the lost, to heal the sick, to bind up those whose heart's are broken, and to let the captive know that they are free. In every war, some prisoners never come home, both Korea and Vietnam are both start reminders of that truth. HOWEVER, once Christ sets you free the enemy can't keep you in his prison, you can walk out of the prison, free shouting the victory to all who will listen. Believe me I know, when Christ set me free I couldn't wait to tell my fellow prisoners we can all walk out of here together free, just turn to the Master. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let the Love You have given shine through me. Let people not see me, but see Christ who lives in me. Love through me until it becomes my lifestyle and my default setting. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. AMEN.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you friends. 
Eric

Making Disciples

Matthew 28: 18-20 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always[remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

What happens once we get saved? Do we go to church and wait to go to Heaven, or just wait on the rapture? Obviously we are to do more!! As I watch the news coming out of various parts of the country I wonder what would happen to our world if we made Disciples of Christ over pushing our own agendas, or beliefs. Racism, bigotry, and the like are taught, not inherently wired into our being. Imagine if Paul after his conversion had never written the epistles, but simply waited on Heaven, we would be in a mess. Notice the words of Christ. 
1. All power belongs to Him. This includes political and satanic power, Christ has it all. 
2. Use the authority to make disciples. Live in a away that people want to know and follow Christ not a church or a denomination. I love the amplified that says Obey my words. His words were so simple. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Secondly, love your neighbor as you love yourself. What a different that the words that were being used by hate groups. 
3. I am with you always. How would your behavior change if you believed everywhere you went Jesus was with you. Including protest marches, might change our behavior eh?? 
Make it your mission today to be the Light of Christ to EVERYONE you meet. Let your words be His words, your actions be His actions, and lets bring as many into the fold as we can. He that wins souls is wise.

Prayer: Lord, help me make disciples for you. Let the words and actions of my life life you up and lead others into a relationship with you. Amen

Grace and peace be multiplied to all of you my friends.
Eric

Don't Be Anxious in an Xanax world.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

On May 24, 2017 at 11:30 my administrator walked in and told me after 3 years at this school I was no longer a good fit, and for the first time in 25 years I had no classroom to prepare for the coming school year. Over the summer I applied, send resumes and interviewed and I'm still waiting on a teaching job. Needless to say, I'm a little scared and worried. So I ask you my friend has anything happened in your life that took you off guard and changed the way your life was starting to look? If you are breathing oxygen, then the answer is probably yes. So what is a believer supposed to do in these situations. Well, Paul while chained between two guards on house arrest penned the above words to the church at Philippi. Lets look at them together. 
1. Rejoice- replace your feelings of dread, fear, and impending doom with taking pleasure in your relationship with Christ. Sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs, rather than dwelling in the defeat. Before you say it, I know its easier said than done, but it is worth it for no other reason than to be in the presence of Jesus. 
2. Rather than lash at people including those you felt did you wrong, be gentle. I will tell you that becomes more difficult as well meaning people want to commiserate with you and "take your side". We are told to forgive and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us, and that sounds nice and spiritual but it takes real maturity to pull it off. 
3. Don't sit and complain about the situation, fear, or problem, but instead approach the Throne of Grace and find help in the time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Tell your Father what is going on and allow Him to resolve the situation, perhaps this was designed to give you something better, or perhaps to teach you to be more Christ-like. Whichever it may be take it all to Him and lay it on the altar. 
4. Accept the Peace HE offers. This world is not a peaceful place right now, there is strive and turmoil on every side including the church. It is tempting to give in to the worry, but Christ promises peace that will transcends all understanding will stand guard over your heart. Although there are several parts of my situation that I do no see a resolution for, I know Christ does and strangely I have peace that everything will be all right. 

Keep these principles in mind as you walk through your storm today and allow the Holy Spirit to touch you and create in your a new spirit and give you the victory you are needing in your life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to rejoice and bring my issues to the Throne and to accept the peace You offer for my every situation. I pray in Jesus name AMEN. 
May Grace and Peace be multiplied to you today. 
Eric 

Waiting, the New Pasttime

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.

I had a dream last night, I was riding in a car with three of my heroes. Now before you start thinking sports starts let me stop you. Growing up my heroes were the members of Southern Gospel Quartets, and in this car ride I was with George Younce, Glen Payne, and Roger Bennett of the Cathedrals Quartet. While we were riding, Younce looked over at me and said, "What is the worst part about waiting on God?" I laughed and said "Not knowing His clock."
I woke up and realized I was preaching to myself. Let me explain, for 25 years I have been a public school teacher, this past year I was non-renewed, so essentially I'm unemployed. I have applied for teaching jobs all over my area but to now avail. I'm waiting but now we are two weeks into school, and I still am not teaching.
I suppose perhaps God is leading me into another direction, just don't know exactly what that is, and watching my wife go to work everyday seems to drive the spirit of despair deeper. So I wait! I am using this time to study and pray and seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit to help me. I always tell people don't pray for patience, you won't like how that works, so I have never asked for it, apparently now I have to learn it. 
What about you dear friend, what does God have you waiting for? A job, a mate, a child or something else? Then all I can tell you from experience is to wait on his timing, use the down time to prepare yourself for the miracle, and when it comes you will take flight in both praise and thanksgiving and relief.

Heavenly Father, 
Teach us to wait on you and not to lean on our understanding. Give me strength to hold tight to your hand, knowing you are in full control of all things. I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, and my High Priest. AMEN

John the Beloved???

1 John 4:7-10

Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. 8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 9 By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath].

These are powerful words especially in light of recent events in our nation. Have you ever asked yourself did John always feel this way, was he perfect in some way I'll never achieve? The answer is an emphatic no,John like all of us had to be changed by Christ to feel this way. Need Proof??

John was intolerant of people who were not part of the disciples that walked with Jesus. Mark 8:38

"John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not accompanying us [as Your disciple].”

Sounds like some of us today, "If you are not part of our ____________ then you aren't really Christians, or you aren't going to Heaven"  Remember dear friend the call is still "Whosoever will"

John was also vindictive. Look at Luke 9:54

"When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?”

Harsh much John, don't talk to them, don't reason, just call down fire from on high, that will teach them. Sadly I believe that there are some in our world today that secretly wish they could do this. 

So what happened to change John into a disciple that will refer to Christian love 25 or more times in his Epistles?? The answer should be obvious, after seeing Jesus put His love on display in public ministry, and in the greatest act of self-sacrifice on the cross, John came to see that Love is what matters and its who God is. This is what we all should strive for!!! Allowing Christ to work in us through the Holy Spirit that we put aside all hate and bitterness and focus on expressing God through Love. AS John said "The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him]." Not church attendance, tithing, or even ministry its loving both the Saint and the sinner, for what drew people to Christ wasn't just His power, but the love He showed to all even the ones who looked down upon by the Jews. 

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, let me be a person who expresses your love today to everyone I meet. Don't let them see me, but see the Love you have for them. As you have loved me, allow me to love them. I pray this in Jesus name .AMEN

Welcome to My Blog

Welcome to the blog of Eric Stansberry Ministries, our desire is to be a blessing to all people as they grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Christianity is going through a time of transition and turmoil. The simplicity of the Spirit of Love and graciousness that Christ lived through example is being lost in the shadow of politics. Making the Christ into either a Republican or a Democrat, rather than a unifying force for good.
All believers need to seek the Lord while He may be found and pray that the Lord heal our Church, our families and our nation. He told the church at Laodicea to buy gold, garments, and ointment to change the church before its too late. He also cautions us to turn from our indifference and listen to Him.
Pray for each other and our country.

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you daily.
Eric