Is church essential? Of course it is! Many who say that though are only 50% right. Why? Because the question shouldn’t simply be whether church is essential. First, it should be what is “church? For example, here’s a recent headline: ‘Church Is Essential’ The building they gathered in wasn’t essential.
Surprised? Shocked? Angry? Confused? Let’s take a look at what’s going on.
Open your eyes. Take the plank out of your own eye. Really see with them. The way Jesus said we need to see. Then ask, where is my treasure? Is it in Heaven or on earth? ‘Cause if it’s on earth, you’re on the path to Hell. You know – the path of the blind?
Please, don’t be so devote to someone – anyone – who’d so devoted to things not from God that you lose sight of when you also become so devoted to the dark that you end up on the wrong path.
See the plank in your own eye More
If you’ve got that feeling to do good things, even with the potential cost to you, with no ulterior motives, with nothing but unselfish love for someone like your elderly neighbors that you’re shopping for, why not acknowledge that’s God? Jesus told us He’d try to get our attention.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Why not open that door and start bringing an end to the suffering for doing good?
Where is God in the Coronavirus / Covid-19 Virus / whatever you call it? The first place to look is in the mirror. Whether you’re Christian or not, look in the mirror. You can learn something from what you see.
Where is God in the Coronavirus? More
Why do you live? The economy or God? Really, that question comes down to who’s your “god”? Do you live for the god of money – the economy? Or for the God of the Bible? It’s a question that starts at the top – sort of. With our president – Trump. And now it’s filtering down through our governmental leaders. Which brings in yet another “god” – the god of government.
In spite of the fact that Trump call himself the greatest president ever for Christians, there has to be a question as to who is his real “god”. And now, enter Dan Patrick, Lt. Governor of Texas. A Republican. Let’s look at a news article on msn.com, titled Dan Patrick says he is willing to risk his own life to allow economy to resume.
Why do you live? The economy or God? More
Christians need tax breaks to give more? The headline in Christianity Today is: Christians Urge Congress to Incentivize Charitable Giving. I wonder, how many times did Jesus appeal to the Roman government to lower taxes for any reason, let alone to allow people to give more. What about the early church leaders? Did they appeal to the Romans?
The short answer is – no! I can’t even imagine it. And yet, here’s what the CT article says:
“This level of stimulus does not scratch the surface for what charities, nonprofits, and houses of worship need during this time of crisis,” wrote the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, which is calling for a two-year universal deduction for charitable giving, with no cap.
Do Christians need tax breaks to give more? More
Is the work really done?
When we sing this song, do we just hear “The work is done” – and then assume the work of Christianity is done? It’s an important question. I recently published something about the Great Commission, in which Jesus gives His followers our orders on how to go forward in life.
The response I got from one person was “The work is done, man”. I was shocked. But then this morning I heard the song with those words – The work is done. Is that where the person who wrote the reply got his thinking? Honestly, I don’t know. But do we take the time and put in the effort to find out what the author of the song meant?
Is the work really done? – Lyrics from Christian Music More
So the bottom line is that sometimes, conflict is necessary. But with Jesus’ life as an example, with His teachings to go by, and from what Paul and others wrote, most of the time conflict probably isn’t necessary. Especially when it’s between Christians.
Don’t settle for less, #08: Don’t avoid all conflict More
She doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t really want to have an abortion. But doesn’t know what else to do, because the Christians are screaming at her to not have the abortion. But then if she has the baby, she also knows those many of those same Christians have, under the name of their political party, made it pretty much impossible for her to support the child. And, few of them will offer any kind of help.
Tell me. Who all sinned in that scenario?
Is abortion the only pro-life issue? More
Trust in God; Trust also in me – but how and why?
Interesting, isn’t it? The why part is actually relatively easy to see. If we trust God, then our hearts won’t be troubled. That’s the goal, isn’t it?
But the how part. Even though I want the goal of not worrying, not being troubled, trust is so hard to come by.
The thing is, from watching the dogs I’ve had, I can see that trust is possible between them and me. Even Hachiko, the most scared dog of all, came to trust me. Even though things happened, like the can of paint.
So if I take the relationship between Hachiko and me – use it to see what a relationship could be like between me and God – it helps. Helps me, anyway.
Trust in God; Trust also in me – especially with cancer More
