Kindness Makes a Difference

Dear Ones,

I read a mini devotion today from someone that spoke about us bringing hope back to someone's heart by our actions and words this day, As I read the words, a secular song from my teen years floated to the fore font of my remembrance. 

This particular singer has had his ups and downs in times past, but he has confessed Jesus as Lord  and Saviour and clung to Him as his only hope of Salvation. So, whether his music is your cup of tea or not really, and despite the fact that he has had some bad publicity from stupid choices he's made in the past, I believe at heart, this song embodies what he believes and I hope it's message gets your attention! 

Please understand, it is not a "bleeding heart" mentality.  It goes beyond giving money to the poor and skewed government legislation to take from the rich to do so.  It is a way of life, a mind set, a life style of servant hood, caring and respect for your fellow man, even when they are at their lowest and seem least deserving of anything other than a swift kick in the seat of their pants.  It is a willingness to open your heart and your hand , not just for a "hand out' but to give a hand up, to give a hand clap, to give a handshake of affirmation and encouragement and direction.

There are sectors in American society that are really poor and barely making it. But by and large most of America is prosperous and rich by comparison to 2/3rds of the rest of the world!  If everybody gave $3.00 a month steadily, to a cause of your choice to alleviate pain and suffering somewhere in the world...  not a faithful few, but every American who works and pulls a paycheck or retirement check or disability check. Or every kid that can cut grass or babysit... you get the idea! What a DIFFERENCE in the lives of men, women and children overseas, Especially the children.  I read the most incredible story of 1 young boy who raised $10,000 to drill multiple wells in Africa, so the people could have clean water to drink! And we adults say we can't make a difference?  

  If we would but sow seeds of kindness, in Jesus Name!  If we made time to just say hello and acknowledge someone we pass by- the maid cleaning in the hotel, the  window washer, the floor clerk... even if you don't get to say "Jesus" - you just let Him shine through you onto their lives. And as you walk away pray for them and the seed that you've sown to be watered. 

So don't say you can't make a difference! Do the "little" with much love and watch God grow it into something big for Him!

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he... Proverbs 23:7a

Be not deceived, God is not mocked, as a man sows, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

Luke 10:25-37  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
 

And Jesus went and did likewise himself: Acts 10:38 (AMP) How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him. 

I think we need to listen to this song!


Glen Campbell   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX7NNMKBPsw

Transforming our World

I was tired the other night and sat down to rest a minute and clicked on the TV and began to watch mindlessly a kids cartoon.  It had a story plot, of sorts and was filled with these creative robotic type creatures that could change into a different thing or shape as was needed for the situation.  Seemed pretty void of any spiritual meaning, and I scolded myself for "wasting time."  

But then the Spirit began to unfold similarities and apply them.  

The Bad guys had these radiating green gemstones called "death crystals" or something. (reminded me of kryptonite for those of you who are superman fans.) (Also a good name for illegal drugs that so many get hooked on!)  

I thought of how satan throws his death darts at us loaded for the kill and all wrapped in fear(false evidence appearing real.) The negative thoughts that bombard our minds, the situations that present themselves and look hopeless, as well as the negative words that are spoken in our ears by the media, and people who feel the need to speak what is actually in their own hearts eating away at them.  (The enemy comes but for to steal, kill and destroy...)

I took note of how the main character was an "older" robot who had attempted to confront the enemy in his earlier years, but lacked the fortitude and inner character as of yet, and so ran out on a bunch of folks. He carried around a huge secret guilt and shame at his "failure."  Now here he was facing with this monster enemy again in his old age!  Hmm, shall I just say, all of life is a classroom? And some tests are repeat tests!

A couple of his friends were annoying and comical at the same time.  One was a young robot that talked non stop so fast and repeated himself constantly.  I think he liked to just hear himself speak! At one point the elder had to say, "Be quiet I NEED to hear!"  And so it is with us.  There will be those who attach themselves to us, and some that God gives us ( good to know the difference!) who are young and have not learned how to listen with ears and heart.   They will drain you if you do not set aside time to be alone and listen!

The other creature looked like a dinosaur and he demanded to be explained to all the time.  He did not try to figure anything out on his own, he always wanted someone to feed him all the answers.  There will be those who look to the anointing in your life, and your walk with God, to solve all their problems.
  
They will constantly ask you for prayer, for advice, for answers, but rarely seek them for themselves.  And when you give them, and many times they will not even bother to use what you took time to pray and get for them!

The elder robot, did eventually face his enemy, and won the victory over him with the help of his unlikely friends! And he was able to go back to those that he had run out on and make it up to them.  ( If when you stand to pray at the altar and remember that  your brother have aught against you, leave your gift at the altar and be reconciled with your brother...)

So the kids story had a happy ending. Yaa!  

But can our lives? Yes, they may not turn out the way WE planned for them to turn out,  but they can have a happy ending, when we are walking hand in hand with God.

We can allow God to transform our lives and the world around us through the Power of the Cross.  Through the Blood of The Lamb.  Through our words, our testimony, the speaking of the Word of God. Through the laying down of our lives.

This is what is spoken of in Revelation 12: 11 (AMP)  And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing]. 

Too many quote that great verse and they leave off the third part of it, " and they loved not their lives unto the death." KJV  Acts 1:8 tells us that we shall be witnesses unto him: Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
That word "witness" means MARTYR.  

It used to be that in America, UK, and Germany one did not have to worry about being killed for their faith.  But more and more there is elements of the anti-christ showing through in society, people that want to be free from the yoke and harness and of any reference to religion that would conflict with their stance against God, Jesus Christ and the moral rectitude that such beliefs embrace!  There are also growing sects and religions whose main goal is to wipe out Christianity and Jews alike.   These are no longer relegated to so called "third world" countries. There have been many killings in UK by muslims and even here in America some have lost their lives to "honor killings under the islamic "sharia law" that says if one becomes a Christian they must be put to death! 

How strong is your faith?  Will you live and die for Jesus? Multitudes around the world already have. You may never be a martyr, but will you die to self and Live for Him fully?  

Many years ago, I preached a message in a church based on John 9:4 (NLV )"We must keep on doing the work of Him Who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no man can work."  The word "day" has the meaning and connotation of " a gentler day."  Paul warned Timothy that "perilous times were coming."  I would say that our gentler days are getting fewer.  It is time to be all about the Father's business of proclaiming the Good News and winning the lost to Christ!

It is time to transform our world, even as Jesus told the disciples that the gates of hell would NOT prevail against the church.  So it is TIME for the CHURCH to stand up, to shake of the lethargy, to wipe the sleep out of our eyes and get busy for the kingdom!  It is time to do as the Prophet Isaiah spoke: "Arise SHINE, for Your Light HAS come! And the GLORY of the LORD IS risen upon thee!" ( Isa. 60:1)

That Glory will seek out and destroy what is ungodly. That Glory will purify and bring Righteousness to the forefront. That Glory will cause an amazing display of God's Goodness and Righteousness and His Beauty to be poured out in magnificent quantities.  And just where will this be seen?  In, on, and through God's set apart ones. Those who have washed in the Blood and have allowed Him to cleanse and purify and do an inner work in their hearts and lives. That inner work will now be seen as He can flow unhindered through them!  The Glorious Church will dazzle with the brilliance of White hot Love burning in pure desire for her Lord. 

Rom 12:1(AMP)  I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. 

AMEN. SELAH!