Whatever is Pure Archives
 I Lift My Eyes Christian Books |
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The Justice God is Seeking: Responding to the Heart of God Through Compassionate Worship |
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The Barbarian Way By Erwin Raphael McManus Erwin McManus (Uprising ) wasn't raised in a Christian home, so when he came to Christ as a college student, he didn't know the rules of the "religious club." He didn't do well in Shakespeare courses, so he didn't really understand the KJV Bible he was given either. But he did understand that prayer was a conversation, and he learned to talk to God and wait for answers. Erwin's way was passionate and rough around the edges - a sincere, barbaric journey to Christ. Barbaric Christians see Jesus differently than civilized Christians. They see disciples differently, and they see Christ's mission differently. The Barbarian Way is a call to escape "civilized" Christianity and become original, powerful, untamed Christians - just as Christ intended. |
Whatever is Pure - May 2004
Their Eyes Were Opened
The reality is: the disciples were looking at a man who happened to be traveling along the same road they were. They did not see Jesus because they did not expect to see Jesus.
How many times on our walks through life do we not see Jesus? How many times do we talk with a co-worker or a parent or a child or a friend or even someone we have never met before and fail to recognize that this person holds a precious piece of Our Lord and Savior within them? And because we don't recognize Jesus in them, we treat them not as we would treat Jesus, but as just our friend, or just our co-worker, or just our child. It must make Jesus terribly sad that for all our flowery words and pious presumptions, we still do not recognize Him in each other.
Moreover, consider this: Is it possible that in religious settings, we look at one another, and instead of seeing Jesus, we see only the other person's religion, their label? And because we don't see Jesus, we say, "You are so obviously not spiritual —look, you stand when we are kneeling, or you use crucifixes instead of picturing the risen Lord, or you pray to statues and icons instead of to the living God, or you don't have our label, and so, obviously God is not going to let you into His kingdom."
Thus, we spend so much time questioning each other's commitment to Jesus and so much time fighting over man-made rules and laws that we forget about those people who are lost and hurting. We forget to do God's real work—ministering to those who are hungry for His word and His truths to come into their lives. Instead, having been seduced by Satan to believe that God's kingdom is some kind of exclusive club, we spend our time fighting with each other about who is going to get in and completely fail to see that the world is going to hell around us.
However, we have the choice to open our eyes and commit ourselves to do God' s work here on earth. Rather than judging, we can reach out to the lost souls—not by telling them about God's love, but by showing them how great God's love is. Witnessing by how we live and how we treat one another, so that they look to us and say, "I want to be like them. I want what they have." And then maybe God's grace will touch their hearts and make them ask, "How do I get it? What do they have that I don't?"
But living this way hinges on whether or not we see Jesus in every single person we happen to walk down a path with in our day-to-day lives. When we look at another person, do we see someone who is worthy of Christ's message? Someone whom God loves beyond measure? Do we see Jesus Himself—lost, hurting, and alone? Or do we see just another person.
Think about the inherent admonition in these words. Our goal should be to treat others not as we want to be treated but as we would treat Jesus Himself. That is God's real work. We are commissioned to spend our time ministering to God's children—rather than trying to improve our status in His eyes or to impress one another.
By opening our eyes to Jesus' presence in the those around us, we will come to see His spirit manifesting in our own lives. And thus we can say as the disciples did at the conclusion to the Emmaus story,
Open your eyes. This opportunity is with you right now. Don't waste this chance to get to know the Jesus who is in your midst at this very moment.
© Staci Stallings
staci_stallings@hotmail.com
Copyright strictly enforced, please write for permission to use in any format.
The Mourning Duo
The duo in grief so deep,
Their journey to Emmaus did keep,
And then a Stranger joined them,
To ask what was their problem.
They wondered how He knew not,
That the . Jews did make a plot,
To kill Christ the Lord of all,
Outside the Jerusalem wall.
And them the Stranger did scold,
For all that were written of old,
Which with faith they did not take,
As if the Lord God could fake.
Then over some broken bread,
They recognized Him who was dead
"It is Jesus Christ the Lord,
He's risen, true is His word!"
© Bunmi Osho-Davies
oshodavies@yahoo.com
Email the author for permission to use.
Soaring Above Fibromyalgia and Hepatitis C
I feel very strongly that the Lord is using these physical conditions in a positive way.
In 1990 I was diagnosed with hip-years back had a blood transfusion. the fibromyalgia is also debilitating daily. I have rededicated my life to the Lord, three years ago. Due to these to conditions my spirits really spiralling down ward for a time. I tried many years to medicate this pain with alcohol; this was only a temporary relief. the condition was still present and I knew deep in the recesses of my mind that the Lord was tugging at my heartstrings. Recommit my faith and full trust in Him, daily.
In 1990 the doctors told me I had to stop drinking to numb my pain or in one year I would be here no longer. I have been sober for fourteen years, and following the Lord's calling for me to write my life's testimonies to help give others hope. My conditions are still present but my faith has been restored, my heart and soul has been given a reprieve, from the destructive path of alcohol. Praise the Lord; I have been off liver treatment for the past three years now. I'm learning how to share my life testimony with others daily.
The blessings just keep flowing in daily, my life has taken on a new an exciting adventure, and I'm living in my dream location. The wilderness of the artic in Alaska. I'm right where I'm supposed to be, I live in simplicity, and humility-obediently answering the calling of the Lord. Each day my devotions-prayers and quite soul reverence come, while fellowshipping with the Lord. Even in my times of physical weariness-I can mount on the wings of the eagles-and let my spirit be renewed. I can soar the highest heights believing in brighter horizon to shine on me another day.
My love for the Lord, fills my cup so it will be overflowing to others in and around my life daily. Daily I will share where ever he places me to share, of the miracles he has done for me. A family and friends as well. We are all connected in one way or another, reinforcing each other daily. I can't imagine a greater journey than following the Lord each day. I pray all of you; will be showered with infinite blessings every day. May the heavenly light of the Lord shine-upon all of you each day. Love prayers and blessings to all.
©Deborah A Shepard
gwheel2@ymtaonline.net
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