Author: lelak630

Children’s Message – 12/2022

Let it, Snow, Let it, Snow, Let it Snow – Isaiah 1:18

(I wrote this message several years ago, I’ve made several corrections and additions)

(You’ll need two things for this message. First, you’ll need to purchase some fake snow. You can buy the kind available at the store and have it in a bag ready to throw. You can also get dry snow online or at some stores, where you add a little water, which becomes a container of snow. Also, an excellent handout would be Hostess (or any brand) cake snowballs. They tie in very nicely with the sheep and white as snow references)

Good Morning!

I want you to raise your hand if you’ve ever seen snow?

How many of you have played in the snow?

How many of you have made snow angels? A snowman? Had a snowball fight?

I can remember a long time ago when I lived in Chicago; one year, it snowed so much that we couldn’t go to school for a whole week. How many of you would like that?

One more question. What color is snow?

That’s right, it’s white. What do you think of when you think of something white?

(It’s clean, it pure, it perfect)

In the book of Isaiah, God says,

“Come now, let us settle the matter. “Says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Who has wool? That’s right, sheep. And the Bible says that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. But how can we be white as snow or wool if we are stained with sin?

(Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins and took them away from us and made us perfect and unstained in God’s eyes) That’s right; Jesus made us white as snow again.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for us, taking our sins away, and making us white as snow again in your Father’s sight.

Amen

Do you think it will snow out here this year? (It may have already snowed in your area, so adjust your question accordingly.) I guess I’ll have to make some snow for you really quick (make snow or throw out prepared snow while you’re speaking) and say this to you, you are all white as snow in God’s sight (throw snow on the kids) Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Merry Christmas

Before you go back to your seats, here’s a snowball for each of you! Please don’t throw them; these snowballs are for eating!

(Hand out snowballs to the children as a reminder of the message)

A Devotion by Joe G

November 28, 2022

“Be Kind”

Ephesians 4:32

My wife, Kathy, and I left the house early this morning. She had some lab work that needed to be done. For the test, she had to fast. Since it was early, I joined her and fasted, also.

When we arrived at the hospital and checked her in, we found out that I also had blood work ordered by one of my doctors. Glad I fasted.😊

After the blood work was all done, we headed to our favorite breakfast restaurant in Cape Canaveral. The servers and hostesses are some of the most patient and friendliest people I have ever met.

We then headed to the local Walmart to pick up a few things. That’s when the niceness of the day ended. As I pulled into a parking place, someone honked at me. To this moment, I have no idea why. We entered the store, and we picked up a couple of items. As I walked around, it wasn’t easy to find anyone smiling.

The lines were somewhat long, and there were many people in the few aisles we went down. I kept thinking to myself, “Everyone looks sad, tired, or annoyed.”

The self-checkout was backed up at least 15 deep when we went to check out. So, I told Kathy to meet me outside (she was driving an electric cart). I walked to the far end of the store to the area where there were 12 self-checkout lanes. I checked out and headed to the door.

As I did this, I saw an employee with a scowl on his face sorting through several returns baskets. Then, I met Kathy outside; we walked (and drove) to our car and loaded her and our purchased items into the vehicle. I then drove the electric cart back into the store where they were kept and plugged it back in.

We then headed home, watching cars cutting each other off, honking at each other, and seeing a couple of gloomy homeless people along the way.

Happy Thanksgiving, and Merry Christmas!

************************* Here’s The point***********************

As I sit at my desk writing this true story, I can’t help but ask myself, What Happened? A few days ago, many of the sad, unhappy, and sometimes difficult people we encountered were sitting at a Thanksgiving Feast. They were thanking God for family and all they have.

I guess we really do need Advent to prepare for the birth of Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

That sounds simple enough. Be kind to each other, and forgive each other, just as Christ has forgiven us.

But wait, there’s more!

Verse 31 says: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

As you may notice, the Bible gives us the good stuff after telling us the bad stuff. So when those horns were honking at people today, I can well imagine there was some anger, if not rage, when it happened. And inside the car, there may have been some slander going on. The employee who had to sort the three carts of groceries may have been a little bitter because he had to do that “dirty job.” Should I go on?

Guess who’s talking to you right now? If you said Joe G., you’d be correct. But I say, I’m someone who is sometimes bitter, angry, and full of rage, and I’ve slandered a person or two in my time. So yeah, I’m not perfect. I screw up; I get my dander up, just like you do.

Once again, Paul said in Ephesians 4:31: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

It’s difficult. Isn’t it? So what does one do? We pray we ask for help to improve. We take time to think before we act or speak. It’s just that easy, isn’t it? No, of course, it isn’t

I can think of three separate times this morning when I waved someone to come out of a parking lot and pull in front of me. Does that make me a saint? Not even close. But I did think for a split second and showed kindness to a fellow human being.

As we approach the day of celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Think before you speak and act. Try and be more Christ-Like. And remember:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Dear Jesus. So many times, we do not treat our fellow man/woman with love and kindness. Please help us to do better. Help us to live our lives like you, being a people of love and compassion.

Amen!

“Giving Thanks”

A Devotion by Joe G

11/23/2022

1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:17; 1Chronicles 16:34

It’s that time of year again. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. In just a few hours, stoves will be cooking turkeys, mixers will be mashing potatoes, and sweet potatoes will be prepared just the way you like them. Of course, let’s not forget the stuffing, the green bean casserole (sorry, not a fan), and the eggnog. And, of course, dinner would not be complete without some homemade pumpkin pie (although some of you will be eating store-bought – not me!)

You all know the history of Thanksgiving in one form or another. The idea was to give thanks to God for the harvest. Thanksgiving Day is a time of families sitting together and sharing a meal, memories, hopes, and dreams.

Let’s stop a moment right here. What are you thankful for? Are you thankful for your family, employment, a roof over your head, or perhaps the meal that will sit before you tomorrow? Maybe, you’re grateful for all of the above.

All of the things, and more, I just mentioned are all things we should be thankful for.

Although, I do believe I missed a couple of things.

*************************Here’s the Point***********************

What did I miss in my list of things we might be thankful for? Over many years of living and hosting or joining others at their homes for Thanksgiving Day, prayer for our bounty has often been missing. All of the things you and I are thankful for this year should be said aloud as we praise God for His many blessing. Those blessings include food, family, friends, jobs, health, and much more.

There is something or someone else I purposely neglected to mention earlier. Jesus. At every meal, especially Thanksgiving, we may have an audience of non-believers, and we are thankful in words and prayer for all we have. Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to us.

Our Faith in Jesus should be our number one thing to be thankful for. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save you and me from sin and eternal punishment. What an excellent time to profess our faith, love, and belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, than at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Tomorrow, celebrate. There’s plenty of time for family, food, fellowship, and don’t forget football. 😊

But, make Jesus number one as you give thanks. Because of His love for us, we may now live forever. Amen

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

A Devotion by Joe G

November 20, 2022

“Endowed with gifts, to do His work.”

Ephesians 2:10; John 13:34-35

For those of you who don’t live in Florida, the photo above is a night-time rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center. I’m very blessed, as I only have to walk out the door of my home to see, hear and experience a rocket launch. Oh, and yes, I did take the photo from my driveway.

It’s pretty amazing when you think about it. It’s only been a little over 60 years that we’ve been sending men and women into space. I remember watching the Apollo astronauts landing on the moon in 1969, then the first Space Shuttle launch and landing. Now we’re working toward colonizing the moon and beyond.

This isn’t science fiction; this is real. It takes thousands of men and women working together and using their gifts to accomplish the common goal of space flight and exploration. And, as the fictional captain of the Star Ship Enterprise would say, “To Go where no (man) one has gone before.”

********************* Here’s the Point*********************

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

One could argue whether space exploration is something God wants us to do. And whether those who work together as a launch team have been endowed with God-given gifts to accomplish just that.

If you read stories from our country’s history, it seems we have always had inquiring minds as a nation and a world. We ask the questions: why, how, where, and what if, quite often. So, does space exploration fall into those asked questions? I believe it does.

But space exploration is but a small part of the good works we were prepared by God to do.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

With our God-given spiritual life, we respond to God’s love through praise, worship, and good works. Doing good works for others shows appreciation for all God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The best part of the good works we do in Christ’s name is that we do them out of love, not for salvation. Salvation has already been taken care of with Christ’s death and resurrection. No amount of good works can save us, so boasting about doing good is not only not helpful, but it is admonished by God.

Jesus said:

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

If we love one another, we should also do good work for one another. For example, helping a friend, sharing a meal with someone, listening to another’s problems, giving to the less fortunate, and putting others’ needs before our own. These are all good works we can and should do in Christ’s name to help others as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dear Jesus. You have set an example for everyone to do good work for others. Help us to follow in your footsteps as we listen, support, and help others, so we, like You, may be a servant to all.

A Devotion by Joe G

It’s not about what you do but what He did for you!

Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16-17

November 11, 2022

We live in an interesting society. So many things we want are directly tied to physically doing something.

“Study hard, so you can get into college.” “Do all your chores daily, and I’ll give you a weekly allowance of $20.” “If you’re a good boy/girl and listen to grandma while I go shopping, I’ll take you for ice cream later.” “Go and clean your room and then you can watch T.V. (Or use your cell phone).

We hear it from our parents, as well as at the workplace. “Work hard, show up early, leave late, and you’ll get promoted someday.” It’s always about us doing something to achieve a goal or receive something that we want.

Having some parameters to work within isn’t the worst thing in the world. We need rules to live by and set goals to attain. Without rules, we live in chaos. And without set goals to strive for, life is just that, life; it’s not living.

Believing in God and receiving eternal life with Him is not tied to what we do but to what He did.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Point<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Unlike in our own lives, when it comes to salvation, it’s not about us; it’s about God and what He did for us. Read the words of the Apostle Paul:

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

Being saved and receiving eternal life is not something we do or earn. Instead, it’s you and I confessing and believing that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He sacrificed his life for ours. He paid our debt of sin by dying on the cross.

Then Jesus rose from the dead. He overcame death, guaranteeing that we, too, shall be saved. How? As I’ve said many times before. By Grace (God’s perfect love for us) through Faith (You and I believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins.)

You’re not alone if, at times, this is hard to accept. But it’s true.

“God has already done what is needed to secure righteousness (He sent His Son as a living sacrifice.); all that we are required to do is believe.”

And as they say in so many infomercials on television, “But wait, there’s more!”

Paul relates an essential point in this passage.

Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13

Paul is precise in this section of the passage. God’s grace and mercy are available to everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, what nationality you are or what religion you are.

To receive God’s gift of grace and eternal life, all we have to do is believe in God’s fulfilled promise. He sent His Son, Jesus, for us. And all you/we have to do is believe.

Of course, passing on this Good News to others doesn’t hurt. But that is for another day’s devotion. So, for now, remember and live out these words spoken by Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

A Devotion by Joe G

“Making God a priority by carving time out of our day to spend with God in Prayer, devotion, and in the Word.”

November 7, 2022

Why is it important to make God a priority during our day by spending time with him in word and prayer?

Let me take you back some years ago when I used to listen to many motivational tapes. (Yes, I said tape, they were cassettes)

I’d listened to speakers like Zig Ziglar, Earl Nightingale, and Lee Iacocca.

Lee Iacocca was the former president of Ford Motor Company. He joined Ford in 1946 and was very influential in developing the Ford Mustang in the 1960s.

In the 1980s, Lee Iacocca became the CEO of Chrysler, bringing the company back from bankruptcy.

To this day, I still remember something he said that changed his life. So, I’ve tried to emulate it in my own.

Lee said this:

God comes 1^st, Family comes 2^nd, Work comes 3^rd, Friends come 4^th, and everything else comes after that.

Lee Iacocca said that everything in his life changed when he adopted this philosophy. On the negative side, he lost many of his so-called friends because they were no longer his top priority.

Let’s take a moment to break these priorities down:

God comes first. This means your personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior come first. That’s why it’s so important to spend time in prayer and devotion with Him.

Pastor Robert Morris said: “You’ll never be able to put God first in areas of your life if you don’t put prayer first. The power to put God first comes from prayer.”

Prayer is our time with God. It should be a conversation with your best friend. The more we talk to God through prayer, the closer we are to him.

Even Jesus took time out to pray to God the Father.

The list continues with Family as the second item. No, we don’t leave our Family in the dust behind God. Remember, God coming first is about your relationship with Him.

Our relationship with our Family needs to be strong, loving, nurturing, and caring. We don’t stop doing for and loving our Family because God comes first.

Just remember, God is our creator, Jesus is our Savior, and someday we will go home to be with God. So why wouldn’t He be our priority?

Here comes the hard one. Work comes third. While working in the retail food industry for years, my Work came first. I worked long, demanding hours, and my Family and God were left far behind.

If we put Work ahead of God and our Family, perhaps it’s time to reassess our priorities and re-evaluate our jobs.

I have some friends who have two children, a son and a daughter. Both of the kids were in my youth group. The young man is now in his second year of college, and their daughter is in high school. Their support for their kids is phenomenal. They plan a dad/son and a mom/daughter trip each year and are involved in many of their kids’ school and extra-curricular activities. Yet, they maintain an outstanding balance of church, love of God, work, Family, and friends. Oh, and by the way, their daughter self-published two children’s books before she even got to high school.

The fourth item on the list I just mentioned is that friends come fourth.

Time and relationships with friends come after God, Family, and Work.

What’s left? Everything else, and it all comes after the first four.

Give it a try! Take time to prioritize what should be important in your life.

It won’t be perfect. Sometimes your job will demand you’re there and not at your kids’ ballgame. That’s ok. Do the best you can. But strive every day to do better. God, Family, Work, Friends, and everything else.

Let’s circle back to prayer, devotions, and reading the Bible.

Where, during your day, do or can you make time for God? Even Jesus took time to go off by himself and pray.

• Mark 6:46 (NIV)

After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

• Luke 6:12 (NIV)

One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God.

• Luke 11:1 (NIV)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

And from there, Jesus taught His disciples what we call the Lord’s Prayer.

I realize that everyone’s schedule is different. Can you take ten minutes to read a Bible verse and pray before Work? After Work? How about before bed? What does your lunch hour look like? How about listening to Christian Radio or soothing background music and praying in your car?

I’m retired, so I get up pretty early every day. I make coffee, grab my cup of morning Joe and my cell phone, and I go into my home office and spend an hour or so in prayer and reading devotions and the Bible. My wife and I pray at every meal, including when we go out (Let the people stare. You’re conversing with your creator.) I also pray short prayers throughout the day, asking God for help where I need it and thanking Him for His many blessings and what He wants me to do for Him.

Take a few minutes today and ask God when a good time is to spend with Him each day. Do you have a quiet spot at home, or maybe your car is the place for you? I sometimes go to Starbucks and read and pray. I have a friend that goes to the beach every Friday and does the same thing.

Here’s what Jesus says in Matthew 6 about Location and how you should pray:

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

About now, you’re saying to yourself, that’s a lot of stuff to digest and process, Joe. And you’re exactly right. So that’s why it’s that time for me to hit the pause button.

One last thing. Here’s something to think about. How should I pray? What do I talk to God about? Are there prayer rules?

Please join me in prayer.

Dear Lord. Sometimes it’s hard to prioritize and find time to spend with you in prayer and in the word. Please, help us to find that time. Please help us to make you and our relationship with you a priority. Thank you for your many blessings Lord, especially the gift of your Son Jesus, who saved us from sin through His death on the cross.

Amen

Have a Blessed day!

A devotion by Joe G

Matthew 20:28; John 13:13-17; Philippians 2:3-5

Are you being served or serving?

My favorite part of being in Ministry is serving others. Over my many years in youth ministry, my students served the church and community in many ways.

Here’s just a sampling of the different ways my students served. My students delivered food baskets to the needy, handed out “Street Eats” bags to the less fortunate, and delivered toys to disadvantaged children at Christmas. They mowed lawns and did yard work. They also painted houses, and as I’ve mentioned before in an earlier devotion, they held doors open for the group and others as we entered and exited retail establishments.

Finally, on several occasions, as part of a Bible study, they washed each other’s feet.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Here’s the Point<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Jesus showed us many examples of serving others during His Ministry on earth. He even told His disciples,

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

In the passage above from Matthew 20:28, Jesus clearly tells His disciples what His purpose on earth is. He was sent by the Father to serve others and give up His life for the world’s sins.

In the Gospel of John 13, Jesus sets an example for His disciples by washing their feet. Jesus gets up from the table (The Last Supper), gets on His knees, and washes each of His disciples’ feet. Why?

It’s an example of how you and I should serve others. Here’s what Jesus said to His disciples after He washed their feet:

“Do you understand what I have just done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right because that is what I am. If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:13-17

Jesus was telling His disciples to put others first. He told them to do as He had done and live a life of service to others.

All those things I mentioned earlier that my students had done for the church and the community were acts of service. This is what you and I are called by our Savior Jesus Christ to do, serve others. Put others’ needs above your own. We can call ourselves disciples only by emulating Jesus’ words and actions.

How can you better serve like Jesus?

Volunteering in your community. Local organizations such as food banks, soup kitchens, and your own church always need volunteers.

Make others more significant than yourself. When was the last time you held a door open for someone or gave a few dollars to a homeless person?

Take time to pray for direction and listen to God. Where and how does God want you to serve others.

Make serving others not something you occasionally do; instead, make it part of your daily life. Put others before your needs and wants the way Christ came to serve rather than be served. Amen.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:3-5

A Devotion by Joe G

“Hearing and Believing”

John 5:24-25

One of my favorite movie series of all time is the Indiana Jones franchise. Surviving one danger after another, Indiana Jones always saves the day and finds a rare artifact like The Ark of the Covenant.

In the movie, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” he needs to cross a vast chasm to recover the Holy Grail, the cup of Christ from the Last Supper, to heal his Father, who had been shot,

“Impossible,” he mutters to himself. “Nobody can jump this.”

He recalls the cryptic instructions his Father gave him for passing this obstacle: Only with a leap from the lion’s head (which is carved near the brink where he stands) can he prove his worth.

Indiana gazes uncertainly at the gap between himself and the far end of the chasm. Outside of the temple, his wounded Father gasps with what may well be his dying breath, “You must believe, boy. You must believe.”

Indy can shy away from the challenge, but that will cost him dearly. Only with the Grail’s power can he save his Father, and only by taking a literal leap of Faith can he advance.

. . Indy alights on a hidden bridge, perfectly sculpted and fashioned to blend in with the rock of the chasm.“

https://www.ryankunz.com/blog/2018/4/27/a-leap-from-the-lions-head

Yes! Indiana Jones saves the day. He crosses the bridge, retrieves the Cup of Christ, and saves his Father.

A fictional character named Indiana Jones needed to have Faith to save his wounded Father. Interestingly enough, we, too, need to have Faith, so we can be saved.

**********************The Point********************

In the Gospel of John chapter 5, Jesus says:

 “Very truly, I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly, I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”             

John 5:24-25

It’s almost too simple to say, yet so often difficult to do. Jesus is telling us that His words are God’s words. If we believe that God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus, and listen to and believe in Him and what He says, we are saved.

And when Jesus says,

“Very truly, I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live,”

Jesus is reiterating His point from verse 4. We are spiritually dead until we listen to His words and believe.          

Perhaps that’s a bit wordy for you. So, let me say it with 4 letters and 4 words I learned from my friend Bob Lenz.

B.G.T.F.

By Grace Through Faith. That’s it! Four letters and four words. We are saved by God’s Grace. Here’s how the Oxford dictionary describes Christian Grace:

“The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.”

That is not too bad a definition. God gives us His undeserved love not because of what we do but because of what He (Jesus) did. I know this next question is a bit redundant, but what did Jesus do?

He came to earth, born of a virgin mother. He lived a perfect life here on earth for about 33 years. During that time, He taught the word of God, healed countless people, admonished sinners, and helped all who asked for it. Then, finally, He was arrested, tortured, and died on the cross for our sins.

Right there. That’s what we need to have Faith in. God loves us unconditionally because, His Son, Jesus, completed His mission. He was sent to earth to die for our sins. By Grace, Through Faith. God’s Grace and our Faith in what Jesus did for humanity.

Indiana Jones took a leap of Faith to save His Father.

God the Father sent His Son to us to teach, guide, heal and sacrifice Himself for us. All we need to do is have Faith and believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Should we change our lifestyle and try and emulate Jesus? Yes! Should we share the story of what God and His Son did for us? Yes!

Always remember: By Grace, Through Faith, we are saved. Amen.

Daily Devotion

Why do we persecute each other?

Matthew 5:44; Acts 9:1-19; John 23:13-14; Matthew 22: 34b-40

Persecution has many names, such as: oppress, victimize, mistreat, torment, harass, intimidate, pick on, bully and hassle, just to name a few.

It’s easy to reference the Bible and read about how Jesus was persecuted for His beliefs and teachings. But what about now, what about today? Sure, people are persecuted for being Christian, gay, and even for having a particular skin color. However, each and every one of these types of persecutions is wrong.

You may have noticed I left one out, political persecution. This is because our society aligns with the left or the right. Now, look at the definitions of persecution above. Do any of the words look familiar when we speak politically about others? It’s sad but true. By the way, this type of persecution is also wrong.

But persecution was around long before we were. 2000 years ago, persecution was an everyday occurrence for a man named Jesus.

_____________________________________________________________

Why is it so difficult for us to follow those simple words from Matthew 5:44?

“But I say love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

As much as Jesus was loved by His followers, He was despised and hated by the Pharisees. Most other religious leaders of His time felt the same way. Yet, He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Let’s look at Saul, who doesn’t enter the Bible until after Jesus has died. He hated Christians and did everything he could to torment and kill them. Let’s read a portion of Acts 9, to see how Jesus turned this man’s heart.

Saul’s Conversion

“Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So, he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 

“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he was blind. So, his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, 

“Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him, so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

So, Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward, he ate some food and regained his strength.”

Over and over in the New Testament, we see moments of Christ’s forgiveness for others. In most cases, we see Jesus responding to someone asking for forgiveness or healing. However, in this instance, we see Jesus confronting someone (Saul) who is persecuting others for being Christ followers.

Although Saul is a persecutor of those who follow Christ, Jesus intervenes and softens Saul’s heart. Jesus shows us that even someone who persecutes Him can be used to advance Christ’s Kingdom and His goals.

“Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”

The most tremendous persecution we see in the Bible is Jesus being crucified on the cross. He was sentenced to death for crimes He did not commit. Yet, even in the midst of all of the pain and suffering, He was enduring, Jesus was forgiving.

“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.” John 23:13-14

Even though He was persecuted, Jesus still loves us today. The next time you think of using any of the terms I used to describe the word persecution (There are others), remember Christ’s words to the Pharisees in Matthew 22.

“The Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34b-40

Love God and love your neighbor. Jesus makes no ifs, ands, or buts about His statement. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s keep that in mind before we spew vile or demeaning language at a fellow brother or sister. Amen.

Joe G.