The webpages on Christian+ Friends of Israel are best viewed with the latest version of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
Este site é melhor visualizado em navegadores atualizados e compatíveis como Mozilla Firefox.
16/03/2016 10:24
 Boston Marathon Bombing Memorials and Vigils. (Photo courtesy of photographer: Carlos Arzaga / copyright© carlos arzaga photography 2013.) |
Leia este artigo em Português
LOSE THE ANGER AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
The world is becoming increasingly violent as people are filled with anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
As we read God's word, we learn how to cope with the stresses of life, and walk in love... even when things don't go the way we want them to.
We are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and he alone can give us the ability to learn to be content in all situations.
God wants his children to become mature Christians, and not throw a fit... like babies... every time he allows divine challenges to change our plans.
Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13... is a spiritual test for a Christian to examine their hearts, to see if they are walking in love.
Paul says, if I speak in tongues of men and angels and do not have charity, my words are harsh, like the sounding of cymbals.
In the dictionary, the word charity means... love and goodwill to men, liberally giving to the poor, not judging others, and acts of kindness.
Paul said, if I have been given the gift of prophesy, understanding of the mysteries of scripture, and have great faith to move mountains, giving all my goods to feed the poor, or burn my body... but have not charity, these gifts profit me nothing ...if our hearts aren't right or our motives pure.
Often times we wear masks. On the outside... to the world we look kind and loving... but God sees the heart, and I know sometimes mine is pretty pathetic.
Jesus is our model for charity. He suffered insults, rejection and persecution.
He taught us to love one another, as he loved us.
A person walking in love does not envy others, boast about their accomplishments, puff themselves up, seek their own self gratification.
They don't provoke others to anger, say unkind things... or even think evil or angry thoughts about another one of God's children.
It saddens me to see many seeking political offices, who claim to be Christian, slandering one another, just to get a seat in government. Many are leading rallies and protest marches against the government or those running for office.
The Bible warns us; we reap what we sow...
If we throw dirt at others to make ourselves look good, someone will eventually throw dirt at us and try to slander our name and reputation.
The Bible says...
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James 1:26
Christians shouldn't laugh or make fun at another's looks... or when someone fails or falls. They speak the truth, don't gossip, bear all things, believe the best about people, and endure all things, just because they love the LORD Jesus and he asks us to model his example.
Prophesies may fail, knowledge may vanish away... but love will never fail. It is the key ingredient to overcoming evil and witnessing to others about Jesus.
Paul says... When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I though as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:11
Charity is the most desirable gift a Christian can walk in, for it covers a multitude of sins.
Not long ago, someone asked me to do something that I had no peace about.
I told them, I didn't want to, but they kept persisting I do what they asked.
I prayed for God to give me wisdom and tried to be as patient as I could to them... for I realized God was testing me... in patience, and the art of walking in love.
Inside my organs were tightening and I was not at all happy... but I knew I had to make a choice to walk in love.
God instructed me... I needed to delete that root of bitterness and anger before it hindered my prayers.
I prayed for the Holy Spirit to help me release the bitterness and anger to Him... and heal my wounded spirit.
Admitting my shame, helped me to get right with God and I began to follow the instructions he gave me to solve my dilemma.
Later, after checking a trusted source, I found out what the person was asking me to do, was illegal.
My friend didn't mean to try to lead me to sin, but was misguided in counsel they received.
I was thankful God told me to confront the issue, and told the person, I would not do what they asked.
That unrest in my spirit was God warning me to stop, pray, and get counsel.
God led me to make a right choice and also created an atmosphere of peace between me and a person who was trying to lead me astray.
Being in relationship with others, often causes conflict, stress, and confusion.
We must keep our mind focused on God and allow his words to guide our thoughts to think on positive things throughout our day, so we can live in peace.
The Apostle Paul wrote...
Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received and heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Paul like Jesus, went through some horrible trials, but had learned the secret of being content. He remembered Jesus and tried to follow his example.
With him all things are possible!
Jesus walked in love and knew we as humans would sometimes fail to... so he came to earth to live and die for our sins.
He laid down his life... so we could have eternal life.
Because of our gratitude for this precious gift, we should desire to follow his commandments and love one another, as he loved us.
Love is not something we will always feel like doing... but in life... we do many things, we don't feel like.
We don't feel like paying our bills, working, going to school or paying taxes... but we do... because we like eat, have shelter, clothes, and protection.
We don't always feel like cleaning our homes... but if we don't, we soon live in a big mess.
If you're suffering from a wounded or bitter spirit today, I pray you will let God take it from your shoulders.
Paul said, we must die daily to our fleshly and worldly desires.
Too often we "die" to the desires... and place those things in a coffin... but forget to bury it. Satan will tempt us during the day, to feel sorry for ourselves and encourage us to open the coffin of emotional wounds.
Soon the old scars reappear and begin to torment us, all over again.
I urge you to bury those old scars and wounds... cleansing them in the blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Ask him to heal you from the inside out.
He's standing at the door of your heart, precious one...
Will you let him come in and help you to change those scars to stars?
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
O most merciful Father,
Holy is Your name...
Thank you for leaving for us, the perfect test of love in the scriptures. I have failed in loving my neighbor and often could not give love, because I had not received your love myself. Instead I carried around a coffin of guilt, shame, and unforgiveness in my body and lived with a spirit of self pity and pain. I ask you to take those evil spirits from my heart. Fill me with wisdom, kindness, and charity towards all people. I need you to forgive me and thank you for your mercy and grace each and every day. Help me to forget what happened in the past and live my life in the present... looking forward to the beautiful future you have waiting for me here on earth and one day in heaven. Keep my eyes and heart focused on the example of my loving Saviour Jesus, so my behavior and thoughts will be holy, for He is holy. Ignite in me a spark, that will light a spark into the hearts of others, so we may overcome evil with good, in all nations of the earth.
Father we pray for a godly leaders for the U.S. in the coming elections.Show us who your chosen people to lead and govern us, so our nation will be blessed and safe. Take out of power all who are corrupt or evil.
Father we pray for all who lost homes and loved ones in the recent storms and war. Bless your children and give them the comfort they need to go through this valley of tears into the light of your love.
With you, all things are possible. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. We are strong, the word of God is in us, and we have overcome the evil one, through our faith in Jesus as our Saviour.
In Jesus' name we pray...
Amen
May the words of this message and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, our strength and our redeemer.
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Freely ye have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
Have a wonderful day filled with happiness and peace!
Valerie Rousseau
