After I graduated from college, Tiffany and I began our journey into the ministry. I will never forget the churches we looked at. There was a church in Wyoming that was looking for a youth pastor. The pastor was great but I couldn't see myself falling in love with ranches and rodeos. So we passed on that church.
Then we started to look at another church. They invited us to visit and meet with their team. We didn't take the job. The main reason we turned away from that position was because the church people were struggling with racism. They asked me point blank, "How do you feel about ______ people?" There was a problem and they wanted to know what side we were on. We quickly learned that God was not calling us to that church.
Racism is a difficult thing in our country. We have overcome those obstacles but there are still traces of it. Traces of it in Lagrange County sorry to say. If there is anywhere for people to have the opportunity to start over, it would be in the church and it will be available for anyone, regardless of skin color. That is how God wants it.
Peter had a problem with racism. Peter was a Jewish man who was committed to reaching other Jews. Until God interrupted him and instructed him to let go of this superior attitude and reach the gentiles.
Read about in Acts 10 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
Peter learned that God wanted to give the opportunity to start over with life in the gentile people. Gentiles are non Jews which is the rest of the population on the planet. And look what happened to Cornelius. He and his family gave their lives to Jesus Christ. Peter was amazed and I'm sure he thought to himself, "I could've missed this if I let racism rule my heart. God can change anyone and it is my job to make him known to all." Peter ended up in Rome, which was the epicenter of the earth at that time, preaching the gospel to all people.
God wants to give the opportunity to start over to anyone. Is there someone who needs this good news that you are holding back sharing with? Learn from Peter today.
As you close: Pray that all white, black, hispanic and whoever else lives in our county will surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and experience the opportunity to start over. Pray that our church will reach all people groups in our area.
God Bless!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
HOPE - Opportunity to start over Day 1
Something that is really great about celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ, is that we have hope of starting over. The message of the gospel is that we can hit the start over button and do things differently.
This week we are going to be looking at different people in the bible who, through Jesus were able to start their life over.
Let's start with the apostle Paul. Paul was committed to Judiasm. He was committed to the Law. As the early church began to form, Paul naturally was opposed to it and became a violent aggressor against it. Having people killed and having people thrown into prison were just a few of the violent actions he had taken against the church.
On his way to Damascus to arrest more of those who were following Jesus Christ, something happened that changed his life forever.
Read about it in Acts 9:1-31 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-31&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
"He is my chosen instrument." God said this about Paul. His name was actually Saul but it was changed to Paul. Acts 13:9 is the verse that signifies the change of name..."Then Saul, who was also called Paul..." Many believe this name change is because of the change in Paul's life. Others believe it was to protect his life from those who were trying to kill Saul. Regardless, his life was different because of Jesus.
God can give anyone an opportunity to start over. The past is the past. It can't be changed but our present can. That is God's gift to you.
This Christmas season, remember that God gives the gift of a new beginning. Is there anyone that you know that might need an opportunity to start over with God? Talk to them about it. Now is the time. Is there someone you need to show love to and/or forgive? Now is the time to start over.
As you close: Pray for those who are distant from Jesus. Pray for those who have never surrendered their life to Him.
God Bless!
This week we are going to be looking at different people in the bible who, through Jesus were able to start their life over.
Let's start with the apostle Paul. Paul was committed to Judiasm. He was committed to the Law. As the early church began to form, Paul naturally was opposed to it and became a violent aggressor against it. Having people killed and having people thrown into prison were just a few of the violent actions he had taken against the church.
On his way to Damascus to arrest more of those who were following Jesus Christ, something happened that changed his life forever.
Read about it in Acts 9:1-31 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-31&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
"He is my chosen instrument." God said this about Paul. His name was actually Saul but it was changed to Paul. Acts 13:9 is the verse that signifies the change of name..."Then Saul, who was also called Paul..." Many believe this name change is because of the change in Paul's life. Others believe it was to protect his life from those who were trying to kill Saul. Regardless, his life was different because of Jesus.
God can give anyone an opportunity to start over. The past is the past. It can't be changed but our present can. That is God's gift to you.
This Christmas season, remember that God gives the gift of a new beginning. Is there anyone that you know that might need an opportunity to start over with God? Talk to them about it. Now is the time. Is there someone you need to show love to and/or forgive? Now is the time to start over.
As you close: Pray for those who are distant from Jesus. Pray for those who have never surrendered their life to Him.
God Bless!
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