Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Reformation Day

Happy Reformation Day!! October 31st is a day of spiritual celebration for the people of God. We need to lift our voices in praise and honor to our Lord God Almighty as this day reminds us a “fresh” work that God began to do in the lives of His people. Let me share a brief and very simple lesson on Reformation Day.

“Martin Luther, a scholar, took quill in hand, dipped it in his inkwell and penned his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517. These were intended to spark a debate, to stir some soul-searching among his fellow brothers in the church. The 95 theses reminded the church that it needed a reformation. The church, and the world, would never be the same.

One of Luther’s 95 Theses simply declares, “The Church’s true treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ.” That alone is the meaning of Reformation Day. The church lost sight of the gospel because it had long ago covered over the pages of God’s word with layer upon layer of tradition. Tradition always brings about system of works, of earning your way back to God. It was true of the Pharisees, and it was true of medieval Roman Catholicism. Didn’t Christ Himself say, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Reformation Day celebrates the joyful beauty of the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Ligonier Ministries)

I firmly believe that God is calling us back to the powerful transformation that is revealed in the message of the Gospel. Surely each of us can recognize our need for more of God in our lives. How many more tragedies both locally, nationally as well as around the world do we need to hear about until a spirit of “spiritual seriousness” takes hold of our soul? Or have we just grown to accept the world we presently live in as “This is just the way it is now.” I still happen to believe that there is power in the Gospel and the True Gospel brings changes to our lives.

I believe that the Spirit is calling us (the family of God) to counteract and counter attack these evil spirits with the true and genuine LOVE OF GOD. Let me also be clear with these words; “The love of God must be revealed through sincere actions and not just the speaking and writing of words that we have learned to use.” Let me emphasize that I am referencing MY LIFE as well as sharing these thoughts with you.

The time has come for the family of God to unite in love and harmony. It is time for us to lay aside our differences and fulfill the words of Jesus that I will share at the end of this paragraph. It is time to untangle (Hebrews 12:1) ourselves and be about the Father’s business. John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV) (Emphasis Added)

Monday, October 29, 2018

Monday's Musings

My heart is heavy this morning as I look back on the hate crimes that have taken place this last week in Louisville, KY and Pittsburgh, PA. These crimes effect each of us even if we seek to ignore them because they did not take place in or "back yard." It seems (at least to me) that these types of events often embolden others to commit a similar heinous crime against an individual or a group of people that they have chosen to hate. The larger question may be; "How will we choose to fight this hate?"

I am very concerned about the spirits of “hatred and division” that are creating such chaos in our nation. These evil spirits are making an impact in all of our lives whether we want to admit it or not. The powers of darkness are seeking to cover over and in some cases eliminate the LIGHT OF TRUTH!! These powers are attacking our individual lives, our families, our churches, our communities as well as our nation. The family of God MUST ARISE from sleep and cast off our spiritual lethargy. We must allow the TRUE LOVE OF GOD work IN US & THROUGH US!! We must answer hate with God’s love. We must answer division with God’s love!! We must “fight the good fight of faith” immersed in the Love of God so that we can demonstrate that Christianity is more that just a group of words that we have learned to repeat. True Christianity was planned to be lived out in our daily lives through the strength and Love of God that He will provide if we will commit to seeking His face and His presence!!

#ITISTIMETOMOVEFORWARD