Monday, January 20, 2014

Guiltless But Guilty!

Luke 23: 1-5
Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.

Have you ever been there, judged as guilty even though you are guiltless.  It is a strange and lonely feeling when you find yourself condemned for something you are not guilty of.  Jesus was accused of blasphemy for proclaiming he was the son of God, it was a truth that many could not accept and thus they found him guilty even though he was guiltless.

We too will encounter times where we are condemned for simply speaking the truth or for doing what we know to be right even though others may call it wrong.  In Christ we have no choice but to do as he did, proclaim the truth and/or do right accepting the consequences whatever they may be.

The challenge for us as believers is to overcome the fear of consequence often used by the enemy to dissuade us from doing what our spirit confirms to be right.  This fear can only be overcome through God's word; the knowledge and power promised by his words.  He did not give us a spirit of fear and there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.  In Christ we are left to stand up for His truth, a truth that sets us free from guilt even when others would find us guilty.   Whatever you may face, stand in Christ's truth and when others find you guilty, know that in him your are guiltless.  Just a litlle advice to go!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

The Joy of the Lord Heals Your Pain!

Celebrating Jesus' birth always reminds me of his resurrection, the fact that he died but then rose from the grave.  He was alive and walking on planet earth as if he never died and had the scars to prove it.  Jesus had the scars on his hands and the wound on his side evidencing the devastation he endured and overcame so that we could be set green from the pain of our sins. (John 20:27)

As believers we often forget that as long as we are in this world we too bear the scars of the sins and suffering we have endured.  Whether physical or emotional, the scars bear witness not only of the suffering but of the miracle of Christ's healing.  The scars and memories remain, but the pain is alleviated by the joy of his salvation.  The bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength, we need only to receive him, believe in him, and live in him to receive that joy.  That joy illuminates the greatness of God in our lives, overcoming the darkness and pain of this world.  Yes, trials and weeping may come in the nighttime but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)

Let your scars serve not as reminders of the pain and suffering you have endured, but as reminders of  your rebirth in Christ, your deliverance from the evil of this world, your victory over the pain of the past, and your new found joy in the Lord!  Just a little advice to go!

A2G: Blessings in 2014

Blessings to each of you as your start 2014!  God's word offers us the following promise in Deuteronomy 1:11

11May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!

I claim that word for each of you, praying that your relationship with Christ, your family, loved ones, and friends would would be increased a thousand times.  I also pray that your finances would increase a thousand times allowing you to receive much so that you may bless others with much!

Debbie and I find ourselves blessed in this new year as our parents who have struggled with health challenges begin the new year with us, our children are doing well, and we continue in our service to our heavenly father.  Debbie began a new job this year working at Seton Homes serving single teen moms and I continue to work at Haven for Hope serving homeless men, women, and families.  We are blessed to be able to live our ministry every day both at home and work.

My commitment to God's service includes sharing my weekly devotional, Advice to go,  which can be challenging at times due to my commitment to work, school, volunteering at Bexar County, and much more.  But I will do my best to share the messages that God brings to my life in the hope they will bless you as they have blessed me!  Happy New Year!  Just a little advice to go!