Rom 12:17

 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
(my commentary): The word "honest" here is from the Greek "kalos" which translates as moral or virtuous. This verse isn't saying to do what MEN consider honest or good...if THAT were the case I'd have to accept homosexual marriage, abortion and a mess of other things that are right in the sight of men. It literally means to be a GODLY example in the sight of men.

Many Christians and most Pentecostals and charismatics are Pharisees. They have taken scripture and (pun intended) made it gospel. They have written their own laws and if you don't adhere to them your salvation is suspect.
You pray silently? God doesn't hear you. You don't speak in tongues? You're not filled with the Holy Spirit.
These people are so dogmatic in their beliefs that they can't see the grace of God at work in someone's life. They require signs and procedures. In becoming non-denominational they have created their own denomination. Rather than freeing themselves through the truth in Christ, they have forged more chains to bind themselves.
The grace and mercy of God is not bound by rules. Don't try to make more rules that get in the way.
I pray silently a lot and I enjoy the most profound presence of God when I do. I rarely speak in tongues and I am spirit-filled.
The grace of God is unending and ever surprising. Don't try to limit it.

I have no scriptural basis for this thought whatsoever, but I wonder...?
Does everyone have a "thorn in the flesh" that they are left with just to keep them humble? Bi-polar, alcoholism, depression, etc ad infinitum...
Some of our greatest Christian souls have been plagued by these and more. These are the ones who know God's grace because they're so screwed up. Those that can't admit their faults are those who can't understand grace.

Water Baptism and God's Mercy

(ref. Psalm 32:10) Baptism is a symbol of God's mercy toward us through Christ's death in our place---He took the punishment and paid the price of our sin so we wouldn't have to. When we are baptized by being SUBMERGED, this symbolizes Christ's death. Like the water when we are submerged, God's MERCY surrounds those that trust in His saving power...we are immersed in His love and mercy.

Looking at ourselves when facing the Eternal, we are humbled by our limitations, by our flaws, by our past.
God doesn't see any of these; He sees potential, He sees a blank slate upon which He can write our story, He sees His child...flawed, but striving. How many of us would look at our own flawed, striving children and not let our love for them overshadow those very same flaws that prevent them from reaching the potential that is theirs? We would do whatever it takes to allow them to reach the ultimate level of their potential. God does more.      John 3:16

The wild, crazy love of God is just that! How else can you explain Someone who loves you when you hate Him, when you mock Him, when you laugh at the sacrifice He made for you? His only desire is that you love Him back! He doesn't care that you might have flaws...gay, drug addict, alcoholic, adulterer...all He cares about is that you love Him and, through that love, you will be changed into something grand!

Php 3:12

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Those are Paul's words. Let's put them into a simple thought: I have not reached the place where God wants me to be, but I'm going to keep trying until I get there.
Simply put, God has in mind what He wants for us, as Christians (if you're not Christian, this doesn't apply). He makes it known to us through various means what he wants for us. He puts the longing in your path; what are you going to do with it?

Whose Will Is It Anyway?

The Holy Spirit moves us to His will. As Christians, we are to be led by this Spirit, while so often we are more led by our emotions (what will so and so think of me if I ask to pray for them?). Time to come out of our own little worlds. If Jesus or Peter or Paul had taken time to consider what others might think of them, we would not have redemption, teachings and Christianity as we know it. We would not have redemption or salvation. So...GET OVER YOURSELF! Follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit; He knows more than you.

Do We Have Rights?

As Christians, we abdicate our right to demand our rights. We put others ahead of ourselves. This means that we do not take offense, neither do we give offense. You may have been a Christian for 50 years, but there's still a lot of room to mature.

Take A Jar

Take a jar...that's you. Fill it with pebbles...that's everything, good and bad, in your life. Top it off with water...that's Jesus. See how the water works it's way through the nooks and crannies until it touches every single pebble? That's how Jesus wants to be...touching every part of your life so that He can help you through the hard times and help you celebrate the good times.

Comparitive Religions 101

Anyone notice that Hinduism, Islam, Baha'i, etc...all maintain the idea that YOU have to do something to make their god happy with you. Only Christianity shows that God Himself did something FOR you to make YOU happy with Him...He died for you, reconciling you to Him.

Setting Your Heart On the Things of God

Through many of the Psalms, David speaks of setting your heart to the things of God. This means that, when you don't feel like it, read your Bible. When you feel particularly ignored by God, pray. When you just want to be left alone, fellowship and serve. Setting your heart to the things of God means ESPECIALLY when you don't feel like it! When David was at his lowest, through compromise and fear at Ziklag, he STILL set his heart on the things of God even when he was more worried about his family and serving a foreign king against his own people. Set your heart on God when you feel far away and He will draw you closer.

A Post-African America

Historically, not racially ( oh MY...I hope I don't sound racist!), MOST (South Africa under Mandela was an exception), African countries that reverted to African rule ended up as nepotistic dictatorships. The leaders passed laws that benefited those that supported them and ended up raping the treasuries on redecorating, parties and vacations while the people suffered. Kenya is a PRIME example. Much of 20th Century Africa was STEEPED in Marxist doctrine and our "beloved leader" learned that doctrine from an early age. Our present national crisis reflects Obama's heritage and his politics. We are on our way to becoming a banana republic and the current Obama administration is to blame. BUT THE CONGRESS IS NOT WITHOUT BLAME. Spineless jellyfish that they are. Withhold funding and you prevent unconstitutional behavior. And Congress can do that. But they prefer to waffle instead of upholding their oath to PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES!

What Is Love?

What is love? Love is a conscious choice inspired by an outflowing of love from someone else. Love is not a fluffy feel-good emotion. It is waking up in the morning and saying, "I will continue to love this person". You may have arguments, disagreements and you may simply have a day when you don't like someone. But you will still love them because of that conscious decision. That being said, Mat 22:37 states, " Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. "
Jesus was quoting the Old Testament. But notice something...He doesn't say, you CAN love...He says, you WILL love. This is prophetic. There will come a time when God's people WILL love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and (according to Mark) strength! We will make a conscious decision to put all else aside and love the Lord God with EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT! Can we get an early start on that?