After almost two years, the next season has arrived. I have been involved in ministry ever since I became a Christian. I spent a few months working with the youth group at my moms church when I was first saved, I worked on the sound system and Sunday school at my old church for about a year or two. I became assistant youth pastor a year after arriving at that church and six months after I was the youth pastor. I worked as youth pastor there for five years (one year was unofficial but I did all the work). And Then I moved to my current church.
This is where the rubber met the road. I came in without a leadership position, without knowing anybody, just relying on God and his word. For the longest time I was disheartened at the idea of being at a church without being a leader. Not because I wanted a title, but simply because I have a heart for people and for ministry. While there I was reminded that I needed to be at church for God Himself, not for ministry. I needed to focus of my relationship with God and that is exactly what I did. I waited for the next season, quietly depending on God.
So last night I was prayed over at my church, the pastors laid hands and we prayed together for release into ministry. My sister and I will be heading up a block team for the City impact ministry at my church. I am excited about the people that we will be helping and impacting and I am excited about what God will be bringing my way. And now I return to the smiles, headaches, frustrations, accomplishments, disagreements, victories and all else that comes with ministry and leadership! I go into this relying on God, knowing that He has placed me here and will do His will through us in the lives of many.
I ask you all to keep My sister and I in prayer throughout this season and the many to come!
Blessings!
About Me
- J
- I love writing. If you want to know anything else just ask me or else read up! I have two blogs ("A Pen Itching To Bleed Onto Paper" and "The Rebirth of J"). One of my blogs (A Pen...) is updated more frequently than the other. "The Rebirth” is more of a story I am writing with my life whereas "A Pen" would be my random thoughts past, present, and future in this unfolding journey I call life. If this is your first time reading my blog, please visit Post #2 for the month of April 2008 in my "A Pen" blog archives... Thanks!
Showing posts with label Social Justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Justice. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
30 Day Project: Day 24
Day 24: A picture of something you wish you could change
I wish I could end this atrocious injustice forever. We're talking about 27 million people that are victims of this crime! these innocent victims are sent to various forms of involuntary servitude including agriculture, child soldiers, pornographic industry, sweatshops, house servants, prostitution, etc. It makes me sick to think that people could enslave others. If i could change anything in this world,I would abolish modern day slavery.
I wish I could end this atrocious injustice forever. We're talking about 27 million people that are victims of this crime! these innocent victims are sent to various forms of involuntary servitude including agriculture, child soldiers, pornographic industry, sweatshops, house servants, prostitution, etc. It makes me sick to think that people could enslave others. If i could change anything in this world,I would abolish modern day slavery.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Pat Rob and Haiti
The recent earthquake in Haiti has really shown the hearts intentions of many people. One of these of course includes the words of “700 club” host Pat Robertson. Robertson made it a point to mention that there was an alleged pact made between the founders of Haiti and the devil that probably brought about all of the calamity that has happened in the past 200 years including this earthquake.
2 points I would like to make.
1. Robertson DOES NOT represent the way that Christians think. Not all Christians think that bad things only happen to bad people. Only those that have an incorrect theology would make such a claim.
2. Churches across the nation made it a point to rise above those of the likes of Pat Robertson and give all of their weekend collection to Relief efforts in Haiti. We are called to love everybody unconditionally and show the Love of Christ either through hands on help, financial help, and/or prayer.
In conclusion, we need to love people without letting our incorrect theology; our own opinions or our biases get in the way. Christ loved us unconditionally and we need to show the same type of love, not only to those around us but any body weather suffering or healthy, rich or poor, Christian or non Christian.
2 points I would like to make.
1. Robertson DOES NOT represent the way that Christians think. Not all Christians think that bad things only happen to bad people. Only those that have an incorrect theology would make such a claim.
2. Churches across the nation made it a point to rise above those of the likes of Pat Robertson and give all of their weekend collection to Relief efforts in Haiti. We are called to love everybody unconditionally and show the Love of Christ either through hands on help, financial help, and/or prayer.
In conclusion, we need to love people without letting our incorrect theology; our own opinions or our biases get in the way. Christ loved us unconditionally and we need to show the same type of love, not only to those around us but any body weather suffering or healthy, rich or poor, Christian or non Christian.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Amos 5:21-24 - Social Justice!
This is a response to a question that a friend asked about Amos 5:21-24
I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want. Amos 5:21-24
Well first you have to take a look at historical context and context of people.
Amos was one of the Minor Prophets. His father was not a prophet and neither was his grandfather, in fact nobody in his family had the gift of prophecy. He was not a priest or a Levite, in fact he was only a shepherd, which means that God chose him a regular man to speak to his people (praise God for that). Amos was from Judah but he was called to prophesy to Israel. As you probably know Israel was a blessed nation, chosen by God and knowledgeable in his laws and statutes. Because they were given the law and knew it by heart its sin was greater. One of their sins was of neglect and indifference towards the poor. The rich people of the nation longed to see the poor oppressed. They would sin in this way (as well as other ways) and then figure they would continue with their sacrifices, with their customs and with their conventions thinking that they could avoid some laws, keep others and still have the favor of God. In this passage we see God condemning Israel for those sins but we also see him offering the way out. He tells them what it is that he wants from them – justice!
We as his chosen people and belonging to the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ (1peter2:9) are similar to the Israelites. We were chosen by God, we were led out of our captivity (sin), we grumble and complain, he shows us grace, we repent and bless his name, and then we fall and sin again. And the cycle repeats itself. Another way that we are similar to Israel, we know the word! We know it and we teach it to our children as well as to all that want it/need it. We quote scripture, we read scripture, we study scripture. We can find every single verse on God’s blessing, we can find every single commandment and ordinance but we often neglect verses the have to do with the poor and the oppressed. We are a rich nation and I say this knowing well that we work hard to make ends meet and we are not rich but we have enough and then some. There are those that have not and those that are struggling just to get the next meal, and those that were born with a disease in their blood that kills mother and child, and those that are born into captivity, etc, etc. And those we figure God will take care of or some non-profit will take care of. But in reality God has called us to love them and care for them. THEY are our neighbor (luke 10:25-37)
When you look at the life of Christ what do you see? You see example after example of God having what they call “compassion” over humanity. (matt 9:36, matt 4:15 mark 1:41). You clearly see God’s heart in these verses; his heart was for the poor, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed. He loved those that nobody would love! (we gotta praise god for that!) And this is not only under the covenant of Grace, you see it throughout the Old Testament Law (exodus 23:6, Leviticus 19:10, deut 15:7, 1 sam 2:8 prov 22:22, micah 6:8). What this is saying is, don’t forget about where my heart is: people.
To have compassion is to be moved from your comfort zone, to align your heart with the heart of God, and to show love to those that nobody shows love to. You don’t show love to those in need because they love God, you show them love because YOU love God and the poor and needy are on God’s heart! Now notice, I’m not talking about preaching to them. We can’t have a hidden agenda or ulterior motive when it comes to the love of Christ. The love of Christ is his love towards a suffering people. His salvation is his love and deliverance combined. So the plan goes as follows: we show Christs love to the people, through the Holy Spirit they become enamored with his love, and then they come to His deliverance!
Sometimes we become so caught up with our own needs that We are preaching love but not showing Christs love. If you notice, Christ didn’t spend most of his time with the rich, or even in the temple, he spent his time with the poor with the needy and with the spiritual thirsty. That says a lot about where his heart really was. Matthew 25:31 talks about God separating the good from the bad and he compares them to sheeps and goats, casting one group into hell. That entire parable is based on what one does for the poor and needy. You see, taking care of the poor and needy isn’t a choice, it’s a commandment. That is something most Christians don’t understand. In fact Christ even puts himself in their shoes and says if you did it for them you did it to me and if you didn’t then rejected me and turned me away.
There is nothing wrong with going to conferences and conventions (lol) what this is saying is that these things are not priority! It’s saying to not be selfish. Its saying don’t sit there and say “God use me” while God is saying “I want you to help those in need and show them my love (or even to be God’s love to them).” Sometimes we think this is about US and how much holy spirit WE can fill up on to be better, when in reality God wants to partner up with us to heal much of the hurt in this world. Sometimes that is spiritual hurt but sometimes that is “my stomach is in pain because I haven’t eaten in 3 days” kind of hurt. God loves our worship, he loves it. But worship and justice go hand in hand. (matt 22:37). You can’t sit there and worship God and ask to have his heart if you are not doing what he says. We know his heart!
Did you know that over 2000 verses in the bible speak on justice? What does that mean? It means that if we read the word we can see exactly where God’s heart is and what he wants us to do. I know that often our churches don’t preach on this subject but it is a reality and a commandment! It is something God has entrusted us with. And now that we know we can do one of two things: 1. Find a way to help the poor, the needy, or those that are victims to injustice 2. We can forget or overlook 2000+ verses and neglect and be indifferent towards victims of injustice.
Seminary professor/author Steve Brown puts it best when he says, “When a Christian sees someone who is physically hungry, a Christian feeds the hungry person. Why? Because hungry people can’t understand the plan of salvation? No. Simply because that person is hungry. That’s what Christians do. And if a person is spiritually hungry, a Christian becomes “one beggar telling another beggar where he or she found bread.” Why? Because that’s what Christians do.
So to bring it home, We need to take care of the poor. We have to fight against injustice. We have to be love, because He is love. We have to help the poor. We have to help the needy. AND we have to do so simply because we love them. It’s not an agenda to get people to accept Christ, it is a mission to show people that God loves them and that we love them. Dr. Cornell West says, “justice is what love looks like in public.” That is what God wants: justice!
I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want. Amos 5:21-24
Well first you have to take a look at historical context and context of people.
Amos was one of the Minor Prophets. His father was not a prophet and neither was his grandfather, in fact nobody in his family had the gift of prophecy. He was not a priest or a Levite, in fact he was only a shepherd, which means that God chose him a regular man to speak to his people (praise God for that). Amos was from Judah but he was called to prophesy to Israel. As you probably know Israel was a blessed nation, chosen by God and knowledgeable in his laws and statutes. Because they were given the law and knew it by heart its sin was greater. One of their sins was of neglect and indifference towards the poor. The rich people of the nation longed to see the poor oppressed. They would sin in this way (as well as other ways) and then figure they would continue with their sacrifices, with their customs and with their conventions thinking that they could avoid some laws, keep others and still have the favor of God. In this passage we see God condemning Israel for those sins but we also see him offering the way out. He tells them what it is that he wants from them – justice!
We as his chosen people and belonging to the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ (1peter2:9) are similar to the Israelites. We were chosen by God, we were led out of our captivity (sin), we grumble and complain, he shows us grace, we repent and bless his name, and then we fall and sin again. And the cycle repeats itself. Another way that we are similar to Israel, we know the word! We know it and we teach it to our children as well as to all that want it/need it. We quote scripture, we read scripture, we study scripture. We can find every single verse on God’s blessing, we can find every single commandment and ordinance but we often neglect verses the have to do with the poor and the oppressed. We are a rich nation and I say this knowing well that we work hard to make ends meet and we are not rich but we have enough and then some. There are those that have not and those that are struggling just to get the next meal, and those that were born with a disease in their blood that kills mother and child, and those that are born into captivity, etc, etc. And those we figure God will take care of or some non-profit will take care of. But in reality God has called us to love them and care for them. THEY are our neighbor (luke 10:25-37)
When you look at the life of Christ what do you see? You see example after example of God having what they call “compassion” over humanity. (matt 9:36, matt 4:15 mark 1:41). You clearly see God’s heart in these verses; his heart was for the poor, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed. He loved those that nobody would love! (we gotta praise god for that!) And this is not only under the covenant of Grace, you see it throughout the Old Testament Law (exodus 23:6, Leviticus 19:10, deut 15:7, 1 sam 2:8 prov 22:22, micah 6:8). What this is saying is, don’t forget about where my heart is: people.
To have compassion is to be moved from your comfort zone, to align your heart with the heart of God, and to show love to those that nobody shows love to. You don’t show love to those in need because they love God, you show them love because YOU love God and the poor and needy are on God’s heart! Now notice, I’m not talking about preaching to them. We can’t have a hidden agenda or ulterior motive when it comes to the love of Christ. The love of Christ is his love towards a suffering people. His salvation is his love and deliverance combined. So the plan goes as follows: we show Christs love to the people, through the Holy Spirit they become enamored with his love, and then they come to His deliverance!
Sometimes we become so caught up with our own needs that We are preaching love but not showing Christs love. If you notice, Christ didn’t spend most of his time with the rich, or even in the temple, he spent his time with the poor with the needy and with the spiritual thirsty. That says a lot about where his heart really was. Matthew 25:31 talks about God separating the good from the bad and he compares them to sheeps and goats, casting one group into hell. That entire parable is based on what one does for the poor and needy. You see, taking care of the poor and needy isn’t a choice, it’s a commandment. That is something most Christians don’t understand. In fact Christ even puts himself in their shoes and says if you did it for them you did it to me and if you didn’t then rejected me and turned me away.
There is nothing wrong with going to conferences and conventions (lol) what this is saying is that these things are not priority! It’s saying to not be selfish. Its saying don’t sit there and say “God use me” while God is saying “I want you to help those in need and show them my love (or even to be God’s love to them).” Sometimes we think this is about US and how much holy spirit WE can fill up on to be better, when in reality God wants to partner up with us to heal much of the hurt in this world. Sometimes that is spiritual hurt but sometimes that is “my stomach is in pain because I haven’t eaten in 3 days” kind of hurt. God loves our worship, he loves it. But worship and justice go hand in hand. (matt 22:37). You can’t sit there and worship God and ask to have his heart if you are not doing what he says. We know his heart!
Did you know that over 2000 verses in the bible speak on justice? What does that mean? It means that if we read the word we can see exactly where God’s heart is and what he wants us to do. I know that often our churches don’t preach on this subject but it is a reality and a commandment! It is something God has entrusted us with. And now that we know we can do one of two things: 1. Find a way to help the poor, the needy, or those that are victims to injustice 2. We can forget or overlook 2000+ verses and neglect and be indifferent towards victims of injustice.
Seminary professor/author Steve Brown puts it best when he says, “When a Christian sees someone who is physically hungry, a Christian feeds the hungry person. Why? Because hungry people can’t understand the plan of salvation? No. Simply because that person is hungry. That’s what Christians do. And if a person is spiritually hungry, a Christian becomes “one beggar telling another beggar where he or she found bread.” Why? Because that’s what Christians do.
So to bring it home, We need to take care of the poor. We have to fight against injustice. We have to be love, because He is love. We have to help the poor. We have to help the needy. AND we have to do so simply because we love them. It’s not an agenda to get people to accept Christ, it is a mission to show people that God loves them and that we love them. Dr. Cornell West says, “justice is what love looks like in public.” That is what God wants: justice!
Monday, January 11, 2010
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: January 11, 2010
Today is National Human Trafficking awareness day and I just wanted to take some time to share some statistics with you.
- Human trafficking can be defined as modern day slavery.
- There are 27 million people today that are victims of Human trafficking.
- People that are trafficked are sent to various forms of involuntary servitude including agriculture, child soldiers, pornographic industry, sweatshops, house servants, prostitution, etc.
- It is estimated that 200,000 American children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry each year.
- It is estimated that 80 percent of human trafficking victims are female and 50 percent are children.
Those are only a few stats about Human trafficking. Please take the time today to educate yourselves on Human trafficking. Also, find a way to help put a stop to Human trafficking either by volunteering time to an organization, spreading awareness about the subject to all those you know, or donating to one of the organizations listed below.
some HT resources:
Not For Sale
The Polaris Project
Somaly Mam Foundation
International Justice Mission
Loose Change to Loosen Chains
Thanks for reading this folks. God Bless.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Our Version of Love...
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Let me ask you a question… do you know God’s love? Its something that can drive you to tears in more ways than one. Its something so beautiful, so perfect that it sounds like a fairy tale. And if you don’t know him, it really is!
The type of love that God is… well lets just say we don’t fully understand it. Our version of love I believe is an attempt to mimic the love of God. But since we are imperfect beings we give into our own selfishness. Our love is not patient, kind, it envies, it boasts and it is VERY proud! It is the complete opposite of His Love. So it makes sense that the divorce rate in the US is about 50 percent. It makes sense that 1.02 billion people are facing chronic hunger in this world right now. It makes sense that Approximately 1.3 million women are physically assaulted by their partners annually in the US.
My Conclusion: WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO LOVE! Our version of love has been tainted by the ideas, trends and culture of this messed up world that we live in! We have learned to stick to our immediate family (sometimes not even that!), ignore all others and fend for ourselves! And this is not only non-Christians, but those in the church are doing the exact same thing and coincidentally painting a misrepresentation of God’s love towards humanity. The church is supposed to be at the forefront of the love movement and instead we are barely beginning to wake up and wipe the crust out of our naively ignorant eyes.
Back to the subject of love, During this Christmas season we see a lot of “good will towards men,” a lot of “Christmas spirit,” a lot of “giving instead of getting” and it is beautiful to see all of that, but what about the other 364 days of the year… what then?? What happens to love the rest of the year?
There is a beautiful, honest, self sacrificing, self- portrait of Love that God painted for us on the Cross. His message: ”I love you, do you believe in me?” and so I know its easy to get caught in the cynicism, doubt and skepticism of this world but I want everybody to know that there is a God that loves you no matter what. All he wants is to start a relationship with you where He is your God and you are his. Not really sure why I’m writing this, but I hope somebody can benefit from it. Merry Christmas Folks!
-J.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Social Injustice
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8
If I really pay attention sometimes I can feel the hand of God upon my life gently leading me, guiding me in the direction that he has for me. Now of course being a human being I deal with the human condition known as selfishness and so as opposed to letting Him guide me, I rebel and try to do what I want to do. I know that sometimes my interaction with Him is like a kid kicking and screaming at a toy store when he wants a certain toy. When I don’t get what I want, however and whenever I want it, I tend to complain and question God and struggle to get my way. I feel like God is just waiting and watching until I remain still again, and then He speaks.
Recently He spoke the above verse into my heart. Specifically my eyes were opened to the vast amount of social injustice taking place in this world while I sit, not exactly living lavishly but doing okay. I don’t have an overabundance of cash flow but sometimes I have a few bucks left over from my check that I quickly splurge on movies, food and good times with my friends. Meanwhile there are people suffering on the other side of the world.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25: 35-40
Thoughts of young boys being dragged into pointless wars as child soldiers, little children dying of malnutrition, parents selling their children to pay off huge overwhelming amounts of debt, little girls headed on a one-way trip to a brothel where at a young age they will be forced to prostitute themselves; things like this are beginning to eat away at me as I live my comfortable lifestyle. As I walk by and see Jesus naked or hungry or sick or in prison, or being trafficked as a sex slave or sold as property (please don’t take offense to this I’m not trying to blaspheme but to say what I feel) I know for a fact that I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!
I’m not going to try to blame this on rich capitalist corporate fat cats or big business-favoring politics because this is an issue that all of us must realize exists and that WE ARE ALL IGNORING THEM!! We are all watching Jesus suffer and we are simply walking right past Him! We teach the Good Samaritan and just turn the other way when we hear stories of human trafficking and injustice. Don’t get me wrong I agree with paying tithe and offering and helping a brother or sister from our church that is in need because we do it for God, but I feel that we need to start looking towards those that are truly in need and instead of ignoring the problem, realizing that WE ARE God’s solution to this problem! And if we as the solution choose to ignore those people in need; if we as the solution ignore the problem and figure that somebody else will handle it; If we as the solution don’t begin allowing the hand of God to lead us in the direction of our suffering brothers and sisters simply because we don’t want to become uncomfortable, then we are not truly Christ followers but religious Pharisees who are looking for ways to justify our tradition and mask our evil hearts with a religious façade that shows others that we are Holy while God sees our heart bare. And I must confess that this is a harsh teaching but a teaching that I am embracing for my life in repentance. And If you don’t feel this is true, then I pray that God would show you the truth through his Holy Spirit.
There are times when I feel the Hand of God leading and guiding me and today I feel Him guiding me in the direction of those suffering from injustice and saying: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
I leave you with this from Isaiah Ch. 1; 13-17 (Message) in a day in age where less than 5% of church attending Christians are actually or financially involved in the fight against human trafficking or any other form of social injustice - The heart of God Towards those that preach “Religion” but don’t follow true religion as taught in the book of James.
"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.
God Bless
If I really pay attention sometimes I can feel the hand of God upon my life gently leading me, guiding me in the direction that he has for me. Now of course being a human being I deal with the human condition known as selfishness and so as opposed to letting Him guide me, I rebel and try to do what I want to do. I know that sometimes my interaction with Him is like a kid kicking and screaming at a toy store when he wants a certain toy. When I don’t get what I want, however and whenever I want it, I tend to complain and question God and struggle to get my way. I feel like God is just waiting and watching until I remain still again, and then He speaks.
Recently He spoke the above verse into my heart. Specifically my eyes were opened to the vast amount of social injustice taking place in this world while I sit, not exactly living lavishly but doing okay. I don’t have an overabundance of cash flow but sometimes I have a few bucks left over from my check that I quickly splurge on movies, food and good times with my friends. Meanwhile there are people suffering on the other side of the world.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25: 35-40
Thoughts of young boys being dragged into pointless wars as child soldiers, little children dying of malnutrition, parents selling their children to pay off huge overwhelming amounts of debt, little girls headed on a one-way trip to a brothel where at a young age they will be forced to prostitute themselves; things like this are beginning to eat away at me as I live my comfortable lifestyle. As I walk by and see Jesus naked or hungry or sick or in prison, or being trafficked as a sex slave or sold as property (please don’t take offense to this I’m not trying to blaspheme but to say what I feel) I know for a fact that I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!
I’m not going to try to blame this on rich capitalist corporate fat cats or big business-favoring politics because this is an issue that all of us must realize exists and that WE ARE ALL IGNORING THEM!! We are all watching Jesus suffer and we are simply walking right past Him! We teach the Good Samaritan and just turn the other way when we hear stories of human trafficking and injustice. Don’t get me wrong I agree with paying tithe and offering and helping a brother or sister from our church that is in need because we do it for God, but I feel that we need to start looking towards those that are truly in need and instead of ignoring the problem, realizing that WE ARE God’s solution to this problem! And if we as the solution choose to ignore those people in need; if we as the solution ignore the problem and figure that somebody else will handle it; If we as the solution don’t begin allowing the hand of God to lead us in the direction of our suffering brothers and sisters simply because we don’t want to become uncomfortable, then we are not truly Christ followers but religious Pharisees who are looking for ways to justify our tradition and mask our evil hearts with a religious façade that shows others that we are Holy while God sees our heart bare. And I must confess that this is a harsh teaching but a teaching that I am embracing for my life in repentance. And If you don’t feel this is true, then I pray that God would show you the truth through his Holy Spirit.
There are times when I feel the Hand of God leading and guiding me and today I feel Him guiding me in the direction of those suffering from injustice and saying: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
I leave you with this from Isaiah Ch. 1; 13-17 (Message) in a day in age where less than 5% of church attending Christians are actually or financially involved in the fight against human trafficking or any other form of social injustice - The heart of God Towards those that preach “Religion” but don’t follow true religion as taught in the book of James.
"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.
God Bless
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