January 30 God is Love Colossians 3:14
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (Colossians 3:14)
I have observed that the Buddhist Monks that are “Walking for Peace,” have created quite a following. The media outlets are devoting major time commitments to cover their path and their mission. On Sunday afternoon, as I was watching television, the news outlet switched for an update on the progress of the Monks, and their wellbeing. I had a thought that crossed my mind, and I wondered if a group of Baptist Pastors took it upon themselves to “Walk for Peace,” and set out, regardless of the conditions, to walk through an area, as a reminder that Peace begins from within, would they attract the same curiosity and crowds that these Monks have attracted and would the local and national news outlets devote any time to covering these Evangelical Christian Pastors and their desire to have “Peace Among the People?” If these Buddhist Monks are successful in encouraging folks to seek Peace, then I wholeheartedly encourage them to go to Minnesota, specifically, Minneapolis, as rapidly as possible. Unfortunately, the individuals that are running the “Protest,” in Minneapolis, are not interested in “Peace,” as much as they are “Chaos,” and whatever the price that must be paid, in order to achieve a narrative that promotes unrest and division! So, I would that folks who disagree with one another, for whatever reason, to consider their motives and to apply Ephesians 4:2: “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…” I know that this desire is not going to happen, today, tomorrow or as long as Good and Evil exists! So, what are we to do as “Born Again Believers?” We are to “Love our Neighbors, Do Good for those that Despitefully use us, Pray for our neighbors for God’s Blessings and Enlightenment, and Continue to be a Strong and Persistent Witness for the Goodness and the Peace that comes from a Relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ! Please be Aware that as Long as this World continues to exist, Evil will be battling Good and you have to decide which Team you will be on and Believers, it is past time to “Armor Up,” and be ready for the battles ahead! Just recently, I had the opportunity to witness to a young man that lives a life very different from mine, and he naturally assumed that I was going to be judgmental and condemning. I asked about his friend, and I inquired about his family and how he was doing after an intense health issue. He began to be a bit more relaxed as we continued to talk, and when I invited him to church, he looked at me and he said, “Really?” I told his, “Absolutely!” Folks, I have a standard by which I live my life, and I have been “called” to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone that I encounter, and I do not have to compromise my Faith, my Beliefs, or my Way of Life, in order to reach out to people, that don’t look like me, or talk like me, or dress like me, or don’t know or understand the standards of my life or the reason for those standards! Friends, we are to live-out Mark 12:30-31: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Regardless, we are to Love! The fundamental difference between the Good that is Jesus and the Evil that is this World, is LOVE! GOD IS LOVE! JESUS IS LOVE! John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Consider the Price that has been paid with the Blood of Jesus! Admit that you are a sinner! Believer that Jesus is the Son of God and that He suffered, Bled and Died on the Cross of Calvary, and that He arose from the grave and is now beside of God the Father! Confess Your Sins and Repent of those sins (Means to turn away from them) and ask Jesus into your heart and to save your soul! Simple, yet so powerful! It is the empowerment that is required to Love the Unlovable! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY YET TO BE!