Christian Reflection and Prayer

 

 

(in my humble opinion this is a must read article)

 

(The following is an article written by Jim Wallis of
Sojourners, because of the length of the article it
will be divided up in parts.)

 

What Isis and other terror groups who share their
views want is precisely to terrorize us. They want
to turn our fear of them into fear of everyone who
looks like them, and everyone who follows the
religion they are trying to hijack. They want us to
suspect, fear, and hate the 1.6 billion people of the
world who practice Islam--including millions of
Muslim Americans. They want to provoke us to
anger, and they hope, that in our anger and pain
we will overreact.

 

Right now, unfortunately, they are succeeding with
too many of our fellow Christians, and even with
some of the candidates for our highest political
offices.

 

When ISIS terorrists succeed in provoking
Islamophobic responses, they come closer in their
goal of dividing the world into two categories--
Muslems and non-Muslems--which also brings them
closer to their goal of claiming the mantle of being
the only "true defenders" of Islam. Islamophobic best
directly helps the terrorists recruit more young
Muslems to their cause and makes it harder for other
Muslims to work against them. In the next part Mr.
Wallace discusses some ways that we can deny the
terrorists their victor.

 

(Jesus said) "This is My commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than
this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are
My friends if you do what I command you." John 15:12-14

 

WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE

 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because
God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest
among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so
that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we
have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to
be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10

 

Look into the Bethlehem manger, pray in Gethsemane's
Garden, stand before the Roman cross, and go into the
empty tomb. There you will see a love so pure, so
undeserved that it is unique in all the world. Never before
and never again will the world see such care and compassion.

 

These places show that God is love.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Dear Lord, grant that we -- having seen and been saved by
Your love -- may reflect that love to a world, which is lonely,
lost and despairing. May they also see the Savior who is
visible proof of Your love. This I ask in the Savior's Name.
Amen
(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

 

To All Those who follow "The Way", through all this
political rhetoric please remember what we follow!

 

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give
to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me (Matthew 19:21).
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what
belongs to you, do not demand it back (Luke 6:30).
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal
(Matthew 6:19).
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God
(Matthew 19:24).
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as
he had need (Acts 2:44-45).
At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission
of debts (Deuteronomy 15:1).
You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on
money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest. You
may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countrymen you
shall not charge interest, so that the LORD your God may
bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are
about to enter to possess (Deuteronomy 23:18-19).