MATTHEW 22:36-40  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  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.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 

     Racism is a form of hatred perpetuated by the devil.  It's a tool of division that generates all sorts of repercussions around the globe.  Most people associate a racist attitude with skin color, but it's more than that.... it's a reflection of our sin nature that is rooted deep in the heart.  We tend to reject anything that's different from ourselves.  Only the love of Jesus can alter the heart, change our fallen nature and make us acceptable with God.

 

     Take our national leader, President Obama, for example....  If you did not vote for him because he was black... you're a racist.  Likewise, if you did vote for him because he was black, ......you're a racist.  Unfortunately, the "race card" was an issue in the 2008 election, ....and continues to be an issue even today.  Republicans are ripping him to shreds and the Democrats are running for cover due to embarrassment....  Three years ago these roles were reversed.  We are quick to judge people for the wrong reasons.  Character, integrity, and a man's heart is the key point when dealing with others. 

 

     Politicians also play another type of "racial card", it's called the "religion card".  Some would have you to believe that Jesus rode an elephant, therefore He must favor the Republicans?  We all know that He rode a donkey, right?... (or would that be "left"?)  The interesting thing is that Jesus never got involved in governmental politics.  His concern was with the church.  Jews had developed a racial pride, so that they believed themselves to be superior to everyone else....  Isn't that what racism is anyway?  Jesus set the whole world free..... Gentiles as well as Jews.  He wants us all.   

 

     Racism continues to be a major issue around the world.  The conflict in the Middle East for example... Jews vs. Muslims.  Tension has been there for thousands of years.  One race of people angry at another.... and it's not just there, it is all over the world...  When people are different, they tend to justify themselves by thinking they are superior.... and sometimes it's motivated even worse things... 

 ROMANS 5:17  For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

 

     This verse of scripture says it all.  If we can get this understanding into our soul, it will change our life.  The scripture is like a stick of dynamite.  Wouldn't you love to grab old Satan by his chin whiskers, yank open his mouth, shove this Word down his throat and lite the fuse?  These words should cause him to have an acute case of indigestion....

 

 

     Paintball....  Several years ago, Sandy bought me a real surprise for my birthday.  It was a paintball gun and all the gear that was needed to go with it.  Having no paint-balling experience, I practiced with the  gun some and got to where I was fairly good with it up to about 100 ft.  Two weeks later, my friend, Dave, and I took off on a Saturday morning to put our new craft to work.  When we got there, we found that it was mostly guys below the age of 21 and a mix of men who were Vietnam war era veterans.  Everyone divided into two teams (red/blue) and the red team headed for the woods.  Our job was to root them out... and paint-em up!  ...Being relatively new to the  sport, I got "painted" on a pretty consistent basis....  It didn't take my super fast brain long to realize that it was easier being on the "defense" rather than the offense.  The defensive posture wasn't nearly as challenging, ... but neither was it nearly as painful.  The young guys were quick and agile, while the "not so young guys" were patient, focused and more accurate....  Since I wasn't nearly so agile, I tended to hang closer with the "mature" guys...  I learned from observing them, listening to their tactics, ....and from experience.  It wasn't long before I was able to "sling paint" with the best of them...  And it was actually kinda kool....  Except when ya got hit with a paintball traveling about 300 ft per second.  It would sting and leave a welt on your body.... which was only temporary, ...but Ouch!  You knew when you were "dead"...

 

     Yesterday morning, Sunday, Sandy awoke and was sick with nausea and dizziness....  Realizing that it was an attack from the enemy, she actually saw this demonic spirit.....  (Sandy is kinda gifted (?) in that way.)  We joined in prayer, speaking to that foul thing, binding it and casting it away in Jesus name.  It took some effort, but eventually it was gone, and Sandy started to recover immediately.  We missed the Sunday morning church service, and wouldn't ya know it, ... the teaching was on spiritual authority and spiritual warfare.  I believe that hindering spirit came for the purpose of blocking us from attending that service.

 

 

     So many people relate "righteousness" with right behavior.  This implies that you have to "act Right" in order to "be Right" with the Lord.  This was a major obstacle in the Old Testament....  Pharisees were the best "Actors of Righteousness" in the world.  They knew all the laws and attempted to become acceptable with God through maintaining the right behavior.  "Acting" within the confines of the Law was their specialty.....  Yet no one was ever able to do so, except Jesus, because the law is impossible for men to keep.  Jesus told us to maintain two commandments: 1) Love God, 2) Love your Neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31)  Only with the help of our Lord are we able to keep even these two commandments....  Yet the Jews had established 640 Laws that were imposed upon their brethren....  No one could do it except Christ Himself.  He was without sin, yet became sin so that we would not have to be bound by the Law. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  

 

     So, what is "righteousness"?  Righteousness has nothing to do  with right behavior, ....(Acting Right).  It has everything to do with being right before God.  And there is only one way to obtain righteousness, and that is through Jesus Christ.  We don't earn it, because that's considered "works", which is impossible.  We are righteous with God, through Jesus, because it is given as a gift from Christ. (Romans 5:17)  It's not right behavior, but it's "right standing".

 

     Our sins are not just forgiven at salvation, but our spirit is completely cleared of all guilt, all stain, .....in effect, our spirit is able to come before a just and righteous God.  We only become righteous through our relationship with Jesus.  He gave us His righteousness.... and He doesn't intend to take it back.  His righteousness stays with us always.

 

     Have you ever wondered what you can do for God?  "How can He use me....?" or... "I'm only one  person in a world of over 6 billion, with very limited skills, talent, resources and vision....  I touch very few people in this world, I impact very few lives and have virtually nothing to offer God..."

 

     Yeah, haven't most of us been there?  Me too.  It is in this condition (broken) that we are most useful to the Lord.  It's when we realize that we cannot do anything apart from Him...  It's when we surrender ourselves, humbly, to God that we become an instrument for His kingdom.  I recall saying this prayer to God.....  "Lord, I know it's not much, but I surrender it all to you... my body, soul and spirit...  I give to you.  Have your way in me."  That's a pretty low state to be in...  But I've come to realize that it's the perfect condition for God.

 

     It's when we are full of ourselves, thinking that we can forge our own path and accomplish our own goals... fulfill our own dreams, ....that's where we first get into trouble.  But, isn't that pretty much how we were raised in America?  Didn't you hear statements like this in your youth:  "You can be anything when you grow up, even the President of the United States."  Yep?  I did.  Kinda gives you the mindset that we are self sufficient.  ....And that's the first step down the path of destruction.

 

     1 Corinthians 1:26 tells us; "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called...."  It took me a very long time to come to the conclusion that putting God first is the key to happiness, joy and a successful life.  It's the only place where we can find total peace and contentment.  Sure, tribulation in this world will push up against us, but that's what our shield of faith is for (Ephesians 6:16), ....and through Christ we are able to overcome any assault of the enemy. (Philippians 4:13  I can do all thing through Christ...)  But more importantly, it's through Him alone that we truly make a difference in this world.  Once we get rid of "self" and fill up with "Him", (Acts 6:3) our total perspective changes...  It no longer matters what I accomplish, but only what He accomplishes through me.  When I say, "To God be the glory!", ...I mean that all of it is for Him.

 
   So is God using me today?  I suppose.  I have impacted a few lives, led some to Christ and I write this blog every day... and you are reading it, along with a lot of others...  I'm content to do whatever the Lord leads me to do and if this is it, forever, then okay.... If there's more, ...then okay...  When I surrendered body, soul and spirit to Him, I became a follower and not an unsuccessful trail blazer... (trail blazers burn out...)  I'm committed to following Him all the days of my life, which is amazing,...when you consider that we are going to have "everlasting life"....(John 3:16)

DEUTERONOMY 30:19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.... 

 

 

     A few weeks ago we attended the funeral of a friend, James Roy Minton, who was buried on his 80th birthday.  He was a good Christian man and a part time preacher.  We all knew him as "Grandpa".  Always with a big smile on his face, it was a pleasure to just talk with him....  He was of a generation that I greatly admire.