48.

Dear Luam and Everyone I Know,

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  Thank you for sharing the Word of God.  Thank you for helping us to remind us of our mandate from God.

Luke 6:27-36 (New International Version)

Love for Enemies

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (29) If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. (30) Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. (31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.  (32) If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. (33) And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. (34) And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. (35) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (36) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Forgiveness:

As we set out to mend relationships, there may be some things that are beyond our control.  Some people may refuse to be reconciled, even when we do our best to make amends.  This may leave us feeling like victims.  Once again we are stuck with the pain of unresolved issues.  We may be left with negative feelings that continue to surface.  What can we do to gain control in these situations?

As Jesus said these things, we no longer need to be controlled by other people's dispositions and ac tons.  Even when we have done our best to make amends for the wrongs we have done, the situation may not change.  And even when we have come to terms with the wrongs that have been done against us, our feelings may not change.  But we don't have to be held captive by our feelings or the feelings of others.  We can choose to forgive and act in loving ways.  This will free us from being controlled by anyone other than God.  As we choose to forgive others and do good, our feelings will change with time.

In the verses just before these, the beatitudes and woes serve as a call to be responsive to God in light of his promise of faithfulness to those who are his.  The call to love unconditionally in verses 27-36 is a hard one to follow if we cannot trust that God will one day exercise justice.  The premise of the sacrificial spiritual life is the promise of God's faithful justice.  The beatitudes indicate the kind of person God desires as his child. These blessings are not a works salvation but represent an invitation to let God mold his children into who they ought to be.  So God assures those who are needy that he will care for them.

Jesus offers promises to the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who suffer religious persecution.  God sees their spiritual commitment, which has cost them in the pocketbook. To people such as these God promises the kingdom now and blessing later, including enough to eat, laughter and heavenly reward. Unlike Matthew, Luke includes woes, not just blessings. Jesus divides humankind into two camps (3:15-18--the purging Spirit of fire).  In contrast to the blessed stand the rich, those who are well fed, those who laugh and those who receive praise.  Their fate is sorrow, hunger, mourning and a life like those who followed the false prophets. The contrast is stark.

The term blessed refers to one who is the object of grace and is happy because of it.  Those who are blessed do not face an easy life.  The mention of poverty and deprivation reflects the reality that many early Christians were poor.  In addition, their commitment to Jesus led to their being persecuted like the prophets of old.  In Jewish circles the choice to be a disciple would have meant ostracism.  The goal of such ostracism was to punish and shame the "defector," or perhaps to persuade the defector to return.  Social isolation would bring economic consequences.

But despite such opposition, disciples are blessed, since God promises to care for them.  They belong to his kingdom and are under his rule.  They are the pious poor.  These beatitudes serve to comfort and reassure those who belong to God.  They stand in a long line of the faithful, including the prophets of old. It is often the case that standing up for Jesus and the truth brings ostracism, but God has promised blessing to his children.

The woes also reflect prophetic tradition. A woe warns of condemnation. Here Jesus addresses the judgment of God to the callous rich and others who are comfortable with their state in life while being unconcerned about the needs of others. The lack of a genuine spiritual dimension in their life is seen in the comparison Jesus makes between them and the false prophets. For those who do not engage God on the divinity's terms there looms nothing but the terrible expectation of a day of reckoning. One of the dangers of wealth is that it can lead one to believe a life of independence is possible--a view that Jesus teaches is arrogant and misguided (12:13-21).  The world's values are not God's values. The reversal portrayed in the beatitudes and woes reflects the idea that "the one with the most toys" often loses. God's blessing can be found in surprising places. It rests on those who rest in him.  As I write these words, I am of course feeling the response God has called me to do in the past with the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry.

These verses  are underlined by three concrete examples.  First, if someone strikes us on the cheek, then offer him the other.  Such a slap would be delivered by the back of the hand, though the context here suggests any action that communicates rejection.  Jesus' point is that even in the midst of such rejection, we continue to minister to others and expose ourselves to the threat of rejection.  The ministry of Paul among the Jews in Acts is a clear example of such love.  Love is available and vulnerable, subject to repeated abuse.

Second, Jesus gives the example of someone stealing one's outer garment.  He advises letting them have the undershirt too!  The point is that one should not seek revenge but remain exposed and be willing to take even more risks.  Luke may well be thinking of the danger of missionary travel in the first century or the risk of violence against those who professed Christ.  The situation of Sosthenes in Acts 18:17 comes to mind, as does Paul's risk when he was left for dead in Acts 14:19.  Despite such danger, he continued to preach to those who rejected him (1 Cor 4:9-13; 2 Cor 11:21--12:10).  As the parable of the good Samaritan shows, travel in Jesus' and Luke's day could be dangerous.  In the face of such hostility, the call is to keep loving the enemy.

Third, one is to be generous and not keep account.  Disciples should be marked by a genuine readiness to meet needs.  To the one who begs, give.  From the one who takes, do not seek to get it back.  Begging here probably refers to alms giving.  Resources are not to be hoarded, but generously dispensed.  Paul reflects a similar attitude in 1 Timothy 6:8-18.  In the case of theft, there is to be no pursuit of retribution.  Such self-denial is the essence of love.  The consummate example is the cross.  Jesus gave to those who had taken.

The sheer difficulty of these commands has led to discussion of how literal they are.  Yet Jesus' life makes it clear that he took these standards seriously. When his opponents took his life, he did not seek retribution but prayed for their forgiveness.  He was more interested in giving something that would build than in retrieving what had been taken.  The three illustrations picture the kind of action that manifests radical love.  The world's standards of love should be surpassed (6:32-34).  But we can only accept such a standard if we believe that God will see and reward the faithful.  Without a theological view to build on, Jesus' ethics wilt into futility and foolishness.

So Jesus offers what became known in the sixteenth century as the "golden rule": Do to others as you would have them do to you. The verse has Old Testament roots (Lev 19:18).  In addition, numerous such ethical statements existed in ancient Jewish and Greek culture. Jesus' formulation of the rule, however, is the least self-focused.  Jesus is not saying, "Do good deeds for others so they will return the favor."  Instead he is calling for actions of love regardless of how the other responds.  Nor is he saying, "Think of what you like, then do that for others."  Rather, we are to be sensitive to the needs, feelings and concerns of others and seek to meet them.  Sensitivity in love means listening and serving.  This does not mean ignoring moral limits, as Jesus' own ministry makes clear, but it does mean caring enough to be concerned about how others feel.  The old adage "walk a mile in my shoes" may fit here: look at things from another's perspective and then act with concern.

In the modern world, this would mean not just protesting against abortion but being prepared to care for the child that is born to a mother who has chosen not to abort.  More than this, we are called to continue to love those who go ahead with their intention to abort.  It means not just talking about ethnic oneness in the church but acting out oneness in community, like Paul's crossing ethnic lines to raise funds for believers in need.  Even more, this passage calls us to show tangible concern for unbelievers in need, so when someone tells them that God loves them, they will have seen evidence of such love.

Jesus repeats his examples in verses 32-34 but adds one more point: If we love only those who give us love, what is so great about that kind of love?  It is like the love sinners give.  If we do good only to those who do good to us, what is so special about that?  It is like the love sinners give.  If we lend money only to those who will respond in kind, what is so honorable about that?  It is the ethics sinners have.  The clear implication is that the disciples are not to live and love like sinners.  The love of believers is to be different from the love displayed by the culture.  As children of God, believers have been transformed to live in contrast to the way of sinners, modeling the sacrifice of radical love.

So Jesus summarizes: love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. When we give, it should not be with strings attached.  When we serve, it should be to meet needs, not to give tit for tat.  True service involves a giving that does not demand a giving back.  The essence of relationship for the child of God is to love and serve.

God bless you and your family.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob @ www.waikikibeachooutreach.org 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

49.

Dear Everyone I Know,

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  As I am studying the Bible today, God moved me to Revelations 3:20.  As I am reading it, I am thinking how it could be used in any 12 step program of recovery and significant life changing experiences.  The Bible really is a tool to guide us in our lives like no other book ever written.  I am hoping you enjoy the commentary and God speaks to you.

Revelation 3:20 (New Living Translation)

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends."

The believers in Laodiea were engaged in full-blown denial.  Though they portrayed themselves as being self-sustaining and having no needs, Christ saw their situation differently.  To Him they were spiritually blind and destitute.  But, worst of all, they were spiritually indifferent - LUKEWARM.  Sometimes after making progress in recovery we grow indifferent to our new lifestyle.  We forget how desperate we were before entering recovery and that God is the one who set us free.  We begin to long for things that will lead us back into bondage.  We can avoid that long slide backward by taking honest moral inventory and getting back on track.

Here, Christ is reporting thatin His own churchsome know that He is at the door, but they will not rouse themselves from their spiritual lethargy to open it.  By implication, they will not invite Him into their lives.  As unbelievable as it sounds, there are those in His church who will keep Him on the outside looking in (see Song of Songs 5:2-3)!

But there is hope.  In Revelation 3:20, that word "if" holds out hopehope that a Laodicean can repent, can change, can choose to open the door to Christ rather than ignore Him.  Are we opening the door?  Are we opening ourselves up to Christ to build the kind of relationship that will lead to eternal life (John 17:3)?

Our calling is irrevocable (Romans 11:29), and it is God's will that we succeed (John 6:39-40).  And when a thing is God's will, Isaiah 14:24 says, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand."  God has given us everything we need to succeed; we just have to open the door.

Are we opening the door? There are some easy tests:

Are we diligently praying, studying, meditating, fasting, and not allowing our deceitful and sleepy natures to accept excuses for failure?

Are we opening our minds and hearts during services by being alert and eager?

Are we wise or foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-12)? Have we been lulled to sleep and see no need for urgency (II Peter 3:4)?

God knows the true answers to each one of these questions. Do we?

These relationship-building tools are our Christian responsibilities.  They are the daily, little things given to us that, in a large measure, tell God the real intentions of our hearts.  Failure to handle these "trifles" proves us as unfaithful servants (Luke 16:10-13).

One who gives careless attention to his responsibilities is a Laodicean.  We need to open our doors to Christ as never before because, as Romans 13:11 says, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed."

A song of praise.

Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia. Here our Lord Jesus styles himself, to one steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises.  If religion is worth anything, it is worth every thing.  Christ expects us to be in earnest.  How many professors of gospel doctrine are neither hot nor cold; except as they are indifferent in needful matters, and hot and fiery in disputes about things of lesser moment!  A severe punishment is threatened.  They would give a false opinion of Christianity, as if it were an unholy religion; while others would conclude it could afford no real satisfaction, otherwise its professors would not have been heartless in it, or so ready to seek pleasure or happiness from the world.  One cause of this indifference and inconsistency in religion is, self-conceit and self-delusion.  What a difference between their thoughts of themselves, and the thoughts Christ had of them!  How careful should we be not to cheat our owns souls!  There are many in hell, who once thought themselves far in the way to heaven.  Let us beg of God that we may not be left to flatter and deceive ourselves.  Professors grow proud, as they become carnal and formal.  Their state was wretched in itself.  They were poor; really poor, when they said and thought they were rich.  They could not see their state, nor their way, nor their danger, yet they thought they saw it.  They had not the garment of justification, nor sanctification: they were exposed to sin and shame; their rags that would defile them.  They were naked, without house or harbor, for they were without God, in whom alone the soul of man can find rest and safety.  Good counsel was given by Christ to this sinful people.  Happy those who take his counsel, for all others must perish in their sins.  Christ lets them know where they might have true riches, and how they might have them.  Some things must be parted with, but nothing valuable; and it is only to make room for receiving true riches.  Part with sin and self-confidence, that we may be filled with his hidden treasure.  We must receive from Christ the white raiment He purchased and provided for us; His own imputed righteousness for justification, and the garments of holiness and sanctification.  Let us give ourselves up to His Word and Spirit, and our eyes shall be opened to see our way and our end.  Let us examine ourselves by the rule of His Word, and pray earnestly for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, to take away our pride, prejudices, and worldly lusts.  Sinners ought to take the rebukes of God's word and rod, as tokens of His love to our souls. Christ stood without; knocking, by the dealings of his providence, the warnings and teaching of his word, and the influences of his Spirit.  Christ still graciously, by his word and Spirit, comes to the door of the hearts of sinners. Those who open to Him shall enjoy His presence.  If what he finds would make but a poor feast, what he brings will supply a rich one.  He will give fresh supplies of graces and comforts.  In the conclusion is a promise to the overcoming believer.  Christ himself had temptations and conflicts; he overcame them all, and was more than a conqueror.  Those made like to Christ in His trials, shall be made like to Him in glory.  All is closed with the general demand of attention.  And these counsels, while suited to the churches to which they were addressed, are deeply interesting to all men.

God bless you and your family.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob @ www.waikikibeachoutreach.org (check it out)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

50.

Dear Everyone I Know,

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  I hope you find this to touch your heart in some way as it has mine.

Being In Love

Think back to when you met that man/woman that you just knew would be the
one. Remember when you realized/admitted to yourself that you loved him/her. Now remember how much you wanted to act like you were in a movie, and yell to everyone in the football stadium "I love (fill in the name)!" You told family and friends how perfect he/she was she/he was just what you were looking for.

Well, I told The Lord I love Him today. And He said to me, "How much do you love me? You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you. You haven't shared how perfect my love is. You haven't spread the good news that I am always there to listen to your problems. You haven't told your family how I helped you pay your bills when you didn't have a high paying job, or how I got you a better one.

 You didn't tell your boys/girls how I took away that addiction that would have cost you not only your job, but also that woman/man that was just what you were looking for. So how much
do you really love me?"

So, I said I would share with my friends and family (for starters) just
how wonderful, perfect, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish,
considerate and forgiving God really is. He has blessed me with a family that loves me and friends that I can confide in. But even more than that,
He has saved me from destruction I couldn't even see coming. He gave to me the peace of knowing Him, and He has never broken a promise.

Truly He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I stand in my stadium today to tell to you all, "I Love The Lord

 God bless you and your family.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Erb @ www.waikikibeachoutreach.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

51.

Dear Pat (and Everyone I Know),

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  Thank you for your message.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on love.

God is Love.  Love is used 280 times in the King James Version and 588 times in the New Living Translation of the Bible.  I tend to use the New Living Translation most when I share with others.  The reason should seem obvious, it's all about love.  Jesus' apostle John writes in the most loving way in his writings.  It becomes very obvious that he felt love the greatest of all.  Love is all I desire.  I desire no money or other things that could hold me back from really experiencing love.  Love is the most important gift I desire.  Money can't buy love.  God is Love and money can't buy God.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on love.  I have no probles with your understanding.  I believe God still desires me to have a woman who loves me unconditionally.   Most all the women in my life and who have written me have left me when they found they could get no financial security from me.  God will supply the finances directly to the last woman who enters my life.

 John 14:21
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.

1 John 4:18
Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.

2 Peter 1:7
Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

1 Thessalonians 4:9
But I don't need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God's people. For God himself has taught you to love one another

1 John 4:19
We love each other as a result of his loving us first.

John 15:12
I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (5) or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  (6) It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

Romans 13:8
Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law.

Hebrews 13:1
Continue to love each other with true Christian love.

1 John 5:2
We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments.

1 John 4:20
If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements.

1 Peter 4:8
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Matthew 5:46
If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.

Romans 12:9
Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.

Ephesians 5:25
And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her

John 13:34
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

1 John 2:15
Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.

These are just a few of the scriptures that explain love.  We can invent our own words, but they need to comply with what the Bible tells us what love really is. 

God bless you and your family.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Erb @ www.waikikibeachoutreach.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

52.

Dear Everyone I Know,

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  Someone sent this to me and it touched me enough to dress it up and send it to you.  Not much to say about it, kind of says it by itself.

1. Wake Up !!
Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth,
so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as
talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul."
Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
. . . for what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."
Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!
. . . to the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me".
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!
. . . for something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!
. . . your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Erb @ www.waikikibeachoutreach.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

53.

Dear Luz (and Everyone I Know),

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  Thank you for your note.  Thank you for sharing the scripture Psalm 23.  As I am reviewing this time honored psalm of David, I am being led to respond to it.

Psalm 23 (New Living Translation)

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  (2) He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  (3) He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  (4) Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  (5) You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.  (6) Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

God is our shepherd, and He knows what we need even better than we do.  God wants us to have what is best for us.  As long as we make Him our shepherd, He will lead us to places of safety.  He knows how to direct us away from places where we may be tempted to stumble.  Even when we fall, He can deliver us from our failure, pain, and suffering.  God will help us avoid the places where we have stumbled in the past and guide as we journey toward recovery and deal with significant life changes.

Confidence in God's grace and care.

The Lord is my shepherd.  In these words, we are taught to express our satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men.  With joy we reflects that we have a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah.  A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls.  The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture.  The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is.  Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them.  The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the saints are led; the streams which flow from the Fountain of living waters.  Those only are led by the still waters of comfort, who walk in the paths of righteousness.  The way of duty is the truly pleasant way.  The work of righteousness in peace.  In these paths we cannot walk, unless. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them.  Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and hearken to his voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under.  Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other.  But even in this there are words which lessen the terror.  It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people.  It is a walk through it: we shall not be lost in this valley, but get safe to the mountain on the other side.  Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When we come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; He will guide us with his rod, and sustain us with his staff.  There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms.  The Lord's people feast at his table, upon the provisions of his love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full.  Past experience teaches us believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow us all the days of our lives, and it is our desire and determination, to seek our happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy His love for ever in heaven.  While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation.  But those of us that would be satisfied with the blessings of His house, must keep close to the duties of it.

God bless you and your family.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Erb @ www.waikikibeachoutreach.org and http://www.thehawaiianportal.com/db_clients/613.php

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

54.

Dear Stephen and Rebecca,

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.  Thank you for sharing Gods Words.  Thank you for your love.

I will not be able to respond since I will be traveling on a train for 4 days to go to Ohio and be back in Hawaii June 1st (unless God has new plans for me before then).  I am now homeless, so I will be staying with family until God makes a new way for me.

Luke 6:22 (New Living Translation)

God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man.

When Jesus spoke about Kingdom values, He was speaking about the Importance of following God's priorities in life.  He pronounced blessings and joy for those who follow Him and hunger for God.  But He pronounced sorrows on those who selfishly seek to be rich and live for the moment.  By His his strong words, Jesus was creating a crisis intervention of sorts.  Those who put their greatest trust in money and material goods and do not realize their need for God will one day meet the great Equalizer.  Those who trust in God will be rewarded.

The apostles chosen.

We often think one half hour a great deal to spend in meditation and secret prayer, but Christ was whole nights engaged in these duties.  In serving God, our great care should be not to lose time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another.  The twelve apostles are here named; never were men so privileged, yet one of them had a devil, and proved a traitor.  Those who have not faithful preaching near them, had better travel far than be without it.  It is indeed worth while to go a great way to hear the word of Christ, and to go out of the way of other business for it.  They came to be cured by him, and he healed them. There is a fullness of grace in Christ, and healing virtue in him, ready to go out from him, that is enough for all, enough for each.  Men regard the diseases of the body as greater evils than those of their souls; but the Scripture teaches us differently.

Thank you for sharing God's might Word.  God bless you and your family.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob @ www.waikikibeachoutreach.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx