Christ Daily

‘God Hates Fags.’  Did you know that that’s a biblical principle?  Haha, no; I didn’t either.

Try telling that to the overzealous members of the ‘church’ known as ‘Westboro Baptist,’ pictured below.

In case you didn’t know, ‘fag’ is a slang term, meaning ‘homosexual.’  It originated as a term of a young male servant, somehow evolved to mean ‘cigarette,’ and now it means ‘homosexual.’  Who wudda thunk it?

Seriously, though – this ‘church,’ Westboro Baptist, has made it their mission in life to spread hate and malice towards other people.  Not only do they protest anything homosexual, but they protest and picket funerals of fallen American soldiers, claiming their death was a blessing from God, and they they deserve death.  Oh, and they hate ‘Fag Enablers,’ whatever them means.  Maybe it’s someone that doesn’t go out and stone gay people?  Not sure.

What I do know is this; these people are not Christians.  Not that they’re getting it wrong, or they are ‘confused’ Christians; they just don’t know Jesus at all.  This is evident by their actions.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:35

Our love will PROVE to the world who we are.  Gosh, makes you think doesn’t it?  Unloving Christians have become such a majority that now it’s the norm – it’s how the world looks at Christians.  Unloving.  Hateful.  Indifferent.  Uncaring.  Hypocritical.  Know what the sad thing is?  THEY’RE CORRECT!

How many Christians do you know would fit in perfectly with Westboro Baptist?  How many Christians do you know would rather sing hymns about how holy they are rather then show an ounce of kindness to a Non-Christian?  That’s a doozy, isn’t it?  Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations, not to obsess over each other; our brothers and sisters in Christ.  He called us to LOVE.  Why?  Because that would prove to the world who we were, and who we belonged to.

So, go about your day thinking of that.  Do you love others the way Christ did?  Love is a lifestyle, it’s not an act of kindness or a signup sheet for a charity.  So, ask yourself that again; do YOU love?

Thanks for reading!

written by Matt \\ tags: Disciples, Great Commission, Jesus, Kindness, Love, World

Your house is on the verge of foreclosure. Your employer told you today the company will start doing some layoffs starting next month, and unfortunately you’re one of them. Your car is still in the shop, and you have a strong feeling that the mechanic is doing more harm than good. You just now remembered you forgot to feed the dog before you left the house. And on top of all that, it’s raining outside.

Yeah.

I know we all go through times like this in life, and they can be really hard. How are you going to deal with all this stress?! What’s all out there? Who are you going to listen to? Some people might recommend eating more food – lots more. Others may suggest to try smoking. The guy down the street may tell you to throw your hands up and file bankruptcy. There are so many influences out there – who should we really be listening to?

None other than God, of course!

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

- Exodus 33:14

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

- Psalm 9:9-10

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

- Psalm 37:3-5, 7a

It’s important to tune into God’s Word. In times of high stress and trouble, listen to Him, and only Him – be careful of negative influences out there, because there are many. Keep your eyes on God, and He won’t steer you wrong!

written by Josh \\ tags: control, Exodus, God, Jesus, life, Psalm, stress, trust

When we truly have Jesus in our hearts and at the center of our lives, it only becomes natural for us to want to share Him with others. And He wants us to do just that – to spread the Word – and to do it however we can.

We each have individual talents that God has blessed us with. For some, it is writing. For others, editing video is their specialty. Some have been blessed with the ability to paint and draw beautiful works of art. Others are brilliant musicians.

The list in infinite, and ultimately here’s the point: use what God gave you to do his work. And naturally, if we do, in fact, have Jesus at the center of our lives, we can’t help but want to get the Word out and tell others about Him. And what better way to do that than what you do best?

written by Josh \\ tags: God, Jesus, witnessing

When we follow Jesus, why are why doing it? Why, exactly, are we following him? And on top of that, is it really following him?

There are many out there who give generously at offerings in worship services, but are they giving out of their hearts, or because they want the many blessings that God may give us as a result of their giving? Some people may follow Jesus for the fact that he’ll protect and watch over us, but they don’t really care about obeying his commands or being obedient about anything else whatsoever.

But again, is that really following God?

²⁶Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

- John 6:26-27

Jesus told this to the group of 5,000 that he had fed the day before. No doubt some were continuing to follow him because they believe he was who he said he was, but there were others who were probably doing it merely for physical and temporary benefits – not satisfying their spiritual hunger.

Too many people use religion as a way of showing prestige or looking “good” and “reverent”. However, those are self-centered motives. So there is only one real answer to the question at the top: true believers follow Jesus purely because He is the way, the truth, and the light, and his way is the right way to live.

written by Josh \\ tags: Jesus, John, obedience, spiritual hunger

I apologize for the lack of posting recently. We have been quite busy between our personal lives and working on the next big thing here for Christ Daily. More information on that in the near future!

I started reading John chapter 8 last night, and paid particular attention to the first story in it. Here’s how it goes:

¹But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

   But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

¹¹"No one, sir," she said.
      "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

- John 8:1-11

I’m sure we’ve all heard this story at one point or another, and it is indeed a good one. The leaders who brought this woman to Jesus were trying to put him in a trap: The law required the woman (and her partner) to be stoned, and if Jesus told them not to stone her, he would be violating the law. If he urged them to execute her, he’d have been reported. Instead, Jesus upheld the punishment, but said only those who have not sinned could punish her. Jesus did not condemn this adulterous woman; instead, he forgave her, and told her to leave her life of sin and straighten herself out.

How many times do you automatically condemn someone when they sin? Even if it’s not out loud – even if it’s in your head – don’t you realize that you, too, have sinned? I have sinned with you. We all have sinned. It’s not our job to judge others – that’s ultimately God’s. Our job is to love and forgive each other.

Thanks for reading!

- Josh

written by Josh \\ tags: condemning, Forgiveness, God, grace, Jesus, John, judging