Today’s a new day. If you truly want to find out what a church believes, you do not even need to attend the church. Just check out the social media pages of some pastors and their spouses. As I have scrolled through my social media pages, I have been saddened to see so many pastors and their spouses more concerned about politics than the gospel. So concerned about their political views, they are willing to attack other believers who do not think like/act like/speak like they do. Evangelicals need a wake up call, need to become more compassionate and humble, focused on the gospel. Believers and churches need to stop getting caught up in out right lies and conspiracy theories. Faith community, you can fill every public office with a conservative right-wing candidate and this nation will still be a mess, because the only hope is Jesus. It’s about a heart change, not a Republican, Democrat or Independent change. Wake Up Church. Jesus is love, grace and forgiveness. ~OC
At The Table
Today’s a new day! Let me say this loud and clear. God is not affiliated with any political party. If that statement surprises you, you might need to check your heart. Once again, God is not a Republican or a Democrat. He should never be used as a prop or weapon in political arguments. Sadly, God is often dragged into the political arena. His primary concern is not who’s in the White House or any political position. Obviously, Jesus cares for the needs of America, but he also cares for the needs of every country. Whether they love Him or not. It breaks God’s heart, when his people worship a political party or political figure. That seems to be a major issue among so many Christians today. If you call yourself a Christian, God should be the King of your life. Period!
Please hear me, I am not saying you cannot support your candidate, political party or country. That is your right. Please go vote. But your allegiance cannot be to a political candidate, flag or country. As a Christian, your allegiance should be to God. There will be moments in our lives where what seems to be in the best interest of America, or your political party will go against what God says is true. In those pivotal moments, you will have to choose who’s first in your life. Who reigns over your life?
This is not me pointing my finger at anyone or casting judgement. These are the types of questions we need to asking ourselves. These are the type of discussions we need to be having with each other. Even if we have disagreements. This is an invitation for all of us to sit down at the table. ~OC
Stop and Think
Today’s a new day! Truth really matters. Especially for those who claim to be Christians. As Christians we should strive to be the most honest people on earth. But unfortunately some don’t. As I scroll through social media, I sadly see Christians posting one untruth after another. Are these Christians not doing research on the articles before posting them as truth? Are they more concerned about getting likes than they are about truth? Are they more concerned about their own agenda than the gospel? I will let you answer those questions.
In this age of social media overload, everyone needs to be careful about what we post on social media. But as Christians, we have to be extra careful about what we post on social media and the conversations we engage in. As Christians, we need to be living lives of high character. Sadly that is not what I am seeing from so many followers of Jesus. No, I am seeing some Christians intentionally posting fake stories that have an agenda. They seem to want to disrupt and undermine truth because it does not line up with their agenda. This is especially concerning when those in ministry are the ones posting fake stories. It makes me wonder what they are teaching from the pulpit. As Christians, truth must always be our priority. Anything else is a slap in the face to Jesus. We cannot use the excuse we didn’t know the story was fake. No, we just didn’t do any research. Our post and conversations should be filled with love and truth. Even when the truth doesn’t fit our agenda. The truth should always trump our agenda. Our character should be more important than getting a lot of clicks.
When you see a story that catches your attention, please do the following before posting on your social media pages:
- Actually do some research. Is it true?
- If you find it’s not true, don’t post it. That should be easy.
- Even if you do your research and find out the story is true, is it worth posting? Will posting the story bring glory to God?
- When unsure if you should post a article on social media, just post a cute video of puppies. Everyone loves puppies.
I believe being careful about what we post is important for everyone, but this post was geared towards my brothers and sisters in Christ. Why? Because what Christians post on social media and share in conversation, either build people up or tear them down. The souls of people are in the balance. Please read that sentence again. As Christians we should be more concerned about people and less concerned about pushing an agenda. As believers we should be standing on the truth of Jesus. Without that truth, we are standing on shaky ground.
So the next time you want to post something on social media, remember it’s okay to post nothing and keep your integrity intact. ~OC
A Gift
As we walk through our faith journey, we are instructed to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Why? Because it’s the very essence of who we are in Him. Every breath we breathe comes from God. Think about that for a moment. All that we are is God’s. Every breath is a gift from our Lord. He has given life to our bodies. Not only that, but we have also been bought with a price. A heavy price paid on the Cross. At one point in our lives, we were filled with fear, confusion and ultimately death. In one moment God changed our eternity. Today, we are free from our past. Living in the freedom and victory of God. Each day is a beautiful opportunity to live out God’s purpose for our lives. If our identity is entirely in God, it will be reflected in the way we choose to live our lives. How we love. How we serve. How we forgive. How we respond to the needs around us. How will you use your breath of life…your gift. ~OC
Becoming A Christian
Today’s a new day! Becoming a Christian is more than a one time decision. It’s more than waiting to die with a ticket to Heaven in our hand. No, becoming a believer in Christ is about experiencing Him here and now. To live out a beautiful creative journey.
Living out this God journey actually means believing and truly living out the scriptures. Not just the scriptures we like.
Living out this God journey actually means loving our neighbors. All of our neighbors.
Living this God journey actually means serving all people. Not just the people we deem worthy.
Living out this God journey actually means living in God’s love and unity. Not being separated by the color of our skin, denominations, political parties or anything else that tries to separate us.
Living out this God journey actually means we can have opposing opinions without having division. Being able to listen without judgment or prejudice.
God never said this beautiful journey would be easy. It will take a lot of patience, constructive conversations, listening, wisdom, love, healing and grace. But I personally believe God wants us to experience him in a beautiful creative way, right here on planet earth. ~OC
Reach Out
Today’s a new day! As we scroll through social media, we see smiling faces, positive/uplifting post and some people with thousands of friends. It’s easy to think life is going so well for them. But when’s the last time you reached out to them? When’s the last time you responded to their text or phone call? Behind all those encouraging post and social media friends could be a lonely person, who is just holding on. Let’s not be deceived by what we see on social media. Pick up the phone and call that friend who has been on your heart. Meet up in person to catch up. That friend or loved one who seems to have everything going for them, could actually be drowning. Reach out. ~OC
A Loving Warning
Today’s a new day! People are not abandoning Jesus. People are abandoning churches that use Jesus to push political agendas, choose tithes and numbers over relationships and choose which sins are acceptable. That is just unacceptable to an unbelieving world. It is also unacceptable to a believing world. The Church needs to not only preach the Gospel, but live out the Gospel in words and action.
Even as I write the words above, I love the Church because Jesus loves the Church. This is not an attack on the Church. No, this is a loving warning to those churches who are more concerned about their own agenda than the truth of the Gospel. This loving warning comes from someone who has spent more than half my life in the church. This is a loving warning from someone who has seen the beautiful and ugliness of the Church. This is a loving warning from someone who desires for everyone to find a beautiful, amazing church home. ~OC
Wake Up!
Jesus put this on my heart.
Wake up Christians! Wake up Churches! It’s time to dusk ourselves off. We have been asleep way too long. It’s time to stomp the ground and invite the Holy Spirit to bathe us in Truth. It’s time for Revival and Spiritual Awakening. It’s time to answer the Holy Spirit’s wake up call!. Let’s go! ~OC
Conversation with Jesus
Me: Hey Jesus
Jesus: Hello son.
Me: So many people hurting.
Jesus: Yes.
Me: I don’t like seeing people suffer.
Jesus: I don’t like seeing people suffer either. That was never the plan, but sadly here we are. A broken and hurting world. Guess what my son?
Me: What Jesus?
Jesus: You see the pain, but I feel the hurt, brokenness and pain of everyone walking on planet earth. My heart aches.
Me: Wow!
Jesus: But my child there is something you can do about helping this broken world. At least your part of it.
Me: What? Me?
Jesus: Yes, you. You were created by me. You have all of me in you. People can see you. They can see the Church. Based on what they see in you and the Church, will reflect how they see me. Unfortunately, that picture is not a pretty one. My people and the Church have made it so hard for the world to see my Love, Hope, Peace and Forgiveness. If the lost world could only experience that in you, other believers and the Church. Are you truly willing to surrender everything in your life and serve me?
Me: Yes, Jesus. Use me Jesus.
Jesus: Thank you my son. I will be with you every step of the way. Keep leaning into me.
United
In a divisive age, it’s easy to get caught up in our many differences. From denominational differences, political beliefs, even our favorite sports teams. We tend to argue a lot. With drama flooding our every interaction on social media to the real world, we can feel stressed. angry and alone. But are we really as different as we think?
There’s no escaping our many differences. They’re broadcast to us daily across social media, news outlets,work places and even our places of worship. We are hearing voices of disagreements from people of all walks of life. Sometimes, it feels like nobody is even trying to listen. These are trying times.
It’s tough to admit, but we tend to turn a small disagreement into WWIII. When truth be told, we have much in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, we are all sinners. We all need forgiveness. We all need grace. We all need love. We all need Jesus.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should all be united in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Some of us attend different demonstrations. Those denominations have different ways of doing things. But at the end of the day, if we believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose three days later and is coming back for His children, we should rejoice together and lay our differences at the foot of the Cross. We should stand United. ~OC
