Good morning and glorious Saturday to you all. I included the Haiti slide once again in case you are interested in helping out. We are now half-way to our goal. Praise the Lord!
We had an incredible day last Sunday. We actually had three services and it all went well. It was so good to have David Kaya come at our special service and speak to us about what God is doing in South Sudan and Uganda. A fresh reminder of what believers are going through in other places around the world. Please pray for those courageous believers that are willing to suffer persecution and death so that the Gospel can be advanced. Pray also for the people of Haiti that are suffering through political and social instability, the rampant covid crisis, the earthquake, a tropical storm, and gang violence. In the midst of that, there are believers like brother Jacques that continue the work of ministry. Praise God for those that realize there is something greater than the comforts of this world.
As I was working last week, I noticed a sign on a door that read, “This door to remain closed at all times.” I wondered what the purpose of having a door if it had to be closed all of the time. Did it mean that it was to be kept closed unless you were actually using it as a door? If so, that is not what the sign said. As you are aware, a door is used for ingress and egress, to go in and out of. However, if it cannot be opened at any time, it seems to me it has become useless as a door. Should it still even be referred to as a door? If it is inoperable, hasn’t it become part of the wall even if it still looks like a door? You could actually take some paint and apply it to any wall and make it look like a door exists there. But unless there is a usable opening it is simply a mirage. During the same week I noticed another sign on a door. It informed the reader that the exit was blocked. Pop quiz time – what is an exit used for? To get out of a room, building, etc. So, if it is blocked, is it really still an exit? If you cannot use it, if it has been rendered inoperable, at what point does it lose its right to be referred to as an exit?
Sadly, as you look around the world, you can begin to wonder the same thing about Christians. As Christians, we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to grow in our faith, and we are to become more like Him in what we think, say and do. Through the Holy Spirit, we can begin taking on the characteristics of Jesus. However, if we are not careful, we can allow the world to influence us more so than the Word of God. When that happens, we become like the doors I mentioned earlier. We may still be called a Christian, but are we still functioning as one? Do you realize that sin, apathy and selfishness can render you inoperable or ineffective in your witness for Christ?
This reminds of the passage David Kaya mentioned in his message on Sunday. From Matthew 5:13-16 we read:
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
If salt is no longer salty or a light is no longer visible, what good are they? They might still be referred to as salt and light, but they are not functioning as they should. In John 13:34-35, Jesus taught these incredible profound words:
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In the same self-less, sacrificial, putting others ahead of ourselves, with humility and purity of heart, we are to love one another. If we don’t, will everyone or anyone actually believe we are His disciples?
32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. 1Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.(Ephesians 4:32-5:2)
Never stop seeking to grow in your faith. Allow God to work in your life. Become all that He desires for you to be. Never forget, we are left here on earth to represent Jesus. Whatever you do, don’t become ineffective and inoperable like those doors I mentioned.
From our neighborhoods to the nations,
Pastor Larry
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