lifeinthespirit222

“The Poor Will Always Be With You”

PART I – Who Are They?

Most of us are familiar with this verse from John 12. But what does it mean and how does it affect our lives? Is it an excuse to pass them by (like the priest and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan) because they will never change and always be with us? Jesus teaches otherwise, and even describes how OUR TREATMENT OF THE POOR HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES FOR EACH OF US.

The poor includes people who have fallen on hard times, some who lost their jobs and are unable to find work, some are unable to work, some are ne’er-do-wells who will not work, some are drug addicts or alcoholics, and some have hearts hungry for love and truth. Our responsibility is to be sowers of God’s truth and love, then let God sort them out; that’s His job, not ours.

Do you know anyone as a friend who is poor, with limited or no financial resources? In recent months, I have come to know three limited resource persons (described as “poor” by our society). It has opened up a new awareness of their life experiences, how they live, what they value, and even their religious beliefs. Realizing that this is from a limited number of people, the following is what I have learned.

Limited Resource Persons (my preferred term to “poor”):

Have life crises, just like you and me, but with limited or no safety net and support network.
May be just one crisis away from losing a job and homelessness (severe illness, car breaks down, family crisis requiring them to care for a loved one at home, etc.) People with resources can typically handle crises more easily.
Make unwise (and often sinful) decisions, just like the rest of us, but the stakes are higher because they don’t have the resources to recover.
May have serious health issues that are unattended to.
Experience more crime because they can’t afford to live in nicer, safer areas.
May have been homeless for a time, but did not stay that way.
Have a short time horizon, as short as 24 hours. It is hard to plan for the future on an empty stomach.

How Did They Get That Way? Often a mix of:

a terrible home life that did not prepare them with life skills, attitudes, habits, and relationships necessary to function in the working world,
unwise (and often sinful) decisions they made, or people around them making unwise decisions that directly affect them,
having bad breaks – they get cancer, their employer goes bankrupt, etc.
experiencing physical, mental, or sexual abuse growing up, which traumatized their souls, their lives, and how they relate to other people,
relying on alcohol and drugs to numb the pain and suffering in their lives. and
often have several interrelated, intractable problems (called wicked problems) – they can’t keep a job because their vehicle breaks down, but they can’t afford a reliable vehicle because they don’t have the money (because they can’t keep a job) and on and on.

How God Sees Limited Resource Persons

Society says these people are addicted, but our Lord sees them as afflicted. They are sinners, just like you and me, and they need the Lord – the truth and love of Christ. When we focus on their sin and shortcomings, we will not see their pain, loneliness, and suffering. And if we have not walked in their shoes, it is difficult to truly grasp what they are struggling with on a daily basis.

Limited resource persons may be Spirit-led Christians who effectively witness to many people you or I may never encounter. The three limited resource friends I know are the most fervent and effective evangelists that I know. They are materially poor but spiritually rich, and share their spiritual wealth freely with everyone who comes across their path. They are real missionaries, reaching people with the good news of Christ – people we will likely never meet, but all loved by God.

True Riches and True Poverty

This takes us to another level, seeing how Christ looks at poverty – true poverty. In Revelation 3, Christ spoke (through John) to the church of Smyrna, the persecuted church: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)”. He then spoke to the Church of Laodicea (the lukewarm church), saying: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich.”

Jesus describes how we can be materially wealthy but spiritually poor (true poverty) and therefore are on the broad path that takes us to the Lake of Fire. Jesus sent out the disciples 2 by 2, without any money. So they would have been poor in the eyes of the world, but they carried true riches with them – the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven that do not feed the body, but feed the soul unto eternal life. In Acts 3:6, Peter stated to a lame man: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The lame man was healed, “and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:8

Limited resource persons are image bearers of God, and God tells us to care for them as He cares for us. In Matthew 25, Jesus, spoke to His disciples about the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers, and those in prison: “‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:31-40

So how we relate to the poor is a serious matter. In Part II we will discuss ways we can respond to them. In the meantime, reach out to them as you can, for time is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Source of Image: Pixabay

To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

The Most Important Words in the World

To most people, the most important words for them are THEIR FIRST AND LAST NAMES. We can talk about sports, politics, and the weather all day long, but when someone mentions our name, we perk up because the conversation has suddenly become personal.

Introduce yourself to the person next to you waiting to get your car serviced, or the checker at the grocery store, and ask them their name, and you will see their countenance light up.

They light up because when we ask someone their name, it communicates that WE SEE THEM – as unique persons, who are special and have their own life story. And asking their name is the first step to exploring WHO THEY ARE.

This takes on particular significance when we realize that 52 million people – over 20 percent of the American population, experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. With over 340 million people in the United States, somehow they have fallen through the cracks; no one sees them or recognizes them as unique human beings. They may be surrounded by people, but THEY STILL FEEL ALONE. Reaching out to them may even save their life.

Do you like adventure? What if you could travel to an unknown country and experience life in another culture, with different customs, values, and religious beliefs, and see the world from a totally different perspective? Wouldn’t that be exciting?

This is the promise when we meet another person. Not only have we not lived in all the places they have lived in, we have not met the people they have met or had their life experiences. Furthermore, they have a unique personality, so they will have seen the world from a different perspective, like someone who sees the world from an airplane or through rose-colored glasses.

Let’s take this to the next level. There is a name above all other names, because it has profound, eternal significance. It is JESUS CHRIST, because “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, three things happen. First, our identity changes, and we are no longer focused on self, but on the Lord. This takes time to become fully manifested, but the Word of God says we become new creations, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. So because our identity has changed and we have the Holy Spirit living within us, the most important words in our life become JESUS CHR IST. We are to die to self so we can live with Christ.

Secondly, we become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. If traveling to another country to experience life in new ways is exciting, the ultimate travel adventure – going to the Kingdom of Heaven, should be absolutely thrilling. We marvel that we can send people into space and reach the moon. But the Kingdom of Heaven is not even in this universe! It is BEYOND SPACE in a different sphere of existence – the spiritual sphere.

When Jesus said “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), He communicated that the very presence of God – the Son of God and King of Kings – had arrived on earth. Furthermore, He declared a precondition to enter the Kingdom of Heaven – repentance for our sins, for the Kingdom of Heaven is holy, and no sin is allowed into that Kingdom.

Thirdly, we begin to see others differently. They are no longer just the homeless guy down at the intersection, or Bob and Mary, neighbors across the street. They are image-bearers of Christ, created with meaning and purpose, even though they may not be aware of that.

So remember their name, and speak their name, for it is the key to a deeper, personal conversation that may be an extraordinary gift to you and to them. And if we ask about and listen to their story, they will be more willing to listen to our story, and to His story – the story of Jeus Christ, Savior of the world.

As Christians, we have been called, redeemed, equipped, and sent forth to share the love and truth of Christ with all who come across our paths. And reaching out to them with the love and truth of Christ may not only save their bodies; it may save their souls. So let us do so with boldness and courage, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

Time is Short; The Value of Time

Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you failed to use during the day.

What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course! Well, everyone has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours.

There is no going back. There is no drawing against “tomorrow”.
You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to
get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success! The clock is
running, so MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who has failed a
grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth
to a pre-mature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask an editor of a weekly
newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer who has
kids to feed.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to
meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who has missed
the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who has avoided
an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who has
won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because
you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with them.
And remember that TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called THE PRESENT.

And finally, what happens WHEN WE RUN OUT OF TIME? We will be standing before the sovereign, living God of the universe, and asked why we did not choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, even though we had many opportunities to do so? We will be staring at two paths into eternity and our course will already be set – to join the heavenly host or head for the Lake of Fire.

So let us seek the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

P.S. Speaking of RUNNING OUT OF TIME, be sure to check out this blog post: “If You Took the Vax, Your Health is in Danger (PART I)”. You see it here: https://bit.ly/IfYouTooktheVaxPARTI.

To God be the glory
LifeintheSpirit.net

Source of image: Pixabay

If You Took the Vax, Your Health is in Danger – Part I

Did you know that over 81,000 medical professionals, 240 elected officials, and 17 professional organizations are DEMANDING the COVID-19 “vaccine” shots be pulled? If have wondered by so many medical professionals, elected officials, and seven states are demanding that Covid-19 “vaccine” shots be restricted or even banned, it is because the harm caused by them is overwhelming.

THEY LIED TO US. Dr. Anthony Fauci, American immunologist, former head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the national spokesman for Covid-19 and the Covid-19 vaccines, asserted that the vaccines are “safe and effective”. But IS THIS TRUE?

Since the “vax” (not legally a vaccine) was rolled out five years ago, the evidence is overwhelming that the Covid-19 vaccine is neither safe nor effective. But don’t take my word for it. This post provides multiple reports from many credible sources that address this issue, including strategies to detox from the jab. You won’t want to miss it.

You can see it here:

If You Took the Vax Download

As always, question everything, do your own research, and take this to the Lord for confirmation.
Be bold. Be strong. Be courageous and walk with the Lord.
Mark
Mark Peterson, Ph.D.

I Really Miss Her

I see her only once a week, and then for only about one to two hours.
Sometimes during that time she might say something to me, but usually it is something she says every week, something memorized.

For the most part, she doesn’t even know I’m there. The rest of the week she doesn’t speak to me at all. She leads a very busy life and there always seems to be other things more important to her than visiting with me. I miss her terribly. What hurts most is she is my bride to be.

We seem to be drifting further and further apart. When we first met, our hearts were filled with love and we would talk for hours on end.

But something happened along the way – her interest in me began to fade. She says she still loves me but her visits have become farther apart. Sometimes, she doesn’t come visit me except for a few days a year, usually Christmas and Easter. I miss her so!

If you see her, will you tell her how much I miss her and my love for her will never end. Thank you.

What? Oh, how will you recognize her? It’s easy, she looks just like…………..YOU!

Eternally,
Jesus

THIS IS A LOVE LETTER FROM JESUS TO THE BODY OF CHRIST, HIS BRIDE. HE INVITES US TO WALK WITH HIM EVERY DAY, TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM, AND TO ENJOY HIS PRESENCE – FROM NOW INTO ETERNITY!

Source: Jerry Sundberg, Portrait of a Relationship
To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

Take the 7 Churches of Revelation Quiz

The compelling messages from Jesus Christ to the seven churches in the book of Revelation are below. To take the quiz, review the description of the seven churches below, then choose two of them that best describe your church. Better yet, share this quiz with the leaders of your church, then ask them what does this mean for their church and its future?

Finally, take the quiz or your own spiritual life, and ask if you are comfortable with the results?
___1) The Loveless Church (Ephesus) – “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:4-5

___2) The Persecuted Church (Symyrna) – “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:9-10

___3) The Compromising Church (Pergamos) – “But I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Repent, or I will come to you and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 2:14-16

___4) The Corrupt Church (Thyatira) – “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Revelation 2:20-22

___5) The Dead Church (Sardis) – “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.” Revelation 3:1-3

___6) The Faithful Church (Philadelphia) – “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11

___7) The Lukewarm Church (Laodicea) – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich…” Revelation 3:14-18

To God be the glory LifeintheSpirit.net
Source of image: Pexels

The Lord Is Calling Us

Our Lord is calling us to be ambassadors for Christ:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:20

I will never forget the day I met the ambassador to the United States from the Fiji Islands. He exuded confidence, warmth, and a sense of purpose, giving us a glimpse into the soul of his nation and an invitation to have a relationship with him, His king, and his people.

Have you ever met a real ambassador of Christ from the Kingdom of God? Although all Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ, most of us fail to fulfill our calling fully. The best examples are the apostles. Filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they became bold preachers that would not be stopped, regardless of persecution.

Each of us is called to be an Ambassador for Christ – filled with the Holy Spirit, equipped to do His work, and sent forth to reach the lost. We then do not just work for God, but God works through us.

Those who see evangelism as a job or career ask what they have to do and what is in it for them. Those who are called by the Lord have only one request: “Send me, oh Lord. Send me!”

The big question facing you and me is: are we willing to accept the call and seek the lost in the mission field? (And we are ALREADY IN the mission field). We need to decide quickly, for time is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

To God be the glory,
Mark Peterson
LifeintheSpirit.net
Source of image: Pixabay

TIME IS SHORT. DRAW CLOSE. REACH THE LOST.

Time is short before judgment and war comes to America (https://tinyurl.com/judgmentwar), and it will be a time of great distress such as never been, nor will be again. So it important for us to do three things:

1) Draw close to the Lord and spend time with Him in your secret place, in prayer and in His Word. In the chaotic times to come, it will be critical for us to know His still, small voice, so we can hear Him as He guides and protects us through the chaos. If we do not spend time with Him, we will have nothing special – nothing supernatural – to share with others in their time of need.

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 3:3

2) Commune with other believers in worship and prayer, so that we may minister to them and they can minister to us. A primary way for this to happen is through a local church. But it must be a Bible-believing church that holds up Jesus Christ as Savior above all else. This is described here: https://lifeinthespirit.net/2024/12/03/25-signs-of-a-healthy-church/

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

3) Reach out to the lost. Many, many people don’t know our Lord. They may know about Him, but they don’t know Him and His still, small voice that gives guidance and peace. They will be lost as cataclysmic events unfold and their lives are shaken to the core. So reach out to them with the truth and love of Christ, for life is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20

To God be the glory
LifeintheSpirit.net
Image by Splitshire from Pixabay

25 SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH

A healthy church is not just a building, leadership structure, or weekly service. A healthy church is a vibrant community where God is present and members grow in their faith and service. Here are 25 signs of a healthy church:
___1. There is a divine sense of mission and purpose to carry out The Great Commission.
___2. The presence of God is evident in worship services and the assembly of the saints.
___3. The Word of God is presented with authority and anointing.
___4. There are functional prayer gatherings.
___5. There is a real expectation for answered prayers.
___6. People are getting saved and baptized.
___7. The leadership of the church – elders, deacons, teachers, and pastors, seek to serve the Lord and the congregation with humility and integrity.
___8. The church is more in love with the future (with a compelling vision) than the past.
___9. Fellowship and relationships are warm, and people do not jockey for position and titles.
___10. Many people volunteer to serve.
___11. Many people support the church with tithes and offerings.
___12. The community gets impacted in real ways.
___13. Your leaders have great passion.
___14. There is more attention, resources, and enthusiasm devoted to the work of the Lord than to maintaining the church organization and facilities.
___15. There is an established pattern of disciple making, equipping members to be ambassadors for Christ.
___16. Homeless and street people are seen as a mission field and are treated with compassion.
___17. There is greater emphasis on what unites us in Christ than how we are different from other Christians.
___18. There is an increase of members and finances over time. ___19. Openness to change and support of innovation is evident.
___20. Sermons engage both the mind and the heart. ___21. You are seeing many first-time visitors.
___22. Your church is welcoming and diverse; everyone in your church does not look and think just like you.
___23. You’re focused on reaching new people as well as keeping church members. ___24. Communication is clear and conflicts are resolved when they arise.
___25. There is a sense of urgency and passion to reach lost souls.

How many of these describe your church: _ out of 25?

Action steps you can take:
• share this list with other members and leaders of your church,
• hold this up to the Lord, seeking His guidance,
• develop action steps to build on your strengths and address problem areas, and
• take action, giving glory to God for the results.

To God be the glory
LifeintheSpirit.net
Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay