Maybe it's just me, but whenever I read the Apostle Paul, I get the impression that he was a bit of a d*ck! I don't get the impression that he was liked by a whole bunch of folks. The New Testament gives documentation that Paul met with a few of the Disciples who were Old Men when he met them and was on his mission of evangelism and I don't get the impression that they liked each other, much less agreed with one another.
Paul journeyed with Barnabas and although they were friends and had been through some stuff together, Paul split with Barnabas, going to forge his own ministry. So I always think about Paul, a murderer, many times over, an extremist, for sure and his life.
Think about us and what it says of our character. I read in the Book of Ephesians, long ago about Paul cautioning the church about how they looked at non believers. It seems they had forgotten who they were and how they got there.
Paul said "Some of you were drunks, liars, thieves and it is only through Christ Jesus, that you are not them today." Paraphrased
What would be your impression of President Barack Obama if you'd met him with a cigarette in his mouth? Yet, he's still a Harvard Graduate! Still an Occidental Alum, still a father of two, Still Husband to Michelle, still a Lawyer, A Bi-Racial Black Man, and is now the President of The United States of America!
How did Barack's change happen? He made up his mind to change and then he gave it over to God! (IAM) That was the start. His change happened while he was being the Barack he was and his change is still happening right now. Your change is happening now too.
President Obama's mantra has been We are the Change we have been waiting for. It has been God's (IAM) efforts through his servants that we become living testimonies of that change. We are not to destroy without building up and we are not to build up without remembering the architect and the planner of our lives. BE Mindful! BE Prayerful! BE Careful!
Jaycee
9 comments:
I was lookin at that first Obama pic like "Damn, son looks really normal over there. Like he could be one of my chain-smoking uncles!" Lol anyway I feel you on this.
Alleluia
First of all you crazy for the picture and caption of those kitties. LOL.
I think one of the things the Great I Am wants to do is reach those who think that no one cares for them. To reach those who think that it's impossible to turn away from who they are and soon to be were.
Paul represents this character and God's power because he was such a great persecutor of Christians at first. His enthusiasm and zeal were a gift from God, but until that trip to Demascus he was using those gifts for evil.
He struggled to stay focused just like the rest of us because of outward temptations and yet still managed to glorify God.
Let's summarize:
1. God loves you, even when no one else does or you think no one else does.
2. God has given you a gift and intends for you to exercise that gift for His glory, not for evil.
3. God sees your struggles and knows that they cause you great pain and anxiety.
4. Keep your mind on Him and he will bring you to an expected end.
well said!
Dont know how I missed this but glad I found it...yes, I always tell people that God hardly ever uses self righteous people...he goes for the sinners and normal people that make it twice as hard to believe....
Impression? Smoking?...A step further...I'm talking to him...Don't destroy the temple, don't fool yourself. We need you ...CHANGE!
Good post. Thanks for stopping by.
Nicely said.
A beautiful, insightful piece my brother. Thank you.
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