Good morning, Lord Jesus. Align my heart with Your Heart, my mind with Your Mind, my will with Your Will, as You make me more like You today (Romans 8:29). ...
I was sitting at the Waffle House low bar listening to a conversation that came up. As it increased in intensity one man, who is a Christian said, “ I wish God would just wipe out all those LGBT and pro-abortion people from the face of the earth.” I was shocked and asked him, “I thought you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus? He pushed back, “I am, and if Jesus was here right now that is exactly what He would do!” He then said, “And you are a pastor, you should know this!” He then through some money down on the bar to pay for his meal and stormed out of the restaurant.
“Now it came to pass, when the time had come for (Jesus) to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’
“But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.’ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’ And they went to another village” (Luke 9:51-56).
James and John -- though disciples of Jesus, didn’t always have the heart of Jesus. They were on the journey with Jesus, but they had come to a different destination in their estimation of just what that journey was all about.
And unfortunately there are Christians still today who do not always have the heart of Jesus and have a different estimation of what of their journey with Jesus is all about. They are to quick to “call down fire” on those who have not yet received Jesus or surrendered and conformed thier decision and lifestyles to His teachings. Instead of choosing to disciple them, they choose to destroy them. Attacks of Hate signs and messages outside abortions clinics, LGBT rallies, directed at democrats or republicans, and even mask wearers or others who’s destination is not lining up with theirs.
Is the truth is always important. Absolutely! I am orthodox in my understanding of Scripture. It should break out hearts in love for those who’s decision is to reject Jesus and His teachings, who is “the Way and the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). But we must grow up in spiritual maturity by speaking the truth in love, sharing the truth in love, and living the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). That’s the journey Jesus was on and that is the journey we are called to be on; that’s the true destination where we’re headed.
And the only Fire we need to ever be calling down from Heaven is the Fire of the Holy Spirit, burning in our hearts with a passion for Jesus, burning in our hearts a passion for those who’s live and choices and not surrendered to Jesus and that every soul would be saved by the power of His love That’s the only manner of Holy Fire we want to be in us as the Spirit of Christ fills our hearts with mercy and love, as well as truth (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18). Jesus, Give me that Spirit! Give Your Church more of that Spirit! -- more and more every day -- I pray! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit, full of a fiery passion for Jesus and every soul He's reaching out to save in the truth and the love of God, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
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