Jesus rocks the boat (Part 4)
“His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:2-5
The “bad times” you experience in life are NOT because of sin! Each moment is given to you and they are ALL good because each one is allowed by God well in advance for you!
I have heard so much hog wash about this subject over the years that I could open up a store just selling bacon! Yes God is The Judge but as Jesus clearly states here and in many other places, “rain falls on the just and the unjust!”
Why does the rain fall? That in my humble experience is about spiritual growth – IF – a being is in sync with and listening to God! Also just from my humble experience most people listen for God in the punishment zone NOT in the Love zone!
What if part of God Is Love means that God is actually trying to create a more Loving and caring heart in you instead of trying to get you to be anal about following a rule book – have you ever thought about it that way?
If we change our focus to “God Is Love” – how does that change our world, the world and the lives of those we come in contact with each and every day?
Consider if you will the tried and true passage of John 3:16 – God sent His only Son to die a wicked and horrible death so that His enemies (that’s me and you before Christ) could spend eternity starting now at Peace with God!
Do you think the same God who did that would allow you some discomfort if He knew from it you could Love just one more person even a little as much as He does?
Jesus rocks the boat (Part 4)
Truer words there are not!
In my life I faced much ridicule, judgement, and hate.
Sadly most of it from so-called Christians.
I have been told that I am possessed in part, I am being judged for my sin, that all that goes along with my mental illnesses is sin.
Man, just run a sword through my heart, that would hurt less.
The disorders I have are NOT sin. I am being told they are.
I always tell people not to pray for the healing of my illnesses, nor that the grip of Legion be loosed.
I am “the way I am” for a reason, a very good reason.
God is using me to reach those as I am. I wouldn’t be able to do that if I did not have the same disorders or illnesses as them. They would not trust me, and rightly so, they wouldn’t listen to a thing I said. I would be considered an outsider.
In the bible it mentions the word “affliction”, I do not like that word passionately because it means: “To have put on”. God would never do that to me, nor to anyone.
I think it was a word that was used instead of what probably got lost in translation.
Anyway, as you know Bob, God is using me, such as I am, to reach those who suffer in silence needlessly.
He has given me the gifts of encouragement, empathy and some I know I have, but are still nameless to me.
All that I have gone through in my life, although very painful, and I have suffered greatly, I have faced relentless hate and ridicule and great anger. God has been preparing me for what was to come, of which I am only beginning to see.
I am the man I am because of everything I have gone through and everything that has come my way.
Although, to be honest, I would rather have it had not happened to me.
But, I would not change a single thing if ever given the chance.
It’s amazing just what God has done through me, the people that He has blessed, just because I was courageous and bold enough to share. And I have had so many with mental illnesses come up to me on the side and thanked me for the such and they feel inspired to do the same.
That always hits me right in my Heart of Hearts deeply. Filling me with all humility and humbleness. It has never been about me, it has always been about them, and even more so all about God and His wonderful grace and unfailing love.
Yeah, I am a sinner, I am a man, by nature just that. Yeah, I am forgiven, and chosen by God not because of anything I have done, not because of anything am doing, not because of anything I will do. Not of any ability I have, not of any talent I have, no merits of mine have brought me here where I am.
Jesus my Christ alone, found me where I was, He picked me up and carried me up and out of there.
I am always mindful of that whenever someone compliments me.
Everything, I repeat, EVERYTHING, is because of Jesus my Christ!
Jesus once said: “I am not of myself, I am of the One who sent me.”
That’s how I try to live and always tell people that, as I’m sure you know.
I try to keep my ministries on Google all about God, and all the members.
After all, everything, as a called child of God, is for the honour and the glory of God, THEE One Most High.
The single reason that I was created, I am for Him, now and forever.
I know I got a little off topic, but I was just trying to show just how my disorders are not sin and thusly are enablers that enable me to do the work God has me to do.
People have to realize God loves us so much, it’s indescribable, everything that has happened, all that is happening, as much as it hurts, is preparing us, making us stronger and tougher so that we may be able to face anything and anyone who may come as adversaries.
God knows what He’s going, He knows of everything before, now, AND later.
WOW – AMEN BROTHER!
God knows, knew and will always know more about us than we know ourselves! This is why you are so used of God Brother – you don’t hide!
There are always going to be those that have been mislead but – oh well – that is God’s department NOT mine!
This response is a beautiful testimony of who you are and Who you belong to! Our God has a plan and a purpose for every sparrow – let alone those He made in His image!
Thank you for your response Brother – know that my thoughts, prayers and meditations are with you always!
Bob