Saturday, January 10, 2015

A Servant

Jesus died for our sins, once and for all He redeemed us from a path to eternal destruction to offer us eternal life.   This is something that we could not do for ourselves or for anyone else.  For those of us who have accepted God's promise of salvation and the abiding of His Holy Spirit there is no debate.  I believe that this taught us how to live for eternity.  


But, Jesus also taught us how to live under the sun. It is evident in every year of His recorded life on earth.  Without compromise, Jesus was a Servant and He taught His Disciples how to serve others.  His entire purpose for coming to this lost earth was to serve us. Whether you believe it or not ,whether you praise Him or ignore Him or curse Him, He came to serve you. 

At the age of 12 His parents were concerned that they could not find him during a trip to town. Recorded in Luke 2:49 "And He said to them, Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”  (He was teaching, amazing the people in the temple).
He walked about the earth under the direction of His Father guided by the Holy Spirit and moved by compassion.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, brought sight to blind and went to cross for those who were beating Him.

73% of all Americans claim to be Christian (follows of Jesus Christ).  So I ponder, why are so many people sick and dying, why are so many people lonely and depressed?  How many of the 73% are servants?  

The church of God is made up of two types of people; those who come to be served and those who serve.  Most of us that know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior first came to the church to be served.  We were sick, desperate, lonely, addicted tired or lost.  The church has many Servants and so we were served.  We were given the Truth and the Truth set us free.

I believe that it is the duty of the church to teach those who have been served how to be Servants of God.  Paul called himself a bondservant of Christ.  How many of us that have accepted salvation through the service of Jesus consider ourselves bondservants?

In Mathew 10:8 Jesus tells His disciples "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons: freely you have received, freely give.


James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ we have a calling, and obligation to serve others in the name of Jesus.  When Jesus was questioned by the religious "Teacher, what is the greatest of all the commandments "and He said to him, " You shall love  the Lord your God with all your heart , and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself"Matt 22:38

It's time to serve your neighbor.  What's keeping you?


Monday, January 5, 2015

Between The Bridges


Every Sunday since October of 2013 a dedicated group of caring folks have gathered between the bridges in Springfield MA at 7:30 AM.  Through the New England snow, rain, cold, summer humidity they come out to feed, cloth and minister to a collected group of Homeless souls.   
The photo here was taken yesterday on a cold, wet, rainy January day.  I have seen as many as 50 homeless folks gather to hear the Word of God.  On this day about 25 brave souls met us for hot coffee and a powerful Word preached by minister Larry.  They gathered under some tents while a homeless man held an umbrella over Larry's head.  He preached of a new song promised to each of us that know Jesus Christ as our Savior.  We sang and fellowshipped for about 90 minutes.  It was an incredible way to start the day and the new year.
Milestone Ministries / My Father's House is delighted to be able to assist in this outreach ministry.  www.facebook.com/myfathershousethorndike
Following this service my wife and I attended a small church with a powerful preacher for an 11:00 service.  I was taken by the fact that less people showed up on this snowy, cold, rainy day to hear the Word of God in a heated, covered indoor church long after the rain stopped.  
Jesus said "I am the bread of life, those who come to me will never hunger".  I wonder if Jesus will be giving rain checks.