Dear Christians

Sometimes my letters are full of love and grace, and sometimes they are what my friend Courtney calls, "a spiritual spankin"...

This probably falls into the spiritual spankin' category. But, it comes from a place of love and grace, I promise! I want you to be the best YOU you can be. First, let's read this passage from the Bible:

 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV) 

I believe we are in the last days. And I believe that everyone who claims to be a Christian falls into one of these categories:

1. A Pharisee
2. A Follower
3. A Fake

You are either a Pharisee -legalistic, cares more about the rules (the Law) than the miracle and mission of Jesus Christ.

A Follower- someone who believes the Bible to be true, and walks in the Spirit by praying, reading God's Word, making disciples, and living FOR Jesus.

A Fake- someone who goes to church, claims they are a Christian, but in fact doesn't live how a Christ follower would. A "Sunday Christian" is another term for this kind, very worldly during the week, but acts like a Christian on Sundays.

Do any of these sound familiar to you? 

Which one are you?

One way to tell if you could be more like a Pharisee is how you view other Christians. Do you look at them out' the side of your eye when they are saying things about Christ? Are you judging whether or not they "know" all the things they should about the Bible? Then do you feel the need to start a debate? This is exactly what the Pharisees did to Jesus EVERY TIME.  In every story, they judge what He said, they challenged Him, and they accused Him. Do you do that with fellow Christians?

The Apostle Paul (called Saul at the time), was a Pharisee before His encounter with Christ. But it was JESUS that changed Him. Not another person telling him he was wrong. Not a Facebook post declaring a personal stance on something. Only JESUS can change a Pharisees heart.

If you recognize yourself in some of this description, then ask Christ to change you from the inside out. Ask Him if there is any offensive way in you, because Pharisees have a hard time believing they could be wrong. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in real and mighty ways. Then go serve in a humble position somewhere where you get NO recognition. Look the poor or hurting in the eyes and get to know them. Learn how to LOVE like Christ loves.

Pharisees tend to point out the wrong in people more so than just love on them. I know this because I used to be one! My friend Catherine says that when it comes to people, we need to "love the hell outta them!" and I couldn't agree more. LOVE is the answer, and God is love. So love like God. 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (ESV)


Then there's the "Fake"... the disciple Judas would be an example of this kind of christian. He walked with Jesus, he learned from Jesus, but when it came down to it, he chose deception and wealth over love and loyalty to Christ. He's the one who chose to turn Jesus in to the authorities, for a profit. Only to throw the money back in their faces, and in hopelessness commit suicide over his guilt of betrayal. 

But as long as you are still breathing, there is HOPE.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever.. Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV) 

Lastly, we have the Follower.  I think of the disciple, Peter. He knew he was an unworthy sinner, but a relationship with Jesus changed him. He followed, he learned, then he DID as Jesus did. He spread the Gospel, he healed the sick, he made disciples! We too can do these things! They might look a little different in today's age..we might spread the Gospel through social media, help bring healing through love and prayer, and make disciples by having Bible studies with people in our towns. BUT, Jesus said in John 14:12 :"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father." Anything is possible with Jesus IN us!


So no matter where you find yourself as a Christian in this world, whether Pharisee or Fake, you can change. You can be made new by the grace and mercy of our Lord, and you can be the Follower that He has called you to be (if you aren't already!)

Pray this with me, "God, please help me to love like you do. Please forgive me, and help me to turn from any legalistic or false beliefs that I may have of you. Help me to learn the truth of who you are by studying my Bible and by surrounding myself with true Followers of you. Help me to turn from my selfish ways in order to pursue you with my whole heart. Give me the desire and perseverance to read my Bible daily, to pray for those around me, and to go and make disciples as you have commanded me to do. Help me to choose mercy over judgment, and help me to LOVE. I love you Lord, In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!"

Shine On

"Don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine.."

That's actually a line from a Taylor Swift song called "Ours." She wrote it years ago for her boyfriend at the time. But I want to pass it along to you, because what she meant for a fleeting relationship, I think God meant for a word of encouragement to us.

If you are following Christ, then you have a brilliant light shining out of you. It's a light that can spread His love into the darkest of places. But sometimes it makes others upset. Maybe it's too bright, and they feel uncomfortable or even jealous. Or maybe when it shines, it exposes a darkness in them that they don't want seen. So they throw rocks. 

Expect it.

Know that attacks will come, but that it's Christ in you that people hate, it's not you. So have compassion on them, and pray for them, for they know not what they do. Matthew 10:22, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

You will be saved, all will be well. In the meantime, don't take it personal when people hate you. Pray for your enemies, and keep shining the light of the Lord! Stay in His Word and keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can continue to reflect His glory. 

And "don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine!"