Retaliation

Matthew 5:39 "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." A Christian needs not retaliate... especially to their superiors. I stress this even more so if their superiors are not saved. How can one show their faith if they're acting just as the world does. We're supposed to be IN the world, but not OF the world. By retaliating, one is playing right into their hands. I admit that it's not easy when one's grown up like this, but wouldn't things be a bit calmer if you started the peace treaty? Unbelievers can't be held to the same standards as believers are. They're just not at that same level of understanding. Jesus loved the unbelievers through their trials and their "ugly moments". Isn't our job as Christians supposed to be to follow Jesus' example? So, I'm telling you to love these people even though their unbelieving attitudes rear their ugly heads more often than not.
How can you be a witness to them if you're doing the exact same thing back by arguing with them? How can you not be concerned for their future to the point that you don't even show them the love of Jesus? They're going to get to their judgement and question, "Why didn't he ever insist on this? Why did he never show us this? And why did he act this way, but still gets the reward of eternal life with Jesus?" Can you live with the guilt? Bitterness might allow you to. It's allowed me to thus far, but I don't think I'll be able to live with it when unbelievers who have taken big roles in my life meet their judgement. I can't say who's saved and who's not. All I can say is whether or not people are showing signs of being saved. And if they're not showing such signs, then witness to them as best you can. Even if they don't accept Christ on that occasion, you've planted a seed and are building up your rewards in heaven.
B

College Lessons

College has really changed my perspective on just about everything.... Ok... Not THAT much. But I've gone from the girl who has her huge group of strong Christian friends to pray with her about struggles to one with very few Christians around her. Boy does that take a toll on my spiritual life. But I know that my Jesus still loves me, and I still love Him. I try to be that girl who people can come to with their problems, but what they really need is to talk to Jesus; me included. Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." God is always there for us!!!

"We love because he first loved us." 1John 4:19

What does that mean? What really is love? Is love that stupid little card that says, "Be Mine" on one day? I think it's something much greater. How did God love us? "For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17. Adam and Eve committed sins, and through them we are sinful beings, but through Christ, our spirits can be renewed and saved! How amazing has Jesus been to you? He could take the foulest criminal and wipe his slate white as snow. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2. How can you reject God's saving grace? We're dawdling away our lives, people! If you're a Christian, why should you care how others will react to your witnessing? Be bold for Jesus! Even if you're witnessing to a gang, and they kill you, YOU GET TO SEE JESUS! You're storing up your rewards in heaven. Those "Christians" who put on the right facade at church, but once they're out of the building are saying the foulest things, are not good examples of Christ. "The greatest single cause of atheism in this country is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. Thats what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable" DC Talk "What if I Stumble?" By proclaiming that you're a Christian, and then not showing it by your actions, you're causing others to turn away from God. Can you live with that?
-B

This is just to show....

Jesus love to the corners of the world and back. I love Him! Think about it...When will you realize you need Him? Jesus, our brother, our savior, our friend. He wants you to open up your heart to Him and take hold. Jesus didn't have to die for your sins, and He certainly didn't have to die for mine, but He did anyways. He withstood the pain of nails in each of His hands and His feet and the crown of thorns on His head. You can't even begin to imagine the pain that Jesus suffered for you. And yet He still loves you even if you are the most wanted man or woman in this world. Jesus' heart has a place in it for each of us, and He wants to say "Well done, good and faithful servant" when we stand before the throne of our Heavenly Father. Do you want to hear that or do you want to hear, "I didn't know, you"? I know you all want to hear that we did well in fishers of men for our savior.