A world at war

Woke up to the sound of shell and mortar
Huddled in the corner for cover
Who will restore things back to order?

Why do the nations rage at one another?
Brother against brother, a bitter tale
Sons and daughters, father and mother
All created in Gods image

Children running for their lives
Born into darkness but created for light
Husbands separated from their wives
It's to much to bear, O silent night

The promise of eternity come
The wait for heaven a painful one
Longing for love cannot be undone
Hope in the coming of the Glorious Son

Upside Down Kingdom

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that." Luke 6:32-33

Much of life is spent loving those that love us back. We are humans, and if we give out then it is only natural to expect back in some way. We find comfort in being liked and loved by those that are similar to us in thought, values, social-economic stature, and spirituality. It's much easier and predictable to give to those who can give back, or to do good works in some way to be thanked in return. You see where I am going with this don't you?

Jesus himself said if you love those who love you back what credit is that to you? What does he mean what benefit is that to us? What is Jesus really trying to get at here? Because in the natural he knows that we like to be loved by those who love us in return. I don't think He is saying not to love your family, your close friends, etc. I really don't believe that is His point. I like this quote by Dr. Ralph Wilson on these verses.

"If you are looking for a nice, comfortable religion that doesn't call for too many demands on your life, makes you feel better when you're down, and will reserve luxury suites for you in heaven when you die, then you probably shouldn't try to be one of Jesus' disciples. He is demanding. He has the crazy notion that his followers should serve others rather than themselves. He expects them to show integrity when no one is looking. And he expects them to love. Not just people who only occasionally have a bad day. But enemies. Jesus expects you to love your enemies. Don't follow him unless you're ready to experience some discomfort."

The kingdom of God is an upside down kingdom. Meaning if you want to be first then you need to be last. If you want to gain your life then you must lose your life. Jesus is radical and his ways are radical. Really we are to rejoice when we are persecuted? Why? Jesus is not after earthly rewards. He is not after a pat on the back. He is after the hidden, dangerous truth. It is extreme to love your enemies. It is extreme to give to whomever asks something of you without expecting in return. Precisely. This is why Jesus came. He laid down his life to those who couldn't give anything back to him. Wow. So let's lose our American entitlement Christianity and become like Jesus and count the cost of carrying our cross.

Heartbreaking

By now the letters I.S.I.S should stir up some level of anger and hatred in your vocabulary and thoughts. The world has watched in horror what these demons in the form of humans have done to men, women, and children. Wicked and completely evil, bent on brutality and savagery, how can they have souls and a conscience? No human being with a soul created by God could do what they have done to children. Do I sound raw, unfiltered, and angry? Well I am. Do you suppose Jesus is? Why does God not send down lighting from heaven to consume them all? Why are they not destroyed by the might of all the civilized nations together? How can anyone who claims to know God do such things to fellow humans? Their God is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their God is the author of hatred and rage.

The truth is they are all illegitimate sons. They know not their identity or their origin. They live under confusion and blindness. They are brainwashed and welcomed into this "delusional" family which promises women in paradise and all the gold one could want. These prodigals, created by the same God that created the heavens and the earth, know not the truth. They are followers of a lie, loyal to Satan and his legions. They are hopeless and lost, desperately seeking the attention, affirmation, and validation of a "father". They are caught in the trap that has caused many a Ishmael to forever be embittered towards the Isaacs.

What should your response be to them? Would you do the same that they have so ruthlessly done to innocent Christians, and minorities? Would you if you had the chance kill them without a thought? What should our response be as sons and daughters to the true Father of Lights? What should we do? Was it really Jesus that said what I am going to quote from the gospel of Luke 6: 27-28?

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

Ouch. That really hurts Jesus. Surely this does not apply to these ruthless men does it? How can this be? It is not what you wanted to hear is it? This is not what your gun under your bed wanted to hear either is it? I am not claiming to have the answer to the question of what we should do. All I know is that Jesus of Nazareth is the one who said those painful words. The man who was crucified said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

We are left with a painful choice. To forgive or not. To pray for those who persecute you or not. To love your enemies or not. I leave you with this. God have mercy on those men that were once someone's little child innocently playing in the streets, singing in the park, and dreaming of a better future. Is there a dream or vision in the night that could in a moment change their hearts of stone to a heart of flesh? Please abba show them that You are the one they are desperately in need of.