Can you hate and go to heaven?

Can you hate and go to heaven?

There is an alarming segment of popular "Christianity" today, especially in Western countries, that teaches it is alright to hate. To hate someone because they are of a different faith- say Muslim. To hate someone because they have a different sexual orientation- ie, they're gay. To hate someone because they come from another country- such as an illegal immigrant

 in America. To hate someone because they are poor and need government help. To hate someone because they are of a different political party. We see this hate affirmed by pundits on television, politicians endorse it, and hate filled messages fly around on social networking sites such as facebook with alarming speeds.

But is it okay? I mean, did the God who loves "the world" (Jn 3:16) enough to die for everyone in it, really mean for His followers to justify hate in His name?

God gave His followers specific guidelines of what to believe, and how to live; but He never gave us the right to condemn anyone else, to take away their rights, to mock them or, heaven forbid, kill them. I know I have sinned in my life, so following Christ's teachings in Jn 8:7, I am not able to cast the first stone at anyone. I can decide, and need to decide, if my choices for my life are in line with the Bible's teachings, and I can in love share the Bible's teachings, but that is as far as I am allowed to go. I must not judge as in condemnation, for that right is not given to me. There is no Biblical statute that gives me the right to take another's rights from them. And I must not hate.

Hate is dangerous. For if God is love, as 1 John 4:8 teaches, then the defining trademark of a Christian should be love. Hate comes from somewhere else, and it is not godly, but of the enemy.

Hate keeps those who think they are believers out of eternal life with Christ. If you hate....you don't go to your eternal reward, but eternal punishment.

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

If you catch yourself thinking thoughts of hate and judgment, get into prayer immediately! Ask the Lord to forgive you, correct you and guide you. Your soul's destination is at stake. Let all you do be done in love. Yes, we all mess up sometimes, that is why we must keep vigilant watch upon ourselves. Think before you speak- am I speaking in love? Think before you act- am I acting in love? Think before you forward a news story- does this promote love or discord? Think before you post on facebook or twitter- does this further the kingdom of God, does this show my love? Or does it show that I am following God in name only but not love and deed?

-Beth Butler

What would Jesus see if He walked in?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

Do you find yourself overcome at times by worry over what the future brings, anger over what others have done to you or thoughts of envy/jealousy? When those thoughts occur, stop and realize they did not come from God. They are all snares set for you to fall into by the enemy. If we spend our time thinking thoughts of fear, hurt or envy then our minds and soul churns into a stormy mess, we have no peace and our contentment is destroyed. When we find ourselves going there (and we all do) we need to stop and say, "why am I concentrating on this?" God does not give us those things, but rather love, peace and joy.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)

 God wants us to look for the beautiful in life, the lovely, the excellent and honorable. When we do so, we see the world in a brighter light, and contentment fills our souls. Look at your life, your hobbies and activities- are they things that promote wholesomeness, love, learning and self improvement? Or are they base, highlighting what is worldly and deplorable? What we fill our minds with is what shapes us. If the vessel that is our minds and souls are filthy from stains of the world's gutter, God's presence will not fill us. God will not use a base vessel.

In all aspects of your life look around. Would you be ashamed if Jesus walked in the door during your favorite television shows? What if He perused the books by your bedside? Would you invite Him to play your video games with you? Would your language be acceptable? Would He like your music playlist? Would you be comfortable in the clothing you had chosen for that day? Or would you be panicked and ashamed that God was looking on you, your entertainment, your attire, the way you've built your surroundings? God IS watching though...He knows what you read, what you watch, what you say, how you dress. He sees whether you are faithful not only physically but emotionally to your spouse. He sees how you treat your parents or children. He is with us always, all the time.

Whether you are comfortable contemplating that shows where the nature of your soul lies. If you mentally squirm and say, "Well really, Beth, who wants to think of God like that,".....do some housecleaning of your mind, your heart, your soul and your surroundings. Dust does not offend God- romance novels that glorify cheating do. Worn clothing does not offend God, nor old cars, but listening to worldly music and shows that glorify murder/sex/drugs do. Our daily struggles do not offend God, but treating our spouses, parents, friends and family poorly does.

We can do so much to better our relationship with God when we focus on the things in life that God wants us to- that which is good, and pure and wholesome. God wants you to have fun, to enjoy life, to have fulfilling relationships. He wants strong families, not broken relationships and one night stands. He wants us to enjoy the creation He has made, not ignore it except as a commodity to be exploited. He wants us to delight in the books and music that people have written that lift our spirits up, not drag us into the mire. He wants our minds filled with peace and contentment, not anxiety, strife and envy.

Are you ready for God to do an inspection on the state of your mind and life? If not, why not?

-Beth Butler

A column on the Christian take on suffering

I found this column tonight, about the differences in how faiths view suffering, and especially the Christian viewpoint.

I know some about physical suffering...I've had arthritis since childhood (severe), and now other complications and health issues including a heart issue.  I'm at peace with them, for I have reconciled long ago that the suffering brings me closer to God, and makes me more dependent upon Him.  But like all people, when I see stories of cancer, or floods, or earthquakes, I have wondered...why.  Why God?  I mean, I know the whole sin thing; that through sin suffering entered the world, and that it won't be made whole again until Christ comes.  I know that, I get that...but like a small child, I wonder...why.

This column was really thought provoking for me.  The author points out that in Colossians we are taught that all suffering is part of Christ's infinite suffering, and Christ's suffering was what was necessary to reconcile the fallen world back to God.  But what really got me was the sudden realization that in *my* suffering, Christ suffers with me.  With me.

When I have days I cannot breathe well, He is suffering with me.

When my foot and knee and hip ache, He is suffering with me.

No burden do I bear alone, He suffers alongside me.

How humbling.

How uplifting.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/2012/05/why-christianity-is-far-more-sensible-than-whatever-youre-doing-right-now.html

     Father's Day approaches quickly (less than a day from now!) and I'm thinking about my Dad, many miles away in distance, but close in my heart.  When I called to tell him earlier in the week we had mailed his gift and to be looking for it, he asked, "Are you in the box?"  I wish I could have told him yes, it would be a treasure to spend Sunday with him.  I comfort myself (and him) by remembering that I will be out there later this summer, and we can watch baseball games together, and BBQ, and listen to records.  My Dad has a great record collection.


     It is easy, most of the time, when you have great parents like I do, to follow the Biblical commandment of "Honor your Father and Mother," which appears not only in the 10 Commandments but many places within the Bible.  From Exodus and Proverbs, The Gospels, Ephesians and Colossians the Bible is full of God's exhortations to honor our parents.  That doesn't mean I haven't messed up (boy have I) but I do strive to show my parents respect, deference and love whenever possible.  They're not perfect parents (but pretty close to it) and I am far from a perfect child; and I broke their hearts in one time period especially (there were mental health issues on my side, but that was no excuse) but over time, and with God's help, the relationship was restored, renewed and now seems to me stronger than ever.  God can take a damaged relationship, re-forge it and turn it into something remarkable.  What my parents and I have now is not only a parent-child relationship, but also one of fellow children of God; where we encourage one another in our missions, outreaches and prayers.  We are also friends; outside of God and my husband, I have none closer.

     The calls I make to my parents can last a half hour to two and a half hours; we discuss politics, gardening, church work, our animals, what to cook for dinner, the silly stuff one of us saw, sports news, books and tv shows.  The little things that make up our days, in some ways not very important things, but in the long run those are the things that bind lives together.  It is the intimate details of everyday life that weave together a rich tapestry.  We maintain that tapestry, my parents and I, by talking as often as possible; that way we intertwine our lives.


     This country used to have a time where families were that close normally; where you knew what someone's day entailed, but now families live further apart, children forget their elders in the haste of their own lives.  It is as if a large segment of our country is living that song, "Cats in the cradle," where a father was too busy for his son, and when the father grew old, the son was too busy for him.  Our elders too often are only remembered by token calls, cards and generic gifts; when most often what is wanted is time and thoughtfulness.  Charles and I have seen so many seniors in nursing homes who are starved for attention from their families; it is heartbreaking.


     But, you say, God doesn't expect me to chunk out large parts of my life to listen to my parents talk about the tv show they watched last night, or how the church social went, does He?


    Yes.  He does.


    When God commanded (not suggested) us to "Honor your Father and Mother" (Exodus 20:12) I don't think He was saying it (or carving it into the stone tablet as it were) just to amuse Moses. "Hey, do you know what God said up on that mountain- He said we have to honor our parents- isn't that a hoot," was not what Moses relayed when he shared the news with the ancient Israelites. It was so important to God that Christ brings it up, Solomon teaches on it, Paul writes about it....it is mentioned over and over and over again.  As if God knew it would be something He'd have to force-feed us by repetition. (For a list of verses, see the bottom)

    Honoring means making time for.  Honoring means putting them before yourself as best you can.  Honoring means respecting their opinions.  Honoring means treating with respect.  Honoring means cherishing.

    According to the thesaurus, honor has these synonyms: "esteem, respect, pay homage to, assigning value to." The Greek word translated "honor" in our English Bibles, timao, means "to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere" (Strong's Concordance). Showing honor, then, means treating another respectfully because we value them highly.

    What, you ask, does one do if your parents are abusive?  

     That is a question brought up because sadly, there are people who have failed at parenting.  They have physically or emotionally abused their children. God does not expect you to have a close relationship with someone who harms you.  He's God, He has your best interests at heart, and when you accept Christ, you become His adopted child.


    That said, He does expect you to honor them.  Even if honoring means, for your safety sake, you can't ever be in close contact.  Honoring them then can be lifting them up in prayer regularly.


     My Mother had a rough relationship with her Mom.  My grandmother related to me on different occasions that she was not a good parent to my Mom.  My Mother dealt with what I would consider emotional scarring and abuse.  It would have been enough to drive any daughter away.

    But instead of running away, my Mother honored.  She prayed for her mother.  She sent her cards on all holidays.  She sent gifts; thoughtful ones she spent much time choosing.  She called, even if it was to be dismissed.  She honored.  And in time, God answered prayers, and restored that relationship.  My Grandmother (who was always kind to me) and my Mother visited, then visited more often.  They talked, and healed.  My Mother was told how much she was loved, and my Grandmother was able to treasure all the love my Mother had always held for her.

    Not everyone will be given such healing, and not all scars can be healed.  But love, honoring and prayer can do much.


   My Dad taught me a lot about how to honor a parent as well.  His Mother, Grandma S., lived in a town about 35, 40 minutes away.  My parents both worked during the week, and my Dad was going back to school, but every Sunday afternoon, without fail, we went over.  Dad would take his Mom, who didn't drive, shopping, and help her with her bills.  He would fix little things around the house that needed it, and we would sit in her big living room and I learned about honoring through listening.  She would tell stories of her youth, and we would listen.  She would tell of a recipe, and we would listen. (OH, how I wish I had written that stuff down now!)  She and Dad would walk the roads of her memories that she wanted to re-live, and then we would all enjoy a big dinner.  (She *could* cook.)  It was what we did, every Sunday afternoon, for years.  It was honoring.


     I also learned about honoring parents when I met and married my husband Charles, and saw him with his Mom, Ruth. Ruth lived with us for the first few years of our marriage.  Charles had been the child of her older years, he was the baby- the darling of her eyes, and as old age made her feeble, he was the one who cared for her.  Ruth was feisty and funny, and sometimes had a temper (she was Irish-American after all) and her son adored her.  She would come in to tell him a bit she had learned on the History channel, and he always paused what he was doing to listen.  Treats were always picked up at the store for her, jokes always thought up that she might enjoy.  He honored her.


     In this culture where honor is becoming outdated, where things have more value than people, who are you honoring?  Who do you give your time to?  You should honor God first and foremost, and your spouse who you are building a life with, if you have one.  But make time to honor your parents, and all of your elder relatives.  They still have stories to tell, wisdom to give, jokes to crack, and love in abundance.  They should not be an afterthought, or a passing interest.  God holds their place and value in the order of things quite highly (after all, He repeats over and over and over again- Honor your parents, and take care of the elderly)...and if He thinks it is so important, shouldn't it be important to you as well?



Bible Verses About Honoring Your Parents:

Exodus 20:12 --Honor your Father and Mother (The one in the 10 Commandments)


Ephesians 6:1 - 3; “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” 


Those who honor their parents are blessed (Jeremiah 35:18-19). Contrasting, those with a “depraved mind” and those who exhibit ungodliness in the last days are characterized by disobedience to parents (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2). 


Solomon, known for his wisdom, urged children to respect their parents (Proverbs 1:8; 13:1; 30:17). Although we may no longer be directly under their authority, we cannot outgrow God’s command to honor our parents. 


Jesus, God the Son, submitted Himself to both His earthly parents (Luke 2:51) and His heavenly Father (Matthew 26:39). If we follow Christ's example as we are supposed to do, we should treat our parents the way we would reverentially approach our heavenly Father (Hebrews 12:9; Malachi 1:6).


Mark 7:6 is where Jesus calls the Pharisees for the hypocrisy of saying they honored their parents, but bending God's law so that they didn't really have to.  God wants us to honor our parents with our words *and* our actions.


 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).

With thanks to the blogs found at the following links where I was able to get some fodder for thought:
http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/RA/k/164/A-Matter-of-Honor.htm

http://www.gotquestions.org/honor-father-mother.html

Stained Glass Window

If you are bitter about something, or unforgiving, or mired down in the muck of life and complicated relationships; let it go. God does not mean for you to carry the burden on your shoulders- He tells us in the Old and New Testaments to forgive others, in part because that helps YOU to be healthier and happier. People will hurt you in this life, it is inevitable; we live in a fallen and broken world. You must choose how you deal with that.

A pastor of my youth told me a wonderful story once during my confirmation class: He held up a picture of a solid blue window and a stained glass window of many colors. He asked us (the class) which was more beautiful- we answered the stained glass window. And then he said, "The stained glass window is made up of many broken pieces of glass, fused together by an artist to make something beautiful. In this life, you will be hurt and broken, it is the nature of the world we live in. But if you allow God to take the pieces of your life and do with them what He will, He will make them into something truly beautiful."

Are you holding onto the broken shards of your life, or are you allowing God to make something beautiful out of them? Holding onto bitterness, un-forgiveness, anger and hate tells God you don't want Him to be the artist of your life; it keeps your life a pile of broken shards. Releasing those feelings and turning things over to God is your way of allowing Him to begin crafting your life.

Let your life be a breathtaking stained glass window.

Be blessed friends, and be a blessing to someone else.

More thoughts on: “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.” (St. John of the Cross.)

More thoughts on: “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.” (St. John of the Cross.)

Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love your neighbor, and that on these two commandments all the rest of the law hangs. (see Matthew 22:37-40) When it all come down to the end, when we must stand before God- how we we answer when asked of how we loved. Will we be able to say we always strove to love God (I know at times I fall short, and need to ever try harder) and will be able to say we always tried to love our neighbors? (Again, at times I fall short, and after repenting, strive again.) 

There are many things in the Bible; guidance, wisdom, histories, sagas, poetry and passion. God's instructions for us are contained within, and His great, encompassing love for us. The sad story of sin and our fallen nature is revealed, as well as the plan and gift of redemption. We are told within the Bible's pages what we are like standing on our own merits (fallen, sinful, petty, vengeful people...and you know we all are.)....and we are told what we can be in God's eyes when covered by the Redemptive blood of Christ- then we are His adopted children, sinless and welcomed. We ourselves must make the choice of how we want to appear before God at the time of judgement, and whether our names shall be found in the Book of Life.

Whether or not our names will be found in the Book of Life has much do to with how we love. If we actually attempt to ever love God more, to learn more of Him and to honor Him. If we actually attempt to love our neighbors -and that means loving even those who are different (perhaps especially those who are different)..whether that difference is cultural, racial, political, sexual, etc or if we buy into the mainstream divisive nature of western religion. Sadly the church in the west (and perhaps in other places too, but I have not been there and can not speak of it) is often more concerned with being self righteous than spreading the Gospel, of having the right appearance rather than reaching the poor, of being politically aligned than being radical like Jesus. We cannot love our neighbors if we sneer at them, we cannot love our neighbors if we are too busy shouting and condemning them, and we cannot love our neighbors if we are too busy keeping up with the Jones to see the starving. 

We cannot be Christ like while emulating the Pharisees. It doesn't work.

We will not always be able to love God as we should, nor our neighbors as we should- for we are fallible and will stumble. It is whether or not we repent of easing up our efforts that matters- and if we begin anew. If all the law hangs upon whether we love God and our neighbors- should those commandments not be what we work the hardest to follow? For if we truly love God and continually try and maintain communion with Him, the rest will come easy. The love for others, the keeping of His will, living a life more suited to the faithful- those are all fruits of loving God as we should. 

In the evening of your life, will a life of love be evident?

Be blessed friends, and be a blessing to someone else.

-Beth Butler

Thoughts on Ephesians 1:1-10

This set of verses is very meaningful for me. First Paul tells us that God has always had a plan for us...."just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world..." We have been chosen to be His adopted children before the foundation of the world, we have been in the plans of God before He even made the world- how blessed and chosen does that make you feel!?

He destined us for adoption- to be fully accepted as His children, through Christ. That is awe inspiring and humbling. God destined us to be in His family, in love and through the riches of His grace.

I just wanted to share these verses because I want all of you to stop for a moment and consider that even on the days you feel ho-hum or like you are nobody special that God considers you of infinite value. Before He made the world He had selected you as His child, and then made the provision through Christ's blood that you can be blameless before Him and secured forever in grace. If God has held you in His heart since before our world's birth then you are amazing, and loved and wanted by the Most High. Never let anyone tell you that you're not important, valued and loved....because God treasures you!

Ephesians 1:1-10

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

A Missouri Drive

On a meandering, weaving ribbon of road-
through velvet green hills,
past sparkling shimmers of creeks 
and gems of pools- hushed and quiet-
fireflies beginning the dance of the gloaming
against a setting of purple and pink laced sky-
affable green sentries of ash, birch, poplar and oak
wave us goodnight, bobbing in the breeze-
as we reach home a soft light is on
welcoming us inward.

A reflection on Palm Sunday:

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem humbly, yet amid fanfare. People waving palm branches before Him, or laying them at the feet of the young donkey Jesus was astride, all crying Hosanna, Hosanna.

Maybe some of them had a stirring in their souls that this man, this worker of miracles and teacher of wisdom, came from God. That He had a high purpose beyond what they fully could grasp.

Some though, maybe most, hoped He would be the Messiah as they wanted Him to be- the one who would throw out the hated Romans and return Israel to self rule and greatness. They were looking for an earthly kingdom, when Christ had come to do so much more.

He, who was sinless, had come to make atonement for those who would believe in Him and call upon His Name for salvation. He had come to rescue the broken, save the sinner, restore the lost. He had come so that those who believe in Him might be secured for eternity, co-heirs in the Kingdom of God. An earthly kingdom was not on His agenda as He rode into Jerusalem; His sights were set upon the eternal.

This Palm Sunday, as we begin the holiest week in the Christian faith, who are you looking for Christ to be? Are you looking for a part-time Lord, at your convenience, a sort of feel good Messiah who does tricks or miracles upon command and will overlook a half hearted faith in the end? If so, friend, you are not serving Christ, and in the end, His death and resurrection will not save you. You must have a living, committed faith- a transforming belief- that marks you as His.

Today on Palm Sunday, raise branches of praise within your heart, and let your lips utter gladly, "Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." See Christ as He is; the Son of God, very God of very God, part of the Triune God-head, who loves you enough to have ridden into Jerusalem knowing the betrayal, torture and death that awaited. He is Holy, and Just, Merciful and Loving. He is all the high and noble things we are not, and His righteousness and blood washes us clean. He is Lord and can save you, if you call upon Him and believe with a true faith.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

-Beth Butler

A Holy Week Reflection: Palm Sunday On the Hilltop, what did He see?

A Holy Week Reflection: Palm Sunday

On the Hilltop, what did He see?


Tomorrow is Palm Sunday- the day when Christians celebrate Christ's entry into Jerusalem. He rode in upon a young donkey (which fulfilled prophecy) and the people waved palm leaves, and laid palm leaves upon the road, and shouted "Hosanna." A triumphant entry.....and yet, within a few days, He would be betrayed by a chosen apostle, tried in a secret court, and a few Jewish leaders and Roman officials would engineer His death. We know now that it was all part of an ordained plan- for while He would be crucified on Friday, He would rise Sunday- have been made propitiation for our sins; the sinless Son of God- very God of very God- part of the Triune Godhead- who would make atonement for the sins of all those who would call upon His name- and give all who believe gift of salvation.

But today, on the eve of Palm Sunday...I stop and ponder. 2000 plus years ago did Christ pause on a hill over looking Jerusalem (where He was traveling to with His apostles to celebrate Passover- and to then become the Passover Lamb)...did He stop on a dusty hill and see the city in the distance? He knew what was coming (hence His asking God later that week in the Garden of Gethsemane if "the cup could be removed" from Him. Yet He followed the Father's plan- "Not My will but Yours.") and so...was His heart heavy as He saw Jerusalem sitting on her hill? Was every step hard for Him? I think He walked each step resting in His Father's Will, but with an edge of sorrow. He knew Judas would turn on Him, that Peter would fail Him, that worldly Jewish religious leaders would work with Roman government officials to sentence Him to the most painful death of that region.

Something was pointed out to me sometime ago...that the word excruciating comes from the word crucifixion. So when we say something is excruciating, we're saying it is as bad as being crucified. I have since stopped using the word in any fashion relating to my life. My day was not "excruciatingly boring," my headache, migraine though it might be, is not "excruciating"....nothing I have ever gone through in this life compares to what my Lord went through on that Cross.

I cannot fathom what it would have been like to get that first glimpse of the holy city of Jerusalem, knowing the adulation, teaching, betrayal, torture and death awaiting there, and to take another step towards it. But I am not my Lord; I have not His love, His compassion, His understanding, His forgiveness, His heart. I think as He saw the city, knowing what was coming, He also thought of me, drowning in my sins, and thus took another step. He thought of you, knowing you cannot save yourself, and took another step. What compelled Him towards Jerusalem? Love. Love for all those who are needy, broken, desperate, heart sick, fallen- for all of us. Love for the world, and especially love for those who would trust in Him and call upon His name for salvation.

On that hilltop, He saw more than the city, the betrayal and death to come. He saw us.

May your Holy Week be spent in time gathering close to the heart of Him who died and rose so that you might be saved.


On towards the Cross,
-Beth Butler

Abiding in the Storms

I was asked not long ago by a friend via facebook whether I resented my health problems, and after some reflection I answered that no, I don't.

I don't resent them, as numerous as they are, because the health problems have brought me closer to God. With cancer scares, heart issues..each that is, in mortal terms, very serious, there was a moment of fear at the onset of the diagnosis and then acceptance. When you stop and ponder how fleeting this life is (some die in car accidents in their teen years, or cancer takes a young mother of two) you focus your mind on what lays beyond this mortal coil. For tomorrow isn't promised to me, or to you, and what happens when you must leave this life? There are those who do their best to ignore the fact that death awaits, but that is like standing in the middle of train tracks ignoring the rushing locomotive charging towards you. When you can recognize that this life is finite and your time not guaranteed you learn to cherish each day, and revel in the small moments and pleasures of each day. You learn to love deeper, express your feelings more often, relish sunny days and quiet nights, play more freely, smile more frequently.

That is, you do all the above if you are at peace with what lays beyond death's door. If you think this life is all you have then death by accident, or cancer, or chance seems terribly unfair- something to rail futilely against. If you think there may be something else...but aren't sure what, the uncertainty eats at your peace and the thought of mortality creeps into your mind at unwanted times.

A faith in Christ answers the questions and fear of eternity. He promises salvation, by being the atoning sacrifice that pays the cost for your sins. For the Bible says that without faith in Christ, and the payment of your sins against God's law and nature, then you cannot spend eternity with God. (It always amazes me that people who do not want to buy into the Christian faith want to buy into the idea of heaven existing for everyone...why would a non-Christian be allowed into a Christian afterlife?)

But Christ has given you the means of salvation:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

—John 3:16-17


Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

—John 14:6


For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 6:23


Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

—Romans 10:9-13


And when we have accepted Christ, and what He has done for us, and when we have proclaimed He is Lord and given our heart to Him...something happens. Something wonderful.

He comes to abide with us. John 15:4 tells us Christ taught: " Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. "

Abide, in the dictionary, is defined as:

: to remain stable or fixed in a state
: to continue in a place :

The definition I liked the best said, "to wait or remain patiently." Christ is telling us to remain in Him, in His Word, patiently, resting, continuing and that if we do that then something miraculous will happen. He will come to abide in us. He will rest in our hearts, in our will and being.

If we rest-live-continue in the heart of Christ, He will enter our hearts and take up residence. We get the better of that arrangement by far! For when Christ abides in us (and we in Him) fruits of faith spring from our lives. Peacefulness, contentment, love for our neighbors, grace, mercy, compassion- Christ brings all these and more into our lives.

We are able, in our moments of weakness and fear, to draw from His strength- for He lends it to us. Our joy is made deeper because it flows with the joy of God. Our love is richer because God's love is intermixed with it. God gives to us, if we seek it, His guidance and wisdom, because we abide in Christ. Our burdens can be given over to Him, and His mercy and compassion given back to us. The divine nature enfolds us and holds us close- how treasured we are!

Not only has Christ given us the means of eternal salvation, but of earthly comfort, love and nourishment. When we are faced by the storms of this life; be they health problems, financial woes, betrayal by friends, or weather disasters-- we can rely on God when we abide in Him. We have God's peace when there are storms, God's guidance when we have questions, and God's joy in our accomplishments and joys. We learn to see life's storms as chances to draw closer to God and to those we love- and even though the storms have rough moments, we can look back at them and see they were blessings.


Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him

That is one of my very favorite verses in the Bible- for it reminds me that whatever I am going through, it will work in the end for my good.  That the storm I am in, God will use it to draw me closer to Him and turn it for my benefit.  That the storm ahead- God is already there.

Are you abiding in God?  Your faith cannot flourish unless you abide in God- that is where your strength comes from, where your peace comes from, where your contentment springs from.  Without abiding, your faith will wither.  Seek the heart of God, rest in His Word, revel in His peace.  For when you are abiding, all things turn into blessings, all things into joy.

-Beth Butler

I'm a Prodigal, Are you?

One of my favorite of the parables is that of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) It's the story where the son (a self centered rather demanding brat) demands his inheritance of his father, goes into the world to party, live large, impresses the wrong people.....and loses everything. The son is reduced to living in a pig pen, eating swill, near death's door itself and "ah-ha" the light bulb goes off. He realizes that if he goes back home to be mere lowly servant of his father, he'll live better than he is now. So he swallows his pride and makes the long journey home. How his feet must have dragged, how heavy his heart must have been. The shame of returning home in such circumstances!

As he nears, he sees his father on the porch, looking out onto the roads for sight of his son.

"“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

One of the most emotional verses in the Bible for me is right there...the father saw him and RAN to his son. He didn't wait for the son to come home in disgrace, he didn't stand there in silence and judgement. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. He ran to him.

This parable shows how we can return to God. For we're all that Prodigal son. We've all gone our own ways, done our own things...and found out this life isn't what it's cracked up to be. This world taints us, we find out the fun is hollow, the burdens are heavy and that most happiness is fleeting. We end up knowing we are meant for more, but we feel so downcast, stained and...un-worthy that the idea of going before God is scary. Even if we know that is where we need to be- how do we go to Him knowing we've let Him down?

If we will just master our pride and turn towards God, we'll find He's been waiting and watching for us. And when He sees us stumbling in that dusty road, humble, heartbroken and hopeful....He doesn't just stand there.

He runs to us.

He runs to us. Grabs us, holds us, kisses us, throws His robe on our shoulders and places a ring (which symbolizes a family bond) upon our finger. He calls for a feast. He never takes His eyes off of us. He greets the humble, returned child with joy, with love, with rejoicing. Not with judgement, but elation. He throws the biggest party we've ever seen....because we've come home.

I don't know where you are spiritually. Only you, and God, know that. But I've been that prodigal. I've broken God's heart...heck, I broke the hearts of my earthly family. I have sinned and stumbled and sat in the mire. I don't deserve grace.

I turned towards God, and looked up in shock and saw that God had been waiting and watching for me to come. And that He ran to me; claimed me, cleansed me and let me know I am His daughter. His beloved daughter. I don't deserve grace- but I got it, abundantly, mercifully, unexpectedly and overwhelmingly. It was showered upon me through the Father's love.

When I talk about God to you, I'm not preaching- I don't have that gift. And I'm not judging- for I have no right. I'm a sinner that made it home and I'm just trying to tell you the porch light is on for you as well. God is waiting, watching...and He wants to run out to you.

Be blessed friends, and be a blessing to someone else.

Beth Haynes Butler

Does the Bible promise you will get rich?

Hebrews 13:5

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”

There are a number of preachers today who tell you God wants you to be rich. They are lying to you. God wants many things for you- to be saved through the blood of Christ, to be faithful, to be just, to have a good spiritual life, to be a good family member- but He does NOT promise riches in this life.

There are verses which tell you that when you become a Christian, a true Christian, that you will find trouble in this life- that people will persecute you. (Matthew 5:11 for starters) In the early Church people went to the flames, to the lions, to the headsman and to the cross all for the sake of belonging to Jesus. Today, in places such as India and many spots in Africa, people are being killed, raped or tortured because they stand for Christ. The church even persecuted it's own in the middle ages for daring to want to give the common man access to the Bible in their own languages and worship God rather than the church.

In America, we don't face persecution very often. No matter what the far right says, Christianity is not under true attack here...yet. Every president has claimed to be of the Christian faith, no one is preventing you from going to church, you aren't in danger of losing your job because you're a Methodist or Catholic or Baptist, and no one is preventing you from marrying under your religious views.

You might, however, lose friends if you are truly faithful. You might not get on the fast track at work if you are truly faithful, you might not get invited to all the cool parties or you might have family discord.

For when you truly follow Christ- you have to live like it. You have to refrain from much of what the world thinks is right, and you have to refrain from much of what the "religious right" thinks is proper. You're rather stuck in the middle, in a narrow way. But that's okay, because Jesus told you it would be so. He tells us there is a narrow path to get to Him- so that is just where you want to be.

It can be hard when your worldly friends think you are a stick in the mud, and your religious friends (who care more for politics than doing what Jesus commands) think you are too liberal and caring. That's okay- you're not to worry about what they think as much as you are to care about what God thinks. God wants you on the front lines caring about the poor and the outcast, and He wants you to refrain from watching/reading/doing the worldly things that defile your soul.

And what about money? Does God want you to be poor? Not necessarily. There are those God gives wealth to, to further good works in this life in His name. Church tradition teaches that it was two very wealthy men (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea) that funded the early churches and the missions of the Apostles. (Someone had to pay the costs.) History is full of good stewards of money that have used their wealth to help the godly, reach out to the poor, fund hospitals and orphanages- do God's work by helping to spread the Gospel.

But God keeps wealth away from many for one reason- He knows that if they have it, they will worship the love of money and the world and turn away from Him- thus sending their soul into peril.

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36)

Or "19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:19-24)

It is alright to want to do well in this life to take care of your family, it is even better to want to do well in this life to help further the Kingdom of God. But learn to be content with what God has given you and to seek to do His will where you are. When you have shown you can be trusted with little, then you will be trusted with more. (Luke 16:10)

Keep your heart centered on God and remember- this life is only temporary- a pit stop if you will, on the greater journey that is eternity with God. This is your testing ground, your admittance final- this life only matters in that we grow close to God and choose His ways. For when we get to Heaven we'll look back and say, "I worried about that? I cared about that why?" It is the relationships you have here that matter (especially with God) and the work you do for Christ that will count.

Are you doing His work where you are? Is your soul longing and preparing for your true home? Is your focus where it should be?

Be blessed friends, and be a blessing to someone else.

-Beth Butler

What Voice Will You Listen To?

This world is full of divisiveness, pettiness, gossip and greed. It is full of those who step on others to get ahead or who hold back others so they may delight in another's suffering. This world is full of those who are self righteous and cruel, who hand out judgement and anger like candy freely given away on Halloween. There are voices clamoring that you will never be good enough, strong enough or smart enough...so be happy in pity or mediocrity.

You can listen to those voices, or you can listen to God. God who says you are worth dying for to redeem. You are precious. You are so beloved of Him that He engraved your name into His palms (Isaiah 49:16) and He holds you up with His right hand (Isaiah 41:10.) You are a prodigal child, but God is the Father waiting for you to come to Him. He has the party planned and the robe of belonging waiting to throw over your shoulder. He has the ring of inheritance ready to slip on your finger. You are cherished and wanted for eternity.

Listen to the message of love God has for you, choose to belong through Christ's redemptive blood. Your inheritance is bought and waiting, you need only choose to believe and answer God's call to you.

And then, become a light in this swirling darkness of our society. Be a voice that gives cheer to the sorrowful, love to the lonely, friendship to the outcasts and comfort to the elderly. Help bring people together when this world wants them to be further apart. Help to heal wounded hearts, be a balm to a weary soul. You are a light unto the world (Matthew 5:14) if only you choose to be.

You can choose to further the discord, or help to heal it. What will you choose?

Be Blessed friends, and be a Blessing to someone else.

-Beth Butler

‎"Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

‎"Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

~1 John 4:21b

Whosoever loves God MUST also love his brother. Who is our brother? When Jesus was presented with a similar question, He gave us the parable of the good Samaritan- which teaches all are our brothers, and it is he who acts in love and good faith that honors God. It is he, or she, who reaches out to the hurting person in love that is truly doing the work of God. 

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the "righteous" pass the wounded man on the side of the road, and it is the Samaritan (a group of people the Jews disdained and would have no contact with) that aided the wounded man and paid for his care. When Jesus asks who was the good neighbor in this situation, we all know it is the man who actually stopped and did something for the injured- the man who didn't regard race and class separations but acted in love anyway.

The verse above tells us if we truly love God we absolutely must love our brothers. Who is your brother or sister? They are not just those who go to your church, your civic clubs, your gym, your workplace. They are not just your friends and family, your social peers. Your brother or sister is the homeless man or woman down on their luck and needing help. They are the disenfranchised youth, the ones you shake your head at and wonder what this world is coming to. They are the prisoners. They are the scared and lonely seniors, abandoned in nursing homes or trying to fend the best they can in their lifelong homes now in older, not so well kept neighborhoods. They are the people of other faiths, the people of other sexual preferences, the people of other race. They are anyone God puts you in contact with. Anyone.

Each person you meet is someone God set for you to meet. You are His ambassador to them. Are you showing His love to them? You're not going to like each person you meet- we're all human and some interactions don't go so smoothly. The Bible says we must love our neighbors as ourselves, which means we are to help take care of them. Let's be honest, do any of us like everything about ourselves? I know I don't...but I still value myself, take care of myself, love myself. We all do. We all take care of ourselves even when there are traits and characteristics about us that we don't like. 

In the same manner, you can not like everything about someone else, yet still love them. Love, like forgiveness, is more an action than a feeling sometimes. We show love by acting in love. You may not like how that angry teenager cusses, but treat them in gentleness anyway. You may not like how pretentious your next door neighbor acts, be friendly and kind anyway. As you find actions of love to do for someone else- everything from a smile, to a prayer, to a plate of cookies or a warm jacket- you will find the feelings will follow. 

Just remember as you meet each person- this is someone God loves. God loves them so much He died on a cross for them. How can I show them a fraction of His love today?

-Beth Butler

Does God want Christians to actually care and care for the poor and the elderly? Or can we ignore them and still be ok with God?

I hear a lot from Republican friends on how faithful and religious they are- and maybe so.  Though the Pharisees were religious too.  Hmm.  I'm an Independent myself, and a Christian first beyond any political affiliation.

Whenever I consider an issue, I think...how does God want me to respond to this?  What should my worldview be?  

There are a lot of people talking about cuts in our budgets to the poorest in our country.  Now...the Bible has over 300 verses about how God feels about the poor, and about how we are to treat them.  Here are some of them.

God's love and concern for the poor

Deut. 26:5-9. The Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction and our toil and our oppression; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror and with signs and wonders; and He has brought us to... this land flowing with milk and honey.

Luke 4:16-21. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read... "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He appointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD... Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Ps. 140:12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.

Is. 25:4. For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress.

Ps. 10:14. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan... O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed.

Is 41:17. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them.

Luke 6:20-21. Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

James 2:5. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

God's Commandments Concerning the Poor

Deut. 15:7. If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

Deut. 26:12. When you have finished paying the complete tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and the widow, that they may eat in your towns, and be satisfied.

Lev. 19:19ff. Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.

Prov. 31:8ff. [Commandment to kings.] Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Is. 58:66ff. Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Jer. 22:3. Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Luke 12:33. "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys."

Luke 3:11. And [John the Baptist] would answer and say to them, "Let the man with two tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise."

Mt. 5:42. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Blessings for those who care for the poor

Prov. 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Jer. 22:16 "Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is that not what it means to know Me?" declares the LORD.

Deut. 15:10. You shall give generously to [your poor brother], and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.

Prov. 19:17. He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.

Jer. 7:5-7. "For, if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever."

Is. 58:10. "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

Luke 14:12-14. "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Consequences of not serving the poor

Ezek. 16:49ff. "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it."

Is. 10:1-3. "Woe to those who enact evil statutes, and to those who continually record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice, and rob the poor of My people of their rights... Now what will you do in the day of punishment, and in the devastation which will come from afar?"

Luke 1:52ff. [Mary's Magnificat.] "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were hungry. He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty-handed."

Ezek. 22:29,31. "The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice... Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the Lord GOD.

Jer. 5:28f. "[The wicked] do not plead the cause, the cause of the orphan, that they may prosper; and they do not defend the rights of the poor. Shall I not punish these people?" declares the LORD. "On such a nation as this, shall I not avenge myself?"

James 5:1-6. Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. ...Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and with you have withheld, cries out against you; and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

Luke 6:24. "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full."

Luke 16:19-25. "Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 

Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.' 

But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony...'"

Then there are the elderly.  So much talk of cutting their safety net.  Now, if we were a culture that still took care of their elders, maybe that wouldn't be such a big deal.  But we're not.  We're a culture that puts our seniors in homes and visits when it is holiday time, or our consciences bug us too much.  Now, I know not all of us do that (we took care of my husband's mother, and I know others who do the same) but ...come on, it's pretty common now.  How do you think God feels about us neglecting our seniors and then wanting to cut their money and security as well?

1 Timothy 5:8 

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Ephesians 6:2 

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.'

- Leviticus 19:32

Proverbs 23:22 "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."

My favorite verses concerning the poor, the elderly and the outcasts come from Jesus Himself.  He taught in Matthew that those who take care of the poor, the elderly, the outcasts out of love for Him will be rewarded and be with Christ in eternity.  But those who don't do those things, even if they preach the right words, yet do not have love and compassion for the weak- well, they go to destruction...to hell.

Matthew 25:31-46

New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Remember- your life must show your faith.  If you have true faith, it will show in your love for others, especially the weak of our society.  If our lives show no actions towards those God wants us to love and care for- do we have faith at all?

James 2:15-17

"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

I know many good and faithful conservatives, people I am proud to call friends and family.  I know many modern Pharisees as well, who think that because they warm a pew on Sunday and give a tithe...well, that entitles them to preach hate, to cut help to the poor and needy and to look on with disdain those who most need help. I pray they actually start reading their Bibles and become saved....for unless we do as Christ commands us to do- we don't make it to Heaven.  Everyone needs to make sure their faith is true, and is shown through how they treat others.  That includes how we treat the homeless man on the corner, how we vote, and what jokes we tell with our friends.  Does your life reflect the teachings of Christ?