THE CHRIST KILLERS (It Takes One to Know One)

Christ Killers - Many people, at least since the days of Hitler, have used this term for the Jewish people. They have used it as a rationale for their hatred and persecution of the Jews for generations, and in a way, I suppose, they are right. The Jewish leaders of that day, with the approval of many of their people, did indeed kill Christ, but then, so did we all.

Scriptures tell the story of the woman who was pulled into the city streets and how many of the people who had gathered around the scene wanted to stone her, to kill her, because of her sin. Yet Jesus quietly, brilliantly, came to her aid. Though He did not look at them, He looked into the very heart of every one of them. He saw their sin in all its ugliness. The sin, hopefully, no one else knew about. The sin they tried to conveniently forget. Jesus looked straight into their souls and said. ‘Let anyone of you who is without sin cast the first stone.’ One by one they dropped the stones, shamed, with no defense before God, or man, they turned and walked away.

And so it is today, Christ looks into our souls and says the same thing. 'Let those of you who are without sin, those of you whose life is so perfect that you feel you have no need of a sacrifice to cover your sin, come forth.' Go ahead, cast the first stone at the Jewish people. Any takers? Not if you are honest. It's always easier to blame others, isn't it. Not to take our share of the responsibility for something gone wrong.

Never let yourself forget, that we have all sinned. We all have that ugly side of ourselves. The side that demands us to seek God's forgiveness. The ugly side that is in desperate need of a sacrifice to cover it.

Everyone of us is responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. Everyone of us created the situation that brought Christ into this world to be the sacrifice for sin. The sin of all mankind, not just some of us. Because of our sin, we are all, every son and daughter of Adam, Christ Killers.© 2011 Rachel Whelan

CALLING ON GOD

Many people, on all sides of the political spectrum, are criticizing Texas Gov. Rick Perry for the prayer rally he pulled together this past weekend. They all have their opinions, so I figure I might as well throw mine in as well.

I believe there is no wrong time to call on the Lord in prayer, I don't care who you are. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the same people who are constantly calling for separation of church and state, who are thereby attempting to compartmentalize peoples' lives, are the same ones who would hold to the theory that it's okay to cheat on your spouse, because in their minds they can justify their acts by telling themselves that 'one thing has nothing to do with the other'. What you believe is who you are and, of course, it necessarily affects everything you think and do.

This country was founded by men who understood that principle. Men who understood that God reigns supreme in the affairs of men and called upon Him for His mercy, wisdom and providence in their decisions. Men who understood that you cannot govern a people who could not, would not, admit that there was an authority higher than themselves and those who would rule over them and who would not willingly submit to that authority. When men turn their backs on God and become a law unto themselves you do not have government, you have anarchy. Every man doing what is right in his own eyes.

Well, I say kudos to Gov. Perry. Whatever you think of him, he at least seems to know where to look for the answers to the problems that beset this country and the world. He is willing to admit he is not the smartest person in the room and call on the God who both can and will do something to turn our situation around if we will only humble ourselves and pray and seek His face.

The Scriptures say that wherever there is life there is hope, and the way I see it, if twelve men from Galilee can turn the world upside down just think of the effects that thirty-thousand plus people on their knees can have. © 2011 Rachel Whelan

GIFTS AND TALENTS

The gifts and talents that God bestows upon us are not given to make us rich, though they may, they are given to open doors so that we may share the Gospel with a world full of people who are lost and in need of a Saviour.© 2014 Rachel Whelan

RELATIONSHIPS

Our relationship with God and our relationships with one another are the only things we can take into eternity. Sadly, I learned yet again this week, how fragile such things are. How we take them for granted too easily. We hold grudges, quibble over the most insignificant things. We don't try hard enough to make those relationships work. To make them last. Learn to hold your loved ones close. Keep each moment precious. They pass too quickly and you can never get them back.© 2012 Rachel Whelan