Archive for Luke 6

The Man Who Died for Me… Christine McDonald

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Christine "Clarity" McDonald with tags , , , , on September 20, 2019 by paulthepoke

Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely….He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. —Dieter F. Uchtdorf

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Love is something more stern and splendid than mere kindness.” Oftentimes as Christians we try expressing the love of Christ through kindness alone, but as Lewis stresses, kindness is but one attribute of love; it is not actually love itself. When we consider how we love others, what is our motive? Are we satisfied if we are just the seed planter? Are we satisfied if we are simply serving?

In the book of Luke we read, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” (Luke 6:35)

Love your enemies…

If this is how we are to treat our enemies, how should we treat those for whom we have compassion and want to see brought into His Kingdom?

Loving others is an act of obedience, but we cannot trick God. He alone sees our hearts. He knows if we are giving food to the hungry out of love, or if we are merely baiting the hungry so we can guilt them to repentance with our message—our message. God’s message is not one of trickery or condemnation, nor does it demand that broken people turn from their vices before crying out to Him. God alone can fill our empty spaces, cleanse us of our sins, and buff our rough places. He alone can draw us in.

The Lover of Our Souls draws us through compassion. He alone meets us where we are, wipes away our tears, and saves us. When we give to those who are in need, it should be the overflow of what we have been given, and it should be truly free. When we put a price or a demand on these actions, we are cheating the very ones who move His heart.

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:40, NLT)

The question is: How, then, are we treating Christ?

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

https://crypurplemovie.com/

Leave a comment »

Attitude Check

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald, Culture with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 14, 2018 by paulthepoke

Christine McDonaldFeaturing Christine Clarity McDonald

Christine is a requested, featured guest speaker for many conferences and outreach events.

Luke 6:41-42 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. -Jesus

Examine yourself and your thoughts regarding homelessness, prostitution, the disease of addiction/addicts, and individuals who have been in prison.

Ask yourself:
• Do I have a clear understanding of poverty and breaking those cycles?
• Do I believe “once a criminal always a criminal”?
• Do I believe that the most helpful thing I can do for a homeless individual is tell them of a job opening, or give them a job application?
• Do I believe that prostitution is a choice?
• Do I believe that the solution for addicts is just abstinence? And that if they just wouldn’t use all would be well?

I encourage you to answer these questions now.

Dear Reader, I pray that as you read God will open your eyes to see every person around you through eyes of love and grace through the very eyes of Jesus. I pray that you will recognize each and every individual, regardless of their  background or choices or present state, as the same kind of human—precious individuals created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:26-27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

Read more at…

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_2KTuGJC5OVRgfX&asin=B01N4D2T1O&tag=kpembed-20

 

Leave a comment »

Love Your Enemy, Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , , , on July 1, 2018 by paulthepoke
terrorism
muslim militants

We have sadly become a selfish society. We only care about ourselves & certain others. We have those that bash our President because he wants to get along with Russia & North Korea. God didn’t say to hate your enemies, he said to love them. He also said to love your neighbors as yourself. Well, your neighbors are not just like you. They are black, white, brown, red, gay, straight, tall, short, big, small, or whatever. Jesus didn’t turn anyone away because they were different. He always taught & healed in love. God didn’t say we had to agree with or do what others do, only to love them. I’ve seen enough hate to last a lifetime, let’s love instead. Don’t bash what you dislike, but do praise what you love.

Mark 12:31 The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself, there is no other commandment greater than these.”

Luke 6:27 “But I say to you that hear, love your enemies. Do good to those that hate you.”

Have a loving week my friends!!!

Leave a comment »

Love Your Neighbor… ALL of ’em!

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald with tags , , , on June 13, 2018 by paulthepoke

Featuring Christine “Clarity” McDonald

Christine is commissioned by the Missouri Supreme Court for the Trafficking Task Force.

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. …He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Christine McDonald

The following is from The Same Kind of Human Seeing the Marginalized and Exploited Through Eyes of Grace, Christine “Clarity” McDonald

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Love is something more stern and splendid than mere kindness.” Oftentimes as Christians we try expressing the love of Christ through kindness alone, but as Lewis stresses, kindness is but one attribute of love – it is not actually love itself. When we consider how we love others, what is our motive? Are we satisfied if we are just the seed planter? Are we satisfied if we are simply serving?

In the book of Luke we read, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35).

If this is how we are to treat our enemies, how should we treat those for whom we have compassion and want to see brought into His Kingdom?

homeless

Loving others is an act of obedience, but we cannot trick God. He alone sees our hearts. He knows if we are giving food to the hungry out of love, or if we are merely baiting the hungry so we can guilt them to repentance with our message… our message. God’s message is not one of trickery or condemnation, nor does it demand that broken people turn from their vices before crying out to Him. God alone can fill our empty spaces, cleanse us of our sins, and buff our rough places. He alone can draw us in.

The Lover of Our Souls draws us through compassion. He alone meets us where we are, wipes away our tears, and saves us. When we give to those who are in need, it should be the overflow of what we have been given, and it should be truly free. When we put a price or a demand on these actions, we are cheating the very ones who move His heart.

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:40, NLT. 

The question is, how, then, are we treating Christ?

Love your neighbor… ALL of ’em! -Christine “Clarity” McDonald

 

Read more at…

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment »

Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , on April 15, 2018 by paulthepoke

We are meant to want to see others succeed & to help them do as much when needed, not to be self serving. We will all have ups & downs & a helping hand to lift us up & help push us will always be needed. Be the kind of friend that you would want in your life. By giving, you will be rewarded. Let’s help each other succeed.

In all you do, do it in kindness & love. Our communities & world need a lot more of this.

Helping Others

Photo: iStock

Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap. For the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Have a helping week my friends!!!

 

 

Leave a comment »

Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , on February 11, 2018 by paulthepoke

Forgiveness is something I struggled with for years. I finally figured out it wasn’t necessarily for them, but for me. I needed to forgive to be able to let go & move on. Not forgiving leaves us stuck in the same place. Also, I had to learn to forgive myself & stop beating myself up. We need to learn to forgive as quickly as we want God to forgive us. Forgiveness brings peace.

forgiveness

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have something against anyone, so that your Father also who is in Heaven may forgive you of your trespasses.

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Have a forgiving week my friends!!!

Leave a comment »

Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , on December 10, 2017 by paulthepoke

kindness

There is never a good time to be selfish, but especially this time of year when others are struggling with depression & loneliness. This can be the loneliest time of year for some. Every small act of kindness can change someone’s day. It is a busy time of the year. It takes little effort or time to brighten someone’s day & make them feel that they matter. Be a blessing to others.

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Luke 6:31 And as you wish others would do to you, do also to them.

Have an unselfish week my friends!!!

Leave a comment »

Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , on October 5, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

We all have wants in life, but what are you willing to give? I believe you have to give freely, the same things you are wanting to receive. That goes for kindness, respect, love, all areas of life really. Being selfish will not be prosperous for long, so give unselfishly 😊

Doing what is right should be easy. But greed & selfishness fogs the brain & darkens the heart. Be content & give of yourself & you will be rewarded.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Proverbs 11:24-25 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 28:25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

Proverbs 11:24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Have a selfless and giving weekend my friends!!!

Leave a comment »

Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly, Uncategorized with tags , , , on August 3, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

You are ultimately the determining factor in your own happiness. Do not give that power to others. Others can add to your happiness, but you have to be in charge of it. Change your mindset to keep out the negative thoughts & focus on the good.

Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

The happiest people are those that give of themselves to better or help others. Not for the purpose of bragging, but to feel good in their hearts. Making others smile & feel secure is a sure way to happiness.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap. For the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Have a happy and giving weekend my friends!!!

Leave a comment »

%d bloggers like this: