US Healthcare

If I honestly love others the same way that I love myself how can I stand by and dispassionately watch them go without healthcare? How can I be a doer of God's word? How the love of God is shown by me, by my state or by my country…that determines if we can be called Christian.

Acts 11:11-15

Jesus promised us that when He left earth He would not leave us alone and that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things. When we listen and do what He tells us we and our family will be saved. Sometimes it is so hard to hear His small voice but if we quiet ourselves trusting Him totally we will hear Him.

11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'

Mark 5:18-20

There are millions of us who live with mental illness, either ourselves or those closest to us. Depression is the most common and it can affect everything we do. There are so many who are drug dependent simply to keep them from suicidal thoughts. Loneliness, broken hearts and the stress that it brings can literally kill us. We can call out to God and He can and He does heal. By sharing our experiences of the mercy and healing He has given us we are doing the will of the Father and offering hope to others going through the same situations.

18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Psalm 15:27

February 24, 2010

There are people whose sole ambition is "to attain" ….power, control, status, money. They consider no one but themselves and they are never satisfied or at peace. Their families are filled with depression, divorce, drug dependency, and desperation the byproducts of those who love things and not people. Thank God that there are more people who would never accept payment in any form to hurt another to benefit themselves and love justice for all more than their own personal well being.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

 

Psalm 68:4-6

God is our Father. He especially cares for households where husbands or fathers are absent. When we call out to God and place our trust in Him He will provide the way to abundant life. Woe to those who make children fatherless and women widows. Praise Him for His goodness and His loving care!

Yah is a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. There is a significant emphasis on the name of God. For all people, He is in His holy habitation, dispensing justice.

68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;

Extol Him who rides on the clouds.

And rejoice before Him.

5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,

Is God in His holy habitation.

6 God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Esther 8:6

If I honestly love others the same way that I love myself how can I stand by and dispassionately watch them go without jobs, food, shelter or healthcare? How can I watch them suffer and do nothing? How can I be a doer of God's word? How the love of God is shown by me, by my state or by my country…that determines if we can be called Christian.

Esther, knowing that danger still lurked ahead for her people, pleaded passionately for their lives before the king. Courageously Esther implored the king to revoke Haman's hateful decree against all the Jews in the empire.

8:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?

Deuteronomy 12:7

All good things come from God! Give the control of your life to God and watch Him work in your life and the life of your family. In everything praise Him. He is a good and loving Father who blesses His children. Don't forget to
thank Him!!

God favored His people by giving them children, flocks, and the crops of the land. His blessing brought vitality, enrichment of life, and happiness to His people.

12:7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.

1 Corinthians 13

Without love man would not exist. We were created out of God's great need to love and to be loved. The only thing that we will carry with us into His kingdom is the love that we have shown others in our life here on earth. The Triune God is love and an example to us of agape love in action! Without love as the source nothing we say or do matters.

Paul uses an intentional exaggeration to illustrate the uselessness of each spiritual gift without love. Faith enables us to come to God (see Heb. 11:6), but love enables us to imitate Him.

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Peter 4:8-11

Love, the agape unconditional love of God, is the highest gift given to man. His love covered us in the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, and no greater love than this exists. We can do nothing less than to show others the love that we have been shown. Be kind to others is that so much to ask? God has given each of us a talent to use for His glory and for the benefit of others, use it for the purpose for which it was given. In everything give thanks to Him who provides all! To God be all honor and glory, not man.

We can demonstrate our love for our fellow believers by truly forgiving them and not talking openly about their past sins. In NT times, hospitality typically meant housing and feeding travelers for two to three days with no expectation of payment in return. Being truly hospitable required personal sacrifice. Every believer is gifted to serve. Christians should use the power God gives them to do His will on earth.

4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 12:9-21

Be real, get rid of the bad in your life and replace it with good. Be kind, respect others, show no partiality, love everyone even those who don't love you and let patience do her mighty work. Help others with what God has given you and pray always. Have empathy for others and be humble remembering life with all its trials and tribulations happens to everyone. Live a peaceful life and forgive freely just as God as forgiven us keeping in mind the sacrifice that He gave for our life in His Son. Love conquers all!

The greatest proof of the truth of the gospel message and of the reality of Jesus' love is the love believers show to each other. Christ is the model for such self-sacrificial love. Because believers are a body, when one part hurts, everyone feels the pain; when one is joyful, everyone can rejoice. Christians cannot be indifferent to the suffering or joy of their fellow believers.

12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

"It is not that we know God that matters but that God knows us"... My Pastor Steven Rauch said this at yesterday's service. How profound. It is not a matter of the mind; it is a matter of the heart! We should be known by the love that we show to each other only then will we fulfill His commandments. This outpouring of love comes as God sanctifies us and places His great agape, unconditional love in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. As the fruit of the Spirit permeates our life it manifest as love for God above all and then for ourselves and others. It is only by the grace of God that we can know this kind of love and only in Him can we show it to others consistently in good times and in bad.

Satan persecutes Christians in order to discourage and defeat them. The Thessalonians' steadfast faith not only strengthened them to withstand difficult circumstances, it also motivated them to express genuine love for others. A Christian's faith in Christ should always culminate in true love for others.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure

1 Thessalonians 4:3-12

There are those, Christian and non Christian, who will tell you anything in order to seduce you. We must be wise as serpents but as gentle as doves. We must set up boundaries and not let our kindness be taken advantage of. Our society does not support Christian values and it is easy to overlook God's way in our quest for love and acceptance. He gives us boundaries because He loves us and He knows the depth of emotional pain and the shame that come after relationships that we should not have entered into to begin with. It is no small feat to balance the great love for others that the Holy Spirit places in our hearts with common sense when it comes to those of the opposite sex. We must love others, especially other Christians, but we must trust no one but God alone. We are failed human beings striving to live holy lives worthy of our calling in Christ….a truly humbling experience. We need to live a peaceful life supporting ourselves with the talents and gifts that the Father has given to each of us. Satan roams the earth searching for those that he can devour let us help one another who have fallen victim to his wiles.

A major problem for the early church was maintaining sexual purity. The body should be honored as created by God and should be sanctified in keeping with its holy purpose. Sexual involvement outside of marriage dishonors God, one's marriage partner or future spouse, and even one's own body. In a world that is filled with self-serving individuals, the genuine love of Christians should attract others to the faith. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers to lead a quiet life, not referring to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith. Paul admonished the Christians to be dedicated and productive workers so that they might bring honor to Christ's name.

4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Hebrew 3:1-3

It is our job to be God's hands of mercy and love to a world bent on destruction and chaos. We are to be vessels of peace that show no partiality and a voice for those who have no voice or power themselves.

The idea is that when you practice hospitality you may be helping a messenger of God without realizing it.

13 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

1 Thessalonians 5:15B-17

We need to care for each other, comfort each other, be examples of God's love to one another and let patience do her perfect work. If it is good for another it is good for us!

Paul teaches the Thessalonians submission rather than individualism and rejection of authority. To be most effective in promoting positive change in people's lives, believers should respond to individuals according to each one's particular needs. For a Christian to try to get revenge is a denial of basic Christian love, and it goes against Jesus' teaching.

5:15 Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

John 15:9-17

Jesus gave up His life in exchange for ours. He laid aside His deity and He who had no sin became sin to put an end to its hold on man. We must love others in the same manner that He loved us and that His Father loved us. No greater gift will anyone give than the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus with the Father who created them. We remain in Him if we keep His command to LOVE. Love conquers all!

The love of God the Father for God the Son is the measure of the love of the Son for believers. Christ loves believers unconditionally. The supreme example of love is Jesus' humility in sacrificial service.

9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Ephesians 4:1-3

The Holy Spirit is the heart of the Father he is gentle, compassionate and loving. If we want His presence in our lives and in our churches we need to be at peace with each other. The hardest thing that we will ever do is to love those who have hurt us, those who are totally different from us and those who look down on us. The one thing that we can do for God that brings with it eternal benefits is to love people, all people, in our hearts and in His name.

Only the Spirit can empower us to treat people this way consistently. Often we ask God to be patient with our own failings, and yet do not exercise the same type of patience ourselves. All Christians are one in the Spirit. It is our duty to keep or observe that unity, recognize it as real, and act upon it without a sectarian spirit

4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,  with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Galatians 6:9-10

If someone needs your help, help them, willingly. Because we love we do good. It is as easy as that to please your heavenly Father. Oh what a glorious God we serve.

In this verse, Paul speaks of doing good. The apostle has argued at length that such works cannot justify or sanctify anyone. However, good works are, in fact, an important fruit of the life of faith that God has planned for each believer.

6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:1-5

In this life we will have trials and heartache, it is called Life. But we can lighten each other's hearts simply by being there for each other, having empathy for each other and by being doers, helpers to each other. Anything is easier to bear when we have someone beside us with Jesus!

The term fulfill suggests that choosing to bear another Christian's burdens is precisely what Christ expects of all believers. The Greek word for burdens refers to something beyond the normal capacity to carry, as opposed to a "load", which is what a person could be expected to carry. Anyone who concludes that he is something special, through shortsighted self-comparison with those who seem to have fallen, truly deceives himself. Instead of examining and judging others, a Christian should always examine his own work to see if he is closely following Christ's example.

Bear and Share the Burdens

6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Luke 10:30-37

Do you want to be like Jesus? You had better learn to love everyone, even those you or society have decided to look down upon. God loves each and every person, all nationalities, all without partiality, we must do the same. If we do not show mercy, in the form of doing, we will not be shown mercy. When we give of our time and money to those in need we build up lasting treasure in heaven where nothing can destroy it. Not all who say they knew Jesus will be acknowledged by Him in His kingdom. It will be those who did that which He commanded…Love your neighbor as yourself.

Part of the beauty of the story of the Good Samaritan is the reversal of stereotypes. The priest and Levite traditionally would have been the "good guys." The Samaritan would have been a "bad guy," a person who compromised in religious matters. However, the Samaritan knew how to treat his neighbor. The neighbor here was not someone the Samaritan knew or even someone of the same race, just someone in need. The central issue is not determining who one's neighbor is, but being a good neighbor to all.

10:30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"

37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."

Then Jesus said to him,
"Go and do likewise."

Leviticus 19:11-18

The guidelines for the Christian, the employer, the welfare system and the judicial courts are explained in these OT passages. White collar crime should not be treated any differently than blue collar crime. We should make all places handicapped assessable. We should take care of those disabled who cannot take care of themselves. Wages should be paid on time and in full. We should treat others the way that we would like them to treat us. If you have problems with someone go to them and talk it over with them. If you cannot say something nice about someone to someone else then keep your mouth closed……If we are to call ourselves Christian then we must love others as much as we love ourselves, period!

A day laborer needed his pay daily to provide food for himself and his family. To withhold it for one's own gain or convenience created a hardship for him and was forbidden. In court, neither the poor, nor the mighty, nor even a person's neighbor were to be given any special treatment. The way to avoid letting hatred build up was to confront the person. Ideally this would involve resolving the issue face to face. You shall love your neighbor as yourself: Jesus identified this as one of only two commandments that, if kept, would fulfill all of the Law (Matt. 22:37–40).

19:11 'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. 12 And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

13 'You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

15 'You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

17 'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Romans 13:8-10

In loving others and in caring for their well being as much as we care for our own well being we fulfill God's golden rule of love. If we truly love God and others we will be doers and not just hearers of the word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

Love is a debt that is never paid in full. We are commanded to love others just as genuinely and sincerely as we love ourselves. Therefore when we love, we automatically fulfill the prohibitions of the law.

13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.