When we come together, we receive from a shared strength, common to every believer. Connected, we are resilient and strong, and it takes a very great deal to incapacitate us. It seems that we are organically linked as believers, and that there exists a connection through the work and personality of the Holy Spirit.
That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. (Romans 12:5)
We must grip the reality that each one has a connection to Jesus AND a connection to each other. It is not necessarily physical, but it is a real spiritual connection, like plugging into the wall socket.
The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” -Mark 6:2
When Jesus began to teach, people began to really listen. The synagogue was definitely the perfect place for Him, and it was there He got a chance to explain things. In many places, when this happens there is a casual and general acceptance of the lecturers tenets. But with Jesus sharing there was amazement. They were astonished at the things Jesus shared. There was a wallop as He spoke, and for the first time common people were able to connect some “dots”. They lit on this like ants at a picnic!
A large group together posed a question. “Where” did this teaching come from? This is so amazing! But what is the source? The teaching itself was not the issue, but is it from God or is it satanic? And how did Jesus come by this teaching? It is so profound! Two words to describe listening to Him: Wisdom and Power. Profound, but what is its source?
I think a real mystique began to develop around Jesus. There was a real sense that He showed He was both capable and legitimate. In His speaking He projected a power and grace which had never, ever been seen before. The listeners had never before heard what this man intended to do.
And we haven’t mentioned the miracles yet. Jesus did some things that astonished the witnesses. Although not listed in this account, they must have left an imprint. When the blind man three chairs down is healed, you have to stand and take notice. The miracle leaves you gasping, “Who is this?”
Jesus never accepted ambiguity. He never accepted the idea of purposefully being vague and elusive. He never contented Himself to hide in the shadows of “maybe”. Direct and bold, He reaches out to the synagogue. He gently draws the hearts of the inquisitive and seeking to Himself.
A lthough things are not perfect B ecause of trial or pain C ontinue in thanksgiving D o not begin to blame. E ven when the times are hard F ierce winds are bound to blow G od is forever able H old on to what you know. I magine life without His love J oy would cease to be K eep thanking Him for all the things L ove imparts to thee. M ove out of “Camp Complaining” N o weapon that is known O n earth can yield the power P raise can do alone. Q uit looking at the future R edeem the time at hand S tart every day with worship T o “thank” is a command. U ntil we see Him coming V ictorious in the sky W e’ll run the race with gratitude X alting God most high. Y es, there will be good times and yes some will be bad, but… Z ion waits in glory…where none are ever sad!
“Too blessed to be stressed!” The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Be Blessed.
If you can’t sue the Lord for libel, what are your options? A Michigan man is about to find out. Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, has filed lawsuits in a Michigan federal court against Zondervan Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishing, claiming some editions of the Bibles those companies put out call homosexuality sinful, which has led him to suffer discrimination, emotional pain and mental instability.
“Defendant willfully caused me to endure acts of hate, discrimination, and loss of sleep, appetite, by structuring their New King James Bible to reflect God’s distaste of homosexuals,” Fowler wrote in his complaint against Thomas Nelson filed this week.
“By designing this product to promote hate and violence toward homosexuality, because such product is promoted as being the ‘authentic word of God,’ it is a design defect,” says Fowler’s lawsuit.
Fowler is seeking million from Zondervan, alleging their Bibles refer to homosexuality as a sin have made him an outcast from his family and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of “demoralization, chaos and bewilderment.” He is seeking million from Thomas Nelson.
The suit against Zondervan claims 1982 and 1987 editions of the publisher’s Bible declare homosexuality to be wrong in 1 Corinthians 6:9:”Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.”
Fowler claims the term was edited out of the 1989 and 1994 editions, but consumers were not informed.
“This misrepresentation is a willful and deliberate tort. Fraudulently imposing a written defamation or libel in order to prevent me from marrying someone of the same sex in this state,” his lawsuit states. “This obvious coerced method of mind control and social dictatorship violates the religious [sacred] laws which prevent anyone from adding to the Biblical scriptures or from taking any words away from the text.”
Fowler levels similar allegations against Thomas Nelson regarding the company’s earlier versions of the New King James Bible.
The intent of the publisher was to promulgate a point of view to cause “me or anyone who is a homosexual to endure verbal abuse, discrimination, episodes of hate, and physical violence … including murder,” the lawsuit states.
Fowler said the editions of the Bibles he cites have destroyed his relationship with his family who refuses to support him because the Bible says homosexuality is a sin.
What do you think? Should the publishers of Bibles be held accountable for the pain inflicted by what many readers consider to be God’s word?
A lthough things are not perfect
Broken Believers 