Different Doesn’t Mean Unlovable

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“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?”  – Matthew 5:45-47


The newspapers were scrambling for the first print.  The camera crews and on-site reporters pushed through the crowds to shove a microphone in front of the eye-witness’ and ask the probing questions.  You see, once again the city streets of New York were littered with debris and smoke.  Except this time, no one appeared to have been in the building when the bomb went off.  Either there was a malfunction in the timing device or the intent was only to cause fear in the hearts of those in central Manhattan.  Regardless, the manhunt was on.  The small bakery was run by a Christian man and wife, who had been on the news recently for refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay marriage.

It was the story of the day, and the next and the following.  With plenty of video evidence from area security cameras, the individual was recognized and even named.  Yet, he continued to evade the police in their attempts to find him.  The city was on the lookout as time continued to slip by.  Friday turned into Saturday and then Sunday morning rolled around.

The pews at St Paul’s Chapel were more full that particular morning as people realized just how delicate and precious life is.  This is the church most remembered as the place George Washington addressed the public from the steps of St Paul’s following his inauguration as the first President of the United States.  St. Paul’s stood in the shadows of the World Trade Center on Sept 11, 2001; and stood just as tall on Sept 12^th, amidst the carnage and rubble of the buildings all around it.  It’s just a church building, but it has seen it’s share of unbelievable history and changing of times in these United States of America.

As the Priest moved to begin the homily that Sunday morning, there was a noise coming from the pews near the back.  A man, wearing a long beard, a turban and sandals, dirtied in his attire and appearance, stood and began walking down the center of the church.  Those in the sanctuary began yelling obscenities and some even spit upon him.  One large man along the aisle actually threw a punch and struck the man in the eye, which sent him tumbling into the parishioners on the other side of the aisle. 

Regaining his balance he walked toward the front, amidst a large crowd now.  He stopped as he neared the second row, where the couple who owned the bakery sat quietly.  Looking down at them, through a swollen, bloodied eye, and a quivering lip, he said these simple words, “Please forgive me.  I am so sorry for what I have done to you.  I have spent the last week asking Allah to forgive me for my mistake with the timer, only to realize how inhumane and evil my actions really were.”  He continued, “Then last night I had a dream, and Jesus stood at the end of my bed.  His face was peaceful, not angry and He held out his hand in love.  He told me that He had protected you from the explosion, and that taking another life was not required, for He alone had given His life that we may all return to paradise with Him.”

“I took His hand and stood to my feet before Him.  My knees buckled and I fell to my face in reverence and submission.  For the first time in my life I realized who my Lord really was.  I am here to help you rebuild or whatever you need to get your store re-opened.”  With that he stood and turned back to the Priest, and apologized for interrupting the service.  The crowd had not diminished and still threw insults and condemnation at him as he began to leave the sanctuary.  Men were stepping in front of him, ready to fight, someone had called the police and sirens could be heard outside.  The man covered his head and continued to push his way through the angry mob.

The police came in the back of the church, saw the man and wrestled him to the ground.  As they began to secure him with handcuffs, he looked up and saw a young girl walking towards him.  The police stood him to his feet as she stepped near him.  She reached out and embraced the man, squeezing him ever so tight, and said to him, “Mommy and Daddy say you are forgiven, and I want you to know Jesus loves you and so do we.”  Just then her father stepped forward and asked the policeman to remove the handcuffs.  After debating this point with the officer for a moment, the man said, “I am not pressing charges against this man."

The room filled with violent screaming and yelling.  Anger came from every corner towards the bakery owner and the terrorist.  Years of pent up anger and hatred poured out right there in the sanctuary that morning.  As the police removed the handcuffs, the mob closed in and began pushing him and yelling at him, calling him unspeakable names.  Then there was a tap on the microphone from the front of the sanctuary.  The Priest spoke up as people began to slow down and listen.  “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44.  “We are not here to judge the righteous from the unrighteous.  Do not let your anger prevent you from lovingly helping another soul enter the Kingdom of God today.”

The man fell to the ground amidst all of the people, as they started to dissipate.  Looking around, it was only he and the little girl still standing there.  She held out her hand and helped him up.  Then she walked with him to the front and sat him next to her mother and father for the remainder of the service.


We are all confident that we know who belongs in heaven and who doesn’t.  That’s not our job on this earth.  When you see someone different from you walking towards you, do you engage with them in conversation, ignore them or confront them for their beliefs?  I posit that if God is able to save me from my horrendous past and daily struggles, why wouldn’t He want to save this person as well.  There are 7.2 billion people on this earth.  Based on culture, religion, race, sex or political affiliation, many are very different than you.  Of those that are different, that you cross paths with, it is likely that you will either ignore or get into a confrontation with 80% of them.  How many souls are lost in heaven because we get in the way of God sharing His love with them?  Just love them like Jesus loves you and let God work to remove the scales from their eyes.  I promise, if they see Jesus through your actions, it will speak loud enough and you won't need to confront them.   





© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Love them All

Make 2014 a year for sharing

“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism” – James 2:1

I have noticed in my 49 years that most people have some sort of biasness towards certain types of people (race, culture, sexual orientation, age, addictions or financial position) and a particular disdain against others. We look at some and see their differences and it causes something to rise within, not because we are particularly evil, but because we have a hard time understanding their circumstance, history or choices.  We are naturally drawn to those that think like us, act like us and believe like we do; but is this a service or disservice to our faith?

If you are completely honest with yourself and your thoughts on life, you will realize that it is much easier for you to have discussions and interaction with others that have similar position and interests as yourself.  If you are a Christian, it is much safer and easier for you to have a discussion about faith and beliefs with other Christians than it is to sit down and have that same discussion with a Muslim, Jehovah’s Witness or Atheist.  If you are homophobic or repulsed by drug addicts, are you doing a service or disservice by withdrawing from them?  What is to be gained in that?  How is the Kingdom of God expanded if we are unwilling to reach out to those who believe differently? 

Every person on the face of this earth is created by the Almighty Father in heaven for a purpose.  The Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross on Calvary, and poured out His blood, was resurrected again; so that every person could be saved from eternal Hell.  God’s provision was not for a few of us, but for all of mankind, who have chosen to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  Your neighbor, the teenager who lacks respect for adults, the murderer on death row, the Atheist professor teaching our children in college, your wife/husband, your children, the President and every sinful man or woman ever born is given the opportunity to repent and accept Jesus Christ.  If in that choice they have chosen to turn away and deny Him, then they should be on your prayer list, and in your path of pursuit.

For if one of the shepherd’s sheep strays away, the shepherd will leave the 99 to pursue the one.  Remember, they are just as important to the Father as you are.  His love is immeasurable for all mankind equally, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who acts as our Intercessor to the Father in heaven.  We are redeemed because of His perfection, not because of anything we have done.  You cannot do enough good acts or say enough “Hail Mary’s” to receive eternity in heaven.   There is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ, the same way that every other person in the world is accepted.  God’s love is immutable, never changing and is available to each of us equally, for there are no favorites in His eyes.

In the biblical days, the Pharisees and Sadducees would look at the non-Jewish of the world with disdain.  They would not reach out to these people with love and compassion, but with contempt and condemnation.  The Samaritans, the Lepers, the Romans, the harlots, prostitutes, tax collectors and poor were cast away from the accepting arms of their holiness.  They elevated themselves above all others, as servants of God worthy of His love and forgiveness while all others were condemned to Hell.  This is not a far stretch from many of the Christians in today’s world if you honestly stop and think about it.  Let us not be too quick to cast aspersions on those who are different, but rather reach out to them with the love of the Father and the Son, in every attempt to help them find the Savior and Lord as well. 


© Sondove Enterprises, 2014,
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Look Around, It’s Changing

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” – Revelation 1:17

What will you do?
I hope you are a believer in the one and only Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God.  If you are not, I am very curious what you would do when you come face to face with Him?  There are testimony after testimony from all over the globe of first hand encounters with the Son of God.  I’m not making it up and I don’t believe they are either.  In Jordan, in Egypt, in Pakistan, in Israel, in Korea, in Russia and elsewhere there are numerous verbal and video testimonies of individuals who have encountered Jesus Christ within just the last few years.  One woman has been banished from her family and her Muslim community after giving her life to Christ.  A handicapped woman was abandoned by her family and cried out to Allah to heal her to no avail.  In a dream she comes face to face with the Christ, Jesus, Son of God who calls her to stand and walk, she is healed and blessed by Christ to take His message to the people.  It is happening all over the world, your choice is to decide are millions of people simply lying and falsifying their testimony for personal gain?  Are they walking away from their families and facing persecution in their communities to maintain a lie? 

If we are not going to take the message to the world, our Messiah has chosen to bring it himself.  Read and observe the information on what is going on across Muslim, Jewish and Hindu communities all over the world.  Jesus Christ is not waiting, for the end time does indeed draw nearer and nearer each passing moment.  Just because it is hard to accept something that has not happened to you personally, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.  For your friends, family and neighbors that do not know of the Messiah, you have the opportunity to help them.  I personally do not believe we have long my friends.  Do your research on recent experiences happening all over the world.  Read your Bible, talk to God and follow His purpose.  Take your eyes off of your place in the world and ask Him one simple question: “God, What can I do for your kingdom today?”  Then choose to follow His call.

For your friends that do not believe.  Share these testimonies of people all over the world with them.  Help them realize that Jesus is not just a character in a book written thousands of years ago.  He is the Son of God, and He is ready to help them enter into His peace and mercy.  It’s up to you, what you do with this message, but do something.   

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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Picking a Fight with a Giant

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“Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. . . . for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”” – 1 Samuel 17:45,47

The odds are never going to be in your favor when you are up against the unrighteousness and hatred of mankind.  The very presence of evil is cloaked and hidden beneath the exterior strength of a society that is driven by the self righteous, self promoting and often times blasphemous intent to demonstrate their authority in numbers and size.  Just this week, we hear of another story where the ACLU, “America Civil Liberty Union”, has taken up sides with a group of Atheists and attacked a small school in a rural community of Jackson, Ohio; to force them to remove a portrait of Jesus Christ hanging inside of the school.  Their claim that the hanging of this portrait inside of a public school building was “unconstitutional” is based on their interpretation of the 1^st Amendment of the United States Constitution.  This portrait has been hanging on this wall of the school since 1947, but all of a sudden 3 local parents find it offensive and through the Freedom from Religion group filed a law suit to have it removed. 

This is the face of the 21^st century Goliath.  There have always been those groups of individuals and organizations that refuse to accept the existence of an Almighty, Omnipotent, Sovereign God.  From the Old Testament, through the New Testament and throughout the history of the world people have attempted to refute the One True God.  Why should we believe anything in today’s world would be different.  I get very frustrated when I watch the news and hear of the acceptance of Buddhism, Islam, Wicca, Taoism and so many other organized belief systems, yet Christianity remains at the center of attack on religions.  Why is that, and why has it always been that way?

Do you have the resolve of David?  To courageously stand up and claim God as the One True God, and stand up for His Son – Jesus Christ requires that you must go against the Goliath’s of this world.  It requires that you step up to the battle, despite the odds, despite the power, authority and intimidation that is being cast down around you.  Just as David stood before the Philistine and his entire army and refused to back down in fear, we must stand up today and fight these battles head on.  “The battle is the Lord’s and He will give you unto our hands.” 

What is different in your battle today?  If you are fighting a battle for righteousness and holiness and the sanctity of God’s values, then stand up and fight with the strength of God Almighty behind you.  Do not fear the world, for there is nothing in this world that can come against you in victory, as long as you are representing your Father in heaven, and fighting on His behalf.  Don’t tell me they are bigger, stronger, and have a larger presence (through the media and governments of this world).  David was a shepherd, with a sling shot and five stones standing alone on a hill-side outside of Bethlehem, surrounded by an entire Philistine army and one giant of a man.  The thing that they all underestimated though was that David was not fighting a battle for himself, he was fighting on behalf of God Almighty and when God is on your side, there is nothing that is unachievable.

This world is not going to stop attacking the Christian church, because it is afraid of what it stands for.  The reality is that the Christian principal beliefs; that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God, was born of a virgin, lived, died and rose again on the third day to redeem mankind’s sin; scare most people.  They do not like the thought that there is only one way to heaven.  They do not like the thought that they must abide by a truth that their life is filled with sin, that must be atoned for.  They do not like having to conform to a selfless, servant heart existence, rather than an existence based on self promotion.  They do not like believing in something they cannot see, feel or touch.  Therefore, they try to abolish it, just as they have done for thousands of years.  God cannot be abolished, and one day they will have to answer to Him, just as Goliath and the Philistines did.  So, pick up your stones today, enter into the battle and fight on God’s behalf, your victory awaits you.
             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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I Want to See You

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“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last." – Revelation 1:17

  In a pool of sweat, the sheets sticking to his flesh, despite the chill in the air that evening.  Sleep was fleeting, his eyes ached with the desire to close and simply rest, but the thoughts racing through his mind prevented it.  Reaching to the night stand he sees the numbers change from 3:10 to 3:11; as he picked up the bottle of water.  Drinking from the bottle, his thirst quenched momentarily.  For reasons unknown the man rose and feel to his knees, and lay prostrate on the floor near the bed, crying out to the Lord he once knew.  In his mind, he saw the King of Kings standing atop a mountain, and He motioned for the man to come up.  Fear welled up inside of the man’s mind, as he made his way up to the top.  From there he could see the world, in it’s entirety, and He heard these words from the Man standing with him – “Fear not, My child; for I am with you always, and I will never leave your side.  You’re going to do great things for My kingdom and many will hear the words which I will give you.  You are forgiven and your path is clear, do not turn from what I have called you to do.  Now rest.”  With that the Spirit was gone and the man sang out in worship to the Lamb of God.  Three hours later the alarm sounded and he awoke completely rested as if he had slept for days.

  She was born crippled in her arm and legs.  Her mother died at a young age and her father dedicated his life to finding helping her find a cure, even resorting in driving to Mecca multiple times and praying to Allah.  After her father’s death, she lost it, feeling abandoned, helpless and alone in this world.  In a dream Jesus came to her and introduced Himself as the healer.  For three years she continuously read the scriptures of His healing powers, but nothing happened.  One night in her despair she called out to Jesus, “Why have I prayed and yet you have not healed me?”  Then the room was filled with bright light, and standing amidst the light was Jesus Christ, radiant beyond description, with eyes of blue filled with passion.  “I am Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, Son of God.  You have been praying my name for 3 years. Come to me. . . I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.  You get up and come to Me.”  New flesh came upon her crippled bones and she was able to walk to Him.  Kneeling at His feet,  He blessed her and made her body whole once again.

  He walked along a road when suddenly a bright light came from the sky and blinded him.  A voice came from within the light and said, “Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute Me?” “Who are you?”  “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.”  “What shall I do?” “Get up and go to Damascus, there you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.”  (Acts 22:7-10) After the light was gone, he rose to his feet, now blind and was helped by his traveling companions to the city of Damascus.  There he met a man who had also heard from Jesus in a dream.  This man revealed the calling of Christ on Saul’s life and his name became Paul – the greatest Apostle of Jesus Christ ever to walk the earth.

 

So, perhaps you’ve never had a face to face encounter with the Son of God; does this make Him any less real to you?  Personal encounters with Jesus Christ have been testified too by millions of people over thousands of years.  It’s funny though, when some hear of such an encounter, their first reaction is to be a skeptic and discount it as just someone’s fantasy to gain attention. The truth is that Jesus Christ is very much alive and amongst us today.  There is a spiritual world around us and He is actively engaging people in this realm as He has since the day He ascended to the Father.  Why can we read about it in the scriptures, where He engaged Peter from the shore, He engaged Saul on the road to Damascus, He engaged the disciples in the upper room, He engaged John on the island of Patmos (to write the book of Revelation).  If indeed we believe the scriptures to be true and sacred, than why can’t we wrap our head around the reality that Christ stills will engage individuals today.

  I for one have no problem at all accepting that Christ is alive today and speaking with people when He deems it is appropriate.  There are countless testimonies of people in the Middle East seeing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in their presence.  Millions of Muslims have testified and given up their Islamic religion because Christ has come to them.  We hear countless stories of people who on their death bed have encountered Jesus Christ, and then come back to testify to His glory and existence.  Many more have the gift of prophecy and hear from the Lord frequently with direction and purpose for their life.

  So, how about you?  What would you say to Jesus Christ if He stood at the foot of your bed?  Would you fall to your knees and worship Him, or would you beg forgiveness, or would you cry out in anger over something that has gone wrong in your life?  Would you fear His return, for yourself or for those around you, who may not have a relationship with Him?  Accept the fact that He is real and is with you always.  Whether you see Him in your lifetime or not, does not make Him more real.  Reach out to Him with your prayers and praises on the faith of His love and God’s mercy and grace.  He will answer your prayers in His timing. 
 

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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You are Good

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“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5

We can’t all live in our perfect little house, with our 2 children, dog, cat and white picket fence; free from those of different beliefs, religions, race and sexual biasness.  This world is a collection of sinners and each of us will one day be held accountable for the lives we have chosen to live.  Your neighbors have sinned, your children have sinned, your parents have sinned, your spouse has sinned and you have sinned; yet not one of them are unworthy of God’s amazing grace, love and forgiveness.  Eternal judgment is not yours not mine, but is reserved strictly for the Lord.  We can question all day long who will and will not be forgiven and accepted into heaven, but we will all be wrong.  For God’s love is available to ALL mankind, not a certain sect as defined by this world.  So stop playing the role of God and choose to love your fellow man.

Decisions we make in life lead us to the place we are at this moment.  God created every single one of us in the womb and destined each of us to a life of following His call.  By our choices we have brought distance between His original path and the path in which we walk each day.  The life you love or the life you hate, is of your doing, not God’s doing.  The lifestyle you have chosen to live by, will have a direct impact on the blessings your will receive in this life and the next.  Claiming the salvation of Jesus Christ requires that you address the areas in your life that you know are outside of His righteousness. 

The word states, “If you deny Me {Jesus} before man, I will deny you before my Father.” –

Matthew 10:33  If you don’t believe this to be true, than continue on in your lifestyle and contrarian religious choices.  If you believe that His word is not true than you have nothing to worry about.  But, if you; like me; believe that the scriptures are indeed God inspired and every word is truth, then you must seek a deeper evaluation of the choices you have made in life and ask whether you are living your life in line with the goodness created by God the Father and the sanctification that is promised in His word. 

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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Freedom is not Free

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“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” –1 Peter 2:16

The debate will continue long after my feet have left this earth.  It started centuries ago and continues to this very day.  A man’s freedom to do and say what he wants often times encroaches on another man’s freedoms or liberties and in this case who is rightfully due their respective freedom?  There were 10 Amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791,  drawn up to ensure that the rights and freedoms of the people, were addressed with some order and that people were given the freedom to pursuit life outside of the tyranny of the Government.  These 10 Amendments (known as the Bill of Rights) can be found here.  Today I want to focus on one of those 10 Amendments, and it is the most commonly referenced of all the Amendments. 

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

We have freedom of religion.  It is not something that can be or ever should be imposed by our Government.  One of the greatest freedoms we experience in this life should not be guarded and managed/controlled by mankind.  It is a spiritual freedom, one that each of us in our own manner must come to experience.  Within the United States of America we have a melting pot of religions expressed throughout our land.  Statistics would show that within America we have those who are Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, New Age, Christian and even those who have no belief or are agnostic.  This freedom is essential to the core of what our fore-fathers put into the Bill of Rights.  As much as I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, there are those who believe that he was just a great prophet or really nice guy.

I can’t force someone to believe as I believe.  There are countries in the world which will try to force their citizens to believe in a single religious view as if the matter were something that man could control.  The reality is that each of us must come to this awareness and spiritual understanding on our own.  That right, that freedom was originally granted by the Creator of the Universe, not by mankind.  Despite that fact that it is written in the Bill of Rights, it is inherently given by God himself.  He is not going to force you to believe in Him, or to love Him.  The freedom that He grants has not changed.  Since Adam and Eve were given freedom in the garden of Eden, every human born has had the same freedom of choice.  They made choices and introduced original sin into the world, by choosing against God’s plan for their life.  They chose to follow the evil that was in the world, and pursuit the freedom of separation from God, over the freedom that is granted by serving and living for God.

We are making the same choices today.  The world knows about God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ.  Yet, there are those in the world who are choosing to turn away from God and pursue the world’s freedoms, rooted in evil and deception.  One cannot pursue the world’s freedom and expect to fully serve God, for God’s ways are not of this world.  Each of us are making choices for the worlds freedoms each and every day as we choose to follow God’s plans or our own plans.  You are no different than Adam and Eve.  God is saying “Follow Me”, and you are saying “No, I know where I want to go.  But I still love you God.”  Don’t be misled by the freedoms that the world has granted you and confuse them with the ultimate freedom God has in store for you in eternity.  Think through your decisions carefully and evaluate them based on who’s path are you really following.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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