Posts by LaVrai

We Must Judge Or Risk Being Counted As Guilty With The Offenders

By LaVrai, 21 January, 2010, 4 Comments

I was reading through 1 Corinthians today and came across a startling passage… and it is partly startling because I had just visited some of my bookmarked blogs to see what those professing faith in Christ are up to. One of the last blogs I read shared a letter from a reader who was apparently concerned about the idea of Christians judging other Christians. There is a persistent argument among believers (and non-believers, too) that Christians are not supposed to judge others… because Jesus Christ said something to that affect in Matthew 7 — “Do not judge, lest you be judged by the same standard.” Some people trumpet this verse without putting the entire passage in context and studying what Jesus Christ was trying to teach against — hypocrisy. If you read Romans 2, you will see how Paul expounds upon Jesus’ words even further in warning against hypocrites judging others.

Romans 2:1Romans 2:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 ¹ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

WP-Bible plugin Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

GOD teaches HIS children through the Holy Scriptures that we must indeed be properly equipped and wise in discernment, another term for judgment. We must be able to judge ourselves rightly (i.e., whether our thoughts, deeds and words line up with the holy standards GOD requires of us) and we must be able to judge whether the thoughts, deeds and words of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus also line up with GOD’s holy standards. If GOD makes us witness to a brother or sister’s failings, we are required to go to that brother and sister and discuss this error, whether it be against us personally or against GOD (and indeed, sinning against a brother or sister is also an offense to the FATHER).

Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:15Matthew 18:15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

WP-Bible plugin “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. …”

We are instructed to confront one another peacefully and in love when we are in error, and if the party in error refuses to realize his/her wrong, then others should get involved to lend support to the argument against the party in error. If then, the person in error still refuses to heed sound reason, then the church is called on to get involved… and if the person in error still refuses to repent, then he/she must be put out of the assembly and have no part with the church.

Christ Is Coming Soon, Let’s Get Ourselves Right While There’s Still Time

By LaVrai, 15 January, 2010, No Comment

Folks have probably been saying this since HE ascended back to Heaven to sit at the FATHER’s right hand, but Jesus Christ is coming shortly. I don’t say it lightly, but with fervent urgency. Is HE coming tomorrow? Next week? Next year? According to the Scriptures, no one knows the exact time. But HIS coming is sure and soon, as the signs of the time suggest.

The latest sign — a devastating earthquake in Haiti — serves as an urgent reminder that we all need to take stock of ourselves and where we stand in our relationship with Christ Jesus. It’s been estimated that about 50,000 Haitians have died since the quake struck a few days ago. These people were just going about their normal business — walking home from work; headed to the grocery store; taking a bath; sleeping in bed; playing with their children; sitting in a classroom… some were likely even in church. And what happened in Haiti could easily happen where we are now. Just because a group of scientists have said the danger is elsewhere, doesn’t necessarily make it so. GOD IS SOVEREIGN and HE can easily bring calamity at any time. As the saying goes, tomorrow is not promised… live each day as if it were your last.

Well, I say this to each and every brother and sister in Christ Jesus — get right today, right now! We have no idea when the heavens will break and Christ Jesus will be revealed for every eye to see HIM — even the ones who pierced HIM. Take a look at the letters written to the churches in the Book of Revelation. Yes, they were letters written specifically to local churches at the time, but as any student of the Bible will tell you — what occurred with the Church in its founding days is still occurring today.

Prayers For Mercy While Haiti Deals With Crippling Earthquake

By LaVrai, 14 January, 2010, 2 Comments

As the whole world knows by now, the Caribbean island of Haiti has been struck by a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake… Haiti was already struggling with extreme poverty, political instability, HIV/AIDs, etc. Imagine how the already stricken populace is suffering even more now.

The next time you fall on your knees before the LORD our GOD, ask HIM to have mercy on the people whose lives HE spared in Haiti. That the people would take refuge in HIS Only Begotten SON Christ Jesus.

If you feel so inclined, a monetary contribution to a relief organization would also help provide food, clothing, shelter, medical aid, etc. to the survivors. Here’s a good place to start that also features cautionary info on avoiding the scammers who will be using this tragedy for personal gain.

I’m torn over Pat Robertson’s decision to make remarks to the affect that Haiti is suffering because they made a deal w/ the Devil during a national broadcast on his program. Mr. Robertson even went so far as to quote the Devil’s response to the people. Is that in the Bible?

Video: Pastor Donnie McClurkin Gets Real On Sexual Sin

By LaVrai, 11 November, 2009, 3 Comments

I am not very familiar with Pastor Donne McClurkin, although I’ve seen him a few times on TBN’s “Praise the Lord!” program.

I recently came across a video post at Gay Christian Movement watch involving Pastor McClurkin – and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s not often you hear Christians keeping it real like this and talking on a level that young folks can appreciate. In these videos, Pastor McClurkin basically gives his testimony about Jesus the Christ freeing him from a life of homosexuality and imploring the youth struggling with similar sins and bondage to seek and trust Christ to break their bonds to sin and set them free.

This is very raw. Very true. And much appreciated. The youth deserve more than folks trying to keep up appearances and sugar coating things. I pray that many come to deliverance through Pastor McClurkin’s testimony.

Below is a playlist consisting of three videos, each of which will play automatically as the previous draws to a close. Please feel free to share and embed.

Prayers For U.S. Soldiers Killed At Fort Hood

By LaVrai, 6 November, 2009, No Comment

soldierflag

It’s bad enough when men and women have to take up arms and go abroad to a strange land to defend their homeland and die performing their duties, but it’s so much worse when they are gunned down at home by one of their own.

In case you really are unaware, an Army major allegedly opened fire on soldiers at the Fort Hood base in Texas Thursday afternoon, killing at least 13 soldiers and wounding dozens of others. A lot of the dead I’ve read about so far aren’t very old and some were just starting out — i.e., recently married, just enlisted and one young lady was less than 2-months pregnant (see the New York Times).

I know there must be a deep sense of betrayal felt by many in the U.S. Armed Forces right now and everyone is wondering why — what would possess a soldier to turn his weapon on his own brothers and sisters. There are many theories right now, including that the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was conflicted over the war due to his Muslim faith or that he had somehow, ironically, lost his mind (he is an Army psychiatrist). Whatever the case, no answer will ever be good enough for the families of those slain. Senseless violence cannot be explained.

All we can do is remember to keep these suffering people in our prayers, that the LORD would be merciful and pour out HIS grace on them during this trying time. It’s hard for me to also write this, but I pray the man supposedly responsible for these deaths isn’t totally lost. GOD is a merciful GOD and Jesus the Christ died for everyone born in this world — including Hasan. I know the LORD will deliver justice as only HE can, but I pray that this man doesn’t lose his soul, too.

Psalm 34:15-18Psalm 34:15-18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. ¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. ¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. ¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. unto...: Heb. to the broken of heart of a contrite...: Heb. contrite of spirit

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15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.