The Manna of Christ

 I ran into an old friend the other day, a brother in Christ.  We go back a few years but it has been two years since I've seen him.  I took that as a sign from God that it is time to reintegrate into the church community.  He spoke words of healing and encouragement and told me many people of the congregation are always praying for me and speak good things about me.

 For the past couple years I didn't return to the church because of persecution.  I was glad to discover I was wrong. It wasn't the persecution of others I was perceiving but the condemnation that comes from sin.  My sinful living was causing internal shame and condemnation, and in turn I perceived it as it being projected onto me from others.  I was wrong.

 I went to church again today and found this to be true.  I remember when I used to attend church.  There were many tears-tears of grief.  Years of grief condensing and pouring out of me.  Today there were many tears.  The difference is, they were tears of joy.  It felt good to fellowship with my brothers and sisters.  Self alienation brought that into perspective for me.  Even in the midst of sharing praise of the Father with others.  I didn't care who saw me crying.  I no longer cared to discern whether people were for me or against me because after all that he has brought me through, I no longer wonder-I know God is for me.

 I found myself contemplating this earlier today and I thought to myself, "When did this happen?  When did he remove my old garments of shame?  When did this transition take place"?  The power of Christ, and the power of prayer and compassion go a long way.  I chose to believe that what my friend was saying was true, rather than leaning on my own observations.  This brought healing to my heart.  Because I believed, I went back to church, and Christ proved true through my friends once I went back.  It is a burden lifted to know that I am not alienated from the assembly of Christ.  It truly was a day of healing and joy.  I pray this testimony of Christ and reunion blesses you.  I love you.  Shalom Shalom

The Enjoining

 I was on a morning walk earlier and I came across this sign outside someone's house.  It read: "If God was here, will you help him?  Yes or no?  I immediately declared that God is here.  I wish they were present so I could tell them that God is here.  We serve a living God and the living God lives within us.  With every breath.  With every beat of the drum that is our heart.  I wanted to share these revelations with them.  So I share it with you.

 The Samaritan woman by the well had to go later in the heat of the day to gather water from the well of Jacob.  Jesus asked her for a drink of water and he gave the woman a drink of his water.  He shared the good news with her that is living water.  He told her that people would no longer worship on mountains or in Jerusalem but that they would soon worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.

 If God was here, would you help him?  We help him by sharing the good news with others.  A time is coming and indeed it is now here when peoples from all corners of the earth will draw water from Christ's well.  They will be reconciled to the Father and they will draw close to him while it is still cool in the day.  The old evidence of our fathers makes us thirst for more, leading us to the living waters of Jesus-the new evidence.

 The stories in the bible are not just things of the past.  The living word of God lives in our everyday lives.  God's word lays out his faithfulness through the stories, and promises and promises fulfilled.  They are stepping stones for many who do not yet know Jesus.  They are reminders for everyone through the revelation of Christ. 

 As we go to our secret place, where our treasures cannot be stolen and where his cistern does not fail us, we come back with a bubbling spring of water within us and overflows onto others.  The enjoining of His Spirit is near and not far, for He is a God that is near and not far.  God be with you.  I love you.  Shalom Shalom