A Jesus Follower

Are You A Christ-Follower?
[”and such were some of you “ 1 Cor. 6:11]

Beth (not her name) wrote: “When my husband spoke at a Lectureship, Norman (not his name) approached him and asked if he could talk. In a short time, my husband learned that Norman had been a practicing homosexual for years and was now suffering from AIDS. In further conversations, he found out that Norman's mother was a Christian and had been praying that he would come to Christ before he died. He did.”

“Never was a man more radically changed. He told my husband that he didn't know if he could change his orientation, but he knew he could change his behavior.”

“Norman became part of our family. He came to a Bible study in our home each week and sang the songs with the vigor of a man who knew he soon would be meeting the One he sang about. He soaked in Scripture as if it were his last drink of water before entering a long desert journey.”

“How we as Christians react to those who claim a homosexual lifestyle may have eternal consequences. Paul helps us figure out how to represent the grace and truth of Jesus in those situations.” [adapted by R.D.]

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor 6:11




A God Who Loves And Forgives
[Psalm 122:6-9; Eph. 2:19-22; Hebrews 8:8-12]

Oh God, our God! You said in Hebrews:
They'll get to know Me by being kindly forgiven,
with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.
We're no longer wandering exiles.
This kingdom of faith is now our home country.
We're no longer strangers or outsiders.
Brick by brick, stone by stone,
with Christ Jesus as the Cornerstone
that holds all the parts together.
We see it taking shape day after day—
a holy temple built by God,
all of us built into it, a temple
where God lives through His Spirit!

Pray for Jerusalem's peace!
Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
Friendly insiders, get along!
Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
For the sake of my family and friends,
I say it again: live in peace!
For the sake of the house of our God,
Oh God, I'll do my very best for you.




The New Jerusalem
[Revelation 21:1-7]
I saw Holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven,
as ready for God as a bride for her husband.
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne:
"Look! Look! God has moved, making His home
with men and women!
They're His people, He's their God.
He'll wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death is gone for good—tears gone,
crying gone, pain gone—
all the first order of things gone."
Then He said, "It's happened. I'm A to Z.
I'm the Beginning, I'm the Conclusion.
From Water-of-Life I give freely to the thirsty."