Disunity

I am "Disunity."

When biological brothers and sisters can't get along  I am there.

When brothers and sisters in Christ can't get along I am there.

I am "Disunity."

When marriages fall apart and divorce is the resolution I am there.

When churches disband over trivial issues I am there.

I am "Disunity."

When Democrats and Republicans can't agree on the basics I am there.

When the U.S. is at war with other nations I am there.

I am "Disunity."

When fathers and children are at war with one another I am there.

When mothers and daughters are at war with one another I am there.

I am "Disunity."

Disunity is the one thing that is prevalent both in the secular world and the community of faith.  We are called to oneness!  Today in your circles of influence take a step towards unity!

Ephesian 4:1-3

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

I Like You Alot

The question came up can't I just like a person do I have to love them?  Now the simple answer is just no you have to love them.  However, we all know that life is not that simple and the truth is we really just like people when we think about it.  You see "like" doesn't require any commitment in other words "like" is conditional.  You see when you "like" someone and they disappoint you "like" can walk away.  You see when you "like" someone and they don't like you back "like" can walk away.  When you "like" a church and something changes that you don't like then "like" can walk away. You see "like" is temporary while love is eternal.

Therefore, Jesus gives his disciples the commandment to love!  Love is the requirement that the world may know that we are his disciples it is by our love for one another.  The question becomes why is this command is given?  The answer is simple because Christ knew that love doesn't make since.  Let me show you the difference and I will quit.  The Bible declares what profit is it to love those who love you does not even the sinner does that.  I submit to you that is what "like" looks like!  Love however loves those who hates them, love is patient, and love is still there when you are hurt or disappointed.  Love is unconditional and peculiar and this type of love is not our own but it belongs to the Spirit of God that is gifted to each believer.

For the believer I like you alot just won't cut it. 

Scripture Reference:  John 13:35

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

The Curse of First

As individuals we have this innate desire to be first.  We often say things like no one was listening to this type of music until I started to listen to it or no one was wearing this type of clothing until I started wearing it.  To my fellows back in the day to be the first one to get the girl, but I am equal opportunity type of guy some ladies had that same mindset. To be the first is embedded in us.  However, the desire to be first can be a dangerous thing.  The desire to be first can cause us to become manipulative as our only desire is to be first.  The desire to be first can cause us to be cold and bitter towards others in our attempt to be first. 

This is not a new desire as it was around in antiquity I am reminded us the disciples who debating who would be the greatest in other words who would be in first place or the number one position. What is the interesting is that this desire often leads to the most pain.  Once one makes it into that first position they discover that it is lonely at the top.  They discover that everyone is targeting their spot and there is no love for those at the top.  It actually becomes an undesirable position.  So remember this if you humbled yourself under the mighty hand of God and God exalts you in due time and it happens to be the number one position it is then the desired position.

Scripture Reference: Luke 9:46-56

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
 

Created to Create

There are many attributes we have for God but one we often neglect is Creator.  The Bible itself begins with in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  So since we often are not aware of the creativity of God we fail to recognize the creative abilities we have within ourselves. God's creativity is evident throughout the earth and the universe.  The Bible declares that we are created in his image and his likeness. I recognize that everyone doesn't have artistic ability heck I don't but do you have creative power within you.

You have the power to walk in the room and create a positive atmosphere.  You have the power to take situation that has no hope and create a sense of hope.  You have the ability to take an individual who have been cast aside and create an atmosphere of restoration by embracing them.  You have the ability to be a co-creator with God.  I believe that this is the heart of the message in Ephesians were it is written that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  We are created to create not the latest fashion trend, gadget, or fad but good works!

Scripture Reference:  Genesis 1:1, Ephesians 2:10

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Saved Me

There are times in your life where the only thing that you are going to be able asked of God is to save you.  These are the times you find yourself in after you tried to do things your own way and you find yourself in a  tough predicament. You are on your knees and the only thing you can cry is God save me. The question becomes what is God saving you from?  If we are honest most of the time God is saving us from ourselves.  Yes, ourselves because we think we know what's best for us better than God.   So how do we avoid these saved me moments?  Are these moments unavoidable?  I will acknowledge right now that even if you adhere to these few little principles you can still find yourself in those "Save Me" predicaments but here are a few suggestions:

1. Surrender your will for God's will meaning in every decision consider the godly implications.
2. Be aware of the signs God provides before you arrive in those "Save Me" predicaments.

We have all experienced those save me moments in our lives much like Peter did when he attempted to walk on the water and begin to sink.  Just like Jesus was there to save Peter he is also there to save you!

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:22-33

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

When Love Doesn' t Love You Back

All of us have experienced times in our lives where we felt as if we loved someone and they did not return that love.  Whether it be with a family member or someone you were in  a relationship with.  Many times the pain from these relationships causes us to be reluctant to love.  If we are not careful we can even become bitter and our hearts become harden. However, I would like to suggest to you that is not true love and all that is an emotional or conditional love.  The truth is most relationships whatever the nature are based on conditional love.

You see true love is not dependent on how you feel.  It is the love that is not even of yourself.  It is the love that comes from God.  True love isn't concern with whether the love is return or not.  True love is pure.  It's the love that dies for individuals while they were yet sinners.  It the type of love that gives up glory to take upon the form of a servant that we may have life.  True love is unconditional it is the type of love that Jesus The Christ has for us!

So the next time you find yourself in a situation where love doesn't love you back remember love is not a feeling it is a choice!  Choose to love anyway!  If we are going be Jesus disciples we are going to have to love one another.  Jesus himself said, "By this will all men know that you are my disciples that ye have love one for another."  If we are going to live up to our end our love has to become  choice and not a feeling!

Scripture Reference: Romans 5:8, John 13:35

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Conform vs. Relevance

As the world continues to change the Church is place in a precarious position.  Many naysayers argue that the Church is conforming to the world in the Church's attempt to be relevant or adapt to the context it finds itself in today.  Since individuals who profess faith in Jesus The Christ make up the church it starts with each one of us. The line between conformity and relevance has always been very  thin however the Church must acknowledge the need to be relevant in the context it is in.

For instance after the temple was destroyed in approximately A.D. 67-70 the believers in Jesus Christ had to re-identified how they would worship God.  The temple was the place for which it was believed that God presence made its abode or dwelling place however the temple was no longer relevant.  If the Church had not being will to change then Christianity would have died with the destruction of the temple. So you see Christianity has been an adaptive religion from its inception. 

The question becomes why is it the Church has become so resistant to change?  Is it because many in the Church don't know their history?  Did author of John's Gospel conform when he called Christ the Logos in order to image Christ in a Greco-Roman World? Or did he make Christ relevant in the context he found himself in?

Let's take advantage of all the opportunities we have to make Christ relevant in a world which is desperately trying to make him irrelevant!

Scripture Reference: Romans 12:2

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis