“The Passion of the Christ” has started to play on The Movie Network. I consider this one of the most heart-wrenching movie on the life of Christ I have ever seen. As I watched this movie I am reminded what Christ went through for me. Just so I could be forgiven for all my sins and every time I sin, I crucify him repeatedly.
As I watched the movie, I took comfort that there were believers and non-believers who were watching the movie. Thinking that the believers are reminded by what Christ did for them and the non-believers may come to Christ through this movie.
Last night I had the pleasure of listening to Tony Campolo speak on what it means to be a disciple of Christ. If you ever get a chance to listen to him speak, take to time, travel the distance, the Lord will reward your efforts. During Tony’s talk, he reminded me of my commitment as a disciple of Christ to care of the poor in whatever way I could. Tony was working out of Matt 25 31-46 but this really hit home when he quoted verse 45.
Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
Matt 25:45
I heard you Lord LOUD and CLEAR! I found out long ago that if the Lord is speaking to you, you might as well listen because His voice only gets louder and louder.
Tony continued to say that if you look into the poor’s eyes, you would see Jesus looking back at you. I took this to heart last night and sponsored a girl from Kampala Uganda named Phoebe Akwango. Her favorite subject is writing and as a Blogger, I pray she will be able to develop her writing skill and maybe even have the opportunity to post her writings here someday. At least with this sponsorship she may have a fighting chance to survive to get that chance.
Here is a picture of her.
My niece says she looks so sad. I said this is why we are helping her, to make her happy again.
Here is her story so far.
Phoebe lives with her parents. Her father, a day labourer, does not have regular work, so it has been a constant struggle for him to provide the necessities of life for his family. Her mother is a housewife. This sponsorship is an important and continuing part of the assistance given to help this girl and her family attains self-reliance.
Sponsor a child, there are 13 million orphans in Africa, HELP THEM!
I have been meaning to comment on this subject about the “Left Behind” series. Is it better to be left behind or not to be left behind? The “Left Behind” series places their entire message on two verses, Matt 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36.
Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Matt 24:40-41
I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.
Luke 17:34-36
In these verses, Jesus said that if two men were in a field one would be taken and the other would be left. The trouble here is, Jesus never said if the believer would be taken or left. The “left behind camp” assumes that the believer would be taken and the non-believer would be left in the field.
This would all be well and fine accept for Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. He clarifies who would stay and how would be left behind.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thess 4:14-17
Here, Paul speaks of Christ’s return. When he returns, those believers who fell asleep in Christ will be raised up. But more importantly, those who are alive and remain will be caught up together and raised into the clouds with those who were called from their slumber. We will all be with the Lord forever.
I want to be left behind!