I-70 Sermon (Guest Blogger)

SKIP THE COLE AND GIVE THEM THE ROCK

Do you feel like you know that special someone who you want to give a lump of coal for Christmas? You know that person who has wronged you again and again this year. So I guess what we'll do is get the coal, put a cute little bow on it and place it in a spot that our special someone will be sure to find it. This way he or she will know that they made someones naughty list right? Then maybe they'll straighten up because we were bold enough to be rude to them for the sake of getting them to clean up their act right? Because that's what Jesus would do right? We as Christians know nothing could be further from the truth! "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (Matthew 5:44) It is so hard to live up to those words in today's world. We should pray for strength and wisdom to remember these words and live them out when we think about giving out that lump of coal. When I thought of the people I'd like to give coal to recently, I was convicted and God put on my heart "skip the coal and give them the rock." What did this mean? Was I really to give out rocks to these people? No, you know God would not ask me to do that. "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer" (2 Samuel 22:2) This is what God meant. I need to share the word with my brother and sisters who I feel have wronged me. In this way blessing those who curse me. Maybe they don't know Jesus and that's why they have wronged me and others. Maybe I've been over sensitive and they haven't wronged me at all. Maybe it's someone who God is calling through me. That would be a real blessing to me. Maybe it's a better friendship and someone to walk with in faith just waiting to happen. Whatever the reason, sharing the Lord can never be a bad thing. So here I sit with a pile of coal in the trash and gift of prayer that all have or will receive the Rock (The Lord) and that all have or will build Their life foundation upon it. This year, when you think of the "bad" people in your life, skip the coal and give them the Rock.





Until next time,

The strength of the Lord be with you

Anthony Pineda