#wewinwiththeword

I have been thinking about taking a Facebook Fast! So many negative posts have flooded my page about the results of the election, the marches, and the state of our country in general that it makes me sad, mad...and confused. What has been most disheartening are the posts from friends and family who have identified themselves as Christians (followers of Christ), but who have posted such ugly things, things I would dare say seem “un”Christian (not following the teachings of Christ). The negativity has been so pronounced that it forced me to pose this question on my page...” If Jesus was to see your Facebook page would He applaud or be appalled?” People loved the question, yet the posts that came from some of their pages afterward made me wonder if they really understood the point I was making.

If you are a Christian, then you are in fact a follower of Christ’s teachings, principles and sayings; and this is significant when we think about Jesus’ very clear direction about the most important practices a Christian should be engaged in. In Matthew 22: 36-40 when the Pharisees ask, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” I point to this scripture because as followers of Christ (Christians) it is important that we know what He said was important.

Since the consistent action we are to take is that we must LOVE (God and our neighbor) the rationale question is...what IS LOVE? Well, I am glad you asked. The Bible says this...Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (I Cor. 13:4-7 NLT). I have to ask...have we been demonstrating true love towards God and our neighbor during these challenging times? 1 John 4:8 is true...” Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

So instead of a Facebook fast, I have decided to begin a Facebook challenge! I am challenging my brother’s and sister’s in Christ to join with me in choosing to post God’s word instead of their own opinions and thoughts! And after you post a scripture(s) then include #wewinwiththeword!

Why #wewinwiththeword?

According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” I believe this whole heartedly and as Christian’s we must use the wisdom found in the word of God and not our own thoughts and opinions to win those who are lost/deceived to Christ! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). In other words, we can’t win without the word!

So I am challenging all those who call themselves Christian’s...followers of Christ’s teachings and principles... I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Eph. 4:1). A life filled with love for God and our neighbors (Matt. 22:36-40). To trust that it is only God who can change the hearts of men and women. We know that “the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12). We know that it is only the word that teaches us the truth, helps us realize that we are wrong and then corrects us and teaches us to do what is right. It is only the word that will prepare and equip Christians (Christ followers) to do the good work that needs to be done (to allow God to get the glory, honor and praise that He is so worthy of...which is after all why we were created in the first place! “

Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’”

Isaiah 43:7 (NLT)