It was an ordinary night as Ivy and myself tucked our two little girls, Imani(4) and Iyonna(2), in their beds after our traditional little prayer. We kissed and hugged them and affirmed them with our love and made sure that they understood their heavenly Father, who they could not see, also loved them more than they could ever dream.
We turned off the lights and did our good nights and “I love you” back and forth like a verbal tennis match, as Ivy and myself went off into the office to get a little work done.
Ten or fifteen minutes later we don’t hear the normal ensemble of gospels melodies sung back and forth between the girls, but quiet talking. But it was more than a little chat because as I tip-toed closer to their bedroom, plans were being given and orders taken. Were my ears deceiving me? No, it was a battle plan-a rant against a familiar foe.
My eyes widened as I listened to the General(Imani) speaking to her private first class(Iyonna), as I flattened up against their bedroom wall in the hallway to listen closer.
The general continued the speech for what seemed like over 5 minutes of a pregame pep-talk, “Iyonna, we must be strong. We love God and we hate the devil-he’s the bad guy and isn’t very nice. We always have to love God because he’s on our side. And Iyonna, we have to help God out because the devil is trying to get us, but God is stronger than the devil so we can’t be afraid. We have to pray to God and he will hear us and we have to obey mommy and daddy, not disobey.”
The general sat at the end of her bed, tiny legs hanging over the edge, with a little finger pointing in the air at the first class private, miraculously, still with her little Snoopyhouse slippers on.
As my wife joined me in my little spy setion, the little half pint, first-class private replied to her General in a voice so tiny and cute that her words just barely made it to our ears, “Yeah, God is best.”
Then the General proceeded to show her how to win the battle by singing the proven battle song she had sang many times before to defeat the enemy, “Jesus loves the little children, all God’s children of the world, red, yellow, black and white they are precious in his site, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
By this time our hearts were so warmed and proud of the moment that we broke in on the little praise-platoon meeting and just hugged our little girls and kissed them to pieces, telling them how proud we were of them for standing up against the devil and not being afraid of him. God is surely gonna get what he paid forin these two little warriors
If these two little girls can be this bold for Christ and stand against the kingdom of darkness, how should grown adults act on a daily basis who intimately know the risen King and understand his grace, dominion and love?
One day we were driving home from the store and the snow was finally beginning to melt after what seemed like weeks of a deep freeze. My middle daughter, Imani, broke the silence, “Wow, you can tell it’s starting to warm up, even the street lights are starting to melt.”
Ever get a revelation of something and it blew your socks off when it finally hit you? I just wish I could’ve gotten more revelations while I was sitting in school as a puzzled young man- but I digress.
When you hear someone say, “go to hell”, what does your mind think of? How do you process that statement? Most people think subconsciously, “wow, that person must be really angry to have said that”. But I say they don’t have a clue what they are saying and the gravity of their words. Those are some of the most hateful words you can say to another soul. The bible says, the tongue speaks life and death, and those who love it shall eat the fruits thereof Proverbs 18:21.
Those that have died and went to hell and come back experience an (NDE) or near death experience and say that it is a place worse than human minds even have the ability to conceive. Hell makes a Stephen King movie appear like Alice in Wonderland.
You can begin to get a sliver of a revelation of how utterly horrible hell is when those who have had NDE’s say they wouldn’t even wish that place on Hitler. Now with that thought in mind, what kind of revelation should that give us if we have said that statement in the past to an enemy or co-worker– surely they didn’t kill everyone in our family like a Hitler did millions. Now imagine expressing this nasty statement to a loved one you may be angry with like a friend, a spouse or even a little child–happens 1000′s of times daily across America.
Let your heart try and comprehend that hell is eternal and there is no life there, no light, no air, no water, no food, no love or peace and certainly no laughter. The lost sinner, who will be alone forever in the agony and torment of rejecting Jesus, will be engulfed in flames and the memory of their ungodly decisions.
No one will ever come over the hill and rescue the damned in hell with words of affirmation, love and hope. They will only know terror untold and insignificance, everlasting. If you have gotten the revelation of the lost soul who may be your mother, father, child, friend or even enemy, ask God for zeal and boldness that you would share the gospel with all you come in contact with because contrary to popular belief, the unsaved person is not predestined to go to hell.
Remember, each person will have known exactly how they should have lived their lives, that first breath on the other side of life. Did you get the revelation of hell today after reading this and watching the video? What has helped you get a revelation of the scripture Proverbs 11:30 ?
Have you ever noticed the beauty and grace of a soft winter’s snow? The puffy flakes flow softly to the ground to meet trillions of siblings. The shimmer in the night’s air is a true wonder of God. It has been said that that no two snowflakes are alike. Can you believe that? If there is one amazing wonder on this planet it is that one.
Have you noticed how many 100′s of trillions of individual flakes that must fall during one single storm? Every time I dip my hand down into the snow and look at the tiny gems my mind starts to boggle at the thought of so many multitudes of different shapes and designs. The old adage that no two snowflakes are the same cannot actually be proven true but with each individual snowflake having at least 180 billion molecules, the odds are against any two being alike.
Let’s think about this though. The bible asks in the book of Genesis 18:14, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” The LORD had just told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a baby but they were both old enough to use “walkers”. Sarah even had the audacity to laugh at the statement from the Theophany (physical manifestation of Jesus in the Old Testament) alongside the two angels of the LORD.
Realistically, would it be too hard for God to make 100′s of trillions of flakes that no two were ever exactly alike? Of course not, he is endless and he has no limits to bind him as humans have limits. Why would it be so hard for the universe maker to make so many different shapes, each one having their own character, design and essence to it? He made the universe and I’m sure us Christians will soon find out that no two stars or planets are exactly the same either.
Therefore, the next time you find yourself outside during a snow, put your hand out and behold one of God’s most delightful artisanship. Put a snowflake inside the palm of your hand and then move it side to side and watch it gladly show itself off to you as it gives glory to God in the highest. Have you ever thought about the amazing fact that no two snowflakes have ever been seen to be exactly alike–what are your thoughts? Share your comments with my community below.
Have you ever tried to be perfect for someone? It is quite a daunting task, indeed. Matter fact, one of the favorite lines out there by us Christians is the one where we say, “You think you’re perfect? Well the next time you feel that way, try walking on water.”
Who can accomplish such a task accept for the One who came down to earth and actually accomplished it. Yet in Matthew 5:48 we find this very quote. Talk about a “hard saying”. I mean, all we have to do is look at the past and see that those who have tried to be perfectionist end up being more like fingernails on a chalkboard. It’s almost impossible to be around that type of person because nothing is ever right. The picture wasn’t nice enough, the house wasn’t clean enough, or there was one speck of dirt on the counter that no one could see, but the perfectionist.
Sometimes you just want to shake em’ and say, “C’mon you’re better than that.”
When we dive deeper into this hard saying of the bible, looking at the entire passage in its context brings light to “being perfect”. When we read the entire context from Matthew 5:43 to Matthew 5:48 we see that Jesus is referring to loving our neighbor as ourselves. We know that the Old Testament says, if you have broken one of the commandments, you have broken them all.
Also in the New Testament, we know that Jesus said that all the commandments hang on these two commandments, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and strength, but none less great, love your neighbor as yourself.” Extend goodness and kindness to those who don’t deserve it. The bible says that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but oflove, power and sound mind. We also know that perfect love cast out all fear.
Therefore, the real reason we saints say it’s impossible to be perfect like God, is because we refuse to love like him. When we love others with agape, then we are being “perfect” in his eyes. Remember the ripple effects of love, kindness and goodness, especially when that person doesn’t deserve it. Do you find it hard to be perfect (loving, kind, merciful, gentle, and meek)? So do I at times, but it is something that I am constantly striving for to get better at. What is a way that you can become perfect, as our Father in Heaven is perfect and cause the ripple effects to surge in your pond throughout all eternity? Please comment below to help others
One person said, “If you consider the church roll the Lambs Book of life, you’re surely trapped in legalism and bondage in your heart.” Most churches and the people in their pews lovelike Mike Tyson-you know, “If you don’t tickle my ears with the prosperity message, stroke my ego everytime I walk through the church doors and tell me I’m not a sinner, ‘I’ll eat your children’”.
Unfortunately, in the church, love in the twenty-first century has to do with more of the who’s who list than any sermon on the mount or 1 Corinthians 13. If you’re an average Joe trying to find God and you become transparent in most churches, you’ll most likely get that Stone-cold-Steve Austin-stare with a hint of Gary Coleman, “What you talkin’ bout Willis?”
Love has taken a back seat to the do’s anddon’ts of the old testement and if you’redoin’, then you can’t have any part of our Jesus, at least not at most churches. Surely don’t let some homeless guy walk down the isles to get saved. ”Don’t they understand how that makes the church look-C’mon we got an image to protect”, some would say. Then you woke up and realized Christ was all about the down-trodden, oppressed and the poor.
We would be shocked to find out how few alter calls are going on around the country in the name of being politically correct or to keep with the program agenda. This is the bondage and legalistic spirit of the Pharisee.
I’ll tell you one way that a lot of churches are unfortunately keeping their people in the cement block of bondage: dictacting to the choir what they can and can’t wear, making Sunday’s to be more of a fashion show about whos got the nicest glad rags than about the God they are actually singing about.
I know of a pastor who was decieved into thinking that God was still genuinely ministering through his choir when he, the elders and many others new first hand that the mostly women choir, and single mothers at that, were as about as loving as a bunch of back alley street cats squabling over a dead bird during their practice sessions-no genuine love whatsoever. And then they’re trying to lead the congregation into worshipping the LORD in spirit and in truth. Oh wait, stop the train! Plus the pastors refused to hear the issues of the choir members who were continually having to buy more clothes was causing a heavy burden and a bondage to the image of themselves and how they looked, instead of focusing on ushering in the Holy Spirit. Many were going into debt, fighting within their own hearts asking, “Can I afford this ministry and the gift God has given me to sing. The question is,should they even have been put in that place to have to ask that question when the church actually already had beautiful choir robes? but decided not to use them anymore because they had a certain image they were trying to portray.
Also, they were eyed up and down weekly to see if they fit the criteria to even be on stage to serve God after they bought the outfits. Many of them simply could not afford the nicest outfits so the ones who couldn’t, were rebuked and felt less important than the ones who could afford the nicer ones. Again, the problem could have beeneasily solved by simply putting the entire choir in the beautiful choir robes they had purchased years before, so all the petty-cattyness, jealousy, coveting, and financial bondage to clothes could have easily disapeared and God could’ve showed up.
But as we know through scriptures, if we are making our lives, our jobs, our service to himall about ourselves, we are handcuffing God and he won’t have anything to do with it. In the end that church was left with, and I’m sure there are many others around the country like it, a bunch of people with good talent, but no annointing by the Holy Spirt. He wants the glory, it shouldn’t go to man, this aint American Iodol, we’re suspose to be the church of Jesus Christ.
This is why, again, you don’t have one pastor or leader in the church at the top, making all the decisions because an agenda is sure to creep in sooner or later with the sin nature going unchecked.
Another way to keep the church in bondage is to preach isogesis or the bible out of context. For example, judgement. Most preachers only preach about this topic fromMatthew 7:1-2 if they ever even get around to preaching the subject Now every sinner in America can quote this back to you faster than a lightning bolt striking the Sears Tower. The problem is the bible has much more to say about the subject than this lone scripture.
Actually, genuine Christians are suppose to judge the fruits of other Christians and if we have two or more witness’s we are to even bring accusations to the board of a church against its elders and leadership if it is for a just cause. Unfortunately, lots of churches out there are creating a bunch legalistic, limp-wristed, jelly back Christians who wont stand for anything but political correctness.
Preachers don’t want to preach the whole truth anymore because most of them have more skeletons in there closet(during their active ministries) than a historical museum.
C’mon all you false teachers out there, you’re better than that.
Remember, every church has its faults so if you’re looking for a perfect one and eventually find it, don’t join it because you’ll mess it up. But if you and the other brethern are noticing a pattern of sin or darkness swepted underneath the rug, pray for wisdom on what to do and take a stand for the weaker, oppressed brothers and sisters in Christ who may not know how to fight for righteousness or may even be intimidated by the leaders into keeping silent.
Do whats right according to the scripture and make your church a genuineplace to learn about the oracles of God and his love and not just another pharisee training camp for a pack of fools. When issues arise, whether it be in the pulpit or the pews, be ready to stand up and be used by God to make a change so your church isn’t just a train wreck waiting to happen.
I gave only a few examples of how leadership and people can get into legalism and bondage in a church-what are some other examples that you have seen or heard of and what have you found that the bible’s answer are for them?
A Pharisee: A person steeped in the traditions and rituals of the do’s and don’ts of religion-tearing people to ribbons with those cold-shark eyes, looking down their noses at them. With their Billy Goats gruff full of dead traditions and rituals that dishonor God and his word, they prance around on their high-horse, steam rolling over hearts while persuing outward perfection for the eyes of others to see. His black robe over his head like the Grim Reaper who has come to feed the letter of the law, killing the very Spirit of itthat God intended in the first place.
They send neatly packed prayers up to God with the nicest wrap and most beautiful bows ties attached to make sure everyone in the room noticed it. Legalism causes people to dress in the nicest glad rags on Sundays and makes a show of their giving, while at the same time putting down the person who is poor and can’t afford to dress nicely or give a lot of money to keep up with the Jones’s. Many pastors, reverends, deacons and elders believe this is how God will give them, a breakthrough, enlarge their territory or prosper them.
Then they woke up–C’mon all you Pharisees steeped in legalism out there, you’ re better than that!
Lots of people and leaders in the church have become about as genuine as a tearful funeral director at a funeral, demons coming to the alter at a Billy Graham crusade, Sara Palin at a pro life rally–boom-shocka-locka, the truth hurts.
A great way to keep a church as disingenuous and full of bondage as possible is by letting the pastor have sole control at the top while he runs uncontrolled over everyone with decisions that are no longer from God because years prior, the church decided to give him complete authority in all decisions, including the hiring and firing of the very “yes” men he appoints around himself. When one man starts making all decisions in a church with no checks and balances, that church is surely headed for a train wreck.
But, Oh, wait stop the train-what a revelation on what NOT to do in running a church, so to be sure that God gets the glory for everything decided and done within its walls. Then the devil will have no place to start traditions that hold back the Spirit of the LORD from moving in the hearts of the people and leaders when He pleases.
In an article called, TheDivine Call & Accountability, written by president of the site, Les Stahlke, says “What congregations must hold their pastors accountable for is precisely this: their performance in providing sprirtual leadership and for staying within certain limitations while doing their spiritual work. That accountability is administered through the council, elders, voters, assembly, presbytery or whatever name the congregations give to its pastoral source for authority.”
We know this is part of the church government according to1Timothy 3:1-13,and Titus 1:6-9 which also describes the responsibility of these spiritual leaders set over the church by God. Unfortunately some spiritual leaders are as about as corrupt and godless as ENRON. No accountability of the the spiritual leaders who also are able to make complete authoritative decisions about everything including finances only leads eventually to corruption and an eventual absence of the Spirit of the LORD from that church. The people have either turned a blind eye or thrown discernment out the window. Only if the people want to truly know God and seek his face will he then break the legalistic ways and habits that keep them in bondage to the enemy.
Do you know of any churches that have plummeted into legalism and bondage because of faulty leadership and what, if anything, did you presume to do?
They came to a point in the universe were it seemed all thegalaxies ended and an enormous bright star existed all by itself away from the rest. But as they got closer, Joe came to realize that it was not a giant star, but giant planet. The angel did a flyby of the giant star-like planet, circling 180 degrees so Joe could actually see the entire universe, 200 billion spun galaxies, behind the planet of light. The place where his Jesus dwelled was far beyond words to try and describe. It’s brilliance was brighter than all stars and galaxies put together–it was a polished diamond that looked like a sphere with a trillion different colors reflecting everywhere, not clashing but in complete symmetry, beauty and order.
As they landed at the beautiful gates of glory in Heaven, Joe noticed that paradise was more glorious than he could have ever dreamed or hoped back on the earth. He extolled the LORD, praising him over and over again, then saying, “I made it, I made it, I made it!” There were angels everywhere, but he somehow knew that the ones before him on marbled stairs were personally assigned to him. If God be for you, who can be against you, reigned in his heart as he stared at the ministering spirits. As he smiled at each and thanked them for their devotion in watching over him, he saw glorious light way at the top of those stairs. It was Jesus. As he began to run up to his LORD like a kid whose dad had come home from war overseas, the angels begun to shout and praise God while also cheering him on.
When he finally hugged the King of Kings, no experience in human existence could compare. The embrace lasted for what seemed like years but Joe remembered that a 1000 years is but a day to the LORD–time was nonexistent in eternity, especially in his presence. Joe saw loving eyes of fire, eyes that saw the first being, Lucifer, as he created him perfectly, eyes omniprescent, eyes that saw the total sum of all the evil of mankind placed on him. Joe saw the holes in Jesus’ hands, tears erupting out like a volcano.
The LORD was touched dearly at the love of his servant, saying, “You served me well, Son. You have made the LORD proud because you have abided in me and my perfect plan I had for you–you accomplished it.” The LORD had a dazzling robe of light and pure gold that surely cost more than the gross national product of the world.
“Thank you, LORD. I don’t deserve any of it,” Joe said in tears of joy.
“Of course you didn’t deserve it, but you trusted your life in my hands. Your life was mostly about me and this is why you will be openly rewarded before my Father and have the highest spot in the front of the Throne Room with me. You overcame the world with the agape love you asked for everyday while on the earth. You kept wisdom and humility close to you at all times”
“Thank you for saving me and keeping me, LORD. Thank you and I love you with all my heart, soul and strength.”
“You are welcome, my beloved. Most saints come right here after that first breath on the other side of life. Few ask to see my creation or ask for the scenic route home like you did. It was bold and most saints on the earth would’ve shunned you for asking for this desire to be met. But that’s how I created you. Joe, you have always saved the best for last. I always said if you delight yourself in me, I will give you the desires of your heart, and for you that meant the scenic route home.”
Then the LORD moved to the side and there were about 75 family members who had passed long ago. They were all inside a beautiful solid pearl gate with every kind of precious jewel embedded in it, fourteen stories tall, tons of light emanating from it.
The LORD smiled, saying, “Enter into the joy of the LORD.” The Universe Maker started clapping and all of Heaven thundered. Joe knew that the party was just beginning, but that it would continue for all eternity, getting greater with every moment.
If there was a ground, Joe’s mouth surley would have hit it. The angel announced again, proudly, “Behold, the glory of God! The Eagle Nebula. The dust plumes in this Nebula rise 50 trillion miles high.” As the angel flew me past this breath taking site, Joe knew that one day he would come back to explore this awesome expanse of this nebula and all its wonders. He wondered how he could even began to comprehend this awesome site, but he realized he had a new body now that was capable of understanding volumes more than he ever could back on earth. It was such a breathtaking site that it caused him to well up inside. This is true eye candy, he thought to himself. The angel begun to explain the story behind the glorious site as they flew by. He told Joe that when he and the innumerable angel host saw Jesus create the universe, the LORD took special attention to making this nebula as grand as man’s mind could possibly grasp because he knew that it would be well studied and a favorite on earth.
They flew past so many magnificent galaxies, nebulas, stars and solar systems that it seemed that each one they passed seemed to outweigh the previous in glory, but all had untold beauty and order. Joe even got to see Haley’s comet up close, which also blew his socks off. It all just hurt his mind to even try and comprehend the power, majesty, glory and dominion behind the One who made it all, let alone the fact that this universe would be his play-ground. He would be able to explore these wonders throughout all eternity and still never be able to even begin to get to the end of God.
They flew past an elegant nebula that was hundreds of light years across. It reminded Joe of a Picasso painting, but of course though, Picasso didn’t have anything on the Artist of the Cosmos. The Cosmos Artist used colors that Picasso could’ve never even seen, let alone use or dream they existed. The blues, reds, and oranges were off the charts in beauty. The Cosmos Artist had a great paint brush that could scan millions of light years across a galaxy in one broad stroke of paint , showing off His glory. Joe knew his Father had the right to show off the billions of masterpieces he had made, for he had all power, all wisdom, and all dominion.
The angel explained to him, “The tour must come to an end, but just like you have always done, Joe, we have saved the best for you, for last. It’s time to meet the Universe Maker…..
What seemed like a 1000 kicks and punches to the face and body of the old man, finally ended. He writhed in agony as shockwaves of sharp pain shot from every pain sensor in his body causing him to convulse. His face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. There were bruises and cuts everywhere on his body, blood trickled from his mouth, head and ears. His nose was broken,pupils dilating, his speech slurred as he had tried to beg for mercy-he had no strength to rise to his feet. One too many kicks to the head had caused his brain to rupture in anuerism- he knew the pain in his head was more than just a bad headache.
As the old man’s heart slowed to a standstill, he noticed the sounds of sirens. To him it was ironic that he was hearing the sounds of emergency vehichles, when by the time they actually got to him, his body would be no more than an empty vessel that use to house a man of God.
Traveling through a glorious tunnel of light and colors, Joe realized he had taken his first breath on the other side of life. The tunnel was a parquet of dazzling-vivid colors of green, blue, purple, mauve, yellow and a thousand other colors that no man on earth had ever seen before. There was even black. Yes, black, that was dark, yet filled with indescribable light. It had always been his favorite color, but he assumed it would be no more in Heaven because it was a color always associated with sin and death back on the earth. The scene was more beautiful than any he had ever seen on earth, blessing him immeasurably.
The most gorgious colored balls whizzed by him showing him his life in great detail, what was done, good and bad in the body. The balls were stunning, somehow he knew that no diamond on earth could even come close in value. Sixty-three years sped before his eyesight in a millisecond. In this new realm, time was non-existent, but yet he somehow understood on earth it would have taken hundreds of years for this same detailed and complex, unformal judgment to be completed. Every decision he had made for his heavenly Father, every decision that had motivated him to go against the norm and stand on the bible was all written in the books, seeing each detail like never before as the glorious balls raced past. The light at the end of the tunnel was so brilliant that he knew he would have been annihilated with his old body. He was entering into the Shekinah glory of the King of kings.
As Joe continued upwards through the glorious tunnel and the last ball had past by, he noticed he was taking a detour, as he went through the colorful folds of the tunnel wall. It was at this time that he noticed a mammoth angel who must have been at least twelve feet tall flying him through space. “Behold, the wonders of God’s universe, he promised to show you,” the angel exclaimed with a voice that thundered. Joe finally remembered: It was the scenic route home. He forgot, but his LORD had not. He remembered one day when he was six years old, that he had asked the LORD to see all his wonders of creation, the dazzling splendor, the awesome brilliance and vibrant color of his art work as Creator on the canvas of the universe. They came upon a beautiful galaxy that looked like a colorful Sombrero Mexican hat, which he noticed was the sombrero galaxy he asked God to see up close when he was little.
The angel continued, “We are 50,000,000 light years from earth now. This galaxy is 82,000 lightyears wide and contains 779 billion suns like earth’s or bigger.” As the angel flew him past this galaxy, he couldn’t help but boggle at the mind how pictures of this galaxy on paper simply had not done this scene justice .
The scenic route was more wonderful than he could have ever dreamed–stars were not only more alive in his new existence, but they were almost, yes–speaking to him of the magnificence and splendor and dominion of the One who brought them all into existence for the opportunity to declare His glory. The angel, knowing Joe’s thoughts, reminded him of Psalm 19:1-5and he began to well up with the type of joy, peace and love that he knew was impossible back on earth and that would only highten in ecstasy each new breath he took. Then, moments later they were in a different part of the universe beholding a most glorious site….
The crowd from hell beat the old man senseless. As they looked upon his broken body, they saw him breathe his last, knowing not only that they had just killed one of the managers, but killed an innocent man who followed his God closely. Standing up for one of the workers at his job, Joseph Fencell –the old man, who was set to retire in a few years– spoke too often about the love of God.
Earlier that day in the picket line, Mark Dolton did not want to picket the company any longer because he had a new wife and family and the pressure was mounting for him with no income for weeks on end. Those on the picket line wondered why Mark had all of a sudden changed his mind when as a union they had all agreed never to cross the line. They knew Mark had never been a man of his word and was one who stirred up dissention often, breaking company policies daring others to follow his lead. He also admitted cheating on his wife several times. As he crossed the line that day, tempers flared, threats of danger to him and his family were spewed out.
Now Joseph Fencell, a man of high integrity and character, loved God deeply and everyone at the plant knew it. He had made an oath to pray for the strike over his lunch hour since it had started 9 weeks prior. He was the only person that did this even though over half the staff claimed to be Christians.
That lunch hour Joe had looked out the window five floors below and noticed the strikers getting belligerent and hostile about something. One of the workers had changed their mind, again, deciding to cross the line. It was Mark Dolton, the union worker that hated his guts for what he stood for. He shot down the stairs as fast as he could.
As the crowd started gesturing, swinging signs and throwinganything they could pick up at Mark, Joe jumped in front of him like a human shield. As Joe shielded him from the crowd, Mark was amazed and shocked at his rescuer. This was the manager he openly hated because he was a black man with strong religious beliefs and Mark never shyed from using racist remarks while talking about him. Nevertheless, Joe walked him to safety to the front gates of the company while putting himself at grave risk.
When the old man walked back outside the crowd had gotten even more visibly riled up. They started calling him the N-word and every foul curse word mixed with his precious LORD’s name, but he told them about the love of God one more time anyway.
Joe shouted out to the 80 or 90 angry union workers about God’s love, in how He so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him would never die, but have eternal life.
The old black man was full of compassion as he continued, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners and mortal enemies of the gospel, Jesus Christ died for us. So please, I beg of you, cut Mark some slack, just as the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you and I.”
This put blazing fire in their eyes– the already angry union workers dropped signs into piles and began charging the unarmed old man like a bunch of raging bulls after a helplessbaby . What happened next was unthinkable.
who they could not see, also loved them more than they could ever dream.
