Jesus Said Love Dallas

When I was a freshman in college my friend Sze-lyn gave me a book to read.  It was called "Jesus with dirty feet."  I don't remember anything about the book but the title of it came to my mind the other day when I was prompted to consider getting my feet "dirty" like Jesus did during the days in which he ministered on this earth.  I have been prayerfully considering how I might become involved in a new ministry that has evolved in Dallas. There is an organization in Dallas for women who are prostitutes.  It is called Jesus Said Love Dallas.  I believe that God calls us to minister to everyone.  Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners.  And there were many who criticized him for the work that he did.  Yet his reply was simple.    “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Mark 2:17).  So please join me in praying for these women who are in a difficult situation in their lives.  Please join me in praying for this ministry and please join me in praying as I ask the Lord for guidance and clarity on what steps I should take in helping these beautiful women of God come to know HIM, see HIM, and be washed clean of their own sins, so that they too can know that they are HIS beautiful daughters!

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone!

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

Have you ever thought about the freedom that you have been given in Christ Jesus?  When you sing the song “Amazing Grace” (My chains are gone) how does it make you feel to know that you are not being restrained from teaching others about Christ?  Remember when Paul was in prison and there was an earthquake and it loosened all of the prisoners chains?  What an amazing feeling it must have been to know that “their chains were gone” yet it was all part of God’s plan for Paul and the prisoners to stay there and not leave.  The Philippian Jailer was about to take his life.  He knew that if any of his prisoner’s escaped that he would surely be put to death.  What beautiful words it must have been to him to have heard Paul cry out “Do thyself no harm, we are all still here!”  (Acts 16:28).  All of the sudden he realized that he too was a prisoner within himself and that he wanted what they had.  He wanted to be released from the chains that were keeping him a prisoner of the world.  Whatever Paul had that caused him to sing songs of praise in prison and to stay in such a place when his chains had been loosened he too wanted a part of that!  So he yelled out “Sirs, What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).  And Paul taught him Jesus and that same night he believed and was baptized and was saved! 

If you are a Christian living in America then you have many more freedoms today then Christians living during Paul’s time.  However, are you taking advantage of these freedoms to share the good news with others, demonstrate the love of Christ in how you live your life, invite others to come with you to a bible study, youth rally, or church retreat, or special service?  OR…are you letting the “chains” of life bog you down.  Are you feeling depressed?  Do you feel like your marriage is dead?  Are you living in financial debt?  Are your children causing you grief?  Has someone close to you died?  Isn’t it time that you let go of these chains.  Just like the song says and more importantly the bible promises us…our chains are gone when we are in Christ Jesus!  Allow God’s amazing grace to release you from the chains of life.  If you have not yet taken the steps to become a Christian then please do not delay any further.  The Philippian Jailer went that night and was baptized into Christ!