Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
In my travels across the United States, I’ve come to a greater understanding of the racial divisions which seem to characterize much of the restlessness in America. While I was in Little Rock, Arkansas I spent time with a black pastor who was taught of the true legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. While historians will rightly record MLK as a civil rights leader, he was first and foremost a Baptist pastor, and was a biblical rights leader who saw that, in the Kingdom of God … there is NO RACE! That was the revelation which inspired MLK to speak out against the social injustice of his generation.
And King was not unique in the history of those who stood up against social injustice, but one voice among many others who understood and believed the Word of God. William Wilberforce in his mission to end slavery in England was compelled by his understanding of the Bible's view of humanity and God's ideal of human freedom. Through great perseverance, he succeeded in establishing God's perspective into the legal code, setting a modern precedent to this day. During the Civil War, the abolitionists were fighting to free those in the bondage of slavery, based in their understanding of human dignity, in that all men are made in God's very image.
Social justice is a Kingdom issue, as we’re called to defend those who cannot defend themselves, and to stand against all injustice. We recognize, however, that the deep root of injustice lies in the sin nature of every living soul, and has permeated all of society, in many ways entrenching itself in governments and laws in our time. Since we believe that righteousness can only begin with individual repentance and regeneration, we recognize the limits of our capacity to affect social change, especially in light of the Lord's descriptions of the Last days. But we are called to be salt and light, and our presence does preserve and illuminate culture through the gospel, so we seize every opportunity, individual and social, to represent Yeshua (Jesus), His truth and His salvation.
Some believers will be specifically called to champion issues of social justice, while others will minister personally to the disenfranchised and miserable victims of it. Wherever we are called in ministry or battle, the Holy Spirit will empower the solutions we bring, whether politically, socially or individually.
Be part of God’s solution by discovering and walking in your gifts and calling. Yeshua said, "Apart from me you can do nothing". The changes, improvements and reforms which emerge from Spirit filled ministry will good yield fruit, both now and in eternity.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]As Scotland was declaring its independence from England in the 1300's, the English were hunting for Robert Bruce of Scotland in an attempt to prevent his accession to the Scottish throne. In the search, the English put Bruce's own bloodhounds on his trail. As they grew closer to apprehending him, Robert the Bruce found a small river, and he said to his foster-brother who was with him, "Let us wade down this stream for a great way, instead of going straight across, and so these unhappy hounds will lose the scent; for if we were once clear of them, I should not be afraid of getting away from the pursuers."
In one sermon, D.L. Moody held up a glass and asked, "How can I get the air out of this glass?" One man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, took out a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed."
In the Tenach (Old Testament), the Lord commanded Israel to count the Omer (the Barley Harvest) beginning the day after the sabbath during Passover, 50 days to the Biblical Festival of Shavuot (Pentecost). Today is the 4th day of the Omer and Shavuot is just a few weeks away...
I recently read a story about a rather pompous-looking deacon who was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. 'Why do you think people call me a Christian?' the man asked. After a moment's pause, one youngster said, 'Maybe it's because they don't know you.'
If you keep a grain of wheat in your pocket, it will look exactly the same ten years from now. But place it in the right environment -- some good ground, enough water -- it will sprout into a living sheaf of grain!
This coming Sunday will mark the beginning of Pesach (Passover) Season on the Hebrew calendar. On Sunday morning, it will be the 10th of Nisan the very same day that Yeshua (Jesus) would have entered Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Every 10th of Nisan, four days before Pesach, the children of Israel would choose a lamb for the Passover sacrifice. Each man would take a lamb for his household. Four days were required to inspect the animal to make sure it was perfect and without blemish.
I'm not sure where I read it, but the idea has always been ingrained in my mind -- if you want to be a good teacher, be a good student. When Yeshua (Jesus) lived on the earth, his disciples were called "talmudim". The Hebrew literally means "students". "Talmudim" comes from the verb, "Lilmod", "to learn". In essence, talmudim are learners.