Quote from Forum Archives on February 7, 2001, 8:25 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Those of you who frequently read these messages know that one of
my priorties in sending out regular messages is to encourage
people, and to stimulate your thinking about matters of faith, so
that the Holy Spirit may use what I write and what you think to
affect what goes on in your life and in the lives of the people
you know - those you live and work with.

So this message from Bob Gass fits right in with the kind of
things I like to think about, and goes along well with the
apostle Paul's teaching to the Philippian people (whatever is
pure, kind... think about these things) and also his comments to
the church in Rome (recorded in Romans) about "renewing" our
minds. My friends, I renew my mind a lot. Frankly, it NEEDS a
lot of renewing. So much around me tries to pervert and pollute
the things I think, say, and do, so I believe it takes a
conscious effort on my part to circumvent such things by instead
thinking of Christ-like things, and putting on the mind of
Christ.

What an example this 80 year old man sets by going out of his way
to make a newcomer feel welcome, even if he looks different and
doesn't do things the same way as "the other people". My
friends, this captures my heart. In my home church, we have a
young man who has ORANGE hair. I think the orange may be fading,
because the young fellow has had a change of heart and a change
of attitude (and he has been recently BAPTISED - and shared what
caused him to change). I am pleased and proud to know people of
all different sizes, shapes, and colors. They are all part of
the wonderful creation of God. Some are naturally appealing and
likeable. Others are difficult to be near. But each one has
something in common: each is a unique, one of a kind creation of
God.

I challenge you, my friends, to treat everyone with kindness.
Here's the tough part: even those who mistreat you. Jesus Christ
was like that. He came to give His all for you and for me, and
for that unlikeable person that offended you (or me) today.

Dear Lord,

I want to be more and more like You. I find it difficult to show
kindness to those who are cruel or difficult to befriend. I need
strength to be all that You want me to be. Fill me with Your
Holy Spirit continually, so that I may go well outside of my own
comfort zone to be a beacon of light and love to those around me,
no matter who they may be. I can do this only in Your strength,
certainly not on my own.

I continue to lift up our leaders, our government, and all those
in authority, throughout the world. I also ask for protection
for those who travel throughout the world, sharing that beacon of
Your light everywhere they go. Stir our hearts to encourage
these faithful servants, and inspire us to serve as well,
wherever we happen to be. Amen.

Brother Brian

From: "ChristianNet" <admin@christiannet.org>
Organization: ChristianNet
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 23:52:41 -0000
Subject: [WFT] Thu 08 Feb 01 - Living Bibles

WORD FOR TODAY with Bob Gass - Thursday 8th February 2001

Living Bibles

"YOU ARE OUR LETTER, WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS, KNOWN AND READ BY ALL
MEN."

2 CORINTHIANS 3:2

Bill has wild hair, a T-shirt, torn jeans and no shoes; it's his
complete wardrobe for four years of college. Across the street
from his campus is a very conservative church and Bill decides to
visit it. In he walks, without shoes, wearing his usual get-up,
complete with wild hair. The church is packed and he can't find
a seat, so he walks down the aisle and sits on the carpet in
front of the pulpit - something you just don't do in this church.
Within seconds everybody is uptight and the minister stops
preaching. Suddenly an 80-year-old deacon with a courtly manner,
a cane and silver-grey hair, begins to walk slowly toward the
newcomer. It takes a long time to reach him and most of the
congregation are sure they know what he's going to do when he
gets there - and they don't blame him.

But what happens next stuns all of them and changes their church
forever. To their amazement, when the old man reaches Bill, he
drops his cane to the floor and with great difficulty lowers
himself and sits down beside him - so that Bill won't be alone!
When the pastor regains control, he tells the hushed
congregation, "What I am about to preach, you will never
remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget!"

Be careful how you live today - you may be the only sermon
someone will ever hear!

(c) Bob Gass Ministries 2001 (used by permission)

Printed copies of "The Word for Today" are available free from
UCB, PO Box 255, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8YY, England.

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