Racism and Heart Change

RACISM can only be changed when people's hearts are changed. The way to heart change is through Jesus. The way to Jesus is through followers of Christ telling and living out the message of the gospel in our community. 

There is no doubt that racism exists in and out of the Christian church. How can we overcome? Rev. Billy Graham nails it on the head for us as the Christian. Racism is sin. Period. 

Billy Graham on Racism

Here are some prayer points for this week:
1. Pray about whether the sin of racism clouds your view of who people are and the stereotypes we put on others here in Montgomery. Look at their hearts instead of their skin color. And if their hearts are in need of the Savior, show them how to know him.
2. Pray for ALL Christian churches to take stands when they see something wrong with how people treat each other.
3. Pray that you and I will see others we meet each day as creations of God, fully and wholly acceptable in His sight. The color of our skin is precious to the Lord. He created us. He doesn't make the wrong decisions in how He created us.
4. Pray for cleansing of believers hearts so that we can share God's love in ways that seem impossible. 

"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness".     I John 2:9

Crime and Heart Change

Crime will not cease until people's hearts are changed. The way to heart change is through Jesus. The way to Jesus is through followers of Christ taking that message out to the world....their community, city and beyond. Only through followers of Christ can people know LIFE CHANGE.

So here is the question: are we sharing the GOOD NEWS that brings heart change? Or are we complaining about crime, packing our bags and running to the next community that "seems" safer? Many of us struggle to want to do that all the time. But, in reflecting on this post today, I see that the only solution is not to run away from it but open my mouth and live my life as if my heart has been changed. Leaving a place that has crime is not the solution...sharing the gospel through word and deed IS. 

Here are just two of the promises scripture offers to us about what HE does for us and for others.
 Ponder them this week and think about whether you will be the vehicle of change that God can use for the Greater Montgomery community.

Ezekiel 11:19 - And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Loving Those You Want to Hate in Montgomery, AL

Great verse to meditate on this week as we continue to pray for our Greater Montgomery area. Part of loving Jesus is loving those we may not like. Look around you today. Who are those you don't like and don't want to love. That is the very person you and I need to be loving today. 

Meditate on this verse every day this week. 

What is God telling you through these words about loving your city/town?

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
– Luke 6:32-36 (NIV)