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Be Kind
Scott Amendt • January 1, 2025
Not too long ago my wife and I visited one of our favorite coffee shops at the southern coast of our great state. Like most coffee shops they provide “sleeves” to place on the coffee cup to protect your hands from burning. This particular sleeve caught my attention with the words written on it: “Live Right”. . . “Be Kind”. . . The “Be Kind” specifically stood out to me simply because I feel our current culture uses this phrase, at times, in a manner which misdefines the word. Additionally, I believe, “be kind” is often used synonymously with “just love.”
Unfortunately, our culture within and outside the US seems to have twisted the definition to fit a particular agenda (especially in light of the Diversity, Equality, Inclusion movement, which in reality does not work). Our culture tends to want to use these words (kindness and love) as a replacement for approval or acceptance. However, it must be recognized the terms “kind” and “love” are not substitutions for approval or acceptance. I am comfortable taking this position because “God is love” (1 John 4:16). Which means Jesus is love. And that’s the rub. Many agree with the statement we need to “love like Jesus.” I unequivocally agree if the love spoken of is an accurate portrayal of Jesus’ love. But some want to twist the perfect love Jesus displays in the Scriptures. You do not have to read far in the gospel accounts to recognize Jesus did not (and does not) accept or approve of certain behaviors. So why in the world do some people think they can twist the actions and words of Jesus to fit their agenda even if it means unrighteous behavior? It seems the answer is two-fold. First, they are fallen, sinful human beings. Second, they don’t (or don’t want to) properly understand the Scriptures.
Matthew records Jesus in his gospel account calling the religious leaders hypocrites thirteen times. Does this sound like Jesus approving or accepting the actions of the Pharisees to you? It doesn’t to me. Or how about a reference from wisdom literature: fifteen times “discipline” is mentioned in Proverbs, including “Do not hold back discipline from the child” (23:13a [CSB]). Does this sound like acceptance or approval to you? It doesn’t to me. My point is kindness and love do not always correlate with approval and acceptance. If your child did something you explicitly told them not to do, would you respond, “it’s ok, I understand, I just ‘love’ you”? No! I would hope there would be some form of discipline involved. This is love.
If you want to love like Jesus, do not shy away from His word and truth (much like the progressive movements today are doing). However, I caution, truth should be spoken with respect and gentleness—this is being kind. Jesus is very clear in His teachings and the holiness He desires each of us to achieve. Don’t fall for a false gospel. Don’t fall for the “Love is Love” motif which is circular and makes no sense. It’s like saying A is A. Of course it is! However, once again, statements like this are no more than an attempt to substitute love for approval.
To me it does not get much clearer than the apostle Paul writing to the church in Corinth about love and kindness. He writes in part, love is kind and love does not rejoice in unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 13:4, 6). Read that again—love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Fortunately we have such a loving Creator that His Son went to the cross for all. And all are forgiven and will spend life ever-lasting in His presence if they genuinely seek and accept the free gift of His grace and righteousness. This is kind and loving news. This is the best news!
It seems fitting to close with this statement from the apostle Paul as a reminder this world is fallen and we must be diligent keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord. “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
What is prayer walking? Why is a prayer walk important? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. In Paul’ s writings, words such as “rejoice always” (1 Thess 5:16) “without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), or “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:18) refer primarily to prayer. To “pray without ceasing” is to live with God in our heart and mind, giving thanks for all things and relying on Him for strength. Prayer, as a spiritual discipline, is a fundamental practice in the Christian faith, serving as a means of communication with God, an expression of faith, and a vital component of spiritual growth. The Bible presents prayer as both a privilege and a responsibility for believers, emphasizing its importance in maintaining a close relationship with God. As I am on my journey to mature in my Christian faith, prayer has become my current focus. Meeting with Pastor Daniel on Sunday mornings, reading the Bible, discussing our faith, and praying for the church, our members and others in need, and our community has opened my eyes to the power and importance of prayer. I am learning that prayer is integral to my growth and central to my relationship with God. With that in mind, I would like to invite you to join me as we begin prayer walks at the church. You may ask “What is a prayer walk”? Great question! Prayer walking is a spiritual practice that involves walking and praying simultaneously. It is a simple yet powerful way to connect with God, deepen your spiritual life, and intercede for those around you. Opening our hearts, seeking God’s presence, growing in faith, and deepening our relationship with God are the purpose of a prayer walk. Reminding us of the importance of prayer, gratitude, joy, and the need to incorporate them into our daily lives. We will have a calendar coming soon for the scheduled prayer walks at Farmville Methodist Church. I look forward to praying and growing in faith with you. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" James 5:16. Peace in Christ. Arthur
Teens Want Jesus A recent study conducted by the Barna Group (who generates surveys in the church setting), has published a new survey regarding teenagers. The survey published on January 30, 2025 states 77% of teenagers are at least somewhat motivated in continuing to learn about Jesus throughout the remainder of their lives. Of this 77%, 52% state they are “very” motivated. The remaining 25% falls into the somewhat category. The study goes on to state many in this group feel there is something “out there” that holds a higher power. Unfortunately, there are some that remain apprehensive about attending church.1 Overall this is very encouraging news; especially in light of many educational institutions which professors are pushing an atheistic or agnostic worldview combined with all the junk that is littered throughout social media channels. It’s encouraging because the church has an opportunity to engage with these teenagers and young adults to help lead them in a Christian worldview understanding. Let’s be clear though, not only an opportunity, but a responsibility—you know, the whole Great Commission Jesus speaks about. The survey shows these young adults want to know about Jesus, the church simply needs to engage. However, there are some churches that teach a false Jesus. These churches fall into a multitude of categories—too many to list here. Some are very progressive in their thinking and are straying away from the true Gospel. These churches don’t think the Holy Bible is applicable to us today. They believe there are some good teachings but they don’t accept it as our ultimate authority. Some new age/new thought focus on spirituality, and no, I’m not referring to the Holy Spirit. And still some churches twist Scripture to fit their “religion.” These churches apply the Christian label to themselves, but regretfully they are mistaken. So, not only do we have the task of engaging with the younger generation to speak an authentic Jesus, but at the same time we have an opportunity to give them sound Christian teaching. It is noted in the Barna Group survey to “Be prepared to address difficult questions honestly and demonstrate how Jesus and the Bible relate to the world we live in today.”2 Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37b-38 [CSB]). These words are just as true today as they were two millennia ago when Jesus spoke them. As disciples for Jesus, we should be praying for ways our local body of Christ can impact the harvest, but also for the entire body of Christ to make waves in this generation and generations to come. Lastly, it is crucial we are authentic and relevant to reach those who are seeking King Jesus. 1. https://www.barna.com/trends/teens-curious-about-jesus/ 2. Ibid.
Perhaps you have heard or have seen this very question in the media or people chatter about it in the last several months. The interesting part is some people cannot (or conceivably will not) answer this question with reason or integrity. Sadly, some of these people are in positions of high regard within government. Responses have been given such as, I cannot answer this question because I am not a biologist (or medical doctor). This is clearly and simply a response to ignore or skirt the question. I am comfortable stating that everyone who has enough age on them is innately familiar with the very fundamental anatomy of the human being. So it seems, to disregard a very basic question is to ignore it for an identity crisis ideology. Let me submit a quick and basic overview of how to determine gender, if not by the obvious. Males overwhelming have XY chromosomes and females XX. Some males do carry the XX chromosomes and some females carry XY. Yes, there are other variants as well that produce an array of syndromes. However, what does not change is the SRY gene. Either you have this active gene or you do not. If you have an active SRY gene, then you are a male. If not, then you are a female. Furthermore, this gene is established at conception. Regardless of any variant, God has designed a human being to be either male or female (man or woman). Jesus confirmed very clearly what is noted in Genesis 1:27; 2:22; 5:2, in that there are two distinct sexes/genders. Jesus said to the Pharisees questioning Him, “‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female’” (Matthew 19:4 [CSB]). Only two—binary. You cannot change your biology. You cannot determine your gender by the way you feel. Sure, you can alter your appearance by physically changing your body through surgeries and drugs. (Did you know if these hormonal drugs are ceased, the the body will, for the most part, gradually return to it’s natural state—which it was at conception). Ultimately, an attempt to change one’s gender by these means or by identifying as the opposite gender does not succeed. Perhaps it should not surprise me or anyone that from sinful humans comes the attempt to challenge the definition of God’s very good creation. Topics like these are simply another indicator of how the adversary is working his schemes against the Sovereign Creator to mislead humanity! As followers of Jesus, we need to stay firm in God’s Word to combat false ideologies. As followers of Jesus we need to love in truth with gentleness, humility, and compassion. We must remember the Father loves the world so much that He sent His Son to save us from our sinful behavior if we believe in Him (John 3:16). So, it should also be our prayer the Church will be bold enough to stand up against false teachings and promote God’s Truth. Urgently, it should be our prayer that those who promote these false ideologies would recognize God’s design, cease to spread false patterns of thinking and agendas, come to repentance, and believe in His true Word.
“Everything in 2025 must be God FIRST! Everything we plan will be based on this principle: God first.” In the beginning of 2024 I posted these 3 resolutions as we embarked on 2024: Seek God First Follow Jesus Christ Do what He says In my last December Bulletin article, I encouraged you all to make some resolutions to start this year 2025. Resolutions with a goal to make our church prosper, grow, become more effective, fruitful, and of course, relevant to this community. You may or may not agree with the resolutions I proposed to you before, but this one: GOD First, we won't negotiate, and the reason is simple: We are going to put God first in everything in the life, mission and purpose of this church, because unless we put God first in everything, any resolution we long for or attempt for the life and future of this church will not change enough or will not change at all. I know you too long to see a difference in the life of our church, so please engrave this in your heart and repeat it for the next 36o days: God is first in everything. Now, as a pastor, I have the responsibility to help you understand these biblical principles and establish this standard in the spiritual life of this church, so that the desire to see this church prosper in 2025 becomes a reality; but it also depends on our understanding of the Word and the purpose of GOD in our lives, an understanding that must be aligned with the fundamental principles of God's Truth, "The Principle of First Things." Jesus tells us put God first. "But Seek the Kingdom of God d His righteousness and all these things shall be added to us..." Matt 6:33. The Principle of First Things is where the first governs all the rest. God tells us that the beginning of something governs or sets the direction of all the rest that follow. So this is what I am planning to do in the first few weeks of january, understanding this principle of First Things. We will intentionally walk through Genesis I and try to connect to other chapters or books of the Bible to gain understanding. I am convinced that having a clear understanding of why God must come first in every step of our lives, why we must abide in Jesus always, and why the we will need the help of principle the Holy Spirit first in of first everything, determines who we are as children of God, as disciples of Christ, and as the Church of Christ called to flourish and shine. God entrusted us with seeds of faith in 2023-24, seeds that we have planted, but we have to cultivate them, cultivate them with faith, and take care of those first sprouts with passion and self-denial, with courage, we cannot expect an abundant harvest unless we believe and persevere that God has prepared a great harvest for our church. Read and study these first 5 verses of Genesis 1, here are some fundamental principles that we must dig deep into, remember that what comes first governs everything else. God shows us that the beginning of something governs or sets the direction for everything else that follows. The Creation (JohnI:I-5; Hebrews II:I-3) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters, And God said, "Let there be light," and and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness He called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning the first day... In these first 3 verses there is a clear principle: God separated the light from the darkness. Jesus said it too, and there is much more! God Bless You P Daniel
I was listening to a podcast recently on ways to advance the gospel at holiday dinner gatherings. I thought I would share some of these ideas with you as tools we can use in our own discipleship. Of course, these thoughts are not just for holiday dinner gatherings, but can and should be used anytime to evangelize those family members or friends that do not have belief in Jesus. These are not ground breaking evangelistic ideas. As a matter of fact, I am comfortable stating this ministry did not have any amazing breakthroughs on how to evangelize. They are simply highlighting (and reminding) how we should engage conversations as Christians. I have attempted to summarize an hour-long podcast in the list forthcoming. If you are interested in listening to the complete podcast, this is the link: https://crossexamined.org/top-ten-ways-to-advance-the-gospel-at-holiday-dinners-2024-edition/ First, it should be noted, it is not our ultimate objective to bring someone to the foot of the cross in one conversation. Would that be great? Yes! But it is not realistic. We may be the first step to someone accepting Jesus; we may be the final step. However, we must do our part as disciples for Jesus. As the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7 [CSB]). With that noted, here is the list: Pray. If you have the opportunity to pray aloud at a gathering, take it. Pray for others, calling them specifically by name (assuming there aren’t too many people present to list). Be thankful for these people. Be thankful for the meal (assuming you are having a meal). Add the gospel to the prayer. Thank Jesus for being our substitute and taking the penalty due to us upon Himself. Serve. GET UP and serve others. This is a great way to show your love for others. Jesus said He did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45). He ultimately served by giving His life as a ransom for many. Ask Questions. Engage in conversation. Ask questions about their lives. “How have you been doing?” “How is work/school going?” Whatever the questions may be, take a sincere interest in their life. Listen. When you ask questions: listen! Do not over-talk or overtake the conversation. Let them talk and listen intently to what they are telling you. Again, be genuinely interested in what they are telling you. You will learn a lot more about them by listening than talking. You will also show more sincerity by listening. Tactics. If a conversation happens to turn to questioning or rejecting Christianity, ask tactical questions. This must be done with grace. Examples are “What do you mean by that statement?” “Why do you think/feel that way?" “How did you come to that conclusion?” “Have you considered?” Most people cannot answer these questions with much substance because they have been fed by a secular society without digging into the claims themselves. You may not have specific answers to their questions or statements, and that’s ok if you don’t at this time. You can always follow up with them (see below). The point is to get them thinking about their position. Agree and affirm. I would venture to say most, if not all, people like to be right. If someone presents something that is true and accurate, let them know you agree. This should not be a one-sided or hostile conversation. This should be a dialogue, not a monologue. Make it easier. Show what makes the walk with Jesus a little easier. This is in terms of gaining knowledge. There are lots of resources available to turn to for answers outside of the Scriptures. Of course, the Holy Bible is the number one authority. If any source contradicts the Scriptures, it should not be used to advance the gospel. Follow up. This does two things. First, it shows genuine interest in the conversation you had and interest in the person. Second, you may come across additional information that may be useful to answering any questions or objections that may have come up during the conversation. I am hopeful these ideas will help you advance the gospel in future conversations.