Tuesday, September 27, 2016

EVANGELIST PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, WYOMING: MURDER, DEATH, RACE BAITING....IT'S GOT TO STOP



This world is being torn apart by anger.  The media contains story after story of murder, deaths, police conflicts, race baiting, child abuse, bullying and terrorism.  Our society is driven by anger.  Walking down city streets, people don’t make much eye contact and smiles are rare.  More often a scowl and harsh words exchanged by couples are seen than kindness or soft gestures.  The kindness that Jesus taught so long ago is lost in simple every day contacts. We are a world that has no compassion or caring.  It doesn’t take so much to sit down and talk to someone who is obviously struggling.  In coming to know that person, even for a little while, we can give compassion in simply caring about what they have to say.  It doesn’t take the time consuming decisions of a committee or the actions of a community group to provide compassion.  Anger and pain can be lifted simple by sitting down and talking to someone, one to one, listening, and if it’s possible, helping in some way.  Showing that we care about each other has got to start with one person at a time, one Christian at a time giving a hand up, an ear, a few minutes that it takes to lift someone’s spirits.  It only takes a minute to say “God bless you, thank you”.  It could be the nicest thing someone hears all day and it does make a difference. These are words that are preached and taught by Pastor John Collins, evangelist, of Love that Cross Ministries and Revival.

Evangelist Pastor John Collins began a revival of awakening in Wyoming.  That awakening stirs the spirit of those who hear him.  From a pulpit or behind the microphone of a recording studio, his words are Biblically correct.  Anger that is of resentment, jealousy and hate is keeping us from the love of God, and angry words meant to hurt and sting are not Christ-like.  Anger and the repercussions of it have been part of the human process ever since Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden.  They had two sons, Cain and Abel.  Cain worked the fields and Abel kept flocks.  Through their faith in God, they gave an offering to God of their efforts.  God looked favorably on Abel’s but Cain’s God did not.  Cain became jealous of Abel and angry.  God taught Cain that if he would do right, his would be accepted, but if he didn’t do right, sin would take over, that Cain needed to rule over sin…that of jealousy and anger.

“Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” Genesis 4:8-10.  Cain murdered his brother out of jealousy, envy, and anger and in turn lied to God.

Evangelist Pastor John Collins puts it this way: “Cain killed Abel. Esau sold his birthright and Jacob stole Esau’s blessing which resulted in hatred and animosity that grew between Edom and Israel.  The sons of Jacob, brothers of Joseph, sold Joseph into slavery out of jealousy. The Benjamites, a tribe of Israel, were nearly destroyed by their brethren, all the other tribes of Israel.  The house of Saul and the house of David were at war a long time, Judah and Israel fought against each other.  These are only a few examples within the family of God’s chosen people. The Gentiles have their history of fighting and wars against themselves just the same as the Jews. We have our reality of wars around the world within countries that are not our own. In our country we have gangs, murders, and families at war with children fighting, parents fighting and friends fighting too.

Just because something has been done since the beginning of time does not make it okay for it to continue. What is driving the anger and lack of compassion and kindness in our time? When will we learn that the smallest seeds of bitterness and resentment as well as jealousy and envy will grow to become hatred and hurt if watered? Why do we not realize that the ground is screaming from the blood that has been shed? Why do we not stop and realize that our Lord is not served in our anger and vengeance? God has said that vengeance is His and so it is. It is not for us to take out our anger on another. It is not for us to engage in bickering and arguing that just leads to more and more anger. It is not for us to hold on to these hateful feelings and be consumed by them.

We can do better. We can become peaceful people, if we choose. We each choose our own actions and reactions and that is where our faith will lead us to choose the right and righteous path if we rely on Jesus Christ to guide us. You see, it may not be for you to solve the world’s problems but you can definitely solve your own with the help of the Lord. You can pray for those that are caught up in civil wars and you can make sure that your world is one of peace. You can encourage love and kindness in others by living a life that serves Christ.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10

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