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Jesus in your heart makes hate impossible


By: Pastor David Grousnick

We all tend to despise people who challenge our cherished myths and kick us out of our comfort zones. The truth is that when Jesus sets about the task of saving us, he has to heal us of any myth or prejudice that is contrary to the spirit of Christ.

Billy Sunday was the Billy Graham of a previous generation. He was conducting a crusade in a particular city. In one of his sermons he said something critical of the labor conditions for workers in that area.

After the service, several prominent businessmen sent a message to him by one of the local pastors. The message was this – Billy, leave labor matters alone. Concentrate on getting people saved. Stay away from political issues. You’re rubbing the fur the wrong way.”

Billy Sunday sent this message back to them: “If I’m rubbing the fur the wrong way, tell the cats to turn around.”

Sunday, February 9th will be a National Day of Prayer.

Okay, not “officially.” Not sanctioned by any denomination or government decree. But there will still be more prayers hurtled heavenward that day than on any other given Sunday.

Superbowl Sunday is actually a very religious day, if you will. People who never darken the door of any church will be praying for a favorite team by player, family members, coaches, investment brokers, and, of course, fans, all over this country.

Remember that one year when “Papa John’s” promised a free pizza to anyone who correctly called the “head or tails” coin toss that starts the game? Half of the people had their prayers “answered.” Half did not.

Sorry. Coin tosses and football games are not the testing grounds for our prayer life. “Hail Mary’s” aren’t the only way to connect with the divine.

“Arrow prayers – “Dear God, please let me pass this math test,” “Dear Lord, please keep the car on the road,” “Dear Jesus, please find me a job,” aren’t really “prayers” at all. They are simply heart-felt and soul-felt pleas.

Prayer is something quite different. Prayer is paying attention to the movement of the Spirit in our lives. Praying is an attitude that embraces amplitude. Prayer elevates us to the portals of eternity and opens us up to the presence of the divine. A prayer-conditioned life is a Spirit-filled life!

Consider the movie titled, Ruby Bridges. It tells the story of Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American girl, who was the first person to integrate the schools in New Orleans. Every day, federal marshals escorted her into the schoolhouse because both sides of the sidewalk would be lined with people who were screaming threats.

Robert Coles, a noted Harvard psychiatrist, volunteered his time to work with young Ruby. Every day he would talk with her, trying to help her weather the crisis.

On the news one night, he noticed her walking up the sidewalk and the people were screaming and throwing things, but suddenly she stopped and said something and started backing down the sidewalk. Then the marshals picked her up and took her into the building.

That night, Cole asked her what she said to the marshals.

She said, “I was not talking to the marshals.”

He said, “Yes, you were. I saw you on the news. I saw your lips moving. You were talking to the marshals.” She said, “I was not talking to the marshals.” He said, “Well, what were you doing?”

She said, “I was praying for those people who were hollering at me. I had forgotten to pray, and I was trying to go back and pray for them as I walked to the school building.”

Cole shook his head and said, “You were praying for the people who were screaming at you?”

She said, “Yes, my mama taught me that when people speak mean of you, you pray for them just like Jesus prayed for the people who spoke mean of him.”

You see, when Jesus lives in your heart, you just can’t hate anybody.

Consider making this prayer part of your daily faith routine:

“Our Father, each day is a little life, each night a tiny death; help us to live with faith and hope and love. Lift our duty above drudgery; let not our strength fail, or the vision fade, in the heat and burden of the day.

“O God, make us patient and pitiful one with another in the fret and jar of life, remembering that each fights a hard fight and walks a lonely way. Forgive us, Lord, if we hurt our fellow souls; teach us a gentler tone, a sweeter charity of words, and a more healing touch.

“Sustain us, O God, when we must face sorrow; give us courage for the day and hope for tomorrow. Day by day, may we hold your hand and look up into your face, whatever befall, until our work is finished, and the day is done. Amen.

Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226.

David Grousnick, is the Pastor at the First Christian Church in Artesia.