Books
New Release! Soaring Servants: Women in God's Service by Linda Sedrick Pearson is now available at PS Publishing.
Heartless and Without Strength
By Linda Sedrick Pearson
Are you to the point where you don’t have the heart to go on? Are you tired and without the strength to fight the everyday battles that come against you? Do you feel like you are all alone? Do you feel like you don’t have anyone who cares about what happens to you?
You don’t have to continue on heart less, weak and alone. There is someone who cares. Child, you don’t have to continue fighting battles alone.
Jesus Christ cares for you. He cares so much that he came in the flesh to die on the cross for you. He loves you so much that he lives for you.
Do you want a relationship that won’t fail? Do you want a relationship with someone that won’t leave you? Asked Jesus to come into your heart and life.
Do you think this is phony? It’s not! I know from experience of living without him and living with him. I have been on both sides of the fence. Believe me when I tell you and sweeter tasting on Jesus’ side.
No, I’m not after your money. No, this is not a con. I do not have any hidden agenda.
The only thing I want is for you to search deep within yourself. If you find that there is something missing, if you are not satisfied with your life, and if you want to know more about Jesus, contact me. It’s up to you. When you get tired of struggling on your own and tired living the life that you have been living, contact me. There is a better way. That way is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
Church is NOT a Building
“Upon this rock I will build my church,” (Matthew 16:18) “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The rock is the foundation plan to life. It is the salvation plan of God for all mankind. Salvation never wavers. It is people who waver, not God’s plan of salvation.
Salvation is the rock upon which all faith, hope, spiritual gifts, and all else from God is built upon. And salvation is “Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:16)
All those who will be saved are saved throguh believing and accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That is the foundation of our faith. That is the rock Jesus was telling Peter about in Matthew 16:18. When saved (when you receive the free gift of payment for your sins) Jesus Christ, the Rock of your salvation, protects you. The gates of hell, which is all evil and wickedness, will not win because it is all battling against that Rock – Jesus Christ.
So, now that we have established what the rock mentioned in Matthew 16:18 actually is, let’s look at what the church is NOT. First, it is NOT a building made with hands, although we use the word “church” to refer to a meeting place where a local body of Christians gather for Bible study, prayer, praise, teaching, and preaching.
Matthew 18:17 is talking about how the people (“the church”) should handle a situation if there is a sin against one Christian by another Christian. First back up to verse 15 in Matthew chapter 18. The Christian that was sinned against is to go alone to the Christian that harmed him or her and try to work out their problem in a Christian manner (verse 15). If the Christian that committed the sin does not correct the offensive behavior, then the one that is sinned against should go back to him or her and this time take one or two other Christians with her as witnesses to confront the offending Christian (verse 16). If the offender still does not listen, then Matthew 18:17 says to “tell it to the church.”
Now, this is one verse that shows us that the “church” referred to is NOT a building. Common sense tells us that we would not stand in front of a building and speak to it about someone offending us or about troubles we are having between one another. Or suppose you do believe that one speaks to a building. That is possible. Any of us could stand in front of, or inside of, a building and speak to it.
Let’s look at verse 17 again in Matthew chapter 18. It continues on to say “…but if he neglect to hear the church…” In order to “hear the church,” the church must be speaking. Right? Does a building speak? NO! So how can a person “hear the church?” It means that the people are “the church” and they are speaking about this matter and how to deal with it.
Next, let’s take a look at Acts 20:28. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” We need to break this down and take a look at the different phrases given here that helps us understand that the church is a group of people and not a building.
Let’s look at the phrase “feed the church of God.” This means that the people are to be fed both spiritually (always) and physically (as needed). Does a building hear teaching and preaching (spiritual feeding)? NO! Does a building eat food (physical feeding)? NO!
Moving on, the next phrase to look at is, “which he hath purchased with his own blood.” In this verse the word he is talking about Jesus. Jesus purchased the church of God with Jesus’ own blood. Did Jesus come to die on the cross and shed his blood for a building? Absolutely NOT! He came to shed his blood and die for people, for us. So we are to “feed the church of God” or in other words, “feed the Christian people.”
One more verse, in case you are still not convinced that the church is NOT a building (even though we call some buildings churches). Colossians 1:18 reads, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” Jesus Christ is the “head of the body.” He is the head, we as Christians are the body. We, the people, are who God uses as His tongue, mouth, hands, feet, eyes, ears, heart, and all other parts of the body as God has need to use. We are “the body” mentioned in this verse. It is NOT a building made with hands, but instead is a group of saved people. These people are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. When you accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you receive eternal life and become a child of God. You also become one in that body – groups of Christian people joined together by one Head – Jesus Christ! This is done so that Jesus “might have the pre-eminence.” Pre-eminence means first place. Jesus Christ is to have first place in all things.
(Written by Linda Sedrick Pearson.)
Fasting that God Acknowledges
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Isaiah 58:5-8 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
God did not choose for us to fast by afflicting our own souls. That was not what God intended us to do.
The type of fast God chose was for us to help others that are in need. We are to be there to help when people are down. We are to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ (“to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and … break every yoke”). When people hear about and accept Jesus Christ, it does loose the bands of wickedness, undoes heavy burdens, lets the oppressed go free and breaks every yoke. Jesus Christ is freedom and comfort.
Another part of the fast God chose for us was for us to feed the hungry and provide shelter to those who have none. We are to clothe those who do not have clothing. Don’t withdraw from your own family (“hide not thyself from thine own flesh”). We are to help people in need. We are not to burden them more by asking them why they are in that condition. We are supposed to help them.
Reach out to others. Don’t worry if they are dirty. Maybe they don’t have anywhere to take a bath. Provide them a place to take a bath and clean clothes. Give them toothbrushes and toothpaste. Provide them with shelter and safety.
We are to save back some of our income so that we are able to help others. Even if it is only $1.00 a week. Put it back and save it so that you have something to give when you see someone in need. Take them and buy them a new set of clothes or a good meal.
Did you know that when you do these things you will be healthier? God says so in these verses. And, the glory of the LORD will be your rereward. That means he will be your protection. Rereward means a rear guard. He will guard you and keep you safe. Don’t be afraid to take care of others needs. God will take care of yours.
Are We Headed Back to Salem Days?
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
There was an article in the Daily American Republic (DAR) newspaper on Sunday, October 18, that was written by Associated Press (AP) Writer Katharine Houreld. It was titled Denounced by the church as Nigerian child witches.
After reading the article is makes me wonder – are we headed backwards toward the old witch burning Salem days? Many of the children in Nigeria are being labeled as witches by some church pastors and members. The children are then tortured and many burned by family members, as church people stand around and cheer on the parents or other members inflicting this torture. The torture ranges from forcing acid down their throats to burnings.
That is not Christianity, folks. The children have done nothing (according to this article) that would cause anyone to think they were witches. In other words, they have not been casting spells or speaking incantations as you would expect from a witch. They did not speak curses on any person. So what caused them to be labeled as witches?
The only thing found wrong with these children was poverty! They had the misfortune to be born into a family that was poor and had too many children already. For these families to lose one poor child is a blessing because it means one less mouth to feed. It means more food in the bellies of the other family members.
What we have to do is to guard ourselves and make sure we do not make the same mistakes here in America. Most of us are quick to judge others and then jump on the mass hysteria bandwagon to join the accuser’s side of the question. Before you judge anyone, take a good look at ALL the facts. And remember, the Bible says that you will be judged by the same rules you used to judge others.
A special thanks to Katharine Houreld for writing the article and keeping us informed.
Be Still…
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Sometimes all God wants us to do is be still. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes get busy with things concerning everyday living and forget to just sit down and be still so I can listen to God.
When things aren’t working out for you or you feel that you cannot hear the voice of God, sit down and be still. Know that he is God! He will take care of things, but maybe it is time for you to be still and listen to him.
Until next time,
Linda Sedrick Pearson
