PASTOR JOHN COLLINS DAILY THOUGHTS: PICK AND CHOOSE CHRISTIANITY?

From John Collins Ministries: 

“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which makes a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’” Mark 12: 41-44 (NKJV).

You cannot only be a Christian when things are going good in your life and you cannot only be a Christian towards those whom you like and approve of. The whole point of being a Christian is to be Christ-like and believe me, Jesus was kind to those whom He knew to be sinners and those whom He would not approve of, which is the reason that He was sent to earth, to save those who were lost. Jesus gave all that He had down to His last breath, for us.

Many people take their own lives and situations too seriously and become defensive and ignore those who are around them. Many people justify their self-absorption by claiming tragedy, turmoil, victimhood and obligations. You cannot justify acting nasty or dismissive to others because you are not in a comfortable situation or in a place of stability. God tests you on how you behave under pressure, under stress and in the tough situations. God tests you all of the time and if you really are interested in how you are doing, just go and read the Sermon on the Mount and see how you measure up.

The words of Christ when He spoke are not to be dismissed, they are to be obeyed and that is how you will be tested. God doesn’t want you to wait until you are happy and financially stable to help another. It is your suffering that makes you able to have compassion and it is your willingness to put another before yourself that makes you rich.

Be willing to be a follower of Christ when no one is looking and be willing to open yourself up to another when they are in need. Not everyone needs money as charity. There are so many lonely people in this world that need love and faith. Be willing to offer both freely because God knows that Jesus always will.

“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” Matthew 6:2 (NKJV).

LOVE THAT CROSS, Pastor John Collins

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PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, LOVE THAT CROSS MINISTRIES: Charity: It's not just for Christmas time!

 It is amazing how quickly we return to our self-centered habits right after Christmas.  Our generosity seems to be bigger and greater in the days leading up to the holiday of Christmas, then as soon as its over, we forget that charity is a way of life.  Generosity is what Jesus was teaching us when He walked among us.  Love That Cross Ministries has a pastor, Pastor John Collins, that cuts through to the core of how we should behave and act as Christians, every day.  It is my hope that you enjoy his honesty and candor when it comes to God and the salvation of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Hebrews 13:2
“If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10


Have you ever passed by someone begging without looking at them, told a friend you couldn’t help them, denied a family member help, or thought to yourself ‘next time’ when an opportunity came your way for you to do a charitable deed? We are presented with many chances to bear fruit in the name of the Lord that we just let pass us by. Those moments can’t be reclaimed and those opportunities to do good for God and Jesus just passed away. Even if you do something a week later, a month later, a year later, that moment is gone. If you can, you should!

We are not meant to enable our relatives or anyone else to become lazy or to hinder ourselves to such a degree that we become homeless and cannot feed our families but we are meant to be giving and charitable people. We can do more and we can certainly be more generous than we are. We do not need that extra pair of shoes in the closet or that knick-knack or that or that or that. Be honest about what you do have and what you can give. Find ways to clean out the clutter of your closets, homes and lives and find shelters that will take it and give it away to their poor. Don’t just take things to places that will sell them to the public, but take your time and find places that will give what is needed to those who need it.

We can do more for those who are in need. Look into non-profits in your area and find out where and what you may be able to contribute. Each of us is capable of being much more aware of the needs of our communities and if we would just take the time to become givers then our communities would flourish more and more.

In every single thing that you do, remember to do it in the name of the Lord. Let people know that you are a giving and obedient Christian by saying, ‘God bless you and give thanks to Jesus’ when you give. And please remember to never toot your own horn. It is not about letting anyone know what you do but it is about finding ways and opportunities for you to do and praising God all the way knowing you are serving the kingdom of heaven.

“The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11
LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN

copied from Facebook, John Collins (Pastor John Collins )