Mark S. Harris

Good Morning, Please join me for a daily scripture break. Hebrews 4:13: "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Every now and then I like to meditate on the just nature of God.  Sometimes Christians are so eager to share with others the merciful nature of God on which we all depend - I know I do.  Remember avail yourself to the "tender mercies of God which anew every morning". (Lamentations 3:23) What a beautiful gift. There are times however, when we should also understand there is a just nature of God. It’s almost as if people take God’s mercy for granted.  When powerful people who are corrupt harm others with impunity (or it appears that way) I can become agitated because it sometimes appears they get away with their evil behavior. If I spend too much time on X and become inundated with all of the “bad news” out there - it wears on me a little.  I have to remind myself - I first examine my own conscience, repent of my own sin, seek forgiveness, and then offer thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for His mercy and grace. It will usually prompt me to offer prayers to God to intervene in the specific circumstance as well. THEN I will remind myself of this verse - “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”  Christians are not called to judge others but you will be able discern good from evil because you will know them by their fruits.  Let everyone be forewarned: justice awaits everyone, and no one will escape.  I don’t know about you but that gives me solace when I witness injustice so pervasively practiced in our culture - yet, there is justice for the evil committed against the innocent. We serve a powerful God that is invincible - no matter what the circumstances appear to be. If you keep a prayer journal and you experience “ down” days sometimes - the following scriptures often help lift my spirit when I’m in one of these funks.  God sees everything - as merciful as God is - He is also equally just. These scriptures motivate me to examine myself first but remind myself justice must be satisfied. 1. Isaiah 30:18 2. Proverbs 21:15 3. Proverbs 29:26 4. Revelation 20:12 5. Matthew 25:31-32 6. Romans 2:6 7. Matthew 12:36 8. Galatians 6:7 9. Proverbs 15:3 10. Ecclesiastes 12:14 11.Psalms 9:7-8 12.Romans 12:19-21 This is also a great scripture to add to your Christian business journal. Have a blessed day. Peace and be prepared.

Good Morning, Let’s pause and take a daily scripture break. Acts 9:3-6: “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Many of us are familiar with Paul, the Apostle’s conversion story. In verses 9:1-2 Saul has relentlessly pursued converts to the Way, both men and women, with a murderous vigor because he believed he was acting correctly according to his faith.  His zeal for God was unquestionable.  It's possible however, to fervently believe you are acting righteously and be in error as Saul was. The good news is Saul was about to embark on his Christian journey and become Paul, the Apostle. Today, I want to closely examine Jesus’ encounter with Saul.  Jesus could have struck Saul dead because he incited the incarceration and murder of His followers, but He didn’t. A critical lesson here is to remember we must value what Jesus values; imitate Him with our hearts, minds, and spirits.  I frequently think about the toxicity on social media and Christians attacking other Christians about doctrinal differences, and then I look at these specific passages and I see how Jesus views the Body of Christ, His Body. Jesus says, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  That question really pierces my heart.  This is how Jesus sees His followers.  If His followers are persecuted then He is persecuted.  I don’t want that on my conscience. As members of the Body of Christ, we should engage each other civilly. Here are some scriptural reminders for us to appropriately engage one another. 1. Col 4:6 2. James 3:9-10 3. Ephesians 4:29 4. James 1:19 5. Romans 14:19 6. Eccl 10:12 7. I Thel 5:11 8. Col 3:8 9. Eccl 9:17 10. Ephesians 4:2 11. Romans 12:10 We as Christians should respectfully engage one another and even if you agree to debate doctrinal differences then be mindful this person with whom you are conversing is a member of the Body of Christ. When you attack a member of the Body of Christ you are attacking our Lord.  Here are some scriptures that summarize why the members of the Body of Christ are so important, why we are important to Him. Each of us possesses a gift to be used for all of our benefit - this is Jesus’ strategic vision of His Body. 1. I Cor 12:7 2. Ephesians 2:10 3. I Peter 4:10 4. Romans 12:6 5. Ephesians 4:16 Therefore, we shouldn’t attack our brothers and sisters in Christ. Mark 3:25 says, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." I’m positive many are going to vehemently disagree with me about this. It’s ironic our enemies can successfully support each other in their stance against Christianity and yet, Christians attack one another. Discord and strife are detrimental to the Body of Christ. In James 3:16, it says, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”  This sounds like a tactic of Satan to me.  Ask yourself why are you attacking this fellow believer?  What are your motivations? Are you trying to prove your doctrinal point or provide constructive correction and reproof to a brother or sister in Christ? If you can’t come to a consensus on the matter, then pray for one another asking the Holy Spirit to intervene and not abusively denigrate a fellow believer.   I recognize the doctrinal edicts of specific denominations are of paramount importance to their respective members but I’ll never forget how Jesus views attacks on His Body nor His vision of unity for His Body. Saul was doctrinally correct in his interpretation of his faith and yet in grave error. Remember witnesses laid their coats at Saul’s feet while he witnessed the stoning of Stephen to death (Acts 7:58) and Jesus didn’t kill Saul on the road that day to avenge Stephen’s murder. Sometimes, Christians forget the lost world around us and the Body of Christ are two entirely different realities.  And while we are called to evangelize the world as the Disciples were in the early Church, Jesus considered His followers as friends. (John 15:15) Christians are told we are not of this world. (John 17:16) We must remain faithful to proclaim the truth - and diligently expose evil by preaching the Gospel in the world and shaping our Christian worldview through the prism of the Word of God. With these Christian principles in mind, people are afforded the opportunity to choose life or death. (Romans 6:23) In the future, let’s prayerfully consider the rules of engagement with one another. In Colossians 3:15, it says “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” One of the frustrating things about X is people are lined up a mile long to jump down your throat coarsely arguing their point or highlighting a mistake you made in your post.  So before anyone protests my thoughts here by referencing the incompatibly of Christianity with other faiths- please note I'm SPECIFICALLY referring to Christians here, members of the Body of Christ in this post - not Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or anyone else who is not a Christian.  As we encounter people of other faiths or no faith we do so with a heart to evangelize them by the Gospel and setting an example of Christian behavior but how we engage members of the Body of Christ should be respectful, full of grace and loving; valuing each member of the Body of Christ with their gift for the Body in Christian unity - this is our Lord’s vision.  There is a difference. Peace and be prepared.

Good Morning, Please join me for a daily scripture break. Joshua 1:7-9: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Everyone in the Body of Christ has a Heavenly assignment. God created each and every one us with His purpose for our lives. Some of us haven’t discerned what that purpose may be - others of us are hesitant to step into the unknown and do what God has put on our hearts. Some of us are hesitant because of all of the chaos in our culture we are skeptical of our own abilities. Let’s pause a moment and consider the story of Joshua in the Old Testament. In Joshua 1:1-9 God gives Joshua his Heavenly assignment. Let’s look at the context, Moses had died and God selected Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land. In this exchange God reveals a couple of things about His Nature. God didn’t panic or lament He didn’t know what to do because Moses died - without missing a beat, God selected another faithful servant to accomplish His Will. Here’s a summary of God’s exchange with Joshua: 1. God acknowledged the state of affairs - Moses was dead. 2. God announced His plan to move forward - Joshua was appointed the new leader of God’s people, God’s plan to establish natural boundaries of the nation of Israel, and God promises no other nation will defeat them. 3. God seals His Intention with an oath - He gives Joshua a solemn oath never to abandon him or His people. Why does God put Himself on the line so to speak?  The reason God gives this oath is because “…you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”  God never forgets the promises He makes. He always keeps His Word. We can always rely on that. As we closely examine verses 7-9, once again God uses the same formula with Joshua as He did with the prophets of old. The condition of the promise is clear - “Be careful to obey the law…keep the Law “the Word of God” in your mouth...meditate on the Law day and night…careful to do everything written in it.” (New Testament reference - Romans 12:2) The reward of the promise is extraordinary - “…you will be successful wherever you go …then you will be prosperous and successful… AND …for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (New Testament reference - Hebrews 13:5) Of course, as Christians we believe Jesus fulfilled the Law in every respect. (Matthew 5:17-18)  Consequently, these promises in verses Joshua 1:7-9 are still true for us today. Despite the promises God makes in these passages, He takes the time to implore Joshua (us) to be courageous three times. God understands our nature - even with all of the promises He made to Joshua, God understood Joshua was wrestling with the enormity of God’s Heavenly assignment; he was struggling with his own doubts. We should pause and consider the lesson here. Each of us has a Heavenly assignment and the entire Body of Christ depends on all of its members to be courageous to whatever God has called you to do. (Ephesians 4:12). This passage from the book of Joshua inspires me to step out in faith, do my best, and remember Jesus was obedient to the Father’s Will as He secured my eternal salvation - something I could never have earned. Be courageous, ignore the world’s deceptive messaging, and follow Joshua’s line in the sand as he declared “...as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) Peace and be prepared.