My Doodling:
When Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees on why he eats with tax collectors and ‘sinners’? Jesus’ reply was simple: For I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners. Isn’t it amazing to know that Jesus showed love to the ‘outcasts’ such as tax-collectors, lepers, sick, murderers and prostitutes???
For many of us who might not be able to identify with prostitutes, here’s a wonderful and insightful testimony of Annie Lobert, a self-confessed ex-hooker who started Hookers For Jesus Ministry.
Andrew: Inside & Insights 
Amazing JESUS. Jesus also said:”Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. “John5
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From http://saint4life.com/
What did you think when you first saw this picture? Agree, disagree or puzzled?
Let me first tell me about the background behind this picture. The lady on the right is a former hooker and is a born again Christian. Her name is Annie Lobert. She used to be in the porn and now tries to inform/help people who are in bondage to the porn industry. She tries to bring hope to people of society who are considered the most vile and immoral. She and her friend were in Vegas to try and spread God’s love to sin city.
As for the picture, I am a little puzzled by it. I mean, Jesus does love all: Pastors, teachers, lawyers, doctors, hetero/homosexuals, prostitutes, and pimps. But with that said, Jesus may love the people, but he hates sin…the sins of pastors and the sins of hookers.
While I truely think the ladies in the picture meant well, I think they could have been doing more harm then good. Here’s why:
How would a prostitute, pimp, drug dealer, gambler or any ordinary person feel if they saw these two ladies holding this sign? If anything, probably any guilt that they had before seeing the ladies with the sign would probably erased. Think about it. A pimp walking down the street sees the ladies with their “Jesus loves pimps” sign. He would probably think, “Well, despite my mistreatment of women.” I’m still loved by Jesus.
Would the pimp have any conviction of what he’s doing? To me, this allows a sinner to chuckle and feel that despite anything they do, Jesus won’t care about what they’re doing because He loves all…How often do you hear this message? Jesus loves you, but without a message of violation of God’s perfect law, repentance, and grace.
All people, whether prostitutes, pimps or ordinary people need to understand that Jesus died so people’s repentance means something…So that God’s grace can be valued.
While it may seem like I’m criticizing Annie Lobert and her friend, I also want to applaud their courage. They’re standing in arguably one of the most sinful places on Earth, willing to testify of Christ. While their message may be a little confusing, their hearts are in the right place. Undoubtedly, they will attract some questions from people and have opportunities to witness to those who are humble and broken…which the Gospel is for anyway.Not many are willing to do what they’re doing. God bless them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Meyer
Thanks Joe for your input.
In this case, a balanced approach is required from us Christians. I believe like Jesus who replied to the Pharisees that He first “came for the sinners not righteous”, He had set an example for us to follow- to love and accept ALL people regardless of race, background, beliefs, education, etc….
“Knowledge puffs up but love builds up” 1 Corinthians 8:1
I think it was John Maxwell who said that, “People do not care what you say till they know that you care.”
As it is, love is an ACTION… not just words. We need to reach out to those who are lost and hurt and that requires LOVE, not just preaching in the pulpits.
Unless people know and see that we truly LOVE, they will give us creditibility for what we preach.
Apostle Paul said this, “1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.”
The Church needs to be one that is without “walls”. And the pulpit needs to be where the people are, just as God walks among His people. LOVE was what motivated Mother Theresa to live and serve among the poor and needy in India. Just as Jesus did.
However, LOVE needs to be motivated or be found in TRUTH:
“4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Means if we steal or rob from someone else in order to help the poor and say that we did it out of love. That is fallacy and not TRUE love.
If we LOVE, it has to be the LOVE that comes from the FAther as God is Love. He’s the source.
Therefore our efforts and actions need to be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit as it is He who guides into all TRUTH.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth….” John 16:13
Finally…. Ha ha… in Annie’s case, probably the real issue of what she could do better is: Not to have worn a too revealling costume. Cos I think ppl pays more attention to her body rather than the message on the placards.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James1
That’s why i would expect more church leaders to lead by example; esp when they say invite your friends/neighbours/strangers to church, and then they throw the towel to the cell leaders. And the cell ldrs throw the towels to the members. Why cant church leaders lead by example?
The endtime church will be a church without walls, for the walls have long been a divide between the “haves” & the “havenots”. There’s really no need to raise money for fancy buildings & high walls, maybe just a aluminium shelter (army training shed) or a makeshift tentage with some fans will do.
Hey, without air-con & comfy armchairs, how can we attract the rich patrons & famous donors? Didnt Jesus said the widow with 2 cents cast much more than the millionaire donors? Mark12.
On the other extreme, some christian evangelists in BKK hold placards “Repent or go to Hell” in the red light areas. What do u think?
Hmmm… I think like Annie’s case, would we want to “stone” her like the adultress in the Gospel?
Cos isn’t it so much convenient or easier to point a finger and critisize than to reach out a hand and help?
Therefore in both cases of Annie and yours about church leaders, we should see what sort of constructive solutions (and not destructive acts) that we can render with a shared objective to glorify God and to extend His Kingdom.
If they don’t set the example, we set it for them to see that we might continue to influence not only the lost but also within our Family.
Take for instance our workplace, if I am upset with my boss or colleagues because of certain issues, do I resigned from my work or just slack off since I am unhappy?
I think you would choose neither, cos you would think of maintaining your professionalism in your work and achieve the organisation’s goal. No matter what, you will do your part and finish your task and beyond if you can.
So with the Church it is the same, if the others are not doing, I will choose to be biblical/”professional” and obey God as much as I know how with the goal to please Him and honour Him for His purpose that His Kingdom might extend.
Sounds logical but why not pray and let the Lord lead you? If then Lord ask u to leave your boss then leave. If HE ask you to stay, then stay.
We serve the living Creator GOD not the dumb idols which our chinese ancestors serve. Purpose driven or SPirit-led?
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. 1 Sam23
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. Ps115
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2002 04 13.1 Gibson Prophecy
There are three kinds of ministers that are serving Me:
1. Those that delve deeply into the things of God.
2. Those that delve deeply into the things of God and follow Him.
3. Those that delve deeply into the things of God and build their own name and
ministry.
Only the second type is doing the will of God properly. Those that delve deeply in prayer and fasting and follow with the work will be blessed by the Lord God in this time of trial to come. Those that fit into 1 or 3 do not receive the blessings like unto the second kind.