The Erbele family and our Lifeprint family need prayers more than ever. The enemy has taken an extremely low blow this time and is proving to be quite powerful- admit it- in all of our lives... not to mention this insane world we live in (Lord, you can come back ANY day now...!). While satan is taking a tight grasp and laughing in his work, he doesn't realize that our God is bigger.......... when do you suppose he's going to learn that!?!
I have been blessed to know this family and be a member of Lifeprint Church. I am honored to call them friends. Heather especially, but both have been there for me in a way that NO one else has ever been. No one. Did they need to take time away from their family or their work to do that for me? Absolutely not. She was one of the first to step up to the plate when I was walking in my own darkness. I gave my heart to the Lord because the way the Lord spoke through this incredible family (and their music). I also am blessed to have the faith I have today. What doesn't sit well is all who were on the fence of giving your heart to the Lord. The faith you found through John and at Lifeprint should never have been put into man, for we all know, we are not perfect. Please do not set aside the love God has for everyone because of the mistakes and failures of man. I'm sure you're all aware of Romans 3:23 that says "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." NO KIDDING! It is driving me mad hearing things that are against John just because he is a "pastor" (a darn good one!!!!). Although it's driving me mad, I am well aware that it's the enemy working in me and all of us to take this family, and the rest of us down- satan does NOT target those who already follow him... he targets those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. John is an absolute perfect target because of the faith and the teachings he has brought to this world. I am NOT saying that what he did was ok- but we all have sin. Myself (very much!) included. Because he is a pastor supposedly means he can't walk in darkness or be tempted by the enemy... make mistakes or bad decisions. Never once has he pretended to be better than anyone or said he is perfect. He preaches from the Bible and admits that he's preaching to himself included. He is a man. A man just like the rest of us that makes mistakes. He's not Jesus. Nor does he (or I'd hope any pastor of any kind) pretend to be.
Sin is sin. You go murder someone... you take the Lord's name in vain... you steal a candy bar from a gas station... you rape someone... you let satan lead you down a path of depression... you have an abortion... you have sex before you are married... you scam people for money... you choose an addiction of any kind... you choose homosexuality... you look at pornography... you take part in yoga... you subject yourself to prostitution... you can do a number of things. Sin is sin. There is no difference to God. So what he did is no more or less accountable for the sin you have in YOUR life or my life... think about it. THE GREATEST PART of just the FEW sins in this world that I listed, is God loves you ANYWAY thanks to His son, JESUS CHRIST!!!!! That's amazing!!!
John 8:6-11:
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
With that, just keep the prayers coming. Before you cast the first stone, look at your own life. I'm praying that can be a part of my own life as I grow in my faith. The enemy may think he's won, but little does he know that the Lifeprint family is just becoming closer to the Lord. Praise Jesus!
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
Amen!
Stay strong John, Heather and family. For every 1 that hate, 10 more choose to LOVE. You all are loved beyond measure and under NO circumstance will that ever change. God bless you all.
1 comment:
*hugs* Well put!!
Post a Comment