SATURDAY EDITORIAL

"I can almost hear LJG saying well heck are we supposed to say, God what do I get for doing this, that is just plain stupid. I love LJG and yes I do know pretty much what she will say most of the time. And if I am wrong, well then she will just add her 2 cents at the bottom." (From 9/30/07 Sunday's Editorial).

I am adding my 2 cents worth not because she is wrong but is very right in knowing what I will say. Most of the time she puts into words what I am thinking. Yes, that is the bond that God has blessed us with.

It really works my last nerve when people, especially "so called Christians," have the audacity to ask God or even to think that God owes them something for doing good to others. Yep, it is just plain stupid. The greatest commandment is "to love." Christian Charity does not have a "price tag" on it. It comes from the heart. Just goes to show those that ask God what He is going to give them don't have anything pertaining to God in their hearts to begin with. Then these are the very same people who wonder and ask God where their blessings are.

Yes, I do believe in getting a return on what we do for God. When we plant a seed, we expect to see a harvest. When we give our alms, time and the other little things God has told us to do, in SECRET then I do believed that the harvest will be supplied. As bold as I am with the Lord, I wouldn't even think to ask Him what are you going to do for me. I (so does rECj) just do whatever is necessary and when the harvest comes we are made aware of why He has chosen to give it to us. Another reason I wouldn't ask Him such a stupid question is cause I am afraid He would slap me right on down to the ground.

God is not a job that we have that we must get paid for. God is LOVE. There isn't any person dead, living or waiting to be born that will ever have the amount of love in their hearts that God has for us. No there ain't one of us that would be willing to go thru all the horrible things that was done to Him before being nailed to the Cross. Ah the blessed CROSS. People come on, how can anyone even want God to pay us for the little dab of love that is in our hearts, when, out of love, He gave His all for us.

The next time you are fixing to do something for a fellow man don't even think what God is going to pay you for doing so. If you do don't be surprised when you find yourself on the ground. If this is your thinking on God then you need to rethink your salvation cause you ain't got none.

The following are scriptures may help you in understanding brother/brethren.

(1.) In the natural and common sense (Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19).

(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Genesis 13:8; 14:16; Matthew 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19).

(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matthew 5:47; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 7:5).

(4.) A disciple or follower (Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11, 12).

(5.) One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

(6.) A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1).

(7.) A fellow-man (Genesis 9:5; 19:7; Matthew 5:22, 23, 24; 7:5; Hebrews 2:17).

(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2 Samuel 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Matthew 1:25; 12:46, 50: Mark 3:31, 32; Galatians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage (where in the Bible does it say Joseph had been married before?LJG), and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj