UNITED WE STAND

A couple years ago, I attended a pastor's conference called 40 Assets Kids Need to Succeed and met many fine people there. Some of them invited me to work together. Looking at them, I could not tell where they were from or what kind of church they served. When they told me they worked in the worst neighborhood in the area, I smiled politely, said thanks for asking, but I don't want to go down there. They spoke the Word to me, which I had no ears to hear, and encouraged me to reconsider and come anyway. I never went.

Last year I worked with a woman with a ministry serving the same area who encouraged me to contribute to the work also. I smiled politely again and said," Thanks but no thanks," then went on my merry way.

Last week, my co-worker invited me to her church. I just knew I needed to go. She told me where she went. I wasn't going to go. Then I recalled that it was one of the churches I had been invited to attend before. I went this time. I was not afraid. I did not quite know what to expect but I had gone to several all black churches before so I was well aware of the difference in style.

The people were very warm and loving and showed the love of Christ immediately. It was apparent by the words spoken and the Word lived, how rich in faith they are. The worship service was not my style, nor done in a way I liked and the delivery of the message was not done like I had ever seen it before. However, the woman preached the Word with conviction and passion for the truth and it was line by line, precept upon precept. It met my spiritual need and confirmed things for me in many ways.

These people, who were worshipping God together in a rough neighborhood , are a fine group of Christian people. I even recognized the man who invited me a couple of years before! I realized what a snob I have been, judging people and keeping them in labeled boxes. They have problems, like we all do, although their problems are more intense than mine.

The worst thing that I had to deal with last week was a snagged nylon. Some hear gun shots at night.

James 2:2

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile [dirty, shabby] raiment;

3 And ye have respect [gaze at with favor] to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial [discriminating] in yourselves, and are become judges of evil [ Greek: poneros= hurtful evil] thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich [wealthy, abounding] in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised [condemned, maltreated] the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme [revile, slander] that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced [admonished, convicted, reproved] of the law as transgressors.

Ps 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

I Corinthians 1: 26

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, [powerful, capable] not many noble, [well born, high in rank] are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things [dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd] of the world to confound [shame down, disgrace] the wise; and God hath chosen the weak [strength-less] things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, [least esteemed] hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

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