Bob, this video really touched my heart and it's so true. Mankind will always judge us based on looks or if we don't fit a certain mold. I also believe that Christ would welcome this lady into the kingdom of heaven because God looks to the heart, the change of spirit that the person has for Christ. Some people who most listen and become the most strong for the Lord are those that society as a whole would not give the time of day for. God just lays certain people on our minds to pray for I know what you mean, God had shown me certain people to pray for that most people might think they would never come to know Christ yet they become the strongest Christians when they do come to the Lord. They are not afraid to stand out and when working for Christ, they really are true Christians if they make that commitment.
What a fantastic message!!! SO SO relevant!!! The world needs to hear, despite our reaching to change, to modify, to "define" ourselves in our own image...even as Adam and Eve sought to become their own "god" to define their own "destiny" image etc. It is GOD who has created us for an exciting, fulfilling and "sometimes" difficult road to travel...yet our purpose with Jesus Christ can be exciting and fulfilling when we take a moment to consider "what would GOD do with me...and how could GOD use me if I..."Choose" to follow..." Well done...well done my brother for this message!!!!
I understand your message but will never understand why anyone, except for theatrical makeup for a stage performance where one takes on a persona other than their own, would choose to alter their God-given body and turn it into something that symbolizes something that is not only frightening to small children, but is physically gruesome even to adults. I see nothing about that look that shows any glory to God. If a person looked like that naturally, we would be wrong to judge their character merely by the person's outward appearance which is very wrong to do. But this example does not seem to represent such a circumstance. This is someone - a female something-or-other, making a conscious choice to make themselves appear to be something frightening [for what purpose?], monsterlike, and not even a creature of Nature [as in a dog, wolf, etc]; it is for shock value to turn one's own God-given body to look like a Stephen King horror monster. I personally see that as an abomination to the Lord, not anything symbolic as His child, or anything praiseworthy of Him, as in some tattoos [referring to your own, PB, that carry a loving & meaningful story behind them.
I feel kinda sorry for her. While I don't understand why she would want to do those things to her body, I know what it's like to be judged & have hurtful things said to you. It must be difficult being on the receiving end of judgement & hurtful comments, even if she did choose to make herself look that way. Is she trying to cut herself off from people subconsciously to misguidedly protect herself from hurt? I just wish I could put my arms around her & show & tell her how much God loves her. My concern is that she's a deeply troubled person, at least from people's responses to her appearance, if nothing else.
not liking the 'no matter how you've adorned yourself in the meantime bit'... understand it's not everyone's cuppa... but that still implies a judgement.... could've stopped at fearfully & wonderfully made... she has some lovely tats anyway... quite pretty... funny how there are plenty of people undergo plastic surgery to change their appearance and there's no discussion about that in the church... or dye their hair... wear make up... remove facial / body hair... cut their hair.... think it's a wider issue about being free to express ourselves but not compelled to do it to fit in. some people see themselves as a canvas for art.... that is actually a part of the fearfully and wonderfully made... that we have a desire to make beautiful things and to express ourselves artistically..... I had a shaved head for a few years (mainly so I could make stick on mohicans and wear them... yay... that was fun!)... I was so shocked at people's rudeness.... that they thought the had a right to comment on my appearance.... and these were people close to me.... that I had really thought better of No more patronising comments about God being able to save 'even' a person like this... start seeing people as God does and that sort of twaddle will crumble to dust... This lady coming to know God is no different from anyone else coming to know God... plus... how do you know what God is already doing in her life... ya just don't... don't be thinking you know best... God knows best... Gah... can't believe this is even a discussion...
Bless you brother Bob we are beautiful keep the faith brother and ain't it great that Jesus loves us all no matter how we look or come God is good peace
Thank you, Pastor Bob. Insightful as ever. I learned at an early age to respect and love everyone for who they are and not what they look like. As the old saying goes........Don't judge a book by its cover.
Hi, Blue Inside. Good question. From my past experiences with these kind of people - 2 in recent years and 1 of them was my best friend for many years - I try to accept them as they are and expect the unexpected. OR walk away and leave them to GOD. Unfortunately, I had to make the choice to do this with both. I stil love them and pray for them all the time, but I cannot have them in my life. If you would like to talk more about this, please feel free to message me privately through Facebook (Luann Hancock Huntsberry). Have a great day! God Bless!
I would love to give her a big warm loving hug, and let her know, as you have paraphrased, she was fearfully and wonderfully made. Today's "religious" society would be too quick to chew her up - you are so on-the-mark with that. This makes me think of the woman *caught* in the act of adultery, who was brought before Jesus. The religious leaders of the day already had her judged and marked for death. Jesus cut them to their hearts when He said, "He who is without sin - cast the first stone.". We all need to clear our self-righteousness and look at others as better than ourselves. The world would be such a better place, I believe, if we did that. God bless you brother!
@SafePet Haven, a lot of times, Us Christians often forget that there are people in this world that don't believe in God and therefore we believe everyone believes, as stated, god given bodies. Unfortunately, this isn't so. So why would someone who doesn't believe there is a God, think their body is given to them from God?
I by no means understand why a person would do that to themselves. Perhaps her reality isn't satisfying so she lives in her own head. I do that in a way, I live in the 80s forever in my head because I don't like the present.
Pastor Bob, I am a agorabic for years. The Lord and my doctors are healing me. I am endeared to you and your pod casts open a clear line between you and our merciful Jesus. I havd been born into many generational blood lines of free masonary. I am the first to break free and I give Jesus complete control over me. I can't help but think I am still oppressed but believe in His infinite wisdom. Pastor you are cozy and I pray thaf millons heed your sermons. Please pray for me, Jeff
+Jeff Fresh Your Awesome Jeff!! Stay the course my friend,, its a journey and your more than able to grow into all that God has for you….as for feeling still oppressed you will come out of that- I know our Holy Spirit will lead you into Peace. Mitchell
Pastor Bob,I have written you and spoken to you over and over.I'm one of these people who came to the lord.When I did I did it in so much fear of having all those people in he'll clawing and tearing at me and crying,and gnashing their teeth that I said I will never ever live the way I was ever again.Its funny because My change has gone up and down and I am one who tattooed my face with an upside down cross when a Christian program wouldn't accept me in a court case I lost years ago.Out of anger I had this tattoo put over part of a facial tat that I already had.I regret it deeply now.And I feel like it's a demon with all my demonic tattoos I have.It really messes with my head.I want it gone.But my pastor and other supporters of my growth tell me don't bug out about it.(I'm still gonna remove it or cover it because when I die I can't stand the thought of facing God as merciful as he is, to see it on my day of judgement.If I face judgement.Anyhow I still get a lot of Christians who double take me once they speak to me.Your friend in Christ.Spider(william)
bro. love you man. and so does God. All your mistakes and evil stuff was put on Christ 2000 years ago! don't let the devil lie and accuse you! You are innocent as soon as you fully trust in the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice for you. he took all your sins on himself on the cross out of love for you while you were yet a sinner, he thought of you in your darkest hour and said, "I want THAT one. I love him!" Tatts, sin, and all! He has taken all the bad away and given you access to his perfect righteousness! what you see in the mirror is your old self! You are new if you've trusted in Christ alone. You needn't move an INCH to the left or the right to be right with God! You couldn't do anything good to be more loved by Him and you couldn't do anything terrible to be LESS loved by Him! This is the conquering omni-powerful love of JESUS CHRIST!
