He Saw the Best in Me

Happy Sunday!
Today Bishop Alexis A. Thomas had two friends visiting from California. Pastor Victor Brice from Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsburg, California sang at the 11a.m. service, and his brother Pastor Larry Brice from People's Baptist Church in Oakland, California preached. Pastor Larry Brice preached, "He Saw The Best In Me!" He used St. John 8:3-10 as his reference scriptures.

Many of the problems we face today are the result of mental and emotional baggage laid on us by others. In life we experience leeches, loaders, and liars. Leeches want to suck all the good out of us. They never give, only take. The loaders want to burden us with their negativity or their cares and woes. The liars want us to believe that life is hopeless, that God is angry with us, and that our dreams will never come true. These are the people we should avoid! The Apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17 (Message)

The Scribes and the Pharisees were the religious leaders. They were constantly looking for a way to bring Jesus down and stop his ministry. On this particular day, they brought a woman to Jesus while he was teaching. They probably interrupted his sermon, most haters do like to make a scene. I imagine they brought this woman without allowing her to get dressed, adding to her embarrassment. The woman had been caught in the act of adultery, but it is very suspicious that they only brought the woman. Adultery is a two person affair. The Law said that both of the perpetrators were to be stoned to death. The Scribes and Pharisees thought that they could find fault with Jesus in front of the multitude. If Jesus were to say, "Don't stone her", they could accuse him of going against the Law of Moses. And if he were to say "stone her", he would appear cruel and merciless. Pastor Brice compared this event to a game of chess. The Scribes and Pharisees thought the had Jesus cornered. Checkmate! They failed to realize they were dealing with God in human flesh.

"Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. John 8:6-9 (Message)

We don't know what Jesus wrote on the ground, but I can imagine it was dates and times. He was God. He knew all about their hidden sins. They were true hypocrites! Whatever he wrote caused them to leave speechless! "Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:10-11 (Message)

God sees the best in us! He loves us unconditionally. Of course, he wants us to obey and live right but he loves us in spite of our sin. Think of it this way, the woman was caught in the very act of adultery...we have been caught in the very act of worrying(Yes, it's a sin), lying (white lies and black lies, too), selfishness, pride, haughtiness, unforgiveness, and rebellion. Did you know that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft? 1 Samuel 15:23 says, "Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors." (Message)

God sees the Best in YOU! He wants the Best for YOU! This week, let's GO, and sin no more!

Love and prayers, Cynthia