This Week in Native American News (3/9/18): Roller Derby, Wolf Packs, and a Gathering in Las Vegas

I am convinced one of the keys to ministry in any community, maybe especially the Native American community, is reaching the fathers with the Gospel and encouraging them to take responsibility for the spiritual lives of their families.

I think of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as God offering His best in order to turn our hearts to Him, our Father God. It was a sacrificial act of the greatest order in all of history; God offering His own Son in order to unite us with Him. What great love, what great sacrifice!

And in relating their stories, they are humbled. It is then they are reminded that no matter how much effort they invest, it is only God who brings the increase. And at what time, and how that comes about, is not up to human endeavor but the work of the Holy Spirit. They are only assured that as they share His word it will not return void.

We must understand all of God's Word as one narrative. We can't have Easter Sunday without Good Friday. We can't have the promise of eternal life without the fear of judgment. But this fear is not one that causes anxiety, but instead brings awe and admiration as we think about the amazing events He put in motion to prevent us from having to spend all of eternity separated from Him. All this he did because of His love for us.

As we find ourselves further and further from the Garden of Eden, our worlds falls further from the perfection God made. But we have the assurance that Heaven is still perfect and constantly renewed, never having been sullied by the hands of sinful men.
It is in this place where our treasure is safe and waiting for those who believe in Jesus as their Savior.

Even Jesus, who knew His Father completely, felt abandoned and hurt. As he hung dying for the sins of the world, he cried out to His Father asking why he had been forsaken.

But today, the child, struggling to find their identity, can experience love from Jesus by picking up a child’s book and reading the Easter Story.  

I come to worship.  Do I participate or do I observe?  In the presence of Jesus, there will not be a single person with their arms folded, listening to the angels and observing the worship.  We will all sing.  We will all shout for joy.  Ask yourself, “Am I worshipping with joy?”  If not, why not?

I had a cellmate who saw me. His name was Aaron, and, for several months, I despised him. He was always speaking to me about this white man named Jesus. Just the name made me angry. He would tell me Jesus loved me and wanted to give me this free gift of Salvation. I told him over and over again that this heavenly father of his would never give me any free gift.

Within a few months, much to my relief, Aaron was transferred out of my cell. My mind could finally rest. But, it didn’t. I kept returning to his words. Soon, Aaron was transferred back into my room. In our time apart, my heart was softened toward him, and I welcomed his words, words I had hungered for.

This Week in Native American News (3/2/18): Homeless camps, racial purity, and underwater burial grounds

His love for us gave Jesus this flint-like mindset, this sharp cutting determination.  His love was sparked by the fire in His heart to fulfill His purpose.  He would not allow Himself to be distracted or dissuaded from receiving the death penalty we deserved.  And Jesus knew there was no shame in dying for us because it was the right thing to do!

Those who trust in the work of Jesus for eternal salvation will not be put to shame either. Jesus, our Determined One, is now waiting for us in heaven, the place of great color.  However, these colors are not just in the rainbow and stones.  They are in the people from every nation and tribe (Rev. 7:9). Determine today to set your heart and mind on following Jesus, your Determined One.