For The Love Of God

So you broke a nail. 

Got cut off in traffic, 

or the machine was out of soda… 

There are people in the world who are living their entire life with real problems. Like wondering if today is the day they will be put to death. There are those of the Christian faith, many of which are women and children… who don't enjoy the freedoms that we have come to take for granted. A good number of them have died simply because they chose to follow Christ. Others are living the aftermath of attempts to end their life… only to wonder if the next attempt will be the last.

Please remember to pray for the persecuted around the world.

Persecuted Church from MeadowBrook Baptist on Vimeo.


Matthew 5:11 (KJV)
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

For more information on the Persecuted Church...
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Blessings,
Matt. 

The Jesus Command

My Book

 

(Watch Trailer)

John 13:34 (NIV) 

“A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

 

Local Chicago Minister, debuts a passionate work to help those still lost.

“The Jesus Command”

(Published by WestBow Press)

A journey through the scriptures on a path of life changing inspiration.

 

　　

"What is a Church?"

No matter the response, one thing will be certain. You will receive quite a few different answers. The building with the cross, the Body of Christ, or the multitude of all believers everywhere. The same holds true if you replace "Church" with "Disciple." The answers will be different, with some falling void of the truth. We all have our perceptions, however well intended. The real answer, the only one that really carries any weight, and the one we all should seek an understanding for... is found in this broader question.

"How did Jesus use the term and what did He intend for us to understand about it?"

This was the starting point of our study, a study which took the words spoken by Jesus to those who could clearly be identified as His closest Disciples to try and form the answer.

The eleven men who comprised His inner circle were given a new command. That command... 

"Love one another; as I have loved you... 
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples..." 
(John 13:34-35 NIV)

"The Jesus Command"

is both simple and impossible to carry out under our own power.
Even when we give it our all, we still fall short.
The key is in first being willing to love and then obedient to the pattern that Jesus first laid down. 

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,…” 

(Matt. 25)

I've heard many, who, when quoting this passage, all seem to stop at the colon, without making mention of the fact that the servant has faithfully carried out a task to the Masters delight. Just how much of our Christian walk is in line, faithfully, with the Masters liking? Are we doing all we can to live out the command of Jesus, or are we busy making excuses as we push our service further on the back burner. “The Jesus Command” is an examination of Christ’s charge to love one another as He has loved us. It takes into account His point of view and what would be expected of anyone who would be called His Disciple.

A word of caution… there may be a few hard bits to swallow.

John 6:60, 66 (KJV) 

Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 

The New Testament is full of instruction of how we are to regard one another. Our study and discussions took these instructions as a guide.
They form the pattern of our attempt to better understand this... 

"The Jesus Command"

and the qualities necessary for Christ following. 

According to John’s gospel, God Himself is love. The basic core of Discipleship must begin with a devotion toward an understanding of what godly love is, and a willing effort to display that love to others. This book and the discussions contained within, uses that premise as the viewpoint from which to look at both the scriptures, and the actions being taken in the effort to obey them. It should not be that difficult to see why His commandment… “The Jesus Command”, was to love one another as He had loved us. Nor should it be so hard to understand why in doing so, the world would know that we are His Disciples.

 Get Your Copy Today

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"The Jesus Command"

uses the life of Christ and the inspiration of those closest to Him, 

to unravel the meaning of Discipleship. 

Beginning at the threshold of love, 

the book is a serious exploration and look at what it is to love as Jesus did, 

as 

He loved us.

Read the book… Tell us what you think with a comment here, 

or with a tweet
#TheJesusCommand
or
@mattmilamii

Better still… Write a review on

Amazon 

Goodreads 

or at 

WestBow Press 

Matthew Milam II (Matt.), in his role as minister, teaches Bible Study, and serves as a Deacon on the Pastoral Staff of South Side Gospel Church, in Chicago’s Woodlawn Community. The outreach he founded, The Hands Of God Ministries, helps those in need. The proceeds from the sale of this book have been set aside to assist the Homeless and Poor. Having lived life from both sides of the fence, he is no stranger to the need for, as well as the benefits of... loving your neighbor.

Thank You... "The power of Acceptance"

The following is a thank you letter written to a friend for an act of kindness. He befriended a homeless person and posted a blog about it. That act and posting reminded me of a point in my life that gives an example of "The Power of Acceptance."

God's acceptance of man while still a sinner has given us the ability to not only change our own life, but also the lives of others. Accepting Christ and following His example in accepting others can do more than we ever think possible.


Homelessness

Dear Dave,
There are three things that top the list in my Ministry; Poverty, Crime, and Homelessness. One could say that in a big way they are one and the same. I am personally connected to these areas from the conditions of my life. I grew up in poverty, spent time in jail, and for years lived on the street as a homeless man. Your post, “Rose Colored Glasses”, is a timely one and I thank you for being vocal in this area of concern. As you point out, the community of homeless people is a diverse one with members that hit the full range and spectrum in makeup. Our society is mixed in its view as well as its method of addressing possible remedies. Sometimes the actions can be quite horrifying. See my article: Society Today. I have been there and can tell you first hand that the biggest thing that anyone ever did that made a real difference for me, was to acknowledge me as a human being. Of the people on the street, most have stopped viewing themselves with any dignity. We have created a class system, an US and THEM attitude. This has helped to destroy the self-esteem of these that exist as outcasts of the mainstream. The few handouts of money and food are only a Band-Aid solution, and then... only exist for the brief moment that they are given. Real solutions are needed for this real problem. There are good programs out there but they are too few in number, and greatly overwhelmed. A good start is found in the step that you have taken; to take a real concerned look, without the rose colored glasses. If anyone wishes to take that look there are vivid glimpses in my playlist --
"The Real Homeless People", on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mattmilamii
The problem did not come about overnight and will take an effort from all of us. I for one am more than just willing.


As I said before, the thing that made the most difference to me when I was on the street was being treated as a human being. Acceptance is the single most lacking thing in most of the lives of the homeless. After a time it works away at your sense of self worth, leaving you to feel rejected and useless. Validation as a person is a big hand up. If anyone really would help them, it would be in finding ways to instill a new sense of self worth. This one thing is what creates new character or at least helps to find the character that is there hidden away. Far better than money with the ability to give life back, not just a meal.

It was in a conversation over a meal with a stranger that my life was changed. That man took the time to make me feel accepted. As I bathed in feelings of kindness, God took hold of my emotions and gave me a reason to live. That one single encounter marked a chain of events that has taken me from being homeless in the streets. It has brought me to the service of Our Father as a Minister of His Gospel, and the journey is just beginning.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Your act of kind acceptance follows this directive to the letter. It sets up a pattern that I find universal in truth. You see when I was shown kind acceptance I was given back my value. With the feeling of value came my sense of worth. God showed me the reason and purpose for that worth and just how much value it was. 
Our life is found and given value in the death of Christ.
Continue to follow your heart...for it is guided by the spirit.

For an eye opening look - use this link - "The Down and Out"


Thank You Again…
Blessings,
Matt.

Whose Church

A non believer questioned the existence of God. He made it clear that at times he felt that he should be more open to the idea; that it was possible that he might be wrong in his position. He said that with help from the Church, he might have better understanding and more to go on. He then asked a question that I find difficult to supply an answer for. It seems that any answer that I could give fails to provide the answer that he seeks. His question was simply “WHOSE CHURCH.” Now I know that there is only one Church, "The Body of Christ"... which I tried to explain. We were still stuck on these points, which I must say, gave me reason for pause. If only one Church, then why so many different Church groups? There is the Catholics, Lutherans, Baptist, Orthodox, etc., and the list goes on. What makes them different, and... who is right. If they are all right then why not form one group? For this person the message from the Church was a confusing one. So for him it remained at “Whose Church.”

Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

As a Minister one of my goals is to evangelize the non believer. At some point everyone in the body has this as an undertaking. Do we as a Church body make that task more difficult by causing confusion outside the body? Is it that the many divisional Church groups affect the credibility of the Church as a whole? Again the question; "Whose Church"... does it matter, and why? Paul spoke on this very subject; have we moved so far from the advice given us? Even inside a denominational groups there seems to be rivalry and competition. Many of those who hold leadership in the Church today have worked hard to develop a following. When you look at the congregation of some of the mega Churches, you can get an idea of just how much labor went into that effort. I believe that many are sincere and have produced good fruit for God’s Kingdom. On the other hand, I also see a flaw in their methods which should be re-assessed.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NIV) My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

A Good many of the clergy have made their seats the final stop on the road to salvation. They site the number of their following as a benchmark of their effectiveness. Paul was warning of the danger of this view. At best, it is a Minister’s role to give direction as to where Christ might be found; for the individual must find Him (Christ) for himself. Ministry should function as a sign, pointing in the direction that we may seek Jesus. When the journey stops in the congregation seat; Christ is not found or followed. Matthew 7:14 should ring clear… “few there be that find it.” Personal relationship requires a meeting; to meet Christ is an event that must be a personal and individual experience. None of us can walk the road of salvation unless we follow Christ and Christ alone. The position of any Church group or any Church member, clergy included, should only be to assist in the effort to find Christ.

Blessings,

Matt.