Are You a NO Respecter?

As I sat down for my morning devotions yesterday, I read these words of St. Peter from Acts 10:34 “I perceive that God is NO RESPECTER of persons”. RESPECTER: a person whose attitude and behavior is influenced by consideration of another's rank, power, ethnicity, religion, culture, social class, wealth, etc. A “No RESPECTER” is someone who treats everyone else in the same manner regardless of their status or wealth.

God is NO RESPECTER of us. We ALL have access to God’s mercies and blessings. He loves each and everyone of us. That's why He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we would believe and live in the royal family FOREVER! The prerequisite is acknowledging Him as our Father and we are His beloved children that love and respect their “Dad”.

How does God feel about whether or not we are RESPECTER of persons. It’s easy to love, respect and honor the clean, nicely dress, well-mannered people that look like us, smell like us and behave like us, but is that God’s example to us? He is NO RESPECTER of persons. In other words – the homeless people that beg on the street corners, or that road-rage guy that honked at us, or that disrespectful sales clerk, that angry politician who used disparaging words, that neighbor who revved up their motorcycle in their driveway AGAIN, or the person who just doesn't have the same color of skin as we do.? The question is “Do we show discrimination toward others? Where there is RESPECTER of persons – there are always divisions, resentments and hostilities. Where there is NO “RESPECTER” of persons and impartial treatment of all, we find mercy, love, unity and, above all, PEACE!

“Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” This little song was written by George Frederick Root in 1864, right in the middle of the Civil War. There were many causes for the Civil War, but slavery was cited as the main cause. There were many other political and cultural differences between the North and the South that also contributed to the GREAT DIVIDE between the two.

I couldn’t help but think about the GREAT DIVIDE in America today. It seems the writer of that little song was trying to bring an awareness that WE are ALL God’s children. The common denominator we have is God and His love for humanity. We are all precious in God's sight and He was encouraging us to see His children as He sees and loves them -- like little children who have no prejudices. They just love. In Matthew 18:4-5, Jesus invited us to come to Him “like little children” and said “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Maybe it’s time for a check-up from the neck-up. Are we a NO respecter of persons or are we partial to some and not others? Are our children just like us -- they are kind because we are kind; they are impartial to others because we show no partiality; they are tenderhearted to those who are down and out, because we emulate tenderheartedness daily. They love regardless of background, race, class or financial status. Just like us!! Or, are they just like us in the opposite ways. What is our reaction to the poor? The needy? Do we show favoritism? When it comes to the “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” TEST, will we pass it OR flunk it? 1 John 4:11 “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

Next Stop: Rome

Good Tuesday Morning, dear friends and family! We've just landed in Frankfurt, Germany for our transfer to Rome. We should be in Rome by noon (we're 7 hours ahead of you while we're in Rome.

God does orchestrate our steps because the first couple I met in Houston on this tour, is a lovely Philippino couple who are absolutely God-sent. Mick & Sheila went to Rome three days ago to be with Pope Francis in celebration of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Golden Jubilee -- the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church that started during the "Duquesne Weekend" on February 17-19, 1967, so we'll meet up with them there. So God sent me two precious angels to sincerely treat me like a family member. Ruby, exuded such joy as we casually talked in the beginning. I learned of their love for God and serving Him in so many capacities. Tony is a Director of Christian Education at their church, sings in the choir and she is a teacher in a Christian school. As I learned more, I learned that Ruby just received the "all clear" report from her long treatments of cancer. She never stopped teaching and serving in their church and now, they are celebrating their faith and answers to prayer on this pilgrimage. What a blessing to have met them.
While we waited for our departure from Houston to Frankfurt, I became known already as Miss Congeniality (as dubbed by my fellow travelers.) LOL!. I figure "If you want friends, show yourself friend!" I introduced myself to all those going on the pilgrimage. So, on our long 10 hour flight, all those folks would pass my seat and say "Hi Donna!" We all agreed, "for all the things we've ever done wrong in our lives, we must have done something right for God to afford us this amazing pilgrimage opportunity."

As only God could orchestrate, the seat between myself and another tour traveler, a handsome young 20-year old man, Omar, sat between us. He fasted through our dinner meal, refused water or drinks of any kind. I asked, "Did you eat before the flight?" He said, "No, I'm fasting." My curiosity peaked! "Why are you fasting -- a health issue or spiritual?" His reply..."Spiritual. It's Ramadan (a month-long, sun up to sundown fasting) and I'm Muslem and I am searching for the truth. I want to read the Bible. I sincerely want a spiritual life again." Me: "What does your fasting accomplish?" Omar: "I fast for those who have no food or who live in poverty." Me: "I admire your dedication and your quest for truth." Our conversation continued with his view of Christ as a prophet, and my faith and knowing Christ as Messiah and Lord of all. Then, as only God would line up -- he read his Quran in Arabic as I read my Bible. As we parted ways, I sensed God's love for that young man and I encouraged him to read our New Testament so he will come to know Christ as more than a prophet. I pray Holy Spirit draws Omar to Himself.

As we waited for our flight to board, this beautiful Swahili girl sat across from me. She knew just a little English, and when I asked about her huge trophy, she just won it in the Marseille France OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE for first place in running.

Here's what I've come to KNOW and declare so far: "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white -- they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world!"
Until tomorrow......my love to all!