“A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature, but may also be life stance related. However, manifestos relating to religious belief are rather referred to as credo.”  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia   Has God left us a Creed to follow or directions on how to live a way of life that will bring peace and prosperity to ourselves and the world we come in contact with?  Of course we are given multiple gifts of wisdom from God through prophets, revelations and most importantly Jesus the Christ.  Much of what was important to Christ, thus God, can be found in the 15th chapter of John.

Wisdom for a better life is being sought by many in America.  Unfortunately the Bible is too often passed over as being out of touch with today’s society.  So we look elsewhere often with poor results.  It is interesting that with all that has been given to us: wealth, security, multiple pleasures almost in an instant, truly a world beyond the imagination of just a few decades ago, that we are not physically, mentally, and spiritually satisfied.   We often find ourselves empty, needing more.

We are a self-help seeking society.  I think this is often for the very reason that we seek help from others whose thinking leads to many of the very same events or possessions that have left us empty and needing help in the first place.  We seek truth in gurus, happiness’ in quick pleasure, and prestige in the admiration of what we possess.  To play on an old country western song we are searching for “truth in all the wrong places.”  As for the truth, we avoid it because it confronts our own version of our divine image, which must include living within the love of Christ.

Remember the Creation story teaching us that we are made in the image of God?  Yet when we are confronted with the incarnated Lord, the words, ways and thoughts of the living God we excuse ourselves from any call we may consider difficult or impeding on our lifestyle.  Often we don’t really want to reflect the image of the God we claim to worship.  We look instead to our own reflection and rejoice in the image we see.  Thus we numb ourselves with drugs, alcohol, unrestrained sexual practices and many other self-destructive forms of amusements to cover up the lack of real love intended for our being.  What much of humanity calls love is whatever makes us feel good.  The search for constant and immediate pleasure is a poor replacement for the love God wishes for people.

When we have decided to become one in our ways and heart with God, as Jesus said “abide in me,” then we will produce in our efforts that which the Lord desires for us and the world.

9″As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete…16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.”  John 15: 9-11, 16-17 NSV

Read John 15 this week and ask yourself what is it that the Lord wants you to do for Gods’ creation today!

May the Grace and Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and yours!

Pastor Rick