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We Write For You! You Decide For Us! EXPRESSIONS: Includes devotionals, articles on Christian faith, and Christian religious events on campus. We write for you!

Pittsburgh Standard exists to glorify Christ on campus, in the city, in the country, and in the continents of the world by being an objective news source emphasizing a biblical worldview influencing the masses with the love of Christ! IMPRESSIONS: Includes opinionated columns. HOTPRESSIONS: Includes rebuttal columns of local newspapers if the need arises. NEWS: Includes news coverage of campus lif

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10/27/2024

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, TLB)

As a resident of Pittsburgh, PA, it was alarming to hear former president Obama chiding Black men for not wanting to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

Obama accused Black men of sexism against Harris.

“Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”, said Obama to Harris-Walz campaign volunteers and officials at a field office in Pittsburgh.

Did Obama ever ask VP Harris, “Part of it makes me think that, well, you aren’t feeling the idea of having a Black man as husband, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”, when she married Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff, a white man.

How do you think Harris would have felt if Obama asked her that?

It would have been racist to say that to VP Harris, but Obama has no problem race-baiting Black men to persuade them to vote for Harris.

Obama goes on to say to Black men, “On the one hand, you have somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences.”, to try to persuade them to vote for Harris.

Yet, Harris did not even choose one Black man out of more than 20 million Black men living in the United States to marry. Instead, she chose a white man to be married to.

There is nothing wrong with that because Harris fell in love with a white man, over 20 million Black men.

Neither should there be anything wrong if Black men choose former president Donald Trump, a white person, over VP Harris.

What matters is if you love the person or the policies they stand for, regardless of their racial makeup.

Some Black men love Trump and what he means to them and their community.

One of them is Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris, the co-founder of Death Row Records. After being in prison for 33 years, he decided to endorse former President Trump over VP Harris.

Harris said, “I’d been gone for 33 years and President Trump decided to make a difference, and what some people don’t know, I had put in a request for clemency twice under President Obama’s administration and never heard anything back, and the fact that President Trump on his way out was able to provide that relief to me and others, I can’t even put words around it. It changed everything for me. It changed everything for my family. It gave me an opportunity to re-engage in society and try to do my part. To make it a better place.”

It does not stop with Harris. In the same place in Pittsburgh where Obama chided Black men for not standing up for VP Harris, another stunning announcement was made. Former NFL star Le’Veon Bell, a Black man, spoke highly of Trump before the Pittsburgh Steelers game.

“Basically, what I’m trying to say is Trump a real one bro. He a real one. He didn’t tell me like he was gonna let me say anything or nothing, he didn’t tell me he was going to call me up. He just did that bro – off the love. I get it, he might wanna win the election or whatever, but I’m trying to tell y’all, he didn’t have to do that. I could’ve messed up everything….That’s why y’all don’t understand is that Trump is a real one. Y’all not hearing me. Where I came from, ain’t nobody where I came from doing that”, said Bell.

It does not even stop with Bell but continues with Senator Tim Scott, a Black man from South Carolina.

After an assassination attempt on Trump, in Butler, PA, Senator Scott said, “Our God still saves. He still delivers. And he still sets free. Because on Saturday, the devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle but an American lion [President Trump] got back on his feet, and he roared.”

Senator Scott went on to praise God Almighty.

“If you didn’t believe in miracles before Saturday, you better be believing right now! Thank God Almighty that we live in a country that still believes in the King of Kings [Jesus] and the Lord of lords [Jesus], the Alpha and the Omega.”, said Scott

These are only three Black men’s statements supporting Trump over VP Harris. There are many more Black people who support Trump.

So if Black men want to vote for Trump, then they should be able to without being ostracized or shamed by Obama.

Obama expecting Black men to vote for Harris is racist. Basically, Obama is saying VP Harris is a Black woman who should have the vote of Black men. Hogwash. This is on the same lines of President Biden who said to Black people that if they vote for Trump, they ain’t Black.

Racism resonates with Obama trying to captivate colored people’s perspective to vote for VP Harris. Just because VP Harris is a Black woman does not mean Black men are obligated to vote for her. This election should not be about voting for skin color but voting for policies that will benefit all races.

When we see it that way, it will not be sexist if Black men don’t vote for Harris. It will not even be racist if white men or women don’t vote for VP Harris.

Even VP Harris acknowledges she should not get Black men’s vote just because she is Black.

“I’m working to earn the vote, not assuming I’m going to have it because I’m Black”, said VP Harris.

Obama should stop playing identity politics with Black people.

As an Indian-American, I am not going to vote for VP Harris just because she has Indian roots in her.

If all Blacks choose to vote for Harris because of her policies and not the color of her skin, there is no racism in that. If all Whites choose to vote for Trump because of his policies and not the color of his skin, there is no racism in that, too.

If you are Black and voting for Trump, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if the reasons are policy-based. If you are White and voting for Trump, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if the reasons are policy-based. This also applies to Asians, Latinos, Arabs, etc who decide to vote for Trump.

In closing, let us not forget the excerpts from the late civil rights leader and preacher of God’s Word, Martin Luther King Jr.

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted [sic], every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope… And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, Black men and White men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Sources:

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-rap-mogul-reveals-why-hes-endorsing-trump-scathing-rebuke-biden-harris

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ex-nfl-star-says-trump-real-one-gushes-about-rally-experience-former-president

https://scdailygazette.com/2024/07/16/sen-tim-scott-calls-trumps-survival-of-assassins-bullet-a-miracle-in-stirring-speech/

https://rollcall.com/2024/09/17/on-black-vote-harris-wont-assume-im-going-to-get-it-because-im-black/

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/i-have-a-dream-speech -have-a-dream-speech-text

The formatted version can be found online at
http://www.pittsburghstandard.com/OCT2024/IMPRESSIONS/ObamaRacism102624.htm

“Racism Resonates Captivating Colored People's Perspective! ” By Ramesh C. Reddy

10/05/2024

SCRIPTURE:
"You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother�s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous�and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can�t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"(Psalm 139:13-18, TLB)

As I celebrate my birthday today, I want to spend time with the Lord Jesus, adoring Him for everything that touched me from Psalm 139:1-18. Whether it is your birthday or not, you can do that too!

Lord Jesus, I adore you for being my LORD; I adore you for knowing EVERYTHING about me; I adore you for EXAMINING my heart; I adore you for CHARTING the PATH ahead of me; I adore you for TELLING me where to stop and rest; I adore you Lord Jesus for PRECEDING ME and FOLLOWING ME; I adore you for placing your HAND of BLESSING on my head; I adore you for being GLORIOUS; I adore you for being WONDERFUL; I adore you for your SPIRIT; I adore you Jesus for being my GOD; I adore you for BEING THERE; I adore you Jesus for being my GUIDE; I adore you for being my STRENGTH; I adore you for being my SUPPORT; I adore you for being my LIGHT; I adore you that you SHINE; I adore you for being my MAKER; I adore you Lord Jesus for being my KNITTER; I adore you for being AMAZING; I adore you for your WORKMANSHIP; I adore you for being MARVELOUS; I adore you for being my FORMER; I adore you for SEEING me; I adore you for being my SCHEDULER; I adore you for my LIFE; I adore you for my BREATH; I adore you for being my RECORDER; I adore you Lord Jesus for being PRECIOUS; I adore you Lord Jesus for THINKING about me CONSTANTLY; I adore you Lord Jesus your THOUGHTS turn towards me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

The formatted devotional with previous devotionals can be found online at

Birthday Imparts Redeemer's Triumphant Hand Daily Answering You!(B.I.R.T.H.D.A.Y) By Ramesh C. Reddy

09/07/2024

SCRIPTURE:
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:1-2, NIV)

Introduction:
Paul is writing this while he is chained in jail. When we realize that and look at the contents of this letter, there is still so much joy. The question is, where Paul gets all this joy when he is locked in jail?
25 years ago, I wrote expositional devotionals based on the Book of Philippians, which I have revised over the years. Today, I will look at the phrase 'Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus!'

Approach Question:
How do you introduce yourself to others?

Observation/Interpretation:
I asked myself why it is so significant how Paul introduces himself and Timothy?

It is so significant that Paul introduces himself and Timothy here as 'servants of Christ Jesus' because he could have introduced himself as one who is trained thoroughly in the Jewish law, an apostle of Jesus Christ, or even as a saint in Christ Jesus. Yet, Paul acknowledges serving the Lord Jesus Christ, seeing Christ as his Master. It is essential to realize that servant and slave can sometimes be used interchangeably.

Interpretation:

I asked myself what the roles of a servant/slave are.
1. A servant/slave should not make up his own rules but is asked to follow the rules of His Master.

2. A servant/slave is asked not to cling to his own rights but give them up to be obedient to the Master.

3. A servant/slave serves others before he serves himself.

4. A servant/slave is submissive to the Master.

I asked myself why Paul wanted to see himself as a servant and be a servant of Jesus Christ.
Paul is setting an example right away, saying that he does not want to make up his own rules but wants to follow the rules of His Master, Jesus Christ. He does not want to cling to his own rights but give them up to be obedient to His Master, Jesus Christ. He wants to serve Jesus Christ before serving himself. Paul sees himself in submission to Christ, His Master, no matter what happens in his life. He wanted to imitate Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for humanity. Therefore, Paul knows His allegiance belongs to Christ and follows His example of servitude. Jesus saved Saul of Tarsus when Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. So Saul changed his name to Paul and became a servant of Jesus Christ.

Implications:
I asked myself what the implications were for my own life.

Just as Paul introduced himself by his name and then as a 'servant of Jesus Christ,' I should not hesitate to introduce myself as a 'servant of Jesus Christ'.

It should start at home with my precious wife Chandraleela and my precious daughters Esther and Evangeline. I should serve them more than I expect them to serve me. This Bible verse convicts me because I have been guilty of saying to my daughters, "I am not your servant; go get it yourself."

It encouraged me to read about Paul's writing from jail as a servant of Jesus Christ. He sets an example for all of us to see ourselves as servants before leaders. The greatest leader is a servant leader because they don't horde themselves over others.

I need to see myself as a servant to Christ and live as a servant of Jesus Christ. Because if I am not a servant of Jesus Christ, then I am a servant of Satan. There is no middle ground.

I ASK YOU NOW!
I ask you now dear friend, who will you be a S.E.R.V.A.N.T to in life?
Dear friend, we are not used to thinking about ourselves as servants but want to be leaders in all we do. But this verse should challenge our thinking about ourselves and show who we can be a servant, too. First and foremost, it has to start with Jesus.

Are we willing to see ourselves as a servant of Jesus Christ?

If so, all our decisions and ways of living should be lived out as servants of Jesus Christ, taking our commands and orders from Him, our loving Master. When that happens, we will have the humility to be a servant to our wives/husbands and even children. A parent may see themselves as a leader of their children, but what a radical concept it is for a parent to see themselves as a servant to their children serving them. This is not to say that the children are their masters. No, for Christ only has to be the Master in every household where the husband and wife serve the Lord and their family by serving one another in the love of Christ. But servanthood should not be limited to just married life but even in a single life. We need the Lord's help to be faithful servants of the Lord, so we do not give into the flesh.

As a servant of Jesus Christ, ask yourself who can you be a servant to this day?

Whose life can you touch by serving?

We do not like to think about being a servant to anybody because we want to have freedom and do our own things. But the fact of the matter is that each one is a servant. The question is whether we will be a servant to Satan or a servant to Christ! If we see ourselves as servants to Christ, we will want to obey Christ and follow his teachings. This is because of God's abundant grace working in our lives, so we will not cling to our rights or want to do what we think is correct from a human perspective but rather do things from God's perspective, taking our standard from God's Word.

It is not about what we think is right but what we know to be correct. Jesus came to serve, and we should not do anything less. We should have an attitude of servitude towards others.

Jesus, who became a servant to redeem us, will become our example of living a life of servitude to others. Being a servant to Christ may not look appealing by the world's standards, but there is true joy there. Think of joy as Jesus first, Others second, and yourself last.

If we do not see ourselves as servants to Christ, then we will become servants to Satan and every sin that holds us in bo***ge. When that happens, we will be obedient to the lusts of the flesh and use sin as an excuse to let it rule over us and be our master. In essence, we will be allowing Satan to rule our daily activities. This is not something anyone should choose. Lord, I don't want that. Please help me, Lord!

"Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh!"

When we decide to serve only ourselves over others, we start ignoring the Lord's ways and seek our own ways, whether it concerns academics, careers, relationships, fun activities, etc. We may even think we are serving the Lord, but the Lord looks at our motives. Friend, Satan is the father of lies and can be so deceptive and lead you into deception. On the surface, Satan will make you think what you are doing is not wrong, but then later, Satan will condemn you. Not so with Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you so much that when you become His servant, you will realize it is better to be a servant to Jesus Christ than be a master of your own fate and in essence, be a servant to Satan. I don't want that for you or me, friend!

I loved what Mei-Ru shared at Friday night youth group about how a friend faithfully shared devotionals with her every day, hoping to see her grow in Christ. Mei-Ru had the youth read "How to Grow" from Purpose Driven Life and shared that "Growing in Christ" is the most important thing. She had the youth share their goals from now to old age on a timeline and had each share one application. Esther shared that you must choose to be a disciple of Christ to grow, and Evangeline shared that you must read the Bible to grow in Christ. We have to decide to do what is right. Without even realizing it, Mei-Ru encouraged me to faithfully publish devotionals like I used to do.

"But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7, NIV)

We do not want to give Satan a foothold in our lives. If that happens, we will want to be the master and everyone else to be our servants because we will have our desires. This is not the Way of the Master, Jesus Christ, who came to serve and give His life as a ransom to redeem humanity.

The battle should belong to the Lord and not to us. Just as Paul was joyful serving Christ Jesus as the servant of Christ, we, too, can have joy when we yield our lives over to the Master. Only when we follow the Way of the Master will we be willing to impart the peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in other people's lives? It starts with us, and we need to be right with the Lord Jesus, asking Him to be the Master of our lives.

The fantastic thing is that when we are servants to Christ, we are also seen as His children. Just because we are servants does not mean we are not His children. Paul refers to Himself as a servant of Christ Jesus but also sees himself as a child of God. If we see ourselves as a child of God, we are also children of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. You must read the New Testament to understand the concept of 'servant' and 'children of God.'

That can only happen when we realize that sin marred our relationship with God, and there is nothing we can do on our own to be redeemed and saved if it were not for the sacrificial death of the Lamb of God to save us. Jesus became a servant and died a criminal's death on the cross even though He was perfect to save you and me from the power and allure of sin. He shed His precious blood for you and me to save us. That is exciting to know, friend. You can come as you are no matter where or what you have done. You can come to God through Jesus Christ, who wants to be the Lord and Savior of your life. Let Jesus be the Master of your life, friend. He who created you knows you so well, and let Him guide you, friend so you can be a joyful servant to Christ Jesus.

Yes, friend, now is the time of Salvation. You may have lived your life for the lust of the flesh, being a servant to sin, but it does not have to be that way. No friend, you can have Jesus Christ change you and transform you by the Power of His Love, and He will be your friend. Yes, He will! You will slowly be transformed by His grace, which is a process, for sanctification in Christ is a process. It can only happen when we yield our lives to Christ, who justified us by His grace. May you serve Lord always valiantly every day!

�Serving Each Readily Validates Almighty's Nurturing Truth (S.E.R.V.A.N.T)!�/Who will you be a S.E.R.V.A.N.T to in life?"

PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Master. Thank you for how much you love us and care for us. We are forever in your care. Lord, you want us to be servants as you became a servant, though you are God. Help us live our lives to be seen as your servants, Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord. You also see us as saints, and we are your children. We come to you with all our flaws and ask you to forgive us, please, Lord. Please deliver us from being slaves to the sin that binds us and the enemy whose main desire is to keep us away from serving you. Protect us in the shadow of your wings. Thank you, Lord. We can be delivered from anything at your perfect time. Lord, we also know that there are areas in our life that we will have to endure until we see you face to face, but we thank you that you can give us the strength to go on and a way out against temptations. We thank you for not living in sin because, through your Holy Spirit working in us, you will help us. Thank you so much, Jesus! We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior and ask you to be the Master of our lives. Please take away all our sins and cleanse us with your precious cleansing blood to give us new life. Help, Oh Lord, please. Thank you so much, Jesus, for being part of our life and that you have heard our prayers and answered us. In Your Name, We Pray Jesus! Amen!

The formatted devotional with previous devotionals can be found online at
http://www.pittsburghstandard.com/SEPT2024/EXPRESSIONS/DEVOTIONALS/090724SERVANT.htm

09/07/2024

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