We've GOT To Stop This Bickering

As believers we are not to argue for the sake of arguing! What is it accomplishing? Because it IS accomplishing something. We either accomplish something positive or we accomplish something negative. There is no such thing as a non-productive argument as in nothing is produced. SOMETHING always comes out of something.

I'm talking specifically about debates about God, religion, spirituality, atheism, etc. with those that don't believe. I don't really get upset at non-believers even in their most irritated state. You know, whether we agree or not, they are living out their belief. They are holding true to how they perceive things at that moment. You can't hold that against them because they truly don't know better. They are blind. From the standpoint of a Christian, even during a non-believer's most irritated state, you should have sympathy and understanding because we weren't always right with God and you KNOW where their non-belief will lead them. Your heart should be SHATTERING for them no matter what is coming out of their mouths. Nail down your ego and don't add fuel to the fire.

As for believers, we are held to a different standard and that standard is to be reflecting God's image - love. If that is not what is pouring out you, then you need to have a serious talk with God. Us arguing to the point of insulting, being sarcastic, or spewing "better than thou righteousness" is  doing the OPPOSITE of what we are called to do! Now THAT....upsets me...instantly. I think we have all done it, but it's the ones that are relentless even with correction that are disturbing. As the cliche goes, "it gives us a bad name" and it's turning people away...and I can't blame them.

Yes, we are to reason with each other. Yes, we are to share the gospel and God's love. Yes, we can even debate, but the moment...the very moment words start coming out of our mouths that will plant ungodly seed, we should STOP.

1 Peter 3:15-16    But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Acts 19   (My summary -->)   After 3 months of speaking boldly and persuasively, Paul left Ephesus because there were those there who continued to disbelief and slander the word. HE LEFT THE ARGUMENTS because it was obvious NOTHING positive was coming out of it. He went ELSEWHERE to do what God told him to do and in turn the work in Ephesus was eventually accomplished.

We...are not here to save people. That is NOT our job. We are here to love, share, listen to the word, do the word, and plant good seed. Sometimes the harvest in someone's life happens instantly, but most times the harvest happens later on down the road and it happens because we helped plant seeds and nourish those seeds.

We are STILL helping even if we NEVER see the outcome. Have enough faith that God can take of it. Don't stay in an atmosphere where you will plant seed that will destroy the good seed already there. Don't be a part of it.




Romans 13:8       Owe no on anything, except to love each other, for teh one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Galations 5:13     For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Ephesians 4:2    with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

1 John 4:7     Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God

  

When Losing Is Gaining

Short and sweet today:


Sometimes, it's not about salvaging the leftovers in a situation. Sometimes, it's about us just needing to get up and leave the whole shipwreck behind.

There was a situation in my life years ago that I spent a lot of time going over in my mind. I went from regret to guilt to anger to indifference to just analyzing it to glean from it what could be used in the future.

One day in that time, I was driving along and thinking about it and speaking to God from my heart saying: "NEVER AGAIN will I let the enemy come in and take from me". Then I got mad and I was remembering all the times I prayed over that situattion that God would remove the obstacles in the way and asking Him why He hadn't removed the obstacles. I was yelling through tears...asking Him why He didn't fix what needed to be fixed. As I was in that thought, this thought came to my heart INSTANTLY, quietly, and as clear as a bell:

"..but I DID remove it. I heard you, and I answered. I removed what was hindering you from me. That what you were trying to hold on to...was the obstacle."


I was instantly bawling. I had to pull over because of the clarity and overwhelming love I felt. It was a bitter sweet experience. In a moment, a lifetime piece fell into place.

Sometimes it's not that we are being punished.

Sometimes it's not that we failed.

Sometimes..... it's that we were being saved from    destruction that we couldn't even recognize.

...and Sometimes It's Just The Atmosphere

....that I need.

I'm talking about church.

I've never left there without being fired up and motivated about my faith. I walk in emptied and leave filled up. We have amazing pastors and church family. I drive a two hour round trip to attend if that tells you anything. (Because it's worth it.) I'm not even involved in anything. Being an hour away, all I've been able to do is just show up. It's been enough so far though to impact me and my life. In the two years we have attended, I've never once regretted attending a service.

Today was no different from the pulpit. There was a difference today though and it was on my end. It was still motivating and very much a learning environment, but I can't really remember any phrase in particular like I usually do. I usually have a page of "!!"s and "WOW"s and quotes galore to be passed on. Today my notes have a heading and one sentence. That's it. Sometimes I just can't think or listen or analyze. Sometimes everything is just white noise. Sometimes I'm just looking for God and a moment of my spirit being still with him. Sometimes all I can do is just sit there and....breathe.  The lesson is usually always making me want to shout to the world what I just heard or felt. It's just not how I connected today though. I drug in almost halfway through the service. I thought I'd cry if I couldn't just get in and sit there a bit. I didn't leave there on a "high" like usual. I DID leave there peaceful and refreshed. That's what I needed. I'm not saying one or the other is a better reaction. Just different. I think it's ok if every now and then we just need to be tended to by God. We just need to sit with him and just lean on him for a bit and that's ok. There's just something special about seeking and finding it among your church family. It's so instantaneous and powerful. It's precious and I'm so grateful the opportunity and place is available to me to do just this - to leave feeling I have been sung to and held.  I just needed to walk in and marinate in God's presence.


Now - focusing in on talking about an actual home church, - God is everywhere and His presence is where you welcome it, but sometimes He can be sensed more strongly in certain places (church/gathering). I can simply walk into my church's sanctuary and just be absolutely refreshed before I find my seat. It's like literally walking into another world. Whatever I've been worried about or have struggled with...it's like it's instantly erased from my heart at the sanctuary doors. Call me crazy, but the transformation comes like a breeze. There's something cleansing and powerful behind those doors. It's the Holy Spirit. Most times I leave there finding peace about life without even knowing "the hows" and being ok with that. That's God peace and it's His presence that I find in that place. I believe it is created by the leadership and those that support that leadership. It's the simple fact of several believers coming together. That's the importance of church and when you find one where the body is united as the one I attend, it's priceless. It's life saving - literally.

I'll be the first one to tell you all sorts of resources you can use online or through books to be fed spiritually. I see nothing wrong with spending your time and focus on these things. I encourage it actually. It's how I got started back on this path. I use to think that a person didn't necessarily need to physically be a part of a church to be the person they need to be. My thinking is different now. You need it. Everything else should be supplementary.

Having a church home and getting involved is not a social status show. It's not an obligation or routine. "Church is not a museum for the saints. Church is a hospital for the sick."  You should have one and go because you need it. If you truly believe in the word then you will believe in the power and possibilities and promises of being in the midst of a God fearing God loving church family gathered together in agreeance. You should be running to it. God has given us a spiritual family for a reason. It's needed. If you're not welcomed where you are, then keep seeking. Unfortunately, at one time or another, you will be in churches that are not united and you will feel it. They're not all that way though.  If you don't have a church home, I pray God guides you to one and that God's presence in that particular place will have you running to take that step through those sanctuary doors every chance you get.




Matthew 18:20    For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Colossians 3:16     Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, sniging psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

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A Lullaby

Zephaniah 3:17  The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quite you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you adn not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as  you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God

What Comes Out Is What We Put In

..and that's why there's not been much posting on here. I've not been doing my devotional time or even reading much and it shows. Then I wonder why things seem "foggy" or not understood. Hello....



....and that really is all there is to this one. Admitting what I'm not doing, then going from there. :)

Who Am I

On my knees, head down, hands at side with palms up in reverence..... as if I can do anything else. All I can do is sit here overwhelmed by your personal love for me. I have no strength outside of yours. My desire for things other than you were burned off and you continue to cradle as you mold me. Pliable and quick I am to lay at your feet everything - you break my heart time and time and time again only to enlarge it and fill me beyond my understanding. My complete trust is in you as I lean into your urgings on each ledge I come to. No one told me how much I would finally see when I truly believed even as blind as I am. This blind faith is not wishing on uncertainties. It's knowing that all that you are is everything. I'm at your feet. If nothing else, allow me this closeness. Pull me close to you. I want to see your face. This is all about you, and you are about me. It's not possible to imagine the depth of your love for us. It would be too much....for now.