United but Separate

               So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

                                                                                                       Romans 14:19

                      The church is so bent on getting a certain look or feel to the church (building). Then there are others who want to focus more on Bible studies and don't care about the decorations and fancy things. Then There's the case of music. Some want it to be soft and sweet, others want it loud and moving...the list goes on and on. 

                      As a church Body we stand together yet we want our own way.

                                        What does it take?!

         Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 

                                                                                   Philippians 2:2

               What happened? Reading in the New Testaments the church was unified. The men and women worked together. Shared their homes. Food, clothing. They stood out of the way to help a fellow brother or sister in Christ. Now, well; now we fight over such menial things.  

             My Bible study teacher told me one time when he went to Jerusalem he visited a Jewish church. The strange thing was there was a large wooden ladder leaning against the roof. He asked what was the reason for it. The people took great pride in the old ladder. The Jewish man told my teacher that the ladder has been there for decades.  I can't remember what the argument was about but the point was that no one resolved the issue and the ladder never came down. It was like a sign of their stubbornness.

              Here are a couple key problems on why we have a hard time being united. 

     1. We should not use the word my. My church, my pastor. It's almost like saying you own them. There're yours and no one else can have them. Instead you could say; "the church I go to is so challenging." "Pastor so and so taught a great sermon today." "The music team is really good, you should hear it some time." You take yourself out of the equation and see everyone as people and not belongings. 

    2. The interior decorations. If they bother you ask yourself why? Are they to distracting? Do they glorify God? Is it to Hollywood? Bring it to The Lord and tell Him why they bother you. Leave it at His feet. Now don't gossip about it. But, if God is putting it on your heart to address it to the pastor. Then do it. But don't bad mouth it to everyone on your way to his office.

  3. The sermon. If what the pastor is teaching is not Biblically sound don't slander the pastor. Don't yell at the pastor and tell him he's horrible. Talk to God about it. Again, lay it at His feet and wait for God's answer on what you should do. Keep the whole situation between you and the pastor. (But sometimes it can be good to talk and pray with a trusted friend)

4. The music. If there's something that bothers you about the type of music the worship team is playing, talk to God about why it bothers you specifically. Always keep in mind that  God could have laid it on the worship leaders heart to play the music the way he/she does it. And the certain songs too. And even if it's a case of whether the leader or person on the team isn't musically trained from school, that should not be a problem. If they have a heart to praise The Lord and lead others in praise then, let them be. 

 

5. Clothing. There can be cases (especially during summer) when women and young ladies can wear clothing that is not deemed appropriate. If their cleavage is there for everyone to see or there's way to much skin; don't rush into giving them a lecture of modesty. Now, modesty comes from the heart. Either, the girl is ignorant and has no clue she's being immodest or she knows full well and doesn't care. Welcome her to church if she's new. Don't say anything about her clothing. If she's been going to church and you know her really well then you can bring up that topic ( with patients and grace). Just remember, if the woman is coming to church and want's to know more about who God is then don't be her stumbling block. The biggest thing is to pray for her and if she comes to Christ then God will work on her heart in that area. 

             What sums this all up is love. We must forgive each other. Bear with one another, lift one another up. Be patient with one another. Now, this is not about works. Jesus died for us. His grace is abounding. Because of such grace we have the freedom to love Him and we can love our brothers and sisters in return.                  

        

" I just wan't them to be happy"

                      Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.

                                                                                                    Proverbs 3:13

                         Who love's to be happy? I know I do. I hate days when I'm feeling down or unwell. Or when I'm upset with someone. What about when it comes to family and friends? We want them to be happy too right? We support our children in sports games or competitions. We encourage siblings in reaching their life goals. We reassure friends that are dating. We tell our husbands or wives that it's okay for them to do that or try this.

                       The haunting question is; is happiness greater then wisdom? Safety? And even your very life?

                     There life may depend on it

                  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 

                                         1 Peter 5:8

                      What if I told you that only wanting happiness for your friends, family and yourself is a dangerous lie. Would you believe me? Or would you click your tongue and turn on your heel and walk away. Not giving me a second glance? 

                      Have you read any 'Dear Abby' letters lately? A lot of them consist of people sending in a pleading question of concern for a loved one. They would usually end it after telling their story with "...I just want them to be happy."  Most the time after reading those letters I mourn for those men and women. They ask for advice for the most obvious answer. No. Sometimes if you see something that someone is doing and it's dangerous and even life threatening you have to say no.

                      Take for instance a child and his father. The father is casually reading his book and his child is playing around in the yard. The father sees his child is getting close to the road so he sets his book down and attends the child.

                        " my dear child, please stay away from the road. I don't want to ruin your play time. I just want you to have fun. Keep playing but, be careful."

                      The child shrugs his shoulders and runs to the road. And a car comes speeding...the child is hit and suffers greatly. Happiness is not the important factor.

                     Lets take that same scenario and see what it would be like with a father who's most important thing on his mind for his children is to seek wisdom and understanding. 

                   The father is reading and notices his son is getting close to the road. He throws his book down and runs. He yanks his son away from the road and grasps him by the arms fiercely. The child begins to cry more from shock then anything else. The father kneels in front of him and his voice is loud with emotion. "Don't you ever go near the road! There are people who drive cars and they may not see you. You could get hurt. Don't ever go near the road without me or your mother. Understand?" 

                  Which parent actually is showing his love for his child?                                     The one who saved his child from certain death. 

                 The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.

                   Proverbs 4:7

                 Proverbs 4 is a curious chapter to me. The author talks about wisdom as if it were a woman. A living person. For you men reading this. If you love a woman what is the most important thing you want. To have her close to you. To protect her and cherish her. That is what the author is saying. We are to hold wisdom close to our hearts. And understanding. Now don't forget that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We need to be open to God and listen well. If you hear God warning you about something, you better listen. If He is telling you to warn a friend of something their doing could be dangerous. You need to do it. Now, I know that it can be scary to confront a family or friend or even a stranger of something their doing. Don't worry. God is there, He will give you the words to say. Even if they don't accept it. At least they know you care.Just think. If God didn't care, He wouldn't have sent His son to rescue us. 

                    What's most important to you; happiness or God?        

             

Stand Strong

               
                                                                       

                          Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,...

                                                     Ephesians 6:13

                           Have you looked around you lately? The news, the cable, the radio. These days are pretty evil. There's talk that things are getting worse and that it is a sign of the end times. Some people wave that notion away. Others go crazy and are terrified, and then there are those who do not look over it or are filled by dread but they see it as a call to arms.

                                                    The Battle Cry

                         "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

                                                                                                     John 16:33

                           So many evil things are happening in our time. Some of these bad things are clear to see and others are blurred and hard to discern. A lot of these evils have been accepted into our culture as the "new normal." As for those who are followers of Christ this needs to make us stop and think. We need to question ourselves and each other if there are things that we have accepted into our life that are harmful to us and others. And most of all, we need to ask if it is grieving God. 

                         I know it sounds harsh to call things evil. Evil only seems to fit into the worst of the worst, like murder, inflicting harm on others and so on. But when you think of it, sin is evil! It causes great harm to ourselves and we may be completely oblivious to it. If we don't accept Jesus' free gift of life we are already condemned. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 we are told about what love is. Since we live in Christ we cannot possibly stand for evil. We must stand for the truth.

                        And that is where it truly get's hard. To stand for The Truth means sacrifice, pain and loneliness. It may not be physical pain but it can be mental and emotional. We must remember,though, that this is not our home. Our home not here. It is with God; where we will be made whole and new. No more fear, sadness or tears. We will have peace, joy and everlasting life! No more death. To know as well that we are not alone in this fight for souls. God is here to counsel us. He is here to comfort, listen to and strengthen us. And we also have each other. 

                        Brothers, sisters. Let us stand and not to be afraid to fully live out our lives in the light of Christ in our words and in our actions. To extend grace, and forgiveness. So even though things are getting worse, don't let that bring you down and make you quiet. Ask God to fill you with a fire for Him. A roaring fire of love that will want to fight all the harder for the lost. 

   

                                                                                                         

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