Good morning! How are we faithing? We who proclaim to be "Christians" need to start listening to the Word and love like Jesus does. We need to stop disassociating ourselves with different denominations in christiandom and come together in Jesus. Does it really matter if communion is done daily or quarterly? Does it matter if contemporary music or southern gospel is sung? Does it matter a suit and tie or not? What did Jesus teach and what did he do? He went out amongst all the people and preached grace and love for one another. Why would we add regulations to that principle? What makes us think we even can? Someone doesn't act like you doesn't mean they or you are closer to God. If this is a personal relationship with the Christ, what would ever make us think other's relationship should be like ours? Do you interact and behave with you Dad like he does with his co-workers? Does your Mom or sibling interact with you like they do or you do with spouses? It's time we stop all this bickering over semantics and get down to the basics of love that Jesus gives. Does that mean we go out and get hammered with the drunks to preach to them? No it doesn't but it does mean we go out different because of the grace Jesus gave and the salvation we enjoy so we can show them there is a better way. Take the time to look at yourself and see if you are judging based on your own life and experiences rather than Jesus' example. We can impart wisdom from our experiences but we have no right or privilege to accuse and condemn. That's not up to us. Do we point out infractions? With love and wisdom. Timing is crucial. Attitude is crucial. Getting them to come to our side is not our goal. Our goal is to present Jesus and he will convict them and lead them. We may be used as an instrument of teaching for them or we may not. Let's show Jesus' love and grace and cut out all this distracting finger pointing. I don't know about you but I ain't any better'n them anyways...
Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
NAS
Philippians 3:1-3
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
NAS
Philippians 2:14-17
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
NAS
Philippians 1:6-11
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
NAS
So take the time to analyze what is important. That church down the street that seems so weird, do they preach Jesus as savior? Do the preach the love and grace Jesus gives? Yes? So who cares if they ring the bell at 10 or 11....
Remember Liz...Remember Anna and Jessie...
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing your truth and love in the scriptures. Forgive us Lord when we judge things without real cause. Grant us wisdom to discern good and evil and important and inconsequential. Lord we lift up our lives to you to teach us where we are lacking and ask for kind discipline for teaching us. Lord we love and honor you and it is in Jesus' precious name we pray, amen
Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
NAS
Philippians 3:1-3
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
NAS
Philippians 2:14-17
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
NAS
Philippians 1:6-11
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
NAS
So take the time to analyze what is important. That church down the street that seems so weird, do they preach Jesus as savior? Do the preach the love and grace Jesus gives? Yes? So who cares if they ring the bell at 10 or 11....
Remember Liz...Remember Anna and Jessie...
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing your truth and love in the scriptures. Forgive us Lord when we judge things without real cause. Grant us wisdom to discern good and evil and important and inconsequential. Lord we lift up our lives to you to teach us where we are lacking and ask for kind discipline for teaching us. Lord we love and honor you and it is in Jesus' precious name we pray, amen
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