A Passion for Christ
I want to talk to you today about your heart and God's heart.
There is inside every Christian a heart that beats after God that wants to make the Father smile at you when you do what He has asked you to do. One day we will be before Him and we will get to hear Him say, " Well Done Good and Faithful Servant."
God has a calling on all of our lives and He puts the desire to serve Him in our hearts… and He gives us dreams and desire to see it come to pass.
Psalms 37: 3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
We are starting with the assumption that you are a Christian and you want to do what God has called you to do.
There is a basic urge that we have as Christians to "Do something for God" Or for that matter to be used in some way to further the Kingdom of God. Herein lay the dilemma for some people… Do what? What Do I do for God - what can I offer Him at all?
Lets start with that… What can I do for God?
The first thing to do is to make yourself available. If you busy yourself with other endeavors or other passions outside of God when will you have time for Him in your Life?
Making time for God is one of the most fundamental things anyone wanting to serve or pursue a call of God on their life needs to do.
The local church is the ideal place to learn to serve God and to make room for God to move in your life. Lets say you want to do something but you don't know what to do… If you turn up at church and make yourself available trust me we will find something for you to do.
And If I can add this… if your in the Sunday School or in Praise and Worship or if your in the hallway mopping the floors, Do it unto God and see the reward you will get.
Psalm 84:10 - Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
In times past when I volunteered for things I would be working away and suddenly feel the presence of God show up and basically hug me to say thank you to me.
Let me tell you that kind of thing is addictive. God showing up when your heart is towards Him thanking you for your work… its awesome.
I have told people that worked with me before about those times when God sees your heart and thanks you for your efforts… only to find them an hour to two later working unto the Lord and crying for joy because they felt the exact same thing happen to them.
Psalms 128:2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Directable -
When your working at something in the Church - God can steer you where He wants you to go.
Its been said a thousand times, you cannot steer a parked car. If you start moving God will be able to lead you and guide you where he wants you to go. You may start with vacuuming on a Saturday morning and a while later be in the Sunday School pouring the Gospel into young hearts.
A Passion for Christ.
When I first got saved I was so hungry for more of God and so eager to do something for Him to show Him just a fraction of the gratitude that I had for Salvation, for relationship with a Living God and Heart that felt alive for the first time ever… such Love that He showed toward me… that I would do anything for Him.
In that passion of wanting to love God back I volunteered for the prayer phones at Pastor Walter Hallam's Church at the time in Texas. What started off as a desire to please God, quickly turned into another chance He got to say thank you to me.
I would be alone there some early mornings answering the phones by myself spending time chatting with others and encouraging them in the Lord and be sitting there surrounded by the love and peace of God - again telling me thank you for doing this for Him.
There are times in our lives that we step out to do something new and try to come up to a new level in our lives and our relationships and in our jobs - and the surprising thing is that God will always meet you there and be with you every step of the way.
Your church… This is your church. You are as much a part of this church as anyone else. The Church is your chance to step out and begin moving in the direction available to you and let God steer you.
Eph 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Together working as one body - each of us pursuing God in Love and working together can see amazing things in our lifetime - we grow we get more of God and the church grows and we see more people experience the same thing we have.
You love God.. how about putting action to your words and your feelings.
When I started falling in love with my wife I went out of my way to spend time with her and do everything in my power to show that love to her. And I might add I still do…
We as Christians should be at least the same way towards God. I am not talking about buying God flowers, but I am talking about spending time with Him and showing Him how you feel. The church is the number one place to start with some level of involvement and getting connected, plugged in and set in a direction that will help you continue your Passion for Christ.
Getting Connected.
Being connected to the place where God has called you to be is fundamental in my book one of the most essential things in the Christian life.
In the house of God there is fullness of joy
Making a quality decision.
I made a choice years ago to take God's Word and believe it. All of it. Not just parts of it but all of it.
And NOTHING is going to change that.
I made the same choice about my marriage, no matter what we stick together and enjoy the adventure of life - thick or thin.
I made the same choice about Church.
And IF IF IF IF I am ever tempted or if I struggle for any reason to even think of leaving the place God put me. I go to Him and ask His thoughts on the subject.
Its not something to take flippantly but something to trust God that He will always lead you and Guide you into all truth.
Finding your place in Church, a greeter an usher, a cleaner, finding your place and finding who you are in the House of God.
If you find your place in the church your connected and your more stable in the Church and you can grow and thrive.
A Cedar Planted in Lebanon.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." (Ps 92:12-15)
This church is about finding your calling and being equipped for that calling.
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:12
Find out how to serve and get involved - Show God the Passion you have for Him.
I have met people that didn't know their calling in God - but one of the things I tell them is to ask God and do something least you do nothing. Serving as a greeter or a cleaner is a step in the right direction.
Come in and Pray for the church and the church members - your playing a part in the church.
Encourage those that are also involved to stay involved. Play your part because it is all helping to build the Church.
The Youth, the media its all part of the vision. Thats how you can help find the call of God on your Life is by serving.
TD Jakes was a janitor - Philip the Evangelist was a waiter and an usher.
Even if your not called to a teaching or a preaching gift you will find out what God has for you along the way.
A Body Fitly joined together every body part has a function that without it working causes disfunction.
When your connected in a church - you grow. You grow in spiritual ways, social ways and ministry ways.
And the church benefits from the unique gifts and talents that are yours and yours alone.
A Passion for Christ
Let God steer you in the direction of your destiny by being movable and moldable.
Find your place in the local body and plug in and pursue.
You will find your place where you have passion and joy beyond measure in doing the simplest and smallest thing in the world - but you do it for HIM - and I promise you… you will find yourself surrounded and overwhelmed by the Love and Peace and Joy of the Holy Spirit of God - He will tell you Thank you.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thursday, August 4, 2011
A look at Philip the Evangelist (Rough Draft)
This is part of a study I am doing myself - this is part 1 rough draft (no references as of yet but the rough outline to be filled out later on)
Philip of the New Testament
Philip is fascinating to study what little information we have regarding him and his life and his ministry for several reasons.
Like Stephen, he was only ever called out from the crowd - so to speak - just to serve and wait on tables when the early church fed and took care of its members, widows and orphans included.
Thats it.
No amazing earth shattering booming voice from heaven and angels singing as they prayed for them… just they were selected to wait tables.
Philip however, along with God's help of course, did not limit himself to just doing this in the church. Stephen was well known for praying for the sick and miracles happening while he was just a waiter. Philip was well known for preaching Christ in the streets and signs and wonders followed him and many were healed… however he was only ever called out to hand people food.
The modern dilemma with this is two fold. It is encouraging for people that feel called by God to do more than waiting tables - that the "more" will happen as a result of being faithful. Problem one…
People don't like waiting tables forever when they feel they should be on the streets being a witness or want to he in full time ministry overnight.
There is in the modern world the drive to quit the tables and start a ministry here and now NOW NOW!
Philip was anointed to hand people food by man - Philip had a calling inside that worked its way out anyway WHILE waiting tables - that of the Evangelist.
Problem two. In the modern world delusion is not a rare thing. People can be well intentioned or just stubbornly ignorant of the things of God and miss things such as timing or calling (of God)
As I stated in problem one the waiting tables seems beneath what man of God eventually grew out of Philip… People that have knowledge of their calling need to be just as patient for God to draw it out of them and not rush off to make something happen. Part two of this problem are the deceived ones. The ones that want the office without the work. That want the adoration or position without the fullness of preparation.
The problems with the problems…
I have been told by many many men of God that I admire and respect… "When you feel God tell you it is time… don't wait on leadership to acknowledge and set you apart Go then to do your own thing or you will regret it later on"
Unfortunately I disagree with that statement.
The problem is there is such a thing as calling and anointing and being set apart and prayed for by leadership. Most people do not want to wait for it the right way.
The flip side is that leadership may not want to or cannot recognize calling in you.
The solutions.
A. Open Friendly Communication with Leadership
Talking and meeting with your leadership is the ONLY way to ensure they know what is going on with you and you with them.
B. Dedicated genuine prayer life and Christian lifestyle.
Nothing shines through more than being a real and genuine person in every circumstance. Being a witness on the streets and in the Church. (Something Philip learned.) Continually seeking God and searching out prayerfully and fearfully your calling and destiny that HE desires for you
C. Knowing when to leave leadership and knowing when to stay.
Philip - we can surmise didn't leave out of anger and go start his own work (as many do today), infect it seems he didn't leave his position at all until he was needed elsewhere.
Imagine a scenario where your a waiter… You just know to do what you know to do. Someone needs more food… you get it for them. Someone is sick, you pray for them. Someone needs money, you bless them or pray with them. Miracles happen… you expect them so its no big deal.
You preach on the streets and declare Jesus to those that did not know of Him before and again miracles happen and its no big deal. God is great!
God starts calling you and directing you to do this or go here and more miracles, people getting saved and so forth. God is awesome! You enjoy being a servant in the church and just doing what comes naturally to you when serving God. Later on you go to leadership and say that you want to leave waiting tables and evangelize full-time. Great they say… but that would leave us without a waiter so no you can't go.
Well this didn't happen to Philip but we can take the obvious next step and go to God in prayer about it. The same God that leads and guides you in preaching and teaching and signs and wonders and miracles will not keep silent about what to do next.
Ultimately leaving leadership should be the FURTHEST thing from your mind however if you cannot get away from what God is telling you - then do the next obvious thing… NO not that. Ask God to show the leadership, ask the leadership to pray about it. The same God talks to all people and He will not cross messages from one person to the next.
Imagine scenario two… same setup only the leadership know in more than one way that you are in fact called and chosen by more than you saying that you are. They will be looking at several things.
Reputation with Christians / Non Christians
Attitude toward leadership
Reputation in Study of the Word
Prayer life
Last but not least - what leadership hears in prayer regarding you.
You need to realize that your eagerness could put you out before your ready
You need to realize that your ego could put you in a position of not wanting to hear from God or leadership.
You need to realize that no God fearing leadership would hold you back from advancement if they have heard from God
You need to realize that there are people in the world in "ministry" that either does not belong or went out when they should have stayed waiting tables… you could be one of those.
Ministry is not to be taken casually and asking or seeking a position for ministry is truly a big thing.
Several things on leadership side of things needs to be kept in mind.
Leadership promotes those that are ready in every way possible to avoid complications
Leadership is responsible if nothing else but in reputation for people it promotes.
Leadership looks for qualities of leadership in those that seek promotion.
Servants tend to only want to serve
Servants on the way to something else dream big but serve until ready
Servants not happy to serve anymore are more than likely ahead of things at best or at worst not a real potential promotion.
Things to keep in mind as a servant.
Leadership are rightly scared to promote people that are unstable in some way
Leadership may see ego for leadership quality (others get promoted ahead of you)
Leadership may see servant qualities as contentment to stay a servant
Leadership is responsible unto God for sheep and those it helps raise.
You however are responsible to answer the call on your OWN life… failing to step up to the plate is your fault not the leadership.
You have permission from God to be the man or woman of God that you feel you are in your heart… IF
A. Its not ego and pompousness
B. You are actively pressing in for your calling
C. You worry about missing a step but trust God to guide you in every way.
Keep in mind it is with fear and trembling the Bible says… that you work out your own salvation.
Another way to think of this is that no matter how confident we are in the Spirit… its our flesh that comes along for the ride and we have to make sure its in line just as much as our prayer life.
Take away thoughts…
Philip was only ever prayed over to be a waiter of tables. His gift and his relationship with God drove him and others around him to see what was inside there put by God.
Philip was a man of God not worried about missing it… but only in pursuing what God had before him to do.
Although he never had a title given to him by leadership or position bestowed upon him… Philip became known as an evangelist because that was what he did in the process of outworking his calling while still waiting tables.
_ Advancing down the path_
Worst case scenario is that your a little later on in life when the moment you feel is your moment finally arrives. I would personally rather be 110 years old and in the perfect will of God in my moment… than 30 years old and out of the will of God or out of step with the way things should be.
Can I say something to you? As a friend please take this to heart in the right manner in which I intend it to be…
Its easy to quit.
Its easy to want to start your own work NOW NOW NOW than to wait.
Its easy to let your ego get in the drivers seat and take over the thinking.
Its easy to assume leadership is jealous, afraid of competition or deaf to the voice of God.
Its easier to take the shortcut than put the work and effort into doing things the right way.
It is easy to get angry at leadership while waiting for promotion.
It is easy to mistake the voice of God for an inner voice of aspiration.
It is easy to override the voice of God and go after feelings.
Ministry is spelled W O R K
Or in another phrase… Ministry is willing hands prepared to do what is needed to be done.
God has a history of using mere servants and picking the people out that most would over look.
David was a shepherd
Moses was a stuttering shepherd
Paul was a tent maker
Bonus takeaway...
One of the things you should take away from all of this is God can and will use anyone regardless of title, breeding, background or elevated position. He tends to pick the ones that no one else would use.
We all tend to look towards the Generals to lead and also to do the work for us in the Body. However it is the servants that see the miracles, the ones carrying the water pots, the ones that know what was put into the vessels to start with. It is in these people that God trusts to work in the background getting the job done. In a servants sense… its the men and women of God working in the background that see to the details of every meeting, every church service and ensure the work of the ministry is carried out.
It is also on occasion like in the case of many great men and women of God - the servants that God picks to do more than wait on tables, but to go beyond what titles are bestowed and pursue that which God put in their heart to do.
To be in the limelight seems tempting. But I would far rather be known by reputation only and never have my face recognized by anyone other than those that need a word from God - that God sends me to.
Philip lived a long and successful life - married and had a family. He raised four daughters full of the Word of God and they all had a reputation of flowing in the prophetic. So great was his life and his work later in life that when Paul the Apostle visited him later on in life that he stayed many days fellow-shiping and enjoying the hospitality of Philip.
What can we learn from the life of Philip…
Several key traits seem to present themselves.
Humility
Purpose Driven
Not position seeking
Not in a hurry
Walking out his calling with God as his guide.
Content to be a servant
Driven to do all that is needed to be done.
Not seeking to be a General but happy to pursue the plan given by God
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20031224.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/index.php?search=philip&version1=KJV&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no&startnumber=26
Philip of the New Testament
Philip is fascinating to study what little information we have regarding him and his life and his ministry for several reasons.
Like Stephen, he was only ever called out from the crowd - so to speak - just to serve and wait on tables when the early church fed and took care of its members, widows and orphans included.
Thats it.
No amazing earth shattering booming voice from heaven and angels singing as they prayed for them… just they were selected to wait tables.
Philip however, along with God's help of course, did not limit himself to just doing this in the church. Stephen was well known for praying for the sick and miracles happening while he was just a waiter. Philip was well known for preaching Christ in the streets and signs and wonders followed him and many were healed… however he was only ever called out to hand people food.
The modern dilemma with this is two fold. It is encouraging for people that feel called by God to do more than waiting tables - that the "more" will happen as a result of being faithful. Problem one…
People don't like waiting tables forever when they feel they should be on the streets being a witness or want to he in full time ministry overnight.
There is in the modern world the drive to quit the tables and start a ministry here and now NOW NOW!
Philip was anointed to hand people food by man - Philip had a calling inside that worked its way out anyway WHILE waiting tables - that of the Evangelist.
Problem two. In the modern world delusion is not a rare thing. People can be well intentioned or just stubbornly ignorant of the things of God and miss things such as timing or calling (of God)
As I stated in problem one the waiting tables seems beneath what man of God eventually grew out of Philip… People that have knowledge of their calling need to be just as patient for God to draw it out of them and not rush off to make something happen. Part two of this problem are the deceived ones. The ones that want the office without the work. That want the adoration or position without the fullness of preparation.
The problems with the problems…
I have been told by many many men of God that I admire and respect… "When you feel God tell you it is time… don't wait on leadership to acknowledge and set you apart Go then to do your own thing or you will regret it later on"
Unfortunately I disagree with that statement.
The problem is there is such a thing as calling and anointing and being set apart and prayed for by leadership. Most people do not want to wait for it the right way.
The flip side is that leadership may not want to or cannot recognize calling in you.
The solutions.
A. Open Friendly Communication with Leadership
Talking and meeting with your leadership is the ONLY way to ensure they know what is going on with you and you with them.
B. Dedicated genuine prayer life and Christian lifestyle.
Nothing shines through more than being a real and genuine person in every circumstance. Being a witness on the streets and in the Church. (Something Philip learned.) Continually seeking God and searching out prayerfully and fearfully your calling and destiny that HE desires for you
C. Knowing when to leave leadership and knowing when to stay.
Philip - we can surmise didn't leave out of anger and go start his own work (as many do today), infect it seems he didn't leave his position at all until he was needed elsewhere.
Imagine a scenario where your a waiter… You just know to do what you know to do. Someone needs more food… you get it for them. Someone is sick, you pray for them. Someone needs money, you bless them or pray with them. Miracles happen… you expect them so its no big deal.
You preach on the streets and declare Jesus to those that did not know of Him before and again miracles happen and its no big deal. God is great!
God starts calling you and directing you to do this or go here and more miracles, people getting saved and so forth. God is awesome! You enjoy being a servant in the church and just doing what comes naturally to you when serving God. Later on you go to leadership and say that you want to leave waiting tables and evangelize full-time. Great they say… but that would leave us without a waiter so no you can't go.
Well this didn't happen to Philip but we can take the obvious next step and go to God in prayer about it. The same God that leads and guides you in preaching and teaching and signs and wonders and miracles will not keep silent about what to do next.
Ultimately leaving leadership should be the FURTHEST thing from your mind however if you cannot get away from what God is telling you - then do the next obvious thing… NO not that. Ask God to show the leadership, ask the leadership to pray about it. The same God talks to all people and He will not cross messages from one person to the next.
Imagine scenario two… same setup only the leadership know in more than one way that you are in fact called and chosen by more than you saying that you are. They will be looking at several things.
Reputation with Christians / Non Christians
Attitude toward leadership
Reputation in Study of the Word
Prayer life
Last but not least - what leadership hears in prayer regarding you.
You need to realize that your eagerness could put you out before your ready
You need to realize that your ego could put you in a position of not wanting to hear from God or leadership.
You need to realize that no God fearing leadership would hold you back from advancement if they have heard from God
You need to realize that there are people in the world in "ministry" that either does not belong or went out when they should have stayed waiting tables… you could be one of those.
Ministry is not to be taken casually and asking or seeking a position for ministry is truly a big thing.
Several things on leadership side of things needs to be kept in mind.
Leadership promotes those that are ready in every way possible to avoid complications
Leadership is responsible if nothing else but in reputation for people it promotes.
Leadership looks for qualities of leadership in those that seek promotion.
Servants tend to only want to serve
Servants on the way to something else dream big but serve until ready
Servants not happy to serve anymore are more than likely ahead of things at best or at worst not a real potential promotion.
Things to keep in mind as a servant.
Leadership are rightly scared to promote people that are unstable in some way
Leadership may see ego for leadership quality (others get promoted ahead of you)
Leadership may see servant qualities as contentment to stay a servant
Leadership is responsible unto God for sheep and those it helps raise.
You however are responsible to answer the call on your OWN life… failing to step up to the plate is your fault not the leadership.
You have permission from God to be the man or woman of God that you feel you are in your heart… IF
A. Its not ego and pompousness
B. You are actively pressing in for your calling
C. You worry about missing a step but trust God to guide you in every way.
Keep in mind it is with fear and trembling the Bible says… that you work out your own salvation.
Another way to think of this is that no matter how confident we are in the Spirit… its our flesh that comes along for the ride and we have to make sure its in line just as much as our prayer life.
Take away thoughts…
Philip was only ever prayed over to be a waiter of tables. His gift and his relationship with God drove him and others around him to see what was inside there put by God.
Philip was a man of God not worried about missing it… but only in pursuing what God had before him to do.
Although he never had a title given to him by leadership or position bestowed upon him… Philip became known as an evangelist because that was what he did in the process of outworking his calling while still waiting tables.
_ Advancing down the path_
Worst case scenario is that your a little later on in life when the moment you feel is your moment finally arrives. I would personally rather be 110 years old and in the perfect will of God in my moment… than 30 years old and out of the will of God or out of step with the way things should be.
Can I say something to you? As a friend please take this to heart in the right manner in which I intend it to be…
Its easy to quit.
Its easy to want to start your own work NOW NOW NOW than to wait.
Its easy to let your ego get in the drivers seat and take over the thinking.
Its easy to assume leadership is jealous, afraid of competition or deaf to the voice of God.
Its easier to take the shortcut than put the work and effort into doing things the right way.
It is easy to get angry at leadership while waiting for promotion.
It is easy to mistake the voice of God for an inner voice of aspiration.
It is easy to override the voice of God and go after feelings.
Ministry is spelled W O R K
Or in another phrase… Ministry is willing hands prepared to do what is needed to be done.
God has a history of using mere servants and picking the people out that most would over look.
David was a shepherd
Moses was a stuttering shepherd
Paul was a tent maker
Bonus takeaway...
One of the things you should take away from all of this is God can and will use anyone regardless of title, breeding, background or elevated position. He tends to pick the ones that no one else would use.
We all tend to look towards the Generals to lead and also to do the work for us in the Body. However it is the servants that see the miracles, the ones carrying the water pots, the ones that know what was put into the vessels to start with. It is in these people that God trusts to work in the background getting the job done. In a servants sense… its the men and women of God working in the background that see to the details of every meeting, every church service and ensure the work of the ministry is carried out.
It is also on occasion like in the case of many great men and women of God - the servants that God picks to do more than wait on tables, but to go beyond what titles are bestowed and pursue that which God put in their heart to do.
To be in the limelight seems tempting. But I would far rather be known by reputation only and never have my face recognized by anyone other than those that need a word from God - that God sends me to.
Philip lived a long and successful life - married and had a family. He raised four daughters full of the Word of God and they all had a reputation of flowing in the prophetic. So great was his life and his work later in life that when Paul the Apostle visited him later on in life that he stayed many days fellow-shiping and enjoying the hospitality of Philip.
What can we learn from the life of Philip…
Several key traits seem to present themselves.
Humility
Purpose Driven
Not position seeking
Not in a hurry
Walking out his calling with God as his guide.
Content to be a servant
Driven to do all that is needed to be done.
Not seeking to be a General but happy to pursue the plan given by God
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20031224.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/index.php?search=philip&version1=KJV&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no&startnumber=26
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
In Response...
Greetings all - Just wanted to share a post I made recently on another website about Christians and Hatred. It was more specific then that mind you but since I am responding to a perception about something I am against as well... I did not want to drag that topic into my blog and get painted with the wrong brush because of its nature and topic.
----
Greetings all. I just wanted to weigh in as well. I am actually actively involved in Christian ministry. I am not a paper carrying minister but I do work with people all the time and regularly go out on the streets of Ireland and talk to people that are interested. So... from the onset I know most people will have an opinion of me before I even get to my point of my post but please hear me out. I know I hear a multitude of tl/dr coming my way.
I want to lay a foundation of thought before I come back to the OP if that is ok.
I agree. Christians are some of the most annoying, self righteous pain in the backside people in the world. They are regularly caught being two faced - living one way and acting another. Gossiping, back-biting, slander, and outright hate to one another let alone others outside their clicks (in church and out).
I am a Christian and I see this all the time and I agree what people that put the Christian label on themselves show very little of any Christ-like behavior. I cringe when I see the morons on (so called) Christian TV shouting at the screen and begging or demanding money. I wish sometimes I could set the other ones right - that picket the solders funerals and shout hate and shout random scripture at people as they pass by. I have seen the exact same thing and it bothers me - in a very different way I am sure.... but it bothers me as well.
I would like to introduce a concept now however - as I know others like myself inside the Christian body have done... unfortunately we categorize these people as being at best - uninformed and uneducated people that got a hold of one concept or another and decided to make it their life work - deriding another human being.
"A Churchian" - Someone that attends church and thinks that this is somehow enough to make them right in the eyes of God and others around them. They talk the talk and walk... well they act like they walk the walk but you see them stirring up mess all the time. They half listen to any real teaching and only remember the parts they like. They do little if any bible study on their own time. They do the "christian thing" because they grew up in the church or it was the popular thing to do or be at some time. These people have never had any real relationship with God and are easy to stir up with "causes" to fight or rally against because they have little or no foundation in the Living Word of God. A churchian would have no problem standing on a street corner and shouting hate at someone else regardless of the reason or topic because it is the popular thing to do and they are easily lead around by leadership they never checked out.
(Quick fact - on average in 1990 in an estimated church of 100 people only 20 would regularly attend, tithe and offer, and attend bible study) It is spoken in many circles that since the hard times economically that this number may be 10 in 100 today. (iffy source - gallup poll i think)
Basically in a so called real church - only 10 people in 100 are what could be pointed at and declared to be active living christians by their lifestyle and their actions on a daily basis. These people usually carry the weight of any real work in the church - expenses and so forth.
So you end up with a bunch of Churchians that are easily pulled away - offended - and are worse than so called sheep like Christians because they only got a bit of information and think they are doing right. When in reality they end up moving to groups of people that are just like them and and no more educated - they elect one a leader or pastor and then go on some crusade against a supposed evil. (I do not know how God sees these people - but let me voice my opinion in this and say that I suspect highly they do not know God and when they claim to represent Him... well sometimes I wish lightning bolts did still come down for such things.)
"Religiousicans" - These people show up at funerals, special holidays and then only once in the year or they feel like they are overdoing it. These are the ones that get mad when you ask them if they know God. They grew up in religion and hate hearing anything that reminds them they have not got a clue about God.
These are the ones that follow some denominational mandate they read on a piece of paper sent down from leadership or some holy-one leading the organization that change from year to year and treat it as gospel from God. They at best know there is a God but are so jaded that they won't look for Him outside the set rules from their organization.
"Crusaders" - These are the ones that can quote stuff out of the book that they have memorized when asked to do so by leadership. Easily to stir up and get angry about any given topic in a heartbeat. Have no time for Christians that come along and talk to them about being polite, stop hating, and get ready for violence if you ask them about their relationship with God. These are the ones on the street corner with the loud hailers shouting hate at everything that passes regardless of who it is. They can rattle off more scripture and quotes and nonsense then anyone else but have no time for the person that points out any scripture about Love, Compassion, Charity, Peace, and so forth.
Now. Let us come back to the original post and topic at hand. If your still reading this I salute you! I would have skipped over much of this as well at this point.
The man or woman that I consider a REAL Christian would not hate anyone regardless. I have had people to terrible and mean things to me in so called christian ways and it takes some work - but I forgave them all. (examples if you really want to know later on)
I would not think for a second that the person with some protest sign that says "God hates XYZ" is doing anything more then cluttering up the sidewalks and trying to get on the news. I feel nothing for them in a Christian sense and to be honest would work at talking to them to get them to see the light... just as much as the person standing on the bridge ready to jump.
When you look at the real example of how we are supposed to live a Christian life... Jesus Christ is our ONE and only true example.
He hung around fishermen - they smelled like fish.
He ate with tax collectors and befriended prostitutes.
He touched lepers and showed he cared for them.
He spoke out with a passion against the "religious leaders" of the day telling them they were dead.
In my opinion if Jesus were here today - there would not be many well know churches that He would be welcome in and even fewer that He would want to visit.
In His day when he became angry it was against the religious of the time... not the so called sinners.
Is there such a thing as sin? Yes of course there is. Sin means simply to "miss it... " to make a mistake or be in circumstances where things are beyond your control and its not going good. The Bible many times calls sin a sickness or infection that affects ALL of human kind. Not one of us is without it. Not the man holding the sign and shouting... not the preacher in the pulpit, and not the people of any given target of hate and protest by morons calling themselves christian.
The difference only comes when we know that Jesus paid the price for all Sin - and on a personal and real relationship way - have to accept His payment and choose to lead a different life as a result.
That is what a Christian on the street should be conveying to others in the most real, genuine, and sincere way possible... no shouting involved really.
So... I agree the people that get labeled as being christian on TV and shouting hate and nonsense at others need to stop. They need to open that book they claim to know so well and study love, peace, joy, hope, and righteousness and find out they got the wrong end of the stick and repent and refocus their life on the real mission that we are here on this planet for.
If you are still reading this you may have already dismissed me as being overly wordy and full of myself and my opinion - however please please please know - there are real Christians that feel they are being painted with the same brush as the shouty hate filled people and we would like to separate from that sort of stigmata as much as possible.
There is a supreme lack of Balance in the Christian world. It is called a Straight and Narrow path for a reason... few that find it are able to keep on it for long - not that it is difficult... but human nature is attracted to the things on the left and the right of the path in the ditch all to often that even if you are on the right path - you can find yourself in the wrong place at any given moment when you cop on. Guess what... you set your focus again and start walking it out best you can.
So if your a shouty "churchian, crusader, or a religiousican, or a wayward Christian all of that apply to you.
To anyone that is not on this narrow path watching the carnival act of so called main stream christianity... look for the ones in the middle trying to put their feet right and keep their focus on where they are going. They will be the ones that gather others around them by encouragement, love, and understanding.
The others on the side of the road... well... if you are any kind of spiritual person... pray for them. Ask God to open their eyes to His Amazing Grace that they can see they are not where they should be. For those of you that hate Christians with a passion for being even remotely linkable with those other fellas... I don't blame you one bit. But given the chance like today. I will try to tell you I am following Jesus and His example as best as I can and I am not related to those guys.
God sent Jesus to give us back a Relationship with Him... not give us religion.
We are all in the same boat without Jesus. Thank God He came and paid the price.
We as humans are all free to live however we choose. But given the chance God will show you the best plans for your life and the amazing things He has for you along the way.
Sorry for the long post. I look forward to genuine comments and or questions that you may have. I will respond to any real ones when I can if needed. I hope this was on topic enough to say here.
( original post link )
----
Greetings all. I just wanted to weigh in as well. I am actually actively involved in Christian ministry. I am not a paper carrying minister but I do work with people all the time and regularly go out on the streets of Ireland and talk to people that are interested. So... from the onset I know most people will have an opinion of me before I even get to my point of my post but please hear me out. I know I hear a multitude of tl/dr coming my way.
I want to lay a foundation of thought before I come back to the OP if that is ok.
I agree. Christians are some of the most annoying, self righteous pain in the backside people in the world. They are regularly caught being two faced - living one way and acting another. Gossiping, back-biting, slander, and outright hate to one another let alone others outside their clicks (in church and out).
I am a Christian and I see this all the time and I agree what people that put the Christian label on themselves show very little of any Christ-like behavior. I cringe when I see the morons on (so called) Christian TV shouting at the screen and begging or demanding money. I wish sometimes I could set the other ones right - that picket the solders funerals and shout hate and shout random scripture at people as they pass by. I have seen the exact same thing and it bothers me - in a very different way I am sure.... but it bothers me as well.
I would like to introduce a concept now however - as I know others like myself inside the Christian body have done... unfortunately we categorize these people as being at best - uninformed and uneducated people that got a hold of one concept or another and decided to make it their life work - deriding another human being.
"A Churchian" - Someone that attends church and thinks that this is somehow enough to make them right in the eyes of God and others around them. They talk the talk and walk... well they act like they walk the walk but you see them stirring up mess all the time. They half listen to any real teaching and only remember the parts they like. They do little if any bible study on their own time. They do the "christian thing" because they grew up in the church or it was the popular thing to do or be at some time. These people have never had any real relationship with God and are easy to stir up with "causes" to fight or rally against because they have little or no foundation in the Living Word of God. A churchian would have no problem standing on a street corner and shouting hate at someone else regardless of the reason or topic because it is the popular thing to do and they are easily lead around by leadership they never checked out.
(Quick fact - on average in 1990 in an estimated church of 100 people only 20 would regularly attend, tithe and offer, and attend bible study) It is spoken in many circles that since the hard times economically that this number may be 10 in 100 today. (iffy source - gallup poll i think)
Basically in a so called real church - only 10 people in 100 are what could be pointed at and declared to be active living christians by their lifestyle and their actions on a daily basis. These people usually carry the weight of any real work in the church - expenses and so forth.
So you end up with a bunch of Churchians that are easily pulled away - offended - and are worse than so called sheep like Christians because they only got a bit of information and think they are doing right. When in reality they end up moving to groups of people that are just like them and and no more educated - they elect one a leader or pastor and then go on some crusade against a supposed evil. (I do not know how God sees these people - but let me voice my opinion in this and say that I suspect highly they do not know God and when they claim to represent Him... well sometimes I wish lightning bolts did still come down for such things.)
"Religiousicans" - These people show up at funerals, special holidays and then only once in the year or they feel like they are overdoing it. These are the ones that get mad when you ask them if they know God. They grew up in religion and hate hearing anything that reminds them they have not got a clue about God.
These are the ones that follow some denominational mandate they read on a piece of paper sent down from leadership or some holy-one leading the organization that change from year to year and treat it as gospel from God. They at best know there is a God but are so jaded that they won't look for Him outside the set rules from their organization.
"Crusaders" - These are the ones that can quote stuff out of the book that they have memorized when asked to do so by leadership. Easily to stir up and get angry about any given topic in a heartbeat. Have no time for Christians that come along and talk to them about being polite, stop hating, and get ready for violence if you ask them about their relationship with God. These are the ones on the street corner with the loud hailers shouting hate at everything that passes regardless of who it is. They can rattle off more scripture and quotes and nonsense then anyone else but have no time for the person that points out any scripture about Love, Compassion, Charity, Peace, and so forth.
Now. Let us come back to the original post and topic at hand. If your still reading this I salute you! I would have skipped over much of this as well at this point.
The man or woman that I consider a REAL Christian would not hate anyone regardless. I have had people to terrible and mean things to me in so called christian ways and it takes some work - but I forgave them all. (examples if you really want to know later on)
I would not think for a second that the person with some protest sign that says "God hates XYZ" is doing anything more then cluttering up the sidewalks and trying to get on the news. I feel nothing for them in a Christian sense and to be honest would work at talking to them to get them to see the light... just as much as the person standing on the bridge ready to jump.
When you look at the real example of how we are supposed to live a Christian life... Jesus Christ is our ONE and only true example.
He hung around fishermen - they smelled like fish.
He ate with tax collectors and befriended prostitutes.
He touched lepers and showed he cared for them.
He spoke out with a passion against the "religious leaders" of the day telling them they were dead.
In my opinion if Jesus were here today - there would not be many well know churches that He would be welcome in and even fewer that He would want to visit.
In His day when he became angry it was against the religious of the time... not the so called sinners.
Is there such a thing as sin? Yes of course there is. Sin means simply to "miss it... " to make a mistake or be in circumstances where things are beyond your control and its not going good. The Bible many times calls sin a sickness or infection that affects ALL of human kind. Not one of us is without it. Not the man holding the sign and shouting... not the preacher in the pulpit, and not the people of any given target of hate and protest by morons calling themselves christian.
The difference only comes when we know that Jesus paid the price for all Sin - and on a personal and real relationship way - have to accept His payment and choose to lead a different life as a result.
That is what a Christian on the street should be conveying to others in the most real, genuine, and sincere way possible... no shouting involved really.
So... I agree the people that get labeled as being christian on TV and shouting hate and nonsense at others need to stop. They need to open that book they claim to know so well and study love, peace, joy, hope, and righteousness and find out they got the wrong end of the stick and repent and refocus their life on the real mission that we are here on this planet for.
If you are still reading this you may have already dismissed me as being overly wordy and full of myself and my opinion - however please please please know - there are real Christians that feel they are being painted with the same brush as the shouty hate filled people and we would like to separate from that sort of stigmata as much as possible.
There is a supreme lack of Balance in the Christian world. It is called a Straight and Narrow path for a reason... few that find it are able to keep on it for long - not that it is difficult... but human nature is attracted to the things on the left and the right of the path in the ditch all to often that even if you are on the right path - you can find yourself in the wrong place at any given moment when you cop on. Guess what... you set your focus again and start walking it out best you can.
So if your a shouty "churchian, crusader, or a religiousican, or a wayward Christian all of that apply to you.
To anyone that is not on this narrow path watching the carnival act of so called main stream christianity... look for the ones in the middle trying to put their feet right and keep their focus on where they are going. They will be the ones that gather others around them by encouragement, love, and understanding.
The others on the side of the road... well... if you are any kind of spiritual person... pray for them. Ask God to open their eyes to His Amazing Grace that they can see they are not where they should be. For those of you that hate Christians with a passion for being even remotely linkable with those other fellas... I don't blame you one bit. But given the chance like today. I will try to tell you I am following Jesus and His example as best as I can and I am not related to those guys.
God sent Jesus to give us back a Relationship with Him... not give us religion.
We are all in the same boat without Jesus. Thank God He came and paid the price.
We as humans are all free to live however we choose. But given the chance God will show you the best plans for your life and the amazing things He has for you along the way.
Sorry for the long post. I look forward to genuine comments and or questions that you may have. I will respond to any real ones when I can if needed. I hope this was on topic enough to say here.
( original post link )
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Rough Notes on the class for The Life of Christ (Video Posts to Follow)
Life of Christ
Direct or literal prophesies of Christ - to be born of a woman's seed Gen 3:15 fulfilled in matt 1:18 to be born of a virgin -
For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me" (John 5:46, NKJV)
Christ's disciples taught that He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Acts 3:18; 17:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Jesus was both man and God 100 percent of both.
Not only did he come to earth to die and bring us salvation, but he is also our example of how to live this new Christian life we have as believers in Him.
Jesus prayed for the sick and saw them healed.
We should do the same.
Jesus cast out demons from people the devil had bound
we should do the same
Jesus raised the dead...
we should do the same
Jesus prayed to God every chance he got and took every moment to make sure people knew that God got the glory for what was done.
Jesus challenged religious thinking every chance he got and was not afraid of telling them the truth in a way that made them think about the way they thought and taught
We should do the same.
Jesus was willing to give everything to God to make sure the plan for his life came to pass... and He did
We should do the same.
I can do all things through christ who strengthens me
THe bible says that if you live for self and want to gain the world... you will lose your life... if you want to gain the world and eternal life... then lose yourself and give it to him... you will gain so much more.
Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God - and he lived it...
we should do the same
Pastor is teaching at the moment the Kingdom of God - Jesus was and is our example as believers on how to live the Life that God has for us... in the Kingdom.
These are some of the things we will be covering as much as we can
Just last night I was talking to my father on the internet. He was joking but made some references to Jesus healing some animals when he was a child.
Religion made up some stories to fill in the gaps of his birth, his turning 12 years old, and the next time anything gets referenced when he goes to his cousin John the Baptist.
There is no gaps - if there was something we needed to know it would be in the Bible.
All the other stuff was made up by people that had no clue about anything.
Why is the life of Christ important?
Not only for the historical events that happened, not only as the example of the modern christian, but as pastor is teaching at the moment that Jesus brought us the Kingdom of God - the very thing we as believers have access to at this very moment... this Kingdom has rights and privileges that we as believers and followers of Him we have access to.
Jesus taught it, walked in it, and helps us live in it today.
While this class is called Life of Christ - I want you to understand that CHRIST has always been.
Jesus, the human was given to us 2000 years ago.
Christ was before the foundation of the World... he is God. _ God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
Jesus was born of a virgin Mary in fulfillment of scriptures... CHRIST was never born. God cannot be born - Mary is not the mother of God... she is the mother of Jesus.
Looking at Jesus and his role with us believers today let us look at His role as our mediator
Is. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
In his deity the Son existed eternally. He has always been here.
In his deity Christ never had a beginning.
Co-Equal with the father and the holy spirit - No member of the god head ever had a beginning... they have always been here.
The angel of the Lord in the Old Test... The Captain of the Lord of Hosts that met joshua before the battle of jericho ... that was christ..
Josh. 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
The forth man in the fiery furnace - Dan. 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
When Jesus came to us back in the manger, the child could not be given and the son could not be born.
The child had to be born and the Son had to be given. As deity he could not be born - he always exitisted.
When Christ came into being in the womb of mary it was his humanity that was born - his diety was just given.
Religion misunderstands this point and sees this as proof that Mary is the mother of God.
God has no mother. His deity was already here long before mary was. Mary is only mother of the humanity of Jesus.
Jesus is both God and Man. As God he is equal with God - As man he is equal with man.
He is the mediator of the new covenant. What a perfect mediator. He can satisfy all the claims of God because he is God. He can satisfy the claims of man because he is man.
Moses was the mediator of the law. through him it was given to the jews.
Moses was not a great mediator he only represented one side - man.
Yet jesus came and is a perfect mediator cause he represents both sides.
Job knew that mankind needed a mediator... if you read the book of Job you can see he knows that there is a problem that exists - how can a fallen man have any-kind of a perfect relationship with a perfect god.
He knew that there was a great divide between him and god... it was impassable for him.
Ask any person on the street and more often then not they know this same thing inwardly... especially if they are in religion.... you cant approach god... there is something keeping you from him.
Job knew of this gulf and he said neither is there any daysman - someone that could put their one hand on God and one hand on me and bridge us together.
Amplified bible calls this word the same as Umpire. An impartial person to solve a dispute.
Take soccer - football - have you ever seen the video clips where you see an ref during a match give a bad call to many and the fans or the players think enough is enough and they charge him.
No an impartial arbitrator must properly represent both sides... help them pull the two sides together.
In management in the states... the big issue some companies have is that they sponsor the union that the workers must join when they get hired... there is no impartiality ... a union rep paid for by the company is not impartial. Ultimately the company has sway over him.
Jesus is both for God and for mankind.
Mic. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning but Christ was already here.
In the beginning WAS
Was is past tense
Before the foundation of the World...
Matt. 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matt. 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Uniting of humanity and deity
God becoming a man
Is called a hypostatic union - greek word Hupostasis - compound word hupo - under - statis - stands
Literally what stands under... later means a foundation, Tangibility reality and substance.
Thats the word found in hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance.
If you have ever been in the presence and anointing of God you have felt the tangible presence or substance of His presence...
The uniting of humanity and deity is called because God who is immortal - invisible - became tangible in reality
God came down to our level and took on a human body
Names for His humanity while He was here on earth.
Jesus - Christ
Son of Man - Son of God
Anywhere in the Bible where it says Jesus - its talking about his humanity did the actions... anywhere the bible mentions Christ - without Jesus with it... it is telling us that the deity did the actions.
If you want proof that Mary is the mother of his humanity only look at Matthew 1:16
Matt. 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matt. 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
No scripture ever mentions CHRIST being born.
Now the names He was called... Jesus for his humanity and Christ for his deity... what would be the name for his hypostatic union.
Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus
Anywhere you see those in the bible it means the hypostatic union and one emphasis his humanity and one his deity.
You can determine the thrust of the verse if its going from God to man or man to God
Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Eph. 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
How did we learn how to pray... in the name of Jesus - not Christ.
Approach the mediator in the name of his humanity and his deity presents it before the father.
Father God wants to give us something and he turns to his son and he gives it to us.
Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph. 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Everything as a christian we have came through the mediator.
Jesus was presented with a legal question by the Pharisees one day... but he could not be cornered and instead asked them a question. Telling of his lineage of David... cause they all knew he was of the house of David.
asked them Who do you say that I am, and they said your the son of David.
look at it with me real quick...
Matt. 22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
Matt. 22:43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
Matt. 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Matt. 22:45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
Matt. 22:46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
The answer is simple... Christ is the Son of David and the Son of God. He would have to be in heaven and be more than a man...
To believe that Jesus was the Son of God and then say it out of their mouth... what happens? You become saved... these people shut up.
Jesus is not 50 percent man and 50 percent God.
100 percent God and 100 percent man.
This is the dividing line between religion and nonsense of anyone that says they are christian or a follower of Jesus... is you ask them if they believe that Jesus is God. Everyone believes he was a man... some believe a man sent from God... a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is God made flesh.
Is 9:6 - his name shall be called....
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
His name shall be called Emmanuel... means God with us.
Heb. 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Come unto me all ye - i am the way the truth and the life -
When Jesus was found in the temple lets look at the scripture real quick...
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Heb. 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Heb. 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb. 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Heb. 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Teaches us that Jesus came to fulfill all that was written about him to satisfy all of the prophesies.
Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Matt. 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matt. 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matt. 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- 1John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
No longer does the Lord only anoint certain individuals - we are all anointed through Jesus.
As Christians - we have access to the same power and the same abilities that Jesus had when he was on this planet... thats what we are going to find out about in the classes to come.
Direct or literal prophesies of Christ - to be born of a woman's seed Gen 3:15 fulfilled in matt 1:18 to be born of a virgin -
For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me" (John 5:46, NKJV)
Christ's disciples taught that He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Acts 3:18; 17:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Jesus was both man and God 100 percent of both.
Not only did he come to earth to die and bring us salvation, but he is also our example of how to live this new Christian life we have as believers in Him.
Jesus prayed for the sick and saw them healed.
We should do the same.
Jesus cast out demons from people the devil had bound
we should do the same
Jesus raised the dead...
we should do the same
Jesus prayed to God every chance he got and took every moment to make sure people knew that God got the glory for what was done.
Jesus challenged religious thinking every chance he got and was not afraid of telling them the truth in a way that made them think about the way they thought and taught
We should do the same.
Jesus was willing to give everything to God to make sure the plan for his life came to pass... and He did
We should do the same.
I can do all things through christ who strengthens me
THe bible says that if you live for self and want to gain the world... you will lose your life... if you want to gain the world and eternal life... then lose yourself and give it to him... you will gain so much more.
Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God - and he lived it...
we should do the same
Pastor is teaching at the moment the Kingdom of God - Jesus was and is our example as believers on how to live the Life that God has for us... in the Kingdom.
These are some of the things we will be covering as much as we can
Just last night I was talking to my father on the internet. He was joking but made some references to Jesus healing some animals when he was a child.
Religion made up some stories to fill in the gaps of his birth, his turning 12 years old, and the next time anything gets referenced when he goes to his cousin John the Baptist.
There is no gaps - if there was something we needed to know it would be in the Bible.
All the other stuff was made up by people that had no clue about anything.
Why is the life of Christ important?
Not only for the historical events that happened, not only as the example of the modern christian, but as pastor is teaching at the moment that Jesus brought us the Kingdom of God - the very thing we as believers have access to at this very moment... this Kingdom has rights and privileges that we as believers and followers of Him we have access to.
Jesus taught it, walked in it, and helps us live in it today.
While this class is called Life of Christ - I want you to understand that CHRIST has always been.
Jesus, the human was given to us 2000 years ago.
Christ was before the foundation of the World... he is God. _ God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
Jesus was born of a virgin Mary in fulfillment of scriptures... CHRIST was never born. God cannot be born - Mary is not the mother of God... she is the mother of Jesus.
Looking at Jesus and his role with us believers today let us look at His role as our mediator
Is. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
In his deity the Son existed eternally. He has always been here.
In his deity Christ never had a beginning.
Co-Equal with the father and the holy spirit - No member of the god head ever had a beginning... they have always been here.
The angel of the Lord in the Old Test... The Captain of the Lord of Hosts that met joshua before the battle of jericho ... that was christ..
Josh. 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
The forth man in the fiery furnace - Dan. 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
When Jesus came to us back in the manger, the child could not be given and the son could not be born.
The child had to be born and the Son had to be given. As deity he could not be born - he always exitisted.
When Christ came into being in the womb of mary it was his humanity that was born - his diety was just given.
Religion misunderstands this point and sees this as proof that Mary is the mother of God.
God has no mother. His deity was already here long before mary was. Mary is only mother of the humanity of Jesus.
Jesus is both God and Man. As God he is equal with God - As man he is equal with man.
He is the mediator of the new covenant. What a perfect mediator. He can satisfy all the claims of God because he is God. He can satisfy the claims of man because he is man.
Moses was the mediator of the law. through him it was given to the jews.
Moses was not a great mediator he only represented one side - man.
Yet jesus came and is a perfect mediator cause he represents both sides.
Job knew that mankind needed a mediator... if you read the book of Job you can see he knows that there is a problem that exists - how can a fallen man have any-kind of a perfect relationship with a perfect god.
He knew that there was a great divide between him and god... it was impassable for him.
Ask any person on the street and more often then not they know this same thing inwardly... especially if they are in religion.... you cant approach god... there is something keeping you from him.
Job knew of this gulf and he said neither is there any daysman - someone that could put their one hand on God and one hand on me and bridge us together.
Amplified bible calls this word the same as Umpire. An impartial person to solve a dispute.
Take soccer - football - have you ever seen the video clips where you see an ref during a match give a bad call to many and the fans or the players think enough is enough and they charge him.
No an impartial arbitrator must properly represent both sides... help them pull the two sides together.
In management in the states... the big issue some companies have is that they sponsor the union that the workers must join when they get hired... there is no impartiality ... a union rep paid for by the company is not impartial. Ultimately the company has sway over him.
Jesus is both for God and for mankind.
Mic. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning but Christ was already here.
In the beginning WAS
Was is past tense
Before the foundation of the World...
Matt. 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matt. 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Uniting of humanity and deity
God becoming a man
Is called a hypostatic union - greek word Hupostasis - compound word hupo - under - statis - stands
Literally what stands under... later means a foundation, Tangibility reality and substance.
Thats the word found in hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance.
If you have ever been in the presence and anointing of God you have felt the tangible presence or substance of His presence...
The uniting of humanity and deity is called because God who is immortal - invisible - became tangible in reality
God came down to our level and took on a human body
Names for His humanity while He was here on earth.
Jesus - Christ
Son of Man - Son of God
Anywhere in the Bible where it says Jesus - its talking about his humanity did the actions... anywhere the bible mentions Christ - without Jesus with it... it is telling us that the deity did the actions.
If you want proof that Mary is the mother of his humanity only look at Matthew 1:16
Matt. 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matt. 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
No scripture ever mentions CHRIST being born.
Now the names He was called... Jesus for his humanity and Christ for his deity... what would be the name for his hypostatic union.
Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus
Anywhere you see those in the bible it means the hypostatic union and one emphasis his humanity and one his deity.
You can determine the thrust of the verse if its going from God to man or man to God
Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Eph. 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
How did we learn how to pray... in the name of Jesus - not Christ.
Approach the mediator in the name of his humanity and his deity presents it before the father.
Father God wants to give us something and he turns to his son and he gives it to us.
Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph. 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Everything as a christian we have came through the mediator.
Jesus was presented with a legal question by the Pharisees one day... but he could not be cornered and instead asked them a question. Telling of his lineage of David... cause they all knew he was of the house of David.
asked them Who do you say that I am, and they said your the son of David.
look at it with me real quick...
Matt. 22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
Matt. 22:43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
Matt. 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Matt. 22:45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
Matt. 22:46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
The answer is simple... Christ is the Son of David and the Son of God. He would have to be in heaven and be more than a man...
To believe that Jesus was the Son of God and then say it out of their mouth... what happens? You become saved... these people shut up.
Jesus is not 50 percent man and 50 percent God.
100 percent God and 100 percent man.
This is the dividing line between religion and nonsense of anyone that says they are christian or a follower of Jesus... is you ask them if they believe that Jesus is God. Everyone believes he was a man... some believe a man sent from God... a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is God made flesh.
Is 9:6 - his name shall be called....
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
His name shall be called Emmanuel... means God with us.
Heb. 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Come unto me all ye - i am the way the truth and the life -
When Jesus was found in the temple lets look at the scripture real quick...
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Heb. 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Heb. 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb. 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Heb. 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Teaches us that Jesus came to fulfill all that was written about him to satisfy all of the prophesies.
Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Matt. 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matt. 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matt. 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- 1John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
No longer does the Lord only anoint certain individuals - we are all anointed through Jesus.
As Christians - we have access to the same power and the same abilities that Jesus had when he was on this planet... thats what we are going to find out about in the classes to come.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Growth in God
Growth in God
This will be designed to both instruct, encourage, correct and challenge the average Christian believer to help achieve several things by the end.
- Seek Direction - Calling and Destiny in God
- Gain Vision and Purpose - If you don't already have that
- Gain Understanding and Guidance from God and the Bible on what steps to take
- Build - Reinforce - Redirect Habits to a structured daily and weekly course of study
Set Goals - Short Term and Long Term for several things
Bible Study
Personal Time With God - both inside and outside of times set aside for that
Organizing priorities and Directing your steps with a Goal in Mind.
Introduction -
With every single new convert and each new person that steps foot into a church and walks down the aisle to make Jesus the Lord of their life - comes responsibility on other believers around them - at a minimum to encourage and fellowship and friendship with them to keep them interested in God.
There is with every Christian - New or Old a potential to backslide, cool off, get comfortable and complacent about the things of God.
It is with each of these new converts that I see a reflection and memory for myself to review where I am at now compared to there and how I can keep or rekindle some aspect of the zeal and hunger they have.
A New Christian is someone that found the Reality and Truth and Life that is in Christ Jesus - They can nearly hear heaven cheering them on when they accept Him… an older Christian owes it to themselves to recognize that yes the excitement and overzealous zeal may fade… but our passion, drive, and hunger for more of God should not.
The best way to get back to that place - or keep yourself driving forward is in fact through study, personal prayer time with God, and eat every bit of good teaching you can till your stuffed. And One Step Further - Draw on what you know to share it with others in some aspect or another.
Create a well you can draw from - then draw from it!
You cannot breath in unless you breath out - you can't breath out unless you breath in.
Take this example and learn a basic principle - a lot of churches in the world have some fat - happy - but stagnant Christians. They are so full of the Word they may actually pop from the over-stuffing - they didn't find an outlet for what they are learning - have learned - still have to learn. (Have you ever ran into an older christian and they seem almost cranky?)
Find an outlet of ANY description to use what you learn, either through getting involved more at church, sharing with friends and family, at work (don't get fired) or in some aspect of ministry - even in a serving capacity.
Stephen in the Bible preached one of the most amazing messages of his day to the hardest crowd in the world to preach to.
Just a few days before then he was serving in his church - waiting tables - caring for others. It was not just his actions in serving, but he ministered and shared and fellowship-ed with those people at that time.
He used what he was learning himself in an outworking of everyday ministry and caring and helping in the church as well as imparting those teachings to others that He came in contact with.
The modern day christian goes to church so often they have their names on the chairs practically - but their mouths are shut in most situations and times they could be ministering to other people and putting to practice what they know in their hearts to be true.
There is nothing more useless than a blank dictionary in a spelling competition -
there is nothing more sad than a Christian full of the Word and silent when needed.
If you create a draw on what you already know - you will begin a process of needing to know more and wanting to know more in the Word of God that will begin to keep you in a place of hunger, curiosity, and strength of Faith and Confidence in the Word of God.
Taking this as one of your steps to Growth in God is essential - It will show you where you need to study more - and cause you to stay sharp.
A tool that is made for a specific task that gets rusted and sticky and corroded is useless as a tool. So likewise we need to stay sharp and ready to be used when given a chance.
My father and I worked on my first real car together. It is an old pickup truck that has seen better days. We didn't always have the right tools for the job but my father had a favorite tool that if nothing else worked he could reach for this old set of vice-grips and make nearly anything come unstuck or get something fastened as a result.
God is the same. Sometimes we let Him down when He asks us to do something simple as go to so and so and tell them about Jesus. We become nearly like a rusty tool that doesn't do the job.
We as Christians sometimes marvel at the big names in Church history when we think about the miracles and the revivals and the ministry of some of the so called greats. Yes they may have an office and a ministry in their day... but the same skills are available to us. Perhaps not to the same extent as others but the calling is much the same. What makes the Great Men of God so great? They made themselves available and ready to be used and sought to be used as well.
The bible uses several scriptures to get this point across. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Be ready with the Word that is inside you... ready to share it out with others to drive home the point that God was teaching you even so that the others can get the same benefit as you did.
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
When you listen to teaching and preaching - listen - not to parrot it back out again given the chance... cults teach their followers to do that. But gain a revelation of it so much so that it becomes part of your strengths and attributes so that when given the chance to help someone else in that area it comes as a ministration not a matter of fact attitude.
There is nothing worse than thinking your helping someone when your really hurting them or insulting them. I remember one time coming out of a conference in Dublin late one evening. A JW was standing at the gate of the Christian Convention trying to hand out leaflets to those coming out of the event. It was a bit humorous to be honest and a bit sad. They had such a smug look of superiority and self justification on their face when the offered leaflets were rejected, inwardly they must have been thinking that they were right to try to force their ways on others. Christian witness should not be that way... Yet many times I have seen it happen as well. For the record I don't witness like that.
How many times have you seen a Christian with the loudhailer standing on the street corner shouting hell fire and damnation on those that pass by. Were you that person?
Anyway. One time in Galveston Texas after Mardi-Gras parade was over... we were out talking to people and sharing the love of God with others. Then it happened. The one man I was talking to gave me a look of disgust and said... Oh Your with them! Get lost.
I looked over to where he was pointing and sure enough on the street corner - there he was... Mr. Loudhailer... only this time he brought a praise and worship band with him.
Seriously this could not be any more contradictory. The band was singing the praises of God and how Good He was and how wonderful... and the man behind the mic was shouting at everyone saying God hates them. Seriously! I would not make this sort of thing up.
SO - when I say that you need to find a way to draw out the things that you have learned - I mean seriously find a real and genuine way to draw it out. Because if you try to fake it in front of others they will see it. If you learn about how God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life... and that GOD is not willing that any should perish... WHERE IN THE WORLD do you get that God hates people???
Anyway. Share what you know like you know it and believe it yourself. Show it also in your actions.
One time on the street I was talking to a man who said he believed in God but didn't think that God would or could ever talk to him and have the kind of relationship I talked to him about. Instead of quoting a hundred and one scriptures at him I asked him about his own life. He told me that he was living with his girlfriend and he had a son. At that point it was easy to tell this man about the love of God.
I said to him... "You love your son very much? You would do anything for him wouldn't you. You want the best for him and want to see him grow up safe and strong and prepared for everything this world could throw at him" Of course he agreed "How much more would God - who put those loving and protective attributes in you to have for your son... want that kind of relationship with you."
Anyway - in wrapping up... Know that you have to put something in to be able to draw something out... and seek and be ready for opportunities to draw out from that which God has put inside you... in LOVE.
- Seek Direction - Calling and Destiny in God
Some people have the concept that God is going to ask them to do something strange or dangerous or be sent to some distant land if they ask Him for direction and calling on their lives.
Nonsense. God loves you and wants the best for your life. Simple. Take it to the bank. Now. Think about what you would LOVE to do for God. Think about your interests your hobbies your deepest desire in life. Chances are (if its a righteous desire) that God will give you those desires and sense of fulfillment as well in those areas.
One of my friends in Ireland told me straight one day that he was scared to death that if he asked God what he was meant to do with his life that God was going to send him to deepest darkest Africa or worse. I asked him if he was serious and he told me that he was. I asked him what his dream calling was - what he wanted to do most deep down.
He told me about his music desires and aspirations and said above all else he wanted to minister to others in music and to teach others about using music to praise God.
Years later. Guess what he is doing now?
When you seek God's will for your life - it is not random. It is not against who you are. It is not even against who you want to be. It fits you perfectly and as you go that direction it gives you such a sense of fulfillment that nuclear war would not persuade you to do anything else.
In Seeking Gods will for your life keep in mind that we are talking destination. The final place. In the meanwhile though you have to work and train to get to that destination. Do you think my friend would be where he is now unless he actually KNEW how to play an instrument? There is work involved and steps to take.
This portion is called Seeking Direction. The reason is to get to your destination you will have to do several things.
Ask Where You are Going.
Know where your going.
Go in that direction.
Take steps to correct your course if needed.
Keep an eye on the path your on.
Find someone that is already there and seek leadership and guidance.
Make a plan and take action if you find yourself off your course.
Keep moving and don't build a house along the way miles off your target.
Arrive at your destination and Keep growing!
If a person gets lost in the woods or in the desert you will see several things happen.
The path they think they are walking they think is straight... isn't.
They tend to walk in circles.
If they lean a bit to one side they tend to walk that way.
If they are weak on one side or in an area of their body they tend to over compensate and get off course.
They tend to do the opposite of the things they should do when they have no direction.
Also true. If they have something they can see in the distance they can make their way straighter than if they were just picking a direction at random and trying to walk a straight line towards it.
With this in mind let us examine destiny and purpose.
It is easier to know what you are training for and to build yourself up in certain areas if you know what is coming up.
A tool is most suited for the task and use it was designed for. Its easier to stay sharp as a praise and worship leader and not do silly things like take up a hobby as a sword swallower or something else silly that could cause damage to your throat.
Likewise youth and young Christians will find it easier to say no to things in the world when they know its not part of who they are and what they are about. Knowing your purpose in life is one of the most amazing things in the world. Likewise - when you know your off course... its easier to tell - your inward self tells you.
So... you see the mountain top in the distance and you have no idea how you are going to get there. Start walking anyway.
Start by picking up the knowledge the skills and seek Godly leadership that will help you get to that destination. They won't pick you up and set you down there. But they can certainly assist you in avoiding certain pitfalls they found along the way and help make it easier by sharing their knowledge and experience they have with you along the way.
Psalm 119:104-106 (King James Version)
104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
Seek Gods wisdom and truth above all else.
- Gain Vision and Purpose - If you don't already have that
In your walk with God and as you seek to know more of Him and get closer to Him in your own relationship... You will grow to know His ways and His voice more and more. In that process you gain a sense of purpose for your life. A tool that does not know what it is made for is useless. But in the right hands that tool made for the job that only the crafter knows... is the most valuable tool at that moment.
There is a concept in the church that is strange and very wrong. Christians sometimes pray that GOD will move and do things for them. Yet its US that God sends to get things done. Then the opposite happens... we think we are the ONLY ones doing it right and there is no one else.
9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
I want you to get a concept in your mind now... think about this... You are God's first choice. You may not be the only one that He has asked to do something. But you are His first choice. He sent YOU. So follow what He tells you to do and put aside all else that may hinder you and do what God asks you to do.
Galatians 5
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Hebrews 12
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
More to be added in next post -
This will be designed to both instruct, encourage, correct and challenge the average Christian believer to help achieve several things by the end.
- Seek Direction - Calling and Destiny in God
- Gain Vision and Purpose - If you don't already have that
- Gain Understanding and Guidance from God and the Bible on what steps to take
- Build - Reinforce - Redirect Habits to a structured daily and weekly course of study
Set Goals - Short Term and Long Term for several things
Bible Study
Personal Time With God - both inside and outside of times set aside for that
Organizing priorities and Directing your steps with a Goal in Mind.
Introduction -
With every single new convert and each new person that steps foot into a church and walks down the aisle to make Jesus the Lord of their life - comes responsibility on other believers around them - at a minimum to encourage and fellowship and friendship with them to keep them interested in God.
There is with every Christian - New or Old a potential to backslide, cool off, get comfortable and complacent about the things of God.
It is with each of these new converts that I see a reflection and memory for myself to review where I am at now compared to there and how I can keep or rekindle some aspect of the zeal and hunger they have.
A New Christian is someone that found the Reality and Truth and Life that is in Christ Jesus - They can nearly hear heaven cheering them on when they accept Him… an older Christian owes it to themselves to recognize that yes the excitement and overzealous zeal may fade… but our passion, drive, and hunger for more of God should not.
The best way to get back to that place - or keep yourself driving forward is in fact through study, personal prayer time with God, and eat every bit of good teaching you can till your stuffed. And One Step Further - Draw on what you know to share it with others in some aspect or another.
Create a well you can draw from - then draw from it!
You cannot breath in unless you breath out - you can't breath out unless you breath in.
Take this example and learn a basic principle - a lot of churches in the world have some fat - happy - but stagnant Christians. They are so full of the Word they may actually pop from the over-stuffing - they didn't find an outlet for what they are learning - have learned - still have to learn. (Have you ever ran into an older christian and they seem almost cranky?)
Find an outlet of ANY description to use what you learn, either through getting involved more at church, sharing with friends and family, at work (don't get fired) or in some aspect of ministry - even in a serving capacity.
Stephen in the Bible preached one of the most amazing messages of his day to the hardest crowd in the world to preach to.
Just a few days before then he was serving in his church - waiting tables - caring for others. It was not just his actions in serving, but he ministered and shared and fellowship-ed with those people at that time.
He used what he was learning himself in an outworking of everyday ministry and caring and helping in the church as well as imparting those teachings to others that He came in contact with.
The modern day christian goes to church so often they have their names on the chairs practically - but their mouths are shut in most situations and times they could be ministering to other people and putting to practice what they know in their hearts to be true.
There is nothing more useless than a blank dictionary in a spelling competition -
there is nothing more sad than a Christian full of the Word and silent when needed.
If you create a draw on what you already know - you will begin a process of needing to know more and wanting to know more in the Word of God that will begin to keep you in a place of hunger, curiosity, and strength of Faith and Confidence in the Word of God.
Taking this as one of your steps to Growth in God is essential - It will show you where you need to study more - and cause you to stay sharp.
A tool that is made for a specific task that gets rusted and sticky and corroded is useless as a tool. So likewise we need to stay sharp and ready to be used when given a chance.
My father and I worked on my first real car together. It is an old pickup truck that has seen better days. We didn't always have the right tools for the job but my father had a favorite tool that if nothing else worked he could reach for this old set of vice-grips and make nearly anything come unstuck or get something fastened as a result.
God is the same. Sometimes we let Him down when He asks us to do something simple as go to so and so and tell them about Jesus. We become nearly like a rusty tool that doesn't do the job.
We as Christians sometimes marvel at the big names in Church history when we think about the miracles and the revivals and the ministry of some of the so called greats. Yes they may have an office and a ministry in their day... but the same skills are available to us. Perhaps not to the same extent as others but the calling is much the same. What makes the Great Men of God so great? They made themselves available and ready to be used and sought to be used as well.
The bible uses several scriptures to get this point across. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Be ready with the Word that is inside you... ready to share it out with others to drive home the point that God was teaching you even so that the others can get the same benefit as you did.
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
When you listen to teaching and preaching - listen - not to parrot it back out again given the chance... cults teach their followers to do that. But gain a revelation of it so much so that it becomes part of your strengths and attributes so that when given the chance to help someone else in that area it comes as a ministration not a matter of fact attitude.
There is nothing worse than thinking your helping someone when your really hurting them or insulting them. I remember one time coming out of a conference in Dublin late one evening. A JW was standing at the gate of the Christian Convention trying to hand out leaflets to those coming out of the event. It was a bit humorous to be honest and a bit sad. They had such a smug look of superiority and self justification on their face when the offered leaflets were rejected, inwardly they must have been thinking that they were right to try to force their ways on others. Christian witness should not be that way... Yet many times I have seen it happen as well. For the record I don't witness like that.
How many times have you seen a Christian with the loudhailer standing on the street corner shouting hell fire and damnation on those that pass by. Were you that person?
Anyway. One time in Galveston Texas after Mardi-Gras parade was over... we were out talking to people and sharing the love of God with others. Then it happened. The one man I was talking to gave me a look of disgust and said... Oh Your with them! Get lost.
I looked over to where he was pointing and sure enough on the street corner - there he was... Mr. Loudhailer... only this time he brought a praise and worship band with him.
Seriously this could not be any more contradictory. The band was singing the praises of God and how Good He was and how wonderful... and the man behind the mic was shouting at everyone saying God hates them. Seriously! I would not make this sort of thing up.
SO - when I say that you need to find a way to draw out the things that you have learned - I mean seriously find a real and genuine way to draw it out. Because if you try to fake it in front of others they will see it. If you learn about how God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life... and that GOD is not willing that any should perish... WHERE IN THE WORLD do you get that God hates people???
Anyway. Share what you know like you know it and believe it yourself. Show it also in your actions.
One time on the street I was talking to a man who said he believed in God but didn't think that God would or could ever talk to him and have the kind of relationship I talked to him about. Instead of quoting a hundred and one scriptures at him I asked him about his own life. He told me that he was living with his girlfriend and he had a son. At that point it was easy to tell this man about the love of God.
I said to him... "You love your son very much? You would do anything for him wouldn't you. You want the best for him and want to see him grow up safe and strong and prepared for everything this world could throw at him" Of course he agreed "How much more would God - who put those loving and protective attributes in you to have for your son... want that kind of relationship with you."
Anyway - in wrapping up... Know that you have to put something in to be able to draw something out... and seek and be ready for opportunities to draw out from that which God has put inside you... in LOVE.
- Seek Direction - Calling and Destiny in God
Some people have the concept that God is going to ask them to do something strange or dangerous or be sent to some distant land if they ask Him for direction and calling on their lives.
Nonsense. God loves you and wants the best for your life. Simple. Take it to the bank. Now. Think about what you would LOVE to do for God. Think about your interests your hobbies your deepest desire in life. Chances are (if its a righteous desire) that God will give you those desires and sense of fulfillment as well in those areas.
One of my friends in Ireland told me straight one day that he was scared to death that if he asked God what he was meant to do with his life that God was going to send him to deepest darkest Africa or worse. I asked him if he was serious and he told me that he was. I asked him what his dream calling was - what he wanted to do most deep down.
He told me about his music desires and aspirations and said above all else he wanted to minister to others in music and to teach others about using music to praise God.
Years later. Guess what he is doing now?
When you seek God's will for your life - it is not random. It is not against who you are. It is not even against who you want to be. It fits you perfectly and as you go that direction it gives you such a sense of fulfillment that nuclear war would not persuade you to do anything else.
In Seeking Gods will for your life keep in mind that we are talking destination. The final place. In the meanwhile though you have to work and train to get to that destination. Do you think my friend would be where he is now unless he actually KNEW how to play an instrument? There is work involved and steps to take.
This portion is called Seeking Direction. The reason is to get to your destination you will have to do several things.
Ask Where You are Going.
Know where your going.
Go in that direction.
Take steps to correct your course if needed.
Keep an eye on the path your on.
Find someone that is already there and seek leadership and guidance.
Make a plan and take action if you find yourself off your course.
Keep moving and don't build a house along the way miles off your target.
Arrive at your destination and Keep growing!
If a person gets lost in the woods or in the desert you will see several things happen.
The path they think they are walking they think is straight... isn't.
They tend to walk in circles.
If they lean a bit to one side they tend to walk that way.
If they are weak on one side or in an area of their body they tend to over compensate and get off course.
They tend to do the opposite of the things they should do when they have no direction.
Also true. If they have something they can see in the distance they can make their way straighter than if they were just picking a direction at random and trying to walk a straight line towards it.
With this in mind let us examine destiny and purpose.
It is easier to know what you are training for and to build yourself up in certain areas if you know what is coming up.
A tool is most suited for the task and use it was designed for. Its easier to stay sharp as a praise and worship leader and not do silly things like take up a hobby as a sword swallower or something else silly that could cause damage to your throat.
Likewise youth and young Christians will find it easier to say no to things in the world when they know its not part of who they are and what they are about. Knowing your purpose in life is one of the most amazing things in the world. Likewise - when you know your off course... its easier to tell - your inward self tells you.
So... you see the mountain top in the distance and you have no idea how you are going to get there. Start walking anyway.
Start by picking up the knowledge the skills and seek Godly leadership that will help you get to that destination. They won't pick you up and set you down there. But they can certainly assist you in avoiding certain pitfalls they found along the way and help make it easier by sharing their knowledge and experience they have with you along the way.
Psalm 119:104-106 (King James Version)
104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
Seek Gods wisdom and truth above all else.
- Gain Vision and Purpose - If you don't already have that
In your walk with God and as you seek to know more of Him and get closer to Him in your own relationship... You will grow to know His ways and His voice more and more. In that process you gain a sense of purpose for your life. A tool that does not know what it is made for is useless. But in the right hands that tool made for the job that only the crafter knows... is the most valuable tool at that moment.
There is a concept in the church that is strange and very wrong. Christians sometimes pray that GOD will move and do things for them. Yet its US that God sends to get things done. Then the opposite happens... we think we are the ONLY ones doing it right and there is no one else.
9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
I want you to get a concept in your mind now... think about this... You are God's first choice. You may not be the only one that He has asked to do something. But you are His first choice. He sent YOU. So follow what He tells you to do and put aside all else that may hinder you and do what God asks you to do.
Galatians 5
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Hebrews 12
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
More to be added in next post -
Dealing with Offense and Offended People
I have put down the ground work in the previous post at least the basics... about the issues we have to deal with in that sort of situation. In this next section we will be looking at dealing with it in our own hearts and in dealing with others that are offended at you - as well as offering advice (in love) to others that are offended and desire to move passed it.
Ourselves. I have had numerous occasions to become hurt upset offended and so forth... yet I would imagine the person I aspire to be or hope that I am... to not be the type of person that has hate and anger towards others. I mean who in their christian walk does want that sort of thing to hang on to them?
The bible teaches us to use Jesus for our template on our character - our behavior - and our actions... no I will not quote the standard WWJD at you... oops I think I just did.
Sorry - Anyway with that in mind - let us examine ourselves and think of anyone and everyone you have ever met - heard of - dealt with over the course of your life.
Is there anyone in your minds eye you are now beating with a stick or kicking over a cliff? That my friend is the key to spotting the people that have hurt you and you have issue with still.
Joking aside... it may be a regret about how things were left between the two of you - pain and hurt in a small to great way when you think of them or even their name.
That is what your looking for. "Joe..." your saying to your computer now... "How in the world do I deal with that issue, its been years... or I just cant face that person."
The first part is easy, it sounds like a Jedi Mind trick but its more simply called Faith and Forgiveness.
As a christian you have a thing called faith... its a muscle some people seldom use. Well this issue amongst all others will get more workouts dealing with this sort of issue that even believing for most else in your life.
You need to take your faith... and believe by faith that you forgive them. Go to God in your prayer time and ask for help working things out in your heart over the hurt and pain and say "By Faith - I forgive XYZ and the hurt that was caused Right or Wrong. I want to forgive them" If you deal with that every single time you go to God in prayer until you really find that you can forgive them and leave the issue in your mind and have peace about it... then you can truly forgive them and move on.
Forgiveness is not just words.
In my wife's family they have a tradition on dealing with forgiveness, say your sorry even when your not until you mean it... and even if you don't forgive someone right away tell them you forgive them.
I wont lie to you - even in simple cases of something small its difficult to do. Your hurt wants to cling on... My wife has nearly got me trained now... to accept her apology even if I don't want to at that moment and vice-versa of course.
So it may take time and a lot of faith and effort on your part but if you can start working on it... its like the Sycamine tree and its roots - you may have to dig down to sort them out and even turn over that soil a few times to make sure you got it all out... but if you can work on it you will find that it heals... something wonderful grows in its place.
The Un-offendable man...Its possible - just possible that you will learn to deal with these sort of issues early in life so that you end up becoming some sort of abnormal person that goes through life without getting hurt or upset by anyone. Yet it is very unlikely that even if that is your intention that you would succeed for long. People have a knack to rub anyone the wrong way given enough time. But in reflex if you train yourself you will be able to forgive people and move on...
The Pompous man... You have been probably imagining this person in your head the whole time... going around to every person that has ever even looked at him the wrong way and walking up to them - getting right in their face and saying "I forgive you for hurting me and being offensive" walking away while the other person is confused and a little angry. The act of forgiveness is not a blanket license to become Mr. Super Christian in everyones face and going over and telling people that so and so hurt you but you forgive them... then going to the next person and telling them the same thing... So and So hurt me but I forgive them.
That is not forgiveness that is spreading hurt and offense under the guise of forgiveness. IF YOU ARE A TRUE CHRISTIAN YOU WOULD NEVER EVEN MENTION TO ANOTHER ABOUT THE HURT AND OFFENSE SOMEONE CAUSED YOU IF YOU TRULY FORGIVE THEM. Sorry for shouting but seriously. Stop the pious Christian act and using forgiveness as a cover story for running around to everyone and vomiting on them your bile.
Proverbs 17:9 (King James Version)
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 17:9 (Amplified Bible)
9He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.
This is YOUR subject covered here... this is your example and help if you just pay attention.
To COVER a transgression is a Godly trait. to COVER IT.... COVER. It means to hide it - not to tell anyone else - work on it forgive it and forget it. COVER IT.
An offense or hurt right or wrong is a matter FIRST between you and God. You have to deal with it to even keep your relationship with God right. Secondly between you and the person that hurt you right or wrong. Go to them and talk to them if you so desire and need to (IF YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO THEM EVEN BETTER) forgiveness can be done long distances and great gaps of time apart from the issues and people involved... if its real forgiveness.
Thirdly between you and your heart... forgive this person deep down so much that the next time you see them your more likely to bless them with a gift - a car - money - because you love them in your heart so much that you even want to show your outward man that you truly forgave them.
Lastly - in your mind forgive them. Do your best to forget even what was the cause or slight that made the offense happen in the first place. Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord. Cast away your thoughts of the hurt and offense and bitterness and think on good things about the person - think on ways you can move passed everything. Then and only then can you move on with your relationship with God and others.
"Some things are unforgivable." Really?!? Seriously?!!?
Jesus bore every sickness and sin on His body for your sake and you can't forgive someone for forgetting to say hello to you? Or forgetting to give you a card? You honestly can't get passed something someone said to you in love that you took for judgment against you?
Grow up.
If God who forgave the ultimate amount of offenses and transgressions against anyone EVER... can forgive us of our sins how much more so should we forgive others that hurt us... AND MEAN IT!!!
You baby. You infant. You simple minded fool. How arrogant are you to not be able to forgive any transgression against you by anyone else ever??
There are people in modern day ministry that were raped, molested, sold into prostitution, sold into slavery, and worse... that forgave people that hurt them and have the testimony of a fruitful life of serving God to back it up. They may share briefly where they came from but they use that to help others and bring them to the saving knowledge of God and His forgiveness. They do not go around repeatedly rehashing the crime or offense against them and their life like a broken record even in the guise of forgiving the people involved.
Worse yet - there are people that are so called christians that did these sort of things while wearing the name of a religion while they did unspeakable things to others. Do not hear me the wrong way. I wish that those sort of people were rounded up and burned alive on public display. Yet for you and your own growth and to get passed the injury you have to forgive them.
You did hear about the tribe of cannibals that ATE the christian missionary - then generations later they contacted the family of the missionary and asked for forgiveness from them because they wanted to move forward passed the major hurt they caused them.
If you forgive someone that hurt you - and they may have even hurt you on purpose. It gives you the grace to move on and not look back while they remain bitter and spiteful.
Now. I am talking to you now. You there reading this page by accident but curiosity took over and you can even feel the offense and hurt justified or not that someone else caused you. You do not own that hurt. Its not yours. It belongs to Jesus. You have to let it go and let God start dealing with you on how to move passed it.
Jesus bore our sickness and disease and was bruised for our transgressions... and by His stripes we are healed. That price was paid not only for our price we owed God - but one another. We were already sinners, what is a transgression? A hurt or offense caused by someone you trust. They transgressed passed a line. They crossed a boundary.
A sinner is on the unforgivable side already - yet God forgave them. The transgressions are for the things we do even after getting salvation. Offenses towards God and each other.
Isaiah 53:1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Let it go. Correct your behavior in the eyes and sight of others if you have used forgiveness as a blanket excuse to slander or spread hurt and offense in the ears of others. Then tell yourself that you want to by faith forgive the hurt done to you and grow up... move on. Get on with the things you have to do in life.
Then and only then will you be able to fulfill all that is in your lifetime to achieve.
The test may come suddenly one day when you run into that person. Or someone mentions that name or even the event. And if you can look them in the eye and say " I handled that situation all wrong. What happened hurt me because I took it the wrong way and I abused that hurt and spread it to others. Forgive me for what I did." Or better yet. If you can face them and smile with a genuine smile and shake their hand and not for a second remember even what it was that you were ever upset about because you dealt with it years ago then you can see now that you did forgive them honestly and truly.
If not...
Some young eager christian moving to a new country to do mission work will meet you on the train, chat and share about the amazing things God is doing in the world... and if they mention the place of hurt and bitterness in innocence to you... and you vomit and spew offense and anger all over him about it... its a good sign that you did not forgive. Perhaps then you need to start again with the first post.
To a point this post is not about anything specific or anyone specific. But I felt that I needed to write this out just in case someone somewhere may happen upon it and need this issue dealt with to some degree.
Ourselves. I have had numerous occasions to become hurt upset offended and so forth... yet I would imagine the person I aspire to be or hope that I am... to not be the type of person that has hate and anger towards others. I mean who in their christian walk does want that sort of thing to hang on to them?
The bible teaches us to use Jesus for our template on our character - our behavior - and our actions... no I will not quote the standard WWJD at you... oops I think I just did.
Sorry - Anyway with that in mind - let us examine ourselves and think of anyone and everyone you have ever met - heard of - dealt with over the course of your life.
Is there anyone in your minds eye you are now beating with a stick or kicking over a cliff? That my friend is the key to spotting the people that have hurt you and you have issue with still.
Joking aside... it may be a regret about how things were left between the two of you - pain and hurt in a small to great way when you think of them or even their name.
That is what your looking for. "Joe..." your saying to your computer now... "How in the world do I deal with that issue, its been years... or I just cant face that person."
The first part is easy, it sounds like a Jedi Mind trick but its more simply called Faith and Forgiveness.
As a christian you have a thing called faith... its a muscle some people seldom use. Well this issue amongst all others will get more workouts dealing with this sort of issue that even believing for most else in your life.
You need to take your faith... and believe by faith that you forgive them. Go to God in your prayer time and ask for help working things out in your heart over the hurt and pain and say "By Faith - I forgive XYZ and the hurt that was caused Right or Wrong. I want to forgive them" If you deal with that every single time you go to God in prayer until you really find that you can forgive them and leave the issue in your mind and have peace about it... then you can truly forgive them and move on.
Forgiveness is not just words.
In my wife's family they have a tradition on dealing with forgiveness, say your sorry even when your not until you mean it... and even if you don't forgive someone right away tell them you forgive them.
I wont lie to you - even in simple cases of something small its difficult to do. Your hurt wants to cling on... My wife has nearly got me trained now... to accept her apology even if I don't want to at that moment and vice-versa of course.
So it may take time and a lot of faith and effort on your part but if you can start working on it... its like the Sycamine tree and its roots - you may have to dig down to sort them out and even turn over that soil a few times to make sure you got it all out... but if you can work on it you will find that it heals... something wonderful grows in its place.
The Un-offendable man...Its possible - just possible that you will learn to deal with these sort of issues early in life so that you end up becoming some sort of abnormal person that goes through life without getting hurt or upset by anyone. Yet it is very unlikely that even if that is your intention that you would succeed for long. People have a knack to rub anyone the wrong way given enough time. But in reflex if you train yourself you will be able to forgive people and move on...
The Pompous man... You have been probably imagining this person in your head the whole time... going around to every person that has ever even looked at him the wrong way and walking up to them - getting right in their face and saying "I forgive you for hurting me and being offensive" walking away while the other person is confused and a little angry. The act of forgiveness is not a blanket license to become Mr. Super Christian in everyones face and going over and telling people that so and so hurt you but you forgive them... then going to the next person and telling them the same thing... So and So hurt me but I forgive them.
That is not forgiveness that is spreading hurt and offense under the guise of forgiveness. IF YOU ARE A TRUE CHRISTIAN YOU WOULD NEVER EVEN MENTION TO ANOTHER ABOUT THE HURT AND OFFENSE SOMEONE CAUSED YOU IF YOU TRULY FORGIVE THEM. Sorry for shouting but seriously. Stop the pious Christian act and using forgiveness as a cover story for running around to everyone and vomiting on them your bile.
Proverbs 17:9 (King James Version)
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 17:9 (Amplified Bible)
9He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.
This is YOUR subject covered here... this is your example and help if you just pay attention.
To COVER a transgression is a Godly trait. to COVER IT.... COVER. It means to hide it - not to tell anyone else - work on it forgive it and forget it. COVER IT.
An offense or hurt right or wrong is a matter FIRST between you and God. You have to deal with it to even keep your relationship with God right. Secondly between you and the person that hurt you right or wrong. Go to them and talk to them if you so desire and need to (IF YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO THEM EVEN BETTER) forgiveness can be done long distances and great gaps of time apart from the issues and people involved... if its real forgiveness.
Thirdly between you and your heart... forgive this person deep down so much that the next time you see them your more likely to bless them with a gift - a car - money - because you love them in your heart so much that you even want to show your outward man that you truly forgave them.
Lastly - in your mind forgive them. Do your best to forget even what was the cause or slight that made the offense happen in the first place. Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord. Cast away your thoughts of the hurt and offense and bitterness and think on good things about the person - think on ways you can move passed everything. Then and only then can you move on with your relationship with God and others.
"Some things are unforgivable." Really?!? Seriously?!!?
Jesus bore every sickness and sin on His body for your sake and you can't forgive someone for forgetting to say hello to you? Or forgetting to give you a card? You honestly can't get passed something someone said to you in love that you took for judgment against you?
Grow up.
If God who forgave the ultimate amount of offenses and transgressions against anyone EVER... can forgive us of our sins how much more so should we forgive others that hurt us... AND MEAN IT!!!
You baby. You infant. You simple minded fool. How arrogant are you to not be able to forgive any transgression against you by anyone else ever??
There are people in modern day ministry that were raped, molested, sold into prostitution, sold into slavery, and worse... that forgave people that hurt them and have the testimony of a fruitful life of serving God to back it up. They may share briefly where they came from but they use that to help others and bring them to the saving knowledge of God and His forgiveness. They do not go around repeatedly rehashing the crime or offense against them and their life like a broken record even in the guise of forgiving the people involved.
Worse yet - there are people that are so called christians that did these sort of things while wearing the name of a religion while they did unspeakable things to others. Do not hear me the wrong way. I wish that those sort of people were rounded up and burned alive on public display. Yet for you and your own growth and to get passed the injury you have to forgive them.
You did hear about the tribe of cannibals that ATE the christian missionary - then generations later they contacted the family of the missionary and asked for forgiveness from them because they wanted to move forward passed the major hurt they caused them.
If you forgive someone that hurt you - and they may have even hurt you on purpose. It gives you the grace to move on and not look back while they remain bitter and spiteful.
Now. I am talking to you now. You there reading this page by accident but curiosity took over and you can even feel the offense and hurt justified or not that someone else caused you. You do not own that hurt. Its not yours. It belongs to Jesus. You have to let it go and let God start dealing with you on how to move passed it.
Jesus bore our sickness and disease and was bruised for our transgressions... and by His stripes we are healed. That price was paid not only for our price we owed God - but one another. We were already sinners, what is a transgression? A hurt or offense caused by someone you trust. They transgressed passed a line. They crossed a boundary.
A sinner is on the unforgivable side already - yet God forgave them. The transgressions are for the things we do even after getting salvation. Offenses towards God and each other.
Isaiah 53:1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Let it go. Correct your behavior in the eyes and sight of others if you have used forgiveness as a blanket excuse to slander or spread hurt and offense in the ears of others. Then tell yourself that you want to by faith forgive the hurt done to you and grow up... move on. Get on with the things you have to do in life.
Then and only then will you be able to fulfill all that is in your lifetime to achieve.
The test may come suddenly one day when you run into that person. Or someone mentions that name or even the event. And if you can look them in the eye and say " I handled that situation all wrong. What happened hurt me because I took it the wrong way and I abused that hurt and spread it to others. Forgive me for what I did." Or better yet. If you can face them and smile with a genuine smile and shake their hand and not for a second remember even what it was that you were ever upset about because you dealt with it years ago then you can see now that you did forgive them honestly and truly.
If not...
Some young eager christian moving to a new country to do mission work will meet you on the train, chat and share about the amazing things God is doing in the world... and if they mention the place of hurt and bitterness in innocence to you... and you vomit and spew offense and anger all over him about it... its a good sign that you did not forgive. Perhaps then you need to start again with the first post.
To a point this post is not about anything specific or anyone specific. But I felt that I needed to write this out just in case someone somewhere may happen upon it and need this issue dealt with to some degree.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hurt, Offense, Anger, Bitterness, never gets better on its own.
Over the last few months I have thought a lot about these sort of things. I know a few people that have had a chance to act out on these issues. They say that misery loves company - where does all of these things fit in with that adage?
Pastor Walter Hallam taught a series on all of this years ago. The scripture reference he used was about the sycamine tree, this tree produces a fruit similar to a fig only the taste was very very bitter. The Sycamine tree is mentioned only in Luke 17:6.
The point also is the type of roots that the tree grows. This particular tree has roots that are gnarled and twisted and a single root of which is capable of starting a whole new tree.
Luke 17: 6And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
I have met strangers - total random people that are christians. Once they hear I am a christian and then something happens - the strangeness vanishes and suddenly in a distant sense we know we are family.
The next thing you know we are catching up on how we got to where we are - through the love and Grace of God and the ups and the downs. One such time it was a man on the train in Ireland, myself and a friend Mark O'Mahoney were on our way to Dublin from Graystones. We had a wonderful time sharing testimonies and all the amazing things that God had done for us... so much so that the others on the train with us were leaning in to catch the conversation. That sort of thing happens when you start talking about healing and miracles and so forth. I always take note of when that happens cause its good to be able to turn the conversation... with that in mind i was disappointed to where the conversation went next.
So where you heading to in Dublin? the man asked us.
Well the long answer was I was going to meet up with my future wife at her church Victory Christian Centre... however I didn't go into all of that. Before I could speak Mark chimed in telling the man that we were heading to the church service at Victory.
Victory?! Victory??!!! Don't tell me your going to Victory Christian Centre!!!! Let me tell you about that place!!
And so the tirade began... volumes of bitterness and hate poured out where recently the praises of God came from.
After he finished he looked at us as if to see if somehow we were convinced not to go to the church then. I just said it was nice talking to you - and turned around. He made angry mad upset noises and harrumphed to himself and turned around as well. The man that was with Mr Bitterness was embarrassed as was I and Mark.... I was hoping to use what we had built up to - to share Jesus with other people around us... that was blown up fast.
Well we went to Victory and had a great time... I got to see my future wife and so on and so forth.... but back to the point.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Bitterness and regret and hurt has a voice - its obvious to the people in the train that morning when it started talking - disgust and anger takes over a happy countenance and soon what was a quiet conversation has turned into a single person shouting and vomiting words of offense and hate all over you.
Bitterness and offense is an injury that is never allowed to heal. The human mind is a complex computer - things it cannot file away properly that are major events or thoughts get replayed again and again and again in the mind until it is dealt with and forgotten or remembered and rehashed until its a trauma to the psyche.
The Bible talks about David having these issues in Psalms 40:2 it talks about the Horrible pit that David was delivered from. In essence a echo chamber or room of noise. David is talking about his thoughts in his own head that God was able to deliver him from. Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Bitterness is like a bitter fruited tree that has roots that dig in deep and are hard to dig out.
Why deal with hurt and offense? Why not just ignore it and feel justified right or wrong in what you did, said, or spew on others? Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
This is Jesus talking about offense. He says to deal with it. Not let it fester and boil like a sore until its so painful and infected that it cannot be dealt with.
In my short time on the planet so far I have ran into too many bitter people... I swear they all put on the same voice and snarl at you in the same way regardless of the nationality and accent.
Pompous self Justification for holding onto the hurt and taking every opportunity to spread it. It is literally like peeling off the scab of a barely dried wound and making it bleed all over again.
5 years 15 years 20 years later you still have not moved on and grown past it... you mention the name of the person place or thing that offended you and the bitterness is fresh as the day you decided to keep it.
Yes, Bitterness is a choice. Its not justifiable to keep hurt and offense if Jesus tells you to deal with it. Old and New Testament also talk about how when you have an issue with a brother that God will not accept your prayers or sacrifice until you deal with the issue. Matthew 5:24 - Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
You hear that offended christian? Deal with the bitterness, deal with the issue - or God won't answer your prayers.... ouch!
Looking at a bit more of Matthew 5 - 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Some of the things - ridiculous things people make up as well to justify their bitterness in the secular world would be enough for a law suit for Defamation and slander - yet we overlook these things in the Christian world.
Worse yet are the people that listen to such nonsense and believe it. Believing every word out of the mouth of someone in such a case soon has you half offended at the issue as well.
Deal with the offense. Deal with the hurt. Years later the person place or thing has moved on and does not give you a second thought after dealing with the issue the right way - your still hurt.
Jesse Duplantis tells the story of a woman that came up to him after a meeting... She told him about how her father used to verbally abuse her and put her down and how she has never been able to get past those issues.
Jesse mentioned the fact that it could be termed as child abuse and there is no statute of limitations in the USA about that sort of thing and she should take him to the police - She stopped him and told him - No no... he died years ago. She was still being controlled by the thoughts and issues of her childhood because the hurt and offense was never dealt with.
Yes - Granted it is very easy to say Deal with it... Get over it... Move on.
However it is harder to get past and to grow from those experiences. In a very real sense it is an injury and a wound and a bruise when hurt - offense - and bitterness occurs.
Bitterness is what develops when the hurt and offense is not dealt with.
That Sicamine tree started as a seed. Before that - it needed a patch of ground to be cultivated to grow in. Before that - something had to happen to dig in to the ground to make the ground ready for seeding.
We humans in our ego and emotions and opinions put so much of ourselves exposed to others in our normal day to day dealings that it is easy to get our fair share of cuts and scrapes.
Lately I have found that if I am tired I will walk right into doors sometimes and not even realize it. Who is to blame? Just me not the door. Its my fault that I was overly tired and not paying attention.
When we get hurt we tend to blame others. Its human nature. Sometimes we don't even realize we are passing the blame even when its pointed out to us. At Kids camp this past year my wife and myself watched events unfold where one kid would accidentally trip and fall because they were not paying attention - only to hurt another kid by accident. When they one that caused the hurt looked around - he would quickly point to another kid that had nothing to do with the indecent and say "he pushed me its his fault"
These are traits that we picked up long ago as part of our fallen nature. We never want to blame ourselves for the issues and problems we have in life. Most every issue would be solved if only we dealt with them and talked them over with those involved... yet hurt and offense blind you to this simple solution and try to get you to cultivate the hurt even more. The "I am not going to talk to them about that... I did nothing wrong... they should come to me and on my terms to get that sorted out!"
We humans tend to wear our emotions on our sleeve when it comes to this sort of thing.
Ego steps in and makes it an issue so big that you cannot get passed the issues but can't deal with them either.
Just about a hundred years ago people used to duel with pistols if a slight offense occurred between to people. A fight to the death! I bet your ego would love that today. Thank God that sort of thing is outlawed now - with todays issues and incomprehensible ego trips and sensibilities we would have a fraction of the population in the world just from road rage - let alone person to person relationships.
So this hurt - how do you get rid of it before it festers?
Just like a real life physical injury - it has to be medicated and properly seen to.
The first step - right or wrong - is to forgive the person or persons that hurt you and caused the injury to your ego. Most often people don't even know they hurt you in the way that you feel you were hurt. The injury is yours.
The maturity side of things comes in to play at this point. Are you grown up enough to work out what happened - why you became upset at things and to deal with it in a responsible way? Or will you just like a child - point to the first person that comes to mind and say its their fault not mine.
But Joseph your saying now - I can hear you clearly thinking it even... "They did it on purpose" "I am right and they are wrong" "They should have known it would upset me" And so on and so on...
Our egos will hardly ever ever tell us we are wrong - Our conscience will always be overcome by our emotions and self justification.
So - the bible teaches us that if there is an issue between you and someone else to deal with it... get it sorted and move on - forgiving them and getting on with what you have to do. Do we do that in reality? Often times we do not.
Bob Yandian tells the story of when he first got settled in to being a pastor. He said the amount of issues and picking and squabbling that he heard was unreal. One such occasion he said he saw a woman who had stopped coming to church and just went over to say hi and see how she was doing. She eventually told him that the reason that she stopped coming to church was she didn't like the color of the carpet.
Offense and bitterness will grow over the smallest and silliest things - let alone deep down meaningful things. Often you will find that the big things people get upset about all started over small things that were never dealt with.
So your hurt - you didn't deal with the hurt and things got worse. Now your looking for any and every reason to find fault with a person place or thing. And if you look for faults you will find them - even down to the color of the carpet. And you let them add up and build up until something breaks inside you... your common sense usually.
At that moment you will find that things that matter deepest to you and you want to get them right... if things don't happen just the way you want it to or imagine that it will... you follow the hurt and offense to the next step and not your common sense.
The still small voice on the inside tells you one thing - but you follow the one that makes your ego feel good and your feelings hurt even more and you feed that anger and bitterness to the next progression.
Your sicamine tree grows fruit - and you have a bumper crop!
You know the hurt and offense so well now that you seek it out. You share your fruit with everything and everyone willing to even take a bite of it... and what do you know - the bitterness grows and spreads. People take your offense and are just as upset about it as you are and it didn't even happen to them! Thats a great product you have there. Too bad that it will keep eating away at you until you deal with it.
5 years from now... 20 years... mention the name of the person that hurt you or the event... its as fresh as ever. Bile and bitterness will spew forth like a drunk that had one too many. That my friend is the evidence that something is not right.
And until you deal with it. It will never get better.
( NEXT POST - DEALING WITH OFFENSE AND OFFENDED PEOPLE )
Pastor Walter Hallam taught a series on all of this years ago. The scripture reference he used was about the sycamine tree, this tree produces a fruit similar to a fig only the taste was very very bitter. The Sycamine tree is mentioned only in Luke 17:6.
The point also is the type of roots that the tree grows. This particular tree has roots that are gnarled and twisted and a single root of which is capable of starting a whole new tree.
Luke 17: 6And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
I have met strangers - total random people that are christians. Once they hear I am a christian and then something happens - the strangeness vanishes and suddenly in a distant sense we know we are family.
The next thing you know we are catching up on how we got to where we are - through the love and Grace of God and the ups and the downs. One such time it was a man on the train in Ireland, myself and a friend Mark O'Mahoney were on our way to Dublin from Graystones. We had a wonderful time sharing testimonies and all the amazing things that God had done for us... so much so that the others on the train with us were leaning in to catch the conversation. That sort of thing happens when you start talking about healing and miracles and so forth. I always take note of when that happens cause its good to be able to turn the conversation... with that in mind i was disappointed to where the conversation went next.
So where you heading to in Dublin? the man asked us.
Well the long answer was I was going to meet up with my future wife at her church Victory Christian Centre... however I didn't go into all of that. Before I could speak Mark chimed in telling the man that we were heading to the church service at Victory.
Victory?! Victory??!!! Don't tell me your going to Victory Christian Centre!!!! Let me tell you about that place!!
And so the tirade began... volumes of bitterness and hate poured out where recently the praises of God came from.
After he finished he looked at us as if to see if somehow we were convinced not to go to the church then. I just said it was nice talking to you - and turned around. He made angry mad upset noises and harrumphed to himself and turned around as well. The man that was with Mr Bitterness was embarrassed as was I and Mark.... I was hoping to use what we had built up to - to share Jesus with other people around us... that was blown up fast.
Well we went to Victory and had a great time... I got to see my future wife and so on and so forth.... but back to the point.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Bitterness and regret and hurt has a voice - its obvious to the people in the train that morning when it started talking - disgust and anger takes over a happy countenance and soon what was a quiet conversation has turned into a single person shouting and vomiting words of offense and hate all over you.
Bitterness and offense is an injury that is never allowed to heal. The human mind is a complex computer - things it cannot file away properly that are major events or thoughts get replayed again and again and again in the mind until it is dealt with and forgotten or remembered and rehashed until its a trauma to the psyche.
The Bible talks about David having these issues in Psalms 40:2 it talks about the Horrible pit that David was delivered from. In essence a echo chamber or room of noise. David is talking about his thoughts in his own head that God was able to deliver him from. Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Bitterness is like a bitter fruited tree that has roots that dig in deep and are hard to dig out.
Why deal with hurt and offense? Why not just ignore it and feel justified right or wrong in what you did, said, or spew on others? Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
This is Jesus talking about offense. He says to deal with it. Not let it fester and boil like a sore until its so painful and infected that it cannot be dealt with.
In my short time on the planet so far I have ran into too many bitter people... I swear they all put on the same voice and snarl at you in the same way regardless of the nationality and accent.
Pompous self Justification for holding onto the hurt and taking every opportunity to spread it. It is literally like peeling off the scab of a barely dried wound and making it bleed all over again.
5 years 15 years 20 years later you still have not moved on and grown past it... you mention the name of the person place or thing that offended you and the bitterness is fresh as the day you decided to keep it.
Yes, Bitterness is a choice. Its not justifiable to keep hurt and offense if Jesus tells you to deal with it. Old and New Testament also talk about how when you have an issue with a brother that God will not accept your prayers or sacrifice until you deal with the issue. Matthew 5:24 - Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
You hear that offended christian? Deal with the bitterness, deal with the issue - or God won't answer your prayers.... ouch!
Looking at a bit more of Matthew 5 - 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Some of the things - ridiculous things people make up as well to justify their bitterness in the secular world would be enough for a law suit for Defamation and slander - yet we overlook these things in the Christian world.
Worse yet are the people that listen to such nonsense and believe it. Believing every word out of the mouth of someone in such a case soon has you half offended at the issue as well.
Deal with the offense. Deal with the hurt. Years later the person place or thing has moved on and does not give you a second thought after dealing with the issue the right way - your still hurt.
Jesse Duplantis tells the story of a woman that came up to him after a meeting... She told him about how her father used to verbally abuse her and put her down and how she has never been able to get past those issues.
Jesse mentioned the fact that it could be termed as child abuse and there is no statute of limitations in the USA about that sort of thing and she should take him to the police - She stopped him and told him - No no... he died years ago. She was still being controlled by the thoughts and issues of her childhood because the hurt and offense was never dealt with.
Yes - Granted it is very easy to say Deal with it... Get over it... Move on.
However it is harder to get past and to grow from those experiences. In a very real sense it is an injury and a wound and a bruise when hurt - offense - and bitterness occurs.
Bitterness is what develops when the hurt and offense is not dealt with.
That Sicamine tree started as a seed. Before that - it needed a patch of ground to be cultivated to grow in. Before that - something had to happen to dig in to the ground to make the ground ready for seeding.
We humans in our ego and emotions and opinions put so much of ourselves exposed to others in our normal day to day dealings that it is easy to get our fair share of cuts and scrapes.
Lately I have found that if I am tired I will walk right into doors sometimes and not even realize it. Who is to blame? Just me not the door. Its my fault that I was overly tired and not paying attention.
When we get hurt we tend to blame others. Its human nature. Sometimes we don't even realize we are passing the blame even when its pointed out to us. At Kids camp this past year my wife and myself watched events unfold where one kid would accidentally trip and fall because they were not paying attention - only to hurt another kid by accident. When they one that caused the hurt looked around - he would quickly point to another kid that had nothing to do with the indecent and say "he pushed me its his fault"
These are traits that we picked up long ago as part of our fallen nature. We never want to blame ourselves for the issues and problems we have in life. Most every issue would be solved if only we dealt with them and talked them over with those involved... yet hurt and offense blind you to this simple solution and try to get you to cultivate the hurt even more. The "I am not going to talk to them about that... I did nothing wrong... they should come to me and on my terms to get that sorted out!"
We humans tend to wear our emotions on our sleeve when it comes to this sort of thing.
Ego steps in and makes it an issue so big that you cannot get passed the issues but can't deal with them either.
Just about a hundred years ago people used to duel with pistols if a slight offense occurred between to people. A fight to the death! I bet your ego would love that today. Thank God that sort of thing is outlawed now - with todays issues and incomprehensible ego trips and sensibilities we would have a fraction of the population in the world just from road rage - let alone person to person relationships.
So this hurt - how do you get rid of it before it festers?
Just like a real life physical injury - it has to be medicated and properly seen to.
The first step - right or wrong - is to forgive the person or persons that hurt you and caused the injury to your ego. Most often people don't even know they hurt you in the way that you feel you were hurt. The injury is yours.
The maturity side of things comes in to play at this point. Are you grown up enough to work out what happened - why you became upset at things and to deal with it in a responsible way? Or will you just like a child - point to the first person that comes to mind and say its their fault not mine.
But Joseph your saying now - I can hear you clearly thinking it even... "They did it on purpose" "I am right and they are wrong" "They should have known it would upset me" And so on and so on...
Our egos will hardly ever ever tell us we are wrong - Our conscience will always be overcome by our emotions and self justification.
So - the bible teaches us that if there is an issue between you and someone else to deal with it... get it sorted and move on - forgiving them and getting on with what you have to do. Do we do that in reality? Often times we do not.
Bob Yandian tells the story of when he first got settled in to being a pastor. He said the amount of issues and picking and squabbling that he heard was unreal. One such occasion he said he saw a woman who had stopped coming to church and just went over to say hi and see how she was doing. She eventually told him that the reason that she stopped coming to church was she didn't like the color of the carpet.
Offense and bitterness will grow over the smallest and silliest things - let alone deep down meaningful things. Often you will find that the big things people get upset about all started over small things that were never dealt with.
So your hurt - you didn't deal with the hurt and things got worse. Now your looking for any and every reason to find fault with a person place or thing. And if you look for faults you will find them - even down to the color of the carpet. And you let them add up and build up until something breaks inside you... your common sense usually.
At that moment you will find that things that matter deepest to you and you want to get them right... if things don't happen just the way you want it to or imagine that it will... you follow the hurt and offense to the next step and not your common sense.
The still small voice on the inside tells you one thing - but you follow the one that makes your ego feel good and your feelings hurt even more and you feed that anger and bitterness to the next progression.
Your sicamine tree grows fruit - and you have a bumper crop!
You know the hurt and offense so well now that you seek it out. You share your fruit with everything and everyone willing to even take a bite of it... and what do you know - the bitterness grows and spreads. People take your offense and are just as upset about it as you are and it didn't even happen to them! Thats a great product you have there. Too bad that it will keep eating away at you until you deal with it.
5 years from now... 20 years... mention the name of the person that hurt you or the event... its as fresh as ever. Bile and bitterness will spew forth like a drunk that had one too many. That my friend is the evidence that something is not right.
And until you deal with it. It will never get better.
( NEXT POST - DEALING WITH OFFENSE AND OFFENDED PEOPLE )
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