Looking for a Drive Through Break Through?

In our fast paced world of drive through banking, groceries, alcohol, meals, and even marriages, I fear that few understand the benefits of long suffering.  It's like the commercial (local commercial??) where the guy yells; "It's my money, and I want it now!" It's advertising that if you have long time installment payments coming to you, you don't have to wait, you can get it all now...for a price, though.

 

You see, so many believe that the dreams that God has placed in our hearts don't come to pass overnight, there's something wrong. I've literally had people tell me that there was something wrong because the dreams that I believe are from God haven’t come to pass yet. That is a lie from the devil and is nothing but discouragement that was spoken to me through another Christian. Sure, I could push people around, tweak things in my favor and do what needs to be done to get what I want when I want it, they way I want it. But...would that be God's will for my life? Would it be His plan...or my plan?  Just because we hit what feels like a bump in the road, doesn't necessarily mean we're doing something wrong. There is learning in the journey. There is stretching and growing and testing of our faith in the journey. Don't despise the journey.  Don’t despise the possibility of long suffering. For myself, I come from a family who didn't know God for generations.  God has exposed and broken off so many generational hindrances that I can’t even count them.  I’ll say it again.  There is purpose in the journey.  Don’t despise long suffering through the journey.

 

The problem is that in today’s drive through society, most of us want it now.  We don’t want the journey.  We don’t want to endure long suffering.  We want instant gratification.

 

About 25 years ago, the Lord called me back unto Himself.  I wasn’t raised in a Christian home.  However, I had been fortunate to have attended a church camp where I received Christ as my Savior.  (At that point in my life, nightmares and sleepwalking which had occurred several nights a week came to an immediate end.) But since that relationship was hindered because my family wasn’t a believing family, I was nearly 25 years old before I was drawn into a serious relationship with Jesus.  I was broken…completely disabled by depression.  But, God!!  Two weeks after inviting God back into my life via Benny Hinn ministries, (Those of you who despise his ministry should realize that it takes all kinds of people to do God’s will.  None of us, including myself, have 100% of the answers.) God healed me instantly of the depression that was crippling my life.  God began the process of cleaning me up, preparing me for the purpose that He had created me for.

 

It’s been an interesting 24+ years. I’ve had good times.  I’ve had bad times.  But, one thing I can say is that there has been purpose in every moment of it.  Is there something wrong with me because my dreams didn’t come to pass immediately?  I can honestly say, “No!”

 

You see that depression, although I had been healed instantly from it in the beginning, did return.  It’s been something that I’ve had to deal with for many years.  But now it doesn’t have a hold on me like it did.  God healed me at the time because He saw fit that I should be healed.   But through the years, He has taught me to not only see it coming, but to fight it off with spiritual warfare.  It’s been a process of growing in knowledge, wisdom, and patience…all taught by the Holy Spirit simply because I have allowed Him into my life to do so.

 

I have had my moments where I didn’t understand why things happened the way they did.  I had moments where I’ve even been angry with God.  But, what I’ve learned is to always talk to God about it, whatever the “it” is for that moment.  He is so kind and loving and He cares about what we care about.  When I don’t understand something I ask Him and He shows me, in His timing.  This is why we should never despise the journey, and sometimes the suffering is long.

 

I’ve had many mountain top experiences, but I’ve had many valley experiences, also.  That doesn’t mean that His purpose for my life isn’t going to happen, because it will.  But when it does happen, it will be in His timing, not my own  This is a journey and we must do the walking.  Sometimes I have taken a step of faith only to see that it wasn’t the right direction.  He is ever so faithful the show me the way.

 

When I was getting ready for church this morning, all of these thoughts were rolling around in my head.  At first I thought this was going to be a one or two sentence “status update” for facebook.  But, as I began putting my thoughts down in my notes as David drove us to church, I realized that there was more to it.  Then…one thing I SO love about God is how He confirms things to me through other people.  Much of what I’m talking about here is what my pastor spoke about in his teaching this morning…including the “drive through mentality” that we have here in the western world.

 

Folks, it’s time to examine our hearts.  Do we truly want a meaningful relationship with God or not?  It’s our choice.  Jesus never said that a life of following, believing, trusting, and growing in Him would be easy.  But, I can tell you from my own experiences that it is worth it.  I am so different from the person I used to be and it’s all because of my own personal journey with Jesus.  I long to be more and more like Him.  I long to know and love Him more.  I long to hear His voice daily and throughout the day, not just in a single moment of prayer.  It is a journey, led by the Holy Spirit, and trusting that He knows what is best for me and any given moment.

 

My prayer is that any and all who reads this will experience a hunger for the God of all Creation no matter where you are in your walk of life…whether you know Him well, or not at all.  If you’re breathing, God has a purpose for your life.  It’s a matter of whether or not you choose to walk out your journey with Him.

 

Choose life.  Choose the journey that may involve long suffering instead of the supposed “drive through break through.”  You won’t be sorry. Your life already has divine purpose, but do you choose to live out that divine purpose?  Reach out to Jesus now.  He is there for each and every one of us, but we must choose him.  Choose Jesus.  Choose life.

Freely Give, Freely Receive!

So today, the idea of giving freely has been on my mind.  I have had a few experiences lately and some from several years ago that have been brought to mind about the subject…therefore…I write!  J

 

This statement crossed my mind:  “If you give with strings attached, you’re not really giving.”

 

Years ago, I met someone who was having financial difficulty.  After about a year of hearing about these difficulties, I began asking a few questions, cautiously and lovingly.  What I found out is that these people were not even keeping track of their bank account.  So, by the time Christmas rolled around, they never had any money to buy presents for their children, let alone put food on the table.  (After 2 Christmases like this, red flags appeared for me.)  Long story short, I taught this person how to balance a check book and plan for monthly expenses, wisely.  In the process, this Christian person became extremely angry about their financial giving.  They stated that they were giving the full tithe, but weren’t receiving anything in return.  I sat there in Starbucks completely stunned.  Seriously, I could not believe the depth of anger I was hearing from them. I quickly and silently prayed for guidance and then was able to let this person know that God wants a cheerful giver, and that if we give simply out of “duty” without truly wanting to give…and expecting financial, or any blessing from it, that’s probably not going to happen…although, I’m not God and He can do whatever He chooses.  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.   So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

God wants a cheerful giver...one who gives with no strings attached.  He blesses us because He loves us unconditionally.   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8  He wants us to prosper as our soul prospers.  Yes, He wants us to prosper!  Don’t believe the lie of Satan that He doesn’t want us to prosper.  He wants us to prosper in every aspect of our lives.  For some reason when the word “prosperity” is spoken, many people believe that it’s only finances that are being referred to.  Not so!!  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 1:2-4

 

Recently, I’ve seen some situations where someone “wanted to bless” another person only to see that person renege on the gift that they gave.  It turns out that the giver in this situation believed that they still had the right to determine what the receiver of the gift could do with the gift.  This is not giving with a cheerful heart.  Again, like the first example, this is giving with strings attached.

 

Now…here’s another example I’m going to throw in here and I may step on some toes.  What about giving only because the government allows it as a tax deduction on our taxes?  I have often wondered if people would still give the same amount if it wasn’t allowed as a tax deduction.  Ouch!  Think about that for a minute.  Would you give the same amount if you couldn’t use it as a tax deduction?  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a blessing that our government allows this, but what is the motivation behind the giving?  Is it because you truly want to give your tithes and offerings, or is it because you can receive tax deductions on it?  You see, there is a difference.  And, quite honestly, it’s somewhat annoying to me that the “carrot” of tax deduction is dangled while asking for donations.  By the way…not judging…just expressing an opinion.  What if we simply trusted God for what we truly needed without dangling the tax deduction "carrot? #FoodForThought

 

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your^[c] works, and I will show you my faith by my^[d] works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:14-20

Give because it’s in your heart to give.  Don’t give because you do it as a “work” for the Lord.  That is not the way it works.  Don’t give with “strings attached.”  You’re not really giving anything if you think you should still have control over the “supposed gift” after giving it.  Or for that matter, if you think you deserve something in return after “giving,” more than likely, you’re trying to control the receiver in some way, shape or form.  It’s not giving with a cheerful heart.  If you’re giving only because you get a tax break, that isn’t a true giving situation either.  Now, don’t get me wrong here.  Our government does allow for tax breaks.  There is nothing wrong with utilizing that.  But, don’t give solely for that reason.

These are all heart issues.  Examine your heart.  Ask God to reveal and weed out any wrong motives.

Be a cheerful giver so that God may prosper you…wholly…as your soul prospers.

Oops, I did it again...but hopefully not the next time!!

http://actnowday2daydevo.blogspot.com/

So...who are you in the story?

This morning as I was reading my daily Bible reading, I’ve had a lot on my mind.  The recent terror of ISIS is so surreal to me.  At times I simply cannot believe that I’m living in a time where such atrocities are taking place.

I was reading Mark 5:21-43 where Jesus heals the little girl who was sick, but died while Jesus was on his way to heal her.  When he arrived he asked the people why they were so upset.  He said, “The child isn’t dead, she’s only sleeping.” At that statement the people laughed at Jesus, at which point, he had them all leave except for the parents of the girl and Peter, James, and John.  He then went on to heal the little girl.

So as I was reading this, I felt like the Lord was showing me something.  The world that we’re living in right now is crazy…but God is still in control!! Hallelujah!! As followers of Christ, we need to have a strong faith and trust in God.  Jesus put those followers who really didn’t have true faith or believe in him away from himself while praying for the little girl. 


Not too long ago, an acquaintance of mine was struggling with fear.  I was in a position to speak freely and heard the Lord speak to me what would help this person.  I told her of the scripture the Lord had brought to my mind and suggested that she speak it out loud because God’s Word never comes back void.  She kind of shrugged me off and then another in the group laughed and made fun of me because of what I had said.  Now, please understand that these were people who were on a worship team with me.  I could understand if people who didn’t know God would respond this way, but these were fellow worshippers of Jesus. This is much like the situation with Jesus healing the little girl.  Jesus put those who didn’t believe or take him seriously aside from the situation at hand.


Where we are in the history of the world now, we need to know who we are in Christ.

Do you know who you are in Christ?  Who would you be in this story?  Would you be one of the many who laughed at Jesus…one who doubted him…or maybe one who simply doesn’t believe at all?  For myself, I want to be the one Jesus allows to stay with him while he does the miracle of healing the little girl.  I don’t want to be the one who is asked to leave.


Search your heart.  Ask God to show you who you would be in this situation. 


I just read this morning that each of the 21 Egyptian Christians who were beheaded days ago yelled out, “Jesus is Lord” as they were losing their lives.  We need to know what…or rather who we stand for.  This is real, people.  You’re either a disciple of Christ or you’re not.  Choose wisely.


For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16       

What an exciting day!!

Today, well early in the a.m., I woke up with a terrible headache.  Usually, I don’t let headaches stop me, but today I could not move or open my eyes without the pain intensifying.  And…just so you know…I have a fairly high threshold for pain.  This was a killer headache.  Anyway, I took some pain relief medicine, but that only led to vomiting it back up.  Eventually I was able to eat, take some medicine, and after some sleep, able to recover.  By this time, it was 4 o’clock in the afternoon.  I felt like staying in bed the rest of the day, but I just couldn’t.  I had prayed for God to heal me from this headache earlier in the day and He had done just that.  I lay there and thanked Him for not only healing me, but for the fact that I rarely ever have these headaches that are so disabling on a regular basis to others I know.

                                                       

I decided to head out and make a visit to one of the four groups of folks I have become friends with at Starbucks.  To my surprise the comfy chairs were all taken with this group of folks, so I found refuge in the back of the store to enjoy my iced espresso drink and chocolate croissant.  During the two hours that I was there, I had stimulating conversation with a couple of elderly men…which by the way, I quite enjoy from time to time.  There is SO much wisdom that comes from the elderly…that is if we listen to what they have to say!!

 

One of these gentlemen I have seen on many occasions, but really hadn’t chatted any more than light conversation in passing.  During our conversation, I found him to be a spiritual man,( but not a Christian man), in that he admitted that when he had spoken to me in the past he recognized certain spiritual qualities in me.  Now, I know that what...or rather who he sees in me is Jesus.  I know that it’s not me, but the Spirit of the Living God in me.

 

Our conversation lasted and hour or more covering a vast array of topics.  After asking me what specific religion I belonged to, he mentioned that so many people had done so many terrible thinks in the name of God.  He wondered how God could allow these things to happen and continue to happen.  My response to him was that we have to realize that that, yes, many terrible things have been done in the name of God, but we must discern that they are not God’s doing.  They are things that men do in God’s name…either knowing that they’re deceiving people or they themselves are the ones who are deceived.  I said that we must separate these things from God because they are not things that God would do. 

 

I must say, this was very stimulating conversation and a very pleasant one, as well.  As I left Starbucks this evening, I felt as though I had accomplished what God had wanted me to accomplish today.  And…even though I hated every moment of the headache that I had, God used it for His good because I allowed Him to do so.  Had I not had this headache, I probably would have gone about my day as usual.  I most likely would not have been at Starbucks that late in the day…and I probably never would have had the conversation with this gentleman.  My prayer for this man is that in his search for spirituality, I pray that he will find the Creator of spiritual things and not just worship or be content with spiritual things in general.  There is a definite difference.  I also am reminded that never is there anything wasted in God’s way of life…that is, if we allow Him to do His work through us. It’s called living a spirit led life.  It means that we are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit at all times, not just on Sundays.  And, although I would like to tell you that I always make the right choices, I have to tell you that, unfortunately, I don’t always do it.  Sometimes I allow my own intellect to override that gentle leading of the Holy Spirit only to realize later that I made the wrong choice in the midst of a decision to follow or not to follow.  I’m grateful that God is loving, kind and patient with me in spite of those moments…which is the perfect example of how we need to be with others in their walk with the Lord.  We’re all in different places in our walk and none…no...NONE of us have “arrived” at perfection.

 

So…I write these thoughts out today to encourage you to be thankful in ALL things…even though it may not be easy.  I encourage you to be patient with others because God is SO patient with us.  And, lastly, I encourage you to be open to the leading of the Lord in all situations, not allowing your own intellect to be your guide.  God handles things in mysterious and amazing ways.  The more we yield to His guidance, the more amazing things we will see.  Today, I’m trusting God for this man’s salvation.  I believe that seeds were planted today and that God will cause those seeds to grow…whether or not I ever have another conversation with this man or not.  You see, it’s God working through us that gets the work of salvation done in others.  Be sensitive to His leading and allow Him to do His work…it’s such an exciting way to live!!            

Is It Black or Is It Blue?

I have to say that I’m when told that something is black and the actual color is blue, I am NOT someone who will sit by quietly and go along with the propaganda.  Any of you who know me well, will attest to that.

Lately, it seems that situations along this line are something I’ve been wrestling with.  Things are black and white or wrong or right.  It is very disturbing to me when I see folks twisting the truth to accomplish their own agenda.  And, what’s more…when they’re found out, they refuse to admit wrongdoing. I thought transparency was the best policy?  Oh yeah, I guess that’s for everyone except church leadership! (Ouch…true, but ouch!)

Now the sticky part…of course I’m speaking about The Church…no, not any church in particular…The Church.  Now, before you get your tail feathers ruffled, please realize that I am grateful for The Church.  I am a member of The Church, The Body of Christ, and I am in no way bashing it.  I am simply going to share my thoughts on what I have experienced over the past several years.  My hope and prayer is that we…The Church…will make some decisions to focus on people…not just SAY those words…but truly focus on people and their needs in all aspects of life.  Are we so focused on numbers and growing churches bigger and bigger that we are essentially leaving folks in our wake simply because we want to have a “growing church…or look good…or have the biggest church?”

I have had conversations with leaders that spout out things like a car salesman who has memorized something as a sales pitch for the “answers” to my questions.  Those answers would be fine if all of the “book learning” they repeated were truly the answer.  They weren’t the answers to my questions.  What I have found is so many leaders, young and old, “know” exactly what to say because of what they’ve been taught.  But what is lacking is a true leading of the Holy Spirit.  Who?  Yes, the Holy Spirit. So many in the church have become so educated about ministry and running a church that they rely on their own head knowledge entirely too much.  Did you know that some Bible translators are even re-writing the Bible and leaving out important things such as the actual Holy Spirit?  It’s true!  I’m not against education in any way and I say again…I am not bashing anyone.  I am sharing with you what I have experienced at several different churches.  I have been extremely confused and upset at times at the cold and ineffective answers I have gotten to some very challenging questions I have asked several leaders over the past several years.  (Q:: “Why can’t we give folks an opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior?”  A:: “It’s not part of the program.”---Yep, this really happened!)

 

But God!!  Yes, but God…He has crossed my path with someone who is not only highly educated, but also is a Spirit led person and has extensive experience within the church.  I have spoken with this person for several hours over the past month or so and I find that I am not alone, but I am in the minority in my thinking.  I also have learned that I’m not entirely wrong in what I’m seeing in The Church.  I cannot begin to tell you just how grateful I am for this new relationship.  I thank God…His timing is so perfect… and right when I was beginning to feel hopeless.      

I find that churches are looking for the young, educated and dare I say good looking folks to be leaders.  Hmmm…this sounds a lot like how the book of Daniel opens up in Babylon!!  King Nebuchadnezzar only wanted the young good looking, educated “movers and shakers” of their time and he wanted nothing to do with God.  (I’m not saying that churches don’t want anything to do with God…but, if we don’t rely on the Holy Spirit aren’t we ignoring Him?)  Now I have nothing against folks who happen to fall into this category, but my question is; what about the rest of us?  Are we not all called of God for the special purpose that He made each and every one of us for…regardless of where we are in our walk with the Lord?  I have had conversations with a leader who said that they actually banned a person from being on the worship team simply because they didn’t like something that was going on in that person’s personal life.  My jaw hit the floor! The issue they explained to me wasn’t even something “bad.”  My thoughts were that they were missing out on a wonderful chance for the Lord to help someone learn a different way of doing things in their life.  By banning this person from the worship team, feelings were hurt and it’s my understanding that this person moved on to another church…who knows if the issue ever got resolved.  Another is where it’s claimed that women are celebrated for their God given gifts and talents, but they’re limited to the “kitchen” ministry or working with other women and children only.  One place won’t even allow a woman’s name to be listed as a “worship leader.”  Wow!!  I hope Darlene Zschech or Kari Jobe don’t move to the area and want to be a part of this worship team.  At one place a person was told that they could play the guitar on the worship team, but the volume may be turned down because they weren’t sure that they should be heard….REALLY?!?  I happen to know this person and they are currently on a team where the volume for them is not turned down and they are an appreciated member of the worship team.  (These are only a few of the stories that I’ll share for time’s sake.)


Is this how Jesus treated his disciples?  From what I’ve read about my Lord and Savior, my answer is “no!”


One word…Babylon!!  Church, we have got to do better…much better!  We are in the world but not of the world!  Are we so focused on appearing perfect…while actually being superficial, that we’ve lost what being a follower of Christ is all about…lost hurting people?  Of course we want to be organized, focused and communicate well.  Those things are much needed within any organization.  But, doing so at the cost of hurting people who simply need Jesus is not the way to go about doing it.  Calling yourself a Christ follower without treating people the way Jesus treated them is like telling me that the color black is really blue.  That doesn’t wash with me. 

Jesus loved people.  That’s why He gave up Heaven, came to earth and lived an everyday life just like us.  He experienced everything that we have or ever will experience…but yet, He never sinned.  That blows my mind…He never sinned!  In the midst of living here on earth, He did what His Father wanted Him to do.  He was led by His Father.  It didn’t matter if He was in a hurry to get somewhere, if He was led to stop and take care of someone, that’s exactly what He did.  He is our ultimate example!  Are we open to the leading of the Holy Spirit when we’re in a hurry or when it’s inconvenient for us?  Do we “stiff arm” people because we don’t want to deal with the “mess” of their lives?  What about those who look different than us…maybe they have piercings, tattoos or colored hair?  There is a business that is known for its Christian values, but their standards are to not hire folks who “look a certain way.”  Really?!?  What an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life who maybe doesn’t know the Lord.  And…what about those who do know the Lord and have piercing, tattoos or colored hair.  Are they discriminated against because they don’t look the part of a “typical Christian”…whatever that is?  Honestly and quite bluntly…I don’t believe that Jesus cares what they look like physically.  It’s their heart He wants.  Why aren’t we…The Church…more concerned about people’s hurting hearts?  Folks, the fields are ripe for harvest!  It’s not for us to decide that the harvest doesn’t “look” like a harvest that we want to reap.  I believe we’re hired to do a job in spite of what the harvest looks like.

With the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior at hand, I encourage you to search your heart, ask the Lord to show you what attitudes you may have about the lost and hurting.  If not for the grace of God, you or I could be that homeless man or woman looking for their next meal.  You are blessed because you have a roof over your head and food on your table whether your income is 10 dollars per year or 10 million a year.  None of us is any more special than the other. (Read that over and over until you get the reality of it.) God loves us all the same.  In Him, we are all on an even playing field…even though that’s really not how we, The Church, act a lot of the time.

Jesus is coming soon and He’s looking for a Bride without spot or blemish.  I believe it has more to do with our individual / collective hearts than it does the look of our churches, the sound of our worship team or the sophistication of the message.  Of course we want excellence for our King, don’t get me wrong, but let’s not do it at the expense of the hearts of others.  Let’s share the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!  Isn’t that what He wants us to do?  Don’t accept the color black being called blue just because someone you respect is calling it that.  You have a body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit of your own.  Look to God and be led of the Spirit…he will not lead you wrong!!

 

     

A House Divided Will Not Stand.

About 6 years ago, something in my life happened that caused me to keep myself and my immediate family safe from my extended family.  At the time, the fact that I had to make this decision was actually tormenting.  It’s something that I had wanted and needed to do for years, but I wouldn’t because I felt guilt about it.  Even though I knew that guilt was from the enemy, I still grappled with walking away.  The enemy attacked me from different angles telling me not only that I was a terrible person, but that I was a terrible Christian.  Well, going through that has made me a much stronger person because I’m not a terrible person, nor am I a terrible Christian…imperfect and saved by grace, but not terrible!  I was a hurting person who was forced to set safe boundaries for myself and my family...period!  And…although I don’t put myself in the same league as Abraham and Joseph, the Lord used them as examples to show me how He separated them from their families for a reason.  Abraham’s family worshipped idols and Joseph’s family had tremendous dysfunction, but later reunited them. 

At that time, the Lord spoke to me through 3 different ministries…teaching, leading, encouraging, guiding and growing me.  Overall, God has made me a much stronger person in my faith as well as in my mind.  And, although I don’t listen to those ministries on a daily basis like I did, I do still listen to them, am grateful for them and still support one of them financially.

Well, lately, I have let one of my family members back into my life.  I thought that everything would be ok.  Oh how wrong I was!  What I have found is that this person has found it their “calling” to let me know in their “subtle” ways that these ministries…that have helped me to be a better, stronger Christian…are all “false Christian teachers” and that I need to listen to the programs that they listen to so I can find out the truth. 

I have to tell you that over the past month or so, I have done some research. And what I have found is that no matter what ministry I listen to, I have found a little something that doesn’t set well with me and perhaps it doesn’t line up completely with what the Bible says…not grossly…and I don’t believe on purpose either.  But, who am I to point a finger and cry heresy?  The way I see it, I’m no expert, but I know the voice of my God and I also know that none of us are perfect.  I believe that we need to be very cautious about what we teach and that there are consequences to deliberate false teaching.  But what I’m seeing within the body of Christ is people accusing others of heresy when they themselves teach against things that are clearly stated in the Bible.  Maybe they should read the Bible on that particular subject… and not present something out of context and exploit what someone is teaching that is Biblical.  No one person has the Bible figured out.  I certainly do not profess to!  No one person is so wise that they have the authority to condemn other Christian teachers publicly!  Now, if these teachers were teaching that we should isolate ourselves and follow only one person(not Jesus)and then advised us to drink laced Kool-aid to take us to “heaven,” then we would have a problem.  Or if they were twisting the scripture to mean something that it wasn’t meant to mean, this too, would be a problem.  Gross wrong teaching should be addressed properly! This is definitely not the case!  Just today I read this passage from Beth Moore’s  Jesus:  90 days with the One and only.  Day 48  ‘I remember a time when a critical letter from a seminary graduate shook my confidence.  As I read the list of mistakes she was pointing out, I started thinking, “She’s right!  What in the world do I think I’m doing? I have no formal theological education.  I shouldn’t even be doing this!”  But God reminded me during the following days that I was exactly right; I shouldn’t be doing this.  This ministry is God’s.  If my confidence is in myself, I’m in big trouble.  God also assured me that I will always make mistakes, but they will serve as reminders to my readers never to think more highly of this teacher than they ought.  Only One can be taken at His every word.’    This is such a true statement!!  Yes, we are all human and we will make mistakes…none but Jesus is perfect!!

This is truly an example of how the enemy works.  He is the accuser of the brethren.  Just like this family member has done to me, the enemy will cause all sorts of trouble and then turn around and accuse us falsely to try to break us down and try to discredit us as well as others.  This is what the enemy loves to do, and all too often, he uses Christians to do just that within the body of Christ.  I have to tell you that some of the teachings I watched on the internet were shocking…from both the accusers and the accused.  I approached it with much prayer.  But what I did find is that on one side, when questions were raised and the person was reprimanded, they humbled themselves, corrected themselves and apologized.  I did not find that on the other side…those making accusations and causing a ruckus.

I know that when I worship Jesus Christ through music that He accepts my worship.  I don’t believe He disapproves of me because I’m not worshipping Him through hymns or music that is traditionally acceptable by certain denominations within the Body of Christ.  Who sets the standards for worshipping with music anyway?  The most wealthy in the church who threaten to leave if it’s not done their way?  What if we were in Africa and all we had to worship with were our voices and sticks to keep a beat?  Does God reject that form of worship because it’s not the traditional hymn performed in the traditional way?  I don’t believe He rejects any of our worship as long as the great name of Jesus is being lifted up by folks whose hearts are set on Jesus…whether it be in Africa or any other part of the world who may have only limited means, in denominations that worship only with hymns or non-denominational churches that worship with contemporary music.  God created us to be unique!  I believe He loves the different ways that people worship Him.  Why do we get so hung up on the differences?! No one way is the perfect way!  In fact, getting hung up on the different styles of worship and causing a ruckus takes the focus off of God and puts it onto ourselves.  Are we truly worshipping if we’re being judgmental of the style of music while we’re in the midst of worship?

This scenario reminds me of places in the Bible where Jesus healed people and the Pharisees said that He was filled with Satan.  I ask you; how is it that the enemy…Satan, Lucifer, the Devil…whatever you want to call him… would lead me to praise Jesus, learn from God’s word and continue on to help others in Jesus’ name?  A house divided against itself will not stand.  It is simply ridiculous!!

So, once again, because of all of this, I have had to make the difficult choice to protect myself.  But, I know that the Lord knows of my love for this person and even though they have tried to cause problems for me, I know that the Lord loves this person as much as He loves me or anyone else for that matter.  I don’t wish bad things for them, nor do I doubt their belief in Christ.  But, I will protect myself and my family at all cost.  I will protect my well being.  I will not let the enemy bring me down…period!  God has created me, like you, for a specific purpose and I will not let accusations stop me from fulfilling what God has created me to do…Lord willing. 

With all of this said, I believe that we should all be very cautious about who we let into our “inner circle” of friends…or even family.  Of course we should never be above or beyond correction!  But, be sure of who is behind this correction.  Is it a person who truly cares about you, or is it the enemy trying to get you off track from our mighty God?  We are at the end of the end of days.  The enemy is doing all that he can to tear the Body of Christ apart.  Don’t fall for his tactics and surely don’t be one he uses for that purpose.  Our Great Shepherd said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”  John 10:27  Stay tuned into His voice…it’s His voice that truly matters!

If you like this, check out my other, shorter blog.  I post there 2 times a week.  http://actnowday2daydevo.blogspot.com/