Stomp it out!

2 Timothy 2: 16 – 17 – NLT

Avoid godless, foolish discussions that lead to more and more ungodliness. This kind of talk spreads like cancer.

 

Do you know anyone with a critical spirit?

They’re the kind of people, that no matter how hard you try to please them, it’s never enough and they’re never satisfied.

 

A critical spirit is also pretty easy to catch.

It’s kind of like a good case of poison ivy. It only takes a little contact, to make it spread.

 

Major divisions in churches and families and in society, almost never begin with large disagreements.

Most critical spirits begin with something small, and then they escalate into something big.

 

A little hurtful word, can be the beginning of the end, in churches and in marriages.

Maybe people with critical spirits, have to be dealt with, before a raging fire begins to burn.

 

If you heard someone being critical, would you stomp out the brush fire, or let it burn out of control?

Is it easy to find fault with everyone around you? Then maybe it’s time to take a look in the mirror.

 

If you know of someone with this kind of spirit, their spiritual life might be in danger.

A critical attitude can hinder our walk with God, and distract us from fulfilling God’s purposes in our life.

 

So would we be thankful for the person who came to us, to tell us that we’re critical—or would we on the other hand, be critical of them too?

Is it worth the fight?

Mark 3: 25

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

Jesus was confronted by the religious elite one day, and they accused Him of being the devil.

I guess you could say, this was the kettle calling the pot black.

Did you know this same spirit exists in some churches?

People who are outwardly “religious”, are often totally against the movement of God’s Kingdom, without even knowing it.

God forbid, that we could get that ignorant, but then again, anything is possible.

In the church house, there should be more that unites us, than divides us.

Is that the way it is in your church?

Do you even know?

D. L. Moody once said… “I have never known the Spirit of God to work, where the Lord’s people were divided.”

Is it possible, that the Spirit of the living God, is void from being present in some churches?

Wouldn’t that be a total waste of time?

The only way to repair a situation like that, is total submission and humility toward one another, and toward God.

I believe on the other side of Heaven, we’re going to feel pretty foolish, for the thing or things  we fought for, that weren’t worth the fight.

Maybe it’s time some people get over themselves.

Maybe it’s time we picked up our towels, and became the slaves for Christ’s Kingdom, that Jesus called us to be…

Unnecessary Assumptions!

Acts 4: 13

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Do you ever assume, that just by the way people look, there might be something wrong with them?

Take the leather jacketed biker, who looks a little unclean, rough and unshaven.

Don’t tell me you’ve never grouped this kind of person, in a disheveled category.

Sometimes just the way people look, or the places where they hang, people can make unnecessary assumptions.

Assumptions will always get us into trouble, without knowing all of the facts.

Did you know, that there are some biker groups, that are some of the best evangelists out there, anywhere?

One group calls themselves…. “Bikers for Jesus”. So you can’t really judge a book by its cover, can you?

The difference with Peter and John, was that they had spent a lot of time with Jesus. Being with Jesus levels the playing field some.

Even if they looked a little rough around the edges, and uncivilized/unschooled, they turned some heads, and were effective in ministry.

I had a Pastor tell me a long time ago… “God always uses the ordinary, to do the extraordinary.”

What marked these men of God, was their courage, and not their outward appearance.

Before we judge a person’s motives, we had better know all the facts.

Don’t just assume you know it all about a person’s character, unless you’ve taken time to get to know the person…

True Intentions!

Proverbs 16: 2

All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

In our service for the Kingdom of God, are we more focused on our reputation, than we are on God’s?

Our greatest intentions, should be motivated by our desire to bring pleasure to God, and not to us.

What are your true intentions in your service to God?

Would you want God to expose your true intentions?

That might be a dangerous prayer.

If we are motivated by holiness and compassion, then our desires probably match His motives.

What God really desires, is that His motives, become ours.

Jesus had a very direct visit with the Pharisees and Sadducees one day.

He knew their hearts, even when they didn’t know their own hearts.

These religious leaders seemed right on the outside, but Jesus saw what was on the inside.

White washed tombs, expressed a beautiful exterior, which masked the deep death within.

Does it frighten you at all in knowing, that Jesus knows what you’re thinking at this very moment?

All our ways seem innocent to us, but the final assessment of our motives, comes directly from God.

Are we acting out our faith, with self interests in mind, or a passion for God and His righteous Kingdom?

Just be sure of this, God weighs our true motives

Ancient Paths!

Jeremiah 6: 16

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Every morning I get up, it seems I always have something planned for my day.

It is very unusual, to have nothing planned ahead of time.

When I’m relaxed and resting in God’s Spirit, my day seems to go much better than planned.

When I allow my days to be interrupted by chaos and circumstances, things don’t go so well.

Can you relate?

Honestly, when God is directing my thoughts and my activities, I even think I get more accomplished.

Maybe we need to tread more on the ancient paths?

Maybe it would be best to seek out the old fashioned, and things might end up being better than they are.

Could God’s commandments and honoring them, really bring us rest?

I’m pretty sure that when we follow God’s directives, we’ll have more peace and joy and contentment.

I really think this verse means, that when we really walk in His ways, we’ll have constant rest.

Man, could I use some of that rest today.

By our own power, we can never have rest.

With Jesus though, we can stand firmly in His righteousness, and find true rest.

It’s really not all that hard, when we see things God’s way, and then live in them…

Life time Favor!

Psalm 30: 5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Do you think God ever gets angry?

We know that He does, but we also know that His anger is righteous.

Some of us in the morning, all we have to do is step out onto our deck or patio at first light, and we see God’s rejoicing come alive with new life.

Then we get to work or to the office, or our first account, and we observe the people of the world.

It’s no wonder why God gets angry!

There are times I must admit, that I feel just like crying when I see the news of the new day.

The reason I feel sad, is because many don’t understand God’s holiness, and that He knows, no sin.

But just remember, that things of this world might look a bit messy, but there is hope for those who are immersed in sin.

Jesus purchased people by His death on a cross.

Just with that knowing, it should bring a mouthful of rejoicing.

There’s a good chance, that yesterday for you, was a bad day.

Well get ready for some rejoicing, because His favor lasts a lifetime…

Care for the needs of others

Hebrews 10: 25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Most people think this verse speaks only about church attendance, and it does, but it also speaks about friendship in the Body of Christ.

I mean, who couldn’t use another friend, and who couldn’t use another word of encouragement?

I found that out yesterday, and it sure felt good to know, that when things go south, we have caring people in our corner.

I need friends who will show me Christ, especially as they grow in Him.

The first ones that come to mind, are my own family.

Family steps up, when you can’t step up on your own, for whatever the reason.

Through the Spirits enabling, we are to grow in the likeness of Christ.

God has not called us to run this race alone, and I felt people running with me yesterday.

I am forever thankful, for the friends that God has given me, who point me to His Son.

We can be encouraged by them, with the glorious hope they have found in Christ Jesus.

When we feel poorly and sick, we all need a hand to hold during those times, and not someone just to tell us to rub some dirt on the wound.

I am grateful for the friends who truly care, especially when they’re really needed.

Generally, they are the kind of people who care for the needs of others, more than they care for their own needs.

That’s real friendship, and that’s the kind of encouragement, that only the doctor can order.

When all you do for a living, is give blessings out…it sure feels good, to get a few in return for a change….