As Christians, we should strive to be a blessing to others, not judging them with a critical, judgmental spirit. Even if they smell or look rough, who are we to judge?
I imagine there are a lot of folks like Lazarus is up in heaven. We have them all around us.
We all have habits, weakness, flaws, issues, faults and sin in our lives.
We try to hide behind our defenses, so that others will not see the real US. If people knew the secrets about US, what would they say?
We don’t want others knowing how messed up our life is, even though God continues to love, bless, mature and teach us. Thank GOD!
It’s Grace all the way beloved. The same way you met Jesus, is the same way you walk on with Him. By Faith! We all have good and bad days. We are not always on the mountain with Him the way we wish we could be.
Humility is a state of existence. As we stay dependent on Jesus we remain humble. We desperately need our Jesus!
Remember Peter, when he awoke from sleep to see he was in a meeting with Jesus, Moses and Elijah? He wanted to make a contribution! He was also the Disciple whom Jesus told; “Get behind me satan!” Did Jesus kick him to the curb and tell him he was too bad and that he was no longer needed?
We can try to make ourselves perfect in the flesh beloved, however in this flesh will be NO perfection in our life time. When we try to be perfect, we burn out over and over again until we learn that it is all God from beginning to the end.
Yes, we are to strive to be more like Jesus and that will take a life time. We never come to a level of maturity, where we get so big in God, that we won’t need the Holy Spirit our colleagues and each other. There will never come a place in God where we don’t need His Grace and Mercy.
I have watched as Christians try to gang up on a brother about a habit and tell him how bad he is! Those people knew not the nature and character of God regarding this. Nor did they rightly check their own faults and failures in their hypocrisy.
We must realize in comparison to Gods Word, there is no sin or flaw worse than the other except for Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. How come no one speaks about gluttony? It’s in there!
Beloved, I think the majority of us deal with that sin more than we care to say. Yet people want to hold to their own version of how God judges and corrects.
We say, “Did you see sister so-and-so react in such pride?!”
Let me ask an important question; Are we the Holy Ghost?
Are we supposed to be doing HIS job? NO! Yet “we,” the church, continue to judge others based on our version of how things are done.
This is important for us to understand; The religious spirit gets fuel from such attitudes and seeks out those in God who are not with their program! They say get with the program; You know the drill. So religious churches thrive with such protocol that NO ONE can live up to.
So-and-so finally falls out, and burns out. Those inside that religious institution tell each other, “Well so-and-so was not cut out for this life.” Thank God so-and-so burnt out! The LORD lets us burn out to teach us it’s all about Him from beginning to end. Christ in us, the hope of all glory!
If the LORD doesn’t do something, who are we to think we can?
We try to help Him out don’t we? How do we know He isn’t doing His job?
No one knows the path of a believer, except for God. We all have habits, flaws etc. If the believer felt they could talk to you, they would tell you they wish they could stop those sins.
If we Love God and excepted Jesus as our LORD and Savior, it’s done. Our life after the cross is a journey with Christ. We received a new nature when we got saved, and we no longer want to sin or miss the mark.
However, we all do things we don’t want to do!
I thank God He makes room for us, for truly, how can we open our mind and heart to let people in, when we can’t trust nobody? The Only one to trust, is God.
That’s is why in relationships, we need to use wisdom and get to know people slowly. It takes time to know a person. Once they feel free enough, they will open up. This applies to leadership as well. It takes time for God to make room for them and ordain them.
It is Gods will to deliver them and raise them up. What is our goal? Simply to pray for them and bless them and support them as part of the body of Christ! Amen?
How we look and act toward others is being watched, you know why? When you sow judgmental words you will reap them.
When we look into a mirror we see the reflection of who we are. God tells us to look into the perfect law of liberty! Look to the Word of God. God wants us reflecting his Word when we pray, help and prefer our brother, loving them. How we look and behave towards others is so important. We need to see them as Jesus did and still does.
Dealing with up-coming leadership is important in so many ways, as we need to live above reproach. However we try to not put a stumbling block before anyone.
Leaders must give an account to the LORD for their calling. We don’t want to do anything that would cause the ministry to be blamed. As leaders, we must look to Jesus’ example. Look to others as Jesus would have us look to us. We are to know those that labor among us.
There is a strong message God has for discipleship; It is SO needed! As we submit to being in God’s army, we must be disciplined and on guard. We lead by example. Good leaders go before the army of God and train, build up and exercise his troops. These troops are prepared and well trained in the furnace of affliction.
The Bible says, lay hands suddenly on no man. We can get into things prematurely and not be ready to handle what comes.
The Bible also teaches that we should not advance people in authority who are novices. We are to know those who labor among us. I got to KNOW those who labor for me and not just let anyone in my head or spirit.
A premature release into leadership could cause damage. In this case there is not enough time to know them and for the LORD to make it clear. When God makes room for our gifts, everyone who has need to know will know. A premature release could cost a life. Why? They are not prepared by God fully.
Scripture is clear not to release a novice, lest they be lifted up in pride, fall into the trap of the enemy.
Leaders are accountable for those who they release. People need pastors, teachers as well as all the five fold ministry. God has apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelist who are needed to prepare God’s people for works of service. Again, we must KNOW those who labor among us and that takes time.
In closing, we must align ourselves with God’s word and do it His way. Knowing God’s Word is paramount and understanding what damage we can do when we deal with others is so important.
The church is a hospital, so a lot of sick people come in. Will we be those nurses, technicians or doctors, to help the hurt, wounded and afflicted souls?
Our goal is to provide a place of protection; Like a Nest.
This place would be where you can come in as a new believer, or seasoned believer and learn from those who are called to be part of your life. Also in this place you can learn to grow and become leaders and have the freedom to exercise your gifts without being thrown out the door for trying.
You will learn in the nest. Even in correction, you learn how things work and have many opportunities to exercise your gifts. Once you are out there in ministry, doing what God called you to do, you will always have a place you can come back to even if you miss it.
The church is a live vibrant force to be reckoned with. When we follow God’s standard of HIS Word, we will have his blessing and that is why we do what we do isn’t it?
We want souls won to the Kingdom!
We want souls to be changed and Abba God to be happy and proud of us as we learn to be like him! Amen? Amen!!
PS: Please read these following scriptures as part of your Bible Study, they are good for your soul.
All King James Version:
“And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him,” Luke 9:29-35.
“But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men,” Mark 8:33.
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” Romans 14:19-23.
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our LORD. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin,” Romans 7:14-25.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together,” Romans 8:1-17.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you,” Hebrews 13:17.
“These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
I charge thee before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure,” 1 Timothy 5:11-22.
“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee,” 1 Timothy 4:8-16.
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil,” 1 Timothy 3:6.
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Consider what I say; and the LORD give thee understanding in all things,” 2 Timothy 2:2-7.
“And the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will,” 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the LORD delivered me.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,” 2 Timothy 3:10-17.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” 2 Timothy 4:1-7.
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
New Beginning Christian Ministries International 