Rightly Dividing #1 Judging

I don't get it. ”The Bible says don't judge” is usually said by people who don't follow any other Bible principle, when they are offended by a Christian who does not agree with them. 



Yes, the Bible says that, but looking at the context, it says ”your brother.” It's telling Christians not to judge each other. It says the world is already judged. In the next few verses, it clearly says ”You know a tree by the fruit it bears.” 





So I'm not judging an apple tree if I call it an apple tree, if it bears apples, and it would be foolish to pretend it's not.




If you are not a believer, I can't force you, but don't try to cover your mess by quoting to me a book you don't even believe in. #rightlydividing##practicewhatyoupreach#

Advice discourse #4

Advice discourse #4

Advice is like food. You can love someone dearly, but you can’t eat from everyone’s kitchen. Eat the wrong thing and it makes you sick. 

Sometimes it’s the ingredients, way it was prepared, or where. Sometimes it’s undercooked or over cooked. 

So watch what you add to it.
Serve from a clean heart.
Timing is important.

Advice discourse #3

Advice discourse #3

You can’t tell me how to get there, if you don’t know where I’m going. 

Stop trying to give directions to one place if the destination is another, even if you don’t believe the person has the currency to go the distance.

The Process

A pitfall of faith is the resentment, disappointment and doubt that follows from not receiving what you've been praying for so earnestly. I know it's cliche, but we don't always get what we pray for, even when it's a good thing. It's not the getting that is important, but the process. The process changes you, and that maybe what G-d really intended.

Be an example

By this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Sam 12:14


One of the greatest hindrances to the successful propagation of the gospel is the bad example of believers who do not live for the Lord. A common excuse is that ”there are too many hypocrites in the church.” Sadly, this is often true. This shameful fact should cause us to examine ourselves deeply to be certain we are not one of them. We cannot escape all criticisms...but we should do everything we can to be certain the criticisms are not true...

Keith Eggert, Union Gospel Press, Summer Quarter, 2014


Don't let your good be evil spoken of...
Romans 14:16

Selfishness

What you do affects others, it's selfish to think or behave otherwise. As believers we are free, but not free to do things that cause others to stumble, thoughtless acts.


Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil:live as G-d's slaves. 1Peter 2:16. When you agreed to walk the walk, you belong to G-d, and as such, you realize others belong to G-d, and you treat them accordingly, and bring yourself into subjection. This is not a burden, to those who believe, this is our reasonable service. Romans 12:1

You are loved

I wanted to say something deep and spiritual, to encourage you, to give you hope; but mostly, I just want to let you know that You are loved.



Disappointment sometimes lingers; but in time it goes,
The toll it takes, the hearts it breaks, the damage? No one knows.
All I can say is day by day the Father's love, will heal;
So let us pray for strength today,
No matter how we feel. DW