Stage217

I am reading this book by Bill Hybels called “Courageous Leadership”
When chaos hits humanity, when something cataclysmic hits our normal routines, what is the response we are suppose to take? For example the tragedy that was 9/11 2001; I can still remember where I was at the exact time of that attack. As I am sure you can too. It was a cold brutal attack killing many. It was designed to steal the hope that Americans had in there lives. Many people in search for there loved ones hoping to hear something about there family and friends. Such a devastating moment in our history. And we are seeing one now with the earthquakes in Haiti. Then I read the statements from this book, “The local church is the hope of the world”(15). We all know that after 9/11 and even today in Haiti there are many organizations hard at work to help better the situation. But the Red Cross, humanitarian groups, millionaires who donate money, food donations and such can only go so far. Their work is very important, but the local church can do an even greater work, a deeper work during these times of chaos. We get to hug the hurting, sit and help heal the deep wounds of the broken. Talk and be there for people and minister to the very soul of a person. So as we sit back and wonder what we do during these times, during havoc. Trust and know that God has given us, his local church, the amazing gift of caring the way He cares for people, the way He loves people. The Acts 2 church modeled a caring community of people who loved and gave for one another. We can do the same. When the people in our small groups and circle of influences need a shoulder to cry on, we can be there. When a person is struggling to pay a bill, we can help them. We can minister to one another in the hard times, as a family, as a local community.

Acts 4

Fasting…ugh when I hear those words I cringe. It has always been my Achilles heel, my struggle. However, when I would fast my sensitivity to God’s voice and will intensified! But why do we have to fast? I mean I get revelation and understanding already from the Word of God, is there more to Him that I have not discovered? David, in Psalm 42 was fasting and he got to a point where he was past his earthly desires and was able to cry out from the deep of himself into the deep things of God. That’s a good place to be. I’m reading a book by Jentezen Franklin called “fasting” and he says something that I think we need to all hear, “the practice of fasting is not limited to ministers and special occasions” (9). I believe this to be true and a struggle of most people. Fasting was to be a normal part of a relationship with God, but we use it normally for special events, hoping God will show up and bless our events, or we think that only the ministers should fast elevating fasting to a level of exclusiveness that is was never intended for. Fasting isn’t exclusive (for the select few) it is inclusive (for everyone). “The three duties of every Christian are giving, praying, and fasting.”(11) Imagine that. Jesus said in Matthew 6 when you pray…when you give…when you fast…He made it clear that we should give as much attention to fasting and we do to giving and praying. “If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? The Son of God fasted because He knew they were supernatural things that could only be released that way. How much more should fasting be a common practice in our lives”(14).
I just wanted to encourage you today to fast, pray and give. God has so much more for you today that if you would position yourself on His wheel and remove all the impurities by the blood of Christ His perfect plan for your life will be revealed! Spend time with God today. Go into your room, close the door, don’t announce to the world that you are doing it, and just keep it between you and God. He has much more in store.

Psalm 42-“As a deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “a threefold cord is not easily broken” -Prayer, giving and fasting

Matthew 6 “The Beatitudes”

This morning i have been thinking about the power that Abba father gives us. He has sent his only son to die the death we were suppose to die. HE then rose again to live the life we are to live. Then Jesus left and sent His Holy Spirit to be with us every single day, every moment, even when we don’t feel his presence! Today I am grateful for my relationship with the Holy Spirit! He is amazing! His love is nonjudgmental, it is unconditional. Where would I be without The cross of Jesus, the Power of forgiveness, the relationship with the Holy Spirit! Thank you today God for being to grand yet desiring to rescue me and give me the power of your presence! I am in love with you with an undying love.
If you find yourself surrounded by fear, take the time to really thank God for what he has done in your life and how he has pulled you through before he will do it again! God wants an intimate relationship with you. Talk to Him today!

What do you think a judge is?

To judge-to issue a decree, an opinion about someone or something; to decide (mentally or judicially), to try, condemn, punish, avenge, conclude, damn, determine, esteem, judge, call in question, sentence to, think, a decision.

Matthew 7:1-5

1) Quick judgment invites more judgment
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”.

Have you ever judged someone really fast without really getting to know them? Why?

Have you ever been wrongly judged? Set on trial by someone?

2) Quick Judgment is distorted
a. And why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother’s eye, but you don’t consider the plank in your eye?
b. Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
c. Hypocrite! First remove the plank in your own eye, and then you will clearly see to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

When someone judges people w/o checking themselves first there judgment is distorted.

Have you ever judged someone for the same sin you struggle with?

Have you ever been judged by someone who you know has issues too? How did that make you feel? Why?

3) Careful Judgment is Necessary
“Don’t give what is holy to the dog; nor cast your pearl before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you into pieces”

Proverbs 9:7-8

I am not saying that judging others and programs, or things is wrong. Actually we are supposed to do so. But there is a difference between judging w/o discernment and judging with it. Sometimes we need to slow down and calculate, take a look at, think about it, before we do, say, or act on something. That period of calculating and looking is at is called discernment.

Two kinds of Judgment:
Condemning Judgment versus Discerning Judgment
Quick versus careful
Focused on other’s faults v.s. Examining self
Legalistic v.s. Gracious
Motives v.s. actions

When someone new comes into our cell, or circle of friends, do you focus on what is wrong with them or what is right with them?

When someone is dressed differently then most others, do you accept their style or judge them as not cool?

When a new leader arises, do you look at what is wrong with them, or do you look at what gifts they have and how they are going to bless the body of Christ?
“Discernment is a helpful skill and a positive contribution. Good Judgment is a valuable quality. But some people miss the distinction between discernment and condemnation. They elevate fault finding to a ministry-as if they were doing the church a favor, or doing society a favor, or doing their spouse a favor-by making it their goal to find out what is wrong”. –Lewis B. Bell

Are you a condemning judge or a discerning one?

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