Written by TWFYT
Wednesday August 13
"I will build my church." Matthew 16:18
Being hurt by another Christian can be devastating, but the church is filled with imperfect people who do things they shouldn't. As C.S. Lewis said, "God works on us in all sorts of ways...above all he works on us through each other." So before you give up and walk away, consider these suggestions: (1) Admit how much it hurt, and start to cope with it. Running away doesn't achieve this. Humbly approach the person who hurt you, motivated to reconcile. Discuss your pain with the purpose of releasing it and moving. (2) Ask, "What's my role in this?" If it had nothing to do with you, as in the case of a trusted leader who has fallen morally or legally, ask yourself if you put idealistic expectations on their humanness. Did you think they were perfect? Now that you realize they're not, can you forgive them? (3) Ask God what to do next. He knows the motives in the hearts of the people involved. Give Him time to answer. (4) "Guard your heart...for it determines the course of your life" (Pr 4:23 NLT). Choose to follow God, even when your heart breaks. He alone can decide motives and intents, and He is just and reasonable. But many times, our faithfulness must come first before His blessings flow. (5) If you still feel you must leave, promise yourself and God that you will leave well. Refuse to say anything bad. Don't leave mad, and admit the good, no matter small. Most important of all, don't quit. God is good, His church is good, and people are flawed. Locate another house of worship, and commit to it with an open heart.
Wednesday August 13
"I will build my church." Matthew 16:18
Being hurt by another Christian can be devastating, but the church is filled with imperfect people who do things they shouldn't. As C.S. Lewis said, "God works on us in all sorts of ways...above all he works on us through each other." So before you give up and walk away, consider these suggestions: (1) Admit how much it hurt, and start to cope with it. Running away doesn't achieve this. Humbly approach the person who hurt you, motivated to reconcile. Discuss your pain with the purpose of releasing it and moving. (2) Ask, "What's my role in this?" If it had nothing to do with you, as in the case of a trusted leader who has fallen morally or legally, ask yourself if you put idealistic expectations on their humanness. Did you think they were perfect? Now that you realize they're not, can you forgive them? (3) Ask God what to do next. He knows the motives in the hearts of the people involved. Give Him time to answer. (4) "Guard your heart...for it determines the course of your life" (Pr 4:23 NLT). Choose to follow God, even when your heart breaks. He alone can decide motives and intents, and He is just and reasonable. But many times, our faithfulness must come first before His blessings flow. (5) If you still feel you must leave, promise yourself and God that you will leave well. Refuse to say anything bad. Don't leave mad, and admit the good, no matter small. Most important of all, don't quit. God is good, His church is good, and people are flawed. Locate another house of worship, and commit to it with an open heart.
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January
START BY FORGIVINGEMBRACING UNCERTAINTY AND FOLLOWING GODBLESSING IS PROGRESSIVEIS GOD SHAKING YOU UP?DON'T AVOID--ENGAGEYOU ARE COMMANDED TO LOVEJUST SOW THE SEEDSEE YOURSELF AS VALUABLE (1)SEE YOURSELF AS VALUABLE (2)PRAY ABOUT IT, THEN TAKE ACTIONTHE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S WORDTHE LINK BETWEEN DISOBEDIENCE AND STRESSHAVE YOU TALKED TO GOD ABOUT IT?KNOW YOUR PURPOSE, KNOW YOUR PARTNERSHOW GOD SEES YOUBE GUIDED BY WISDOM, NOT IMPULSEPAUSE AND REFLECTWHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (1)WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (2)WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MONEY (3)WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MONEY (4)WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MONEY (5)SEEKING GOD
February
PRACTICE SAYING NO TO YOURSELFTHE BEST IS YET TO COMETHE GRANDFATHER'S MISTAKE BECAME THE GRANDSON'S MIRACLEHOW TO CONQUER THE FEAR OF FAILINGLET'S RESPECT OUR DIFFERENCESPASS IT ON TO OTHERSKEEP TRUSTING GODFEAR IS THE ENEMY OF GROWTHCHANGE YOUR ROUTINEYOU ARE NOT BEYOND GOD'S REACHDON'T LOOK AT CHRISTIANS, LOOK AT CHRISTUNDERSTANDING THE WORD "IMPUTED"GOVERNED BY CHRIST'S LOVE FOR USTODAY EXCEPT GOD'S FAVORGROWTH IS ABOUT ENLARGEMENTFIND PRAYER PARTNERSKEEP PRAYING AND BELIEVINGREFUSE TO WEAR THE LABELJESUS IS THE ANSWERSHAKE IT OFF, AND MOVE FORWARDWHEN OTHERS "DON'T GET IT"RIGHTEOUSNSS IS A GIFT, NOT A REWARD
March
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April
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