Picking a fight in church.

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.  
1 Thessalonians 5:11

I recently attended a dinner at a local church.  I'm a new face and know very few people there.  As we were eating dinner there were a few men at my table that proceeded to slam one of the church staff.  They were negatively commenting on the staff member's way of doing things.  These men were introduced to me minutes before and were told that I was a new guest.  One of the men's wife picked up on my disgust for the comments.  She politely said to her husband that maybe they were "just two grumpy old men."  I (being the person that takes no lip from anyone) adamantly looked them both in the eyes with my intimidating stare and loudly said "your exactly right about that!)  One of the guys picked up on my anger real quick.  He got up and left and did not return.  The other sat oblivious to the things that just transpired.
Now, why would I tell you this?  Because, I hope your not "that guy."  The one that doesnt agree with every little thing a staff member does.  The one with verbal diarrhea that is condemning his pastoral staff in front of a new prospect. Staff work countless hours in an unappreciated role to make the church tick. I will stand up and fight for them. Am I right for picking a fight in church?  Or am I wrong for not calling the guys out and physically throwing them out of the temple like Jesus did?

where's your heart at?

20Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  Matthew 6

In life there are patterns.  Some are very defined.  Some a subtle.  I was reconciling my checkbook today as i usually do each Monday.  There was a definite pattern.  I noted several consistincies in the the check register.  One in particular that made me smile.  God is good and God is faithful.  Are you being faithful to Him?  Connect the dots of the pattern of your treasure.  Then you will know where your heart is... 

BE ALERT

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Lions are interesting creatures.  Since we dont live in Africa here's a few quick facts:

1)      With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight,^[4] it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger.

2)     They sneak up to the victim until they reach a distance of approximately 30 metres (98 feet) or less.  The attack is short and powerful; they attempt to catch the victim with a fast rush and final leap.

3)  The prey usually is killed by strangulation,^[73] which can cause cerebral ischemia or asphyxia (which results in hypoxemic, or "general", hypoxia). The prey also may be killed by the lion enclosing the animal's mouth and nostrils in its jaws (which would also result in asphyxia).^[4]

4)     A lion may gorge itself and eat up to 30 kg (66 lb) in one sitting;^[83] if it is unable to consume all the kill it will rest for a few hours before consuming more.

So, now you know your enemy the lion.  How well do you know your enemy the devil?  Check out the bible to study your enemy.  Because, as we speak, he is stalking you.  And he may be within 30 meters of you...

got money$?

6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.-Malachi 3:6-12




All of my life God has blessed me.  Most of the time in ways I dont see or understand.  One thing I never understand is tithing.  But it doesnt have to. It just works.  The math never makes sense.  You dont have money, you pay money to God, and money flows to you from somewhere else.  It's more about faith than common sense.
Did you catch that line about robbing God?  For a visual, picture this:  Every time you dont tithe its just like stealing money out of you parents wallet.  Are you a thief?  Pay your tithe and He will "open the floodgates of heaven."

Why are you afraid?

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:24-27 ESV)

I could really picture this scenario. The disciples were freakin out about the storm. But Jesus was asleep!  How could he be asleep when they're fixin to die?  The disciples are like dude you better wake him up cause we're gonna die!  Jesus calmly raises up and tells the winds to die down. 

Does the storm you're in have you scared for your life?  Do you feel like Jesus is asleep?  Don't forget, just like with the disciples, He is right there in the storm with you. 

All you have to do is reach over and wake Him up. He will calm the storm just in time. 

Are you happy?

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

"Do what makes you happy" is the most dangerous advice to give anyone. It's not in the bible. And when does anyone really know what happiness really is?  

Happiness is usually found by changing the focus of your current circumstances. Let's look at some examples:

1) "I'm not happy with my job, I'm quitting."

Reply;  good jobs are hard to come by right now. You have been there for years and are respected in the company  didn't God provide that job for you when you needed it most?  It's God's will that you stay and continue to influence people for Him. 

2)  "I can't stand this old truck anymore. I really want a new one. "

Reply;  that truck has carried you back and forth every day for years and never left you on the side of the road. It's paid for and a new truck payment is $800/mo. Didn't God bless you with that truck for a good deal years ago when times were hard?  It's God's will you continue with that truck and use the extra cash flow to support in the ministry. 

3). "I'm mad at my friend.  They made a destructive lifestyle decision. I'm not going to talk to them anymore."

Reply;  that's your friend!  You have encouraged each other for years. Aren't they going to need your support and biblical advice in their new endeavor?  It is the will of God that you stick with them to help them through !

Friends the best advice comes from the bible. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God". Change your focus. Happiness will follow. 

as I awoke on the eve of the greatest day

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11

I woke up this morning with a resounding noise in my head.  I have struggled all day to let it out.  Here it goes:

My Lord, I am before you.  In Your presence, I have not the strength to stand. At Your feet, my face is plastered to the ground.  My weapons are holstered.  My stomach is sick.  My callused hands grasp the train of Your robe.  My bloody knuckles wipe the tears from face.  My scars are many, and deep.  For I have been in battle for my Saviour.  He is the one I live for.  He is the one I fight for.  He is the one I will die for.  The Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Alpha.  Most remember the Lamb but, I serve the Lion.  I am His chosen warrior.  His voice comforts me.  He tells me to rise.  My heart begins to beat swiftly.  I feel the warmth of my blood starting to flow.  I am energized once again as I get up to my knees. Every muscle in me begins to flex and twitch as I stand before the Almighty.  Now, at attention, I look up slightly and connect my eyes with the Maker.  His light shines.  He is all that is pure.  He tells me to return to the war.  To fight for all that is good.  To stand for the innocent.  To be the lover of good.  And, that He will be joining me soon.  "Yes Master," I reply.  I kiss His hand.  I turn and walk seven steps.  Then, I run seven steps.  By then, I have gained my speed and strength to fly back to where I am from.
     I will do battle in the fields alone until the King of Kings meets me in the clouds.  There we will ride together.  His justice will be violent and swift.  The deceiver will be defeated.  Every knee will bow.  All those that hadn't believed, will.  The war will be over.  And then, I will worship the Most High  for the rest of eternity.