I’ve seen people in recovery be successful, only to stumble from exhaustion and end up worse than when they’ve started. I’ve seem legalists so involved in judging others that the sin they were so focused on overtook themselves. And I’ve seen church members overwhelmed with guilt and no-one willing to help them.
We cannot understand our present troubles until we trust in God and give our concerns up to God. Then we need to trust in God’s timetable and be ready to accept what He sends our way. If a person has made bad choices or been the victim of crime, there may indeed be consequences that may change their current circumstances permanently. Still we need to trust. Don’t abandon the ship before God gives a solution.
Rick Warren writes “Many Church Fellowships and Small Groups remain superficial because they are afraid of conflict.” But real Spiritual growth and maturity take deliberate efforts, thoughtfulness, and commitment to do the hard work sculpting a new person who is accountable to God and his church community to be a strong, loving, and effective Christian who attracts non-believers.
Paul was arguably the greatest Evangelist in the history of the church. And certainly, the most prolific New Testament writer. Then how could he also seem to be battling personal sin?
Charity can be equated to agape’ love. This kind of love is aid and comfort given to someone without qualification. Churches often fall short of this because as individuals they expect to receive appreciation. But that would be qualifying the nature of the recipient.
Besides wanting to call on God, we’ve already made a visible expression of wanting to follow Christ. As we have been raised to a new life in Baptism; we should seek out those things that are pure and represent the purity or holiness of God and Jesus.
“Who am I” is an elementary question everyone has to answer. But have you ever asked this question of yourself? Do you like who you see in the mirror?
Jesus prayed that the disciples would build the church after Jesus was resurrected. Now He prays for us as the results of their evangelism and the generations of believers through the ages.
I benefited from the unity I experienced by literally seeing the Holy Spirit working among His saints. I also believe the Holy Spirit has given me a heart for “church” unity. Now I know about the glory Jesus has in Heaven, but I’m not as comfortable with His glory here on earth.
At my church we have Communion each week. I’m one of five men in the rotation (occasionally a woman). And it never gets old. And you’re probably asking how that can be?
