Embrace the Within no. 87

"Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world."

Francis Schaeffer

“Finally, all of you, be one in mind and feeling; love as brothers; and be compassionate and humble-minded, not repaying evil with evil or insult with insult, but, on the contrary, with blessing. For it is to this that you have been called, so that you may receive a blessing. For

‘Whoever wants to love life and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,

turn from evil and do good,

seek peace and chase after it.

For Adonai keeps his eyes on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayers;

but the face of Adonai is against

those who do evil things.’”

1 Kefa 3:8-12 CJB

I spent a lot of time away from churches because of the actions of other people. And looking at that now, I can see how foolish it is to allow the actions of other people to come between my relationship with God. And I see so many people that are traveling down that same road I once traveled. Denying themselves a personal relationship with the Lord because some folks in some church at some time did people things in the name of God. And, there are so many wrong things that people have done in the name of the Lord, that the list for them is quite extensive.

I understand that mindset BUT I don’t excuse that mindset. I understand that mindset because there are a great many people disgusted with what people do and they allow that to get in the way of their relationship with God. And some of us are not making it easy on them. Now that I am becoming more comfortable in the voice I have been gifted to speak about my experience, I can start to see a lot more of the swindlers, the cheats, the liars, the gatekeepers, the schemers, and the rest of the self serving folks in the churches and in the community. I am not going to call them Christians because not everyone in the congregation is saved. God and they know their own hearts. And I leave that between them and Adonai.

I can only control my relationship with God. And that means reading the scripture, praying to God, and walking in His Truth. I don’t know what is in the hearts of others. I can only see what folks pretend to be externally. I do not put my trust and faith in any person outside of Christ. I don’t take a preacher’s word for what is in the Bible, I don’t take my neighbor’s word for what’s in the Bible, and I don’t take the enemy’s word for what is in the Bible. I look and study and pray. I am taking personal responsibility for that relationship.

And I am no longer going to allow the actions of others to keep me separated from God. He has helped me overcome too much, triumph over too much, travel too far, to let someone get between me and Him.

“For, brothers, you were called to be free. Only do not let that freedom become an excuse for allowing your old nature to have its way. Instead, serve one another in love. For the whole of the Torah is summed up in this one sentence: “Love your neighbor as yourself”; but if you go on snapping at each other and tearing each other to pieces, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other!”

Galatians 5:13-15 CJB

Shavua tov. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of YHWH is now. Be a blessing to YHWH and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #MyNepheshMyChoice #ChristsLifeMatters #EmbracetheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH #GodKnows

Embrace the Within no. 86

"People may excite in themselves a glow of compassion…by going and seeking an object that requires compassion."

Henry Ward Beecher

If you want to see what is really important to people, shut off the electricity, shut off the internet router, and cancel church. Last night something happened to the wireless router and there was much anger and gnashing of teeth about the situation. There were deals bargained with a plastic box. There were conversations made with a created thing. It was definitely a learning experience. Today that lifeless thing is still just sitting there drawing electricity and doing nothing. Taking and providing nothing.

I wasn’t making deals with the box. I wasn’t upset. I knew that there was going to be a way for me to do all that I needed with or without that lifeless box. And, of course, what verse was waiting for me first this morning BUT one to remind me of just to whom I should be concerned first and foremost, “But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow — tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough tsuris already” (Mattiyahu 6:33-34 CJB).

There is enough with which to be concerned today that is not Adonai. I can get distracted by other things or I can give my direction, my body, my mind, my heart, and my everything to the Father. I get to make that decision. Am I going to worry about a created thing or worry more about the Creator of all things?

Shavua tov. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of YHWH is now. Be a blessing to YHWH and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #MyNepheshMyChoice #ChristsLifeMatters #EmbracetheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH #GodKnows