Thought Of The Week

2 Timothy 2:22-26

A good soldier is a servant. In addition to acting on behalf of his country in combat situations, he is called upon to aid the local populace, liberate captives, and keep peace within the ranks. He must think about more than his own skin. Likewise, a Christian soldier’s job includes watching over those working alongside him.

The Christian soldier protects the unity of the church. Worship communities divide over both important and trivial issues. Sadly, most splits are ugly battles between people who ought to be fighting side-by-side against a common Enemy. Paul warns believers not to be quarrelsome. Instead we’re to work out differences with kindness and show patience when wronged. Moreover, a sensitive, loving correction can often settle tempers and clean a wound torn in the church body. Then healing is possible.

The Christian soldier rescues those imprisoned by sin. A gentle correction is also useful when speaking to fellow believers ensnared by the Devil. Just as the men and women in a combat unit guard each other, we are to care for our spiritual brothers and sisters. Or as Paul explained, we “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak” (1 Thess. 5:14). Our standing orders are to reflect Jesus to the world, beginning with each other (v. 13).

While these are things believers should do for one another, a servant-soldier’s top priority should be having a godly attitude. Respond to other spiritual warriors as Christ would. To keep your heart and mind right, you must be in God’s Word–reading, studying, and making His principles your own.

From the biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley.

God bless
Cliff

Dear Friends:
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts. Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. Proverbs 26:20-27 NIV

Do we demonize those who disagree with us politically. Is politics our last venue, where we can be part of the world?

Have we gotten to the point that our respect only is allowed if the person is wearing our badge? Is it possible to witness to people while spewing political hatred? I don’t think so. How do we change Washington D.C. We start with ourselves. Now most people will say “what?” Most will wonder what drugs your taking, but it is true.

First people must look at themselves and examine what you are ingesting as far as news goes. Most news is no longer news. Rather it is drama and a form of entertainment. A good journalist will keep his opinion to himself and let the viewer ascertain the facts and come up with a opinion. In a community the size of ours, and if we have spread fear and hatred of the liberals, will we ever be able to draw them in to Christian point of view.

We as Christian men are suppose to emulate a Christ like persona. How can it be possible if we hate the other group out there. Isn’t it possible there are good men and women in the other political party.

Who did JESUS hang with a zealot, tax collector, a prideful bad tempered rough edged fisherman, a pair of brothers whom he referred to as the Sons of Thunder. The rest were no better. JESUS worked on changing the hearts of men. The most effective way for this to happen is by leading the individual to CHRIST’ and having him be blessed with the Holy Spirit. We must remember though fish do not come into the boat cleaned, it is our job to clean and dress the fish.

The to most 2 flammable topics in the world are politics and religion. Most people in the world have strong views about both and their attitudes will change three to four days after death. Russ talks about cutting new grooves in a disk. This process can’t take place till you change the channel. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Pat Robertson and the rest of the news media sell commercials they don’t provide fair and unbiased news.

You have to change your inner man. This means that you can’t hold on to, well, that the conservatives are better then the liberals because the majority believe in banning abortions, argument. If this fable were true why wasn’t something get done when the conservatives held both houses of congress and the white house. Lip service. The truth is money. Most of us vote our pocket books. Taxes, taxes, and more taxes. If it is going to cost me money forget it. I don’t want it. Most of us don’t realize that 99.8% of the worlds wealth is controlled by less then 1% of the worlds population. the thing to remember it is all GODS stuff. So render unto Caesar what is Caesars. Remember folks GOD LOVES a cheerful giver.

The Book of Acts tells about a man and his wife sell some farm land and told Peter they were going to give all the money to the Christian movement. Well after the fact the 2 decided to hold some money back. So the husband walks into Peters place and gives him the money and Peter said” Do you think you can lie to the Holy Spirit..” and with that the dude dies. Peter instructs his helpers to bury the guy. Wife walks in Peter asked the wife same question. She ends up next to her husband.

Health care what does the bible say about it. All were healed. Not JESUS healed all who were worthy or Jesus healed the Jewish people. No all were healed. We can’t start there. Easy answers are no where to be found. What we as CHRIST servants can’t afford is to be so vocal we chase away the fish from the boat. Our focus must be on GODS work. My job at Sears provides me with the means to do GODS work. I can’t meddle to long in the worlds issues, like politics without smelling like the hogs. When I was a young man I had a friend that had a hog confinement I always smelled like them if I stopped in to see him for a minute or a hour. JESUS may have forgiven a prostitute but nothing is written about HIM visiting a brothel.

Most times when I wonder what JESUS would do. It usually ends up being the kind generous thing, not putting my wants or needs first. Enough all ready. This is coming off the top of my head . Unedited. We start locally and move outward. Politics gets nasty when the money gets involved. Like usual, it by any shape or manner it is  not politically correct.

GOD BLESS

Cliff

Dear Friends:
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:14-16 NIV
He replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Luke 11:28 NLT

You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.”
Romans 8:15 NLT

An eloquent testimony
Actions speak louder than words. Our behavior is eloquent testimony to who we are and what we think. Holy thought and corrupt behavior cannot coexist. It is a lie to say follow Christ if you are disregarding his Word and ignoring him. And is it surprising and disappointing when we hear people give a clear Christian testimony and yet see that they have a questionable lifestyle? The Bible calls us all to holy living. We are to make every effort to live according to its guidelines. First, if we are truly a new creature in Christ, then God’s Holy Spirit is living within us, helping us want to do what is right.

Second, godly living is an example to unbelieving friends, neighbors, and co-workers that we are different. People are attracted to others who are consistently kind, gracious, and loving. When they ask what makes you different you will have a wonderful opportunity to tell them of God’s love.

Third, godly living is a confirmation that you are, in fact, living for God and not yourself. It is a barometer of your relationship with him.

And fourth, godly living means that you are emulating Christ, who is our ultimate example of how to live.

GOD BLESS
Cliff