As you know the past few weeks I have been seeking God's direction for my life, and I am finding that I am getting a lot more answers. When I get prayed over, I find that I generally get the same messages repeatedly. Last night (actually this morning, circa 1-2 am) I got prayed over by a man who never met me and knew nothing about my life. He reaffirmed that I was in a void point of my life and that I was not at peace with my situation, but reaffirmed that I would be out of that period of my life soon. This is the third or fourth time that I have received this message by someone who is not familiar with my situation, and though I find it comforting, there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered.
I am generally good about being patient and waiting, but I can only hold out financially for so long; thus I am rather curious about the next stage of life. What I found to be helpful was that I was reminded that the situation is not about me... we often times think everything is about us, but what about the people at our appointed destination that need our blessing. The pieces may not be in place yet, or the person that I am to replace may still be occupying the position. These things take time, and I just need to remember that.
Though I set out to talk about something different, I wanted to include that in my message since it is related. The main message that I wanted to talk about today was why it seems that people who honestly try hard at life seem to get the short end of the stick while others seem to walk through life getting what they want even if they do it deviously. It can be frustrating to some, and one verse that really stuck out to me was looking at the story of Esau and Jacob in Genesis 27.
When we look at how Jacob deceived his brother by taking his birthright, many people think, "how unfair!" Rebekah deceived a dying Isaac by dressing up Jacob as Esau so that he may receive the blessing. Jacob also convinced Esau to exchange his inheritance for some lentil stew and bred when he was exhausted. It seems that this deception was unfair, and that Esau was getting robbed of what was rightfully his as the older twin. But there is reason to believe that Israel would have never come into existence without Jacob's schemes.
Esau married wives that worshipped other Gods. Many people today have no problem marrying people of other denominations or religions, but back then marrying someone of other religious beliefs was a dangerous practice and had further implications. In this case, Esau married Hittites who worshipped many Gods, none of which was the God of Abraham and Isaac. If Esau was to continue on this path and the nation of Israel were to be formed from him, it would have failed due to Hittite influence. It was crucial that the nation of Israel was formed with like minded people. Though he tried to marry one of Ishmael's daughters later, it was too little too late to regain his father's blessing.
The second detail worth noting is that the birthright was everything to these people. The fact that he sold his birthright for a meal speaks volumes for how little he viewed it's value. Either that, or he was so short sighted that he would rather have the immediate gratification of food when he wanted it than to have an eternal blessing.
The third detail worth noting is that Esau was not exactly a poster child for founding a nation. Him and his Hittite wives made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 27:35, 46), so they created many issues inside the house of Isaac.
When all of these things are considered, it may have been good that God allowed Jacob to deceive Esau. If he did not, the house of Israel would have looked completely different, if it would have existed at all. I am not saying this today to condone devious or deceitful acts, but instead to bring new perspective to why some things happen the way that they do. There is a big picture, and sometimes we do not have a grasp of it because of where we stand.
So that brings me to today. I am still waiting for everything to line up and wondering when it will, but at least I know that God has the big picture in mind and I know that he is able to use whatever he wants to get his will to work properly. I just have to wait for the opportunity like Jacob rather than trying to force my own destiny like Esau.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Did you ever think that...
Yes, I should be wrapping up my final paper for my first semester of counseling school, but this won't take long! When I think about the world, I mean, the universe, it can be absolutely overwhelming. There is so much to it that it is hard to fathom in my finite mind. So I stop, and I think about what is right in front of me: earth. Did you ever stop to think about what it takes to create a livable planet? I stole this from my Apologetics Dictionary (pp. 26 & 27), but think about these ideas, for a moment:
If the atmosphere was 25 percent oxygen, the world would be on fire... if it was 15 percent, humans would suffocate. Our atmosphere is 21 percent oxygen.
If there was a slight increase in gravity, the sun would burn too rapidly and erratically to sustain life.
If the centrifugal force of the planetary movement did not precisely balance the gravitational forces, then nothing would orbit around the sun.
If the universe was expanding one millionth slower than it is, the temperature of the earth would be 10,000 degrees.
If the average distance between stars was not as far as they were, orbits would become erratic and the extreme temperature variations on earth would kill life.
If Jupiter's orbit was different, then the earth would be bombarded by asteroids and comments that would have otherwise been sucked in by Jupiter's gravitational pull.
If the earths crust was any thinner, volcanic activity would destroy life on earth. If it was thicker, too much oxygen would be transferred to the earth, thus life could not be supported.
If the rotation of the earth was anything other than 24 hours, the temperatures would be too erratic to support life.
If the axial tilt was any different, then surface temperatures would destroy life.
If lightening was any stronger, it would create too much fire destruction... if it was weaker, than there would be too little of nitrogen in the soil.
If there were more earthquakes, then too much life would be lost. If there were less earthquakes, certain nutrients needed for life would not cycle back into the continents as it should.
When I read these facts, I can not help but think about how God tailor made the earth for us. It gives me hope and it gives me faith knowing that God knows what he is doing. Anyway, I just wanted to share that because I found it to be extremely helpful!
If the atmosphere was 25 percent oxygen, the world would be on fire... if it was 15 percent, humans would suffocate. Our atmosphere is 21 percent oxygen.
If there was a slight increase in gravity, the sun would burn too rapidly and erratically to sustain life.
If the centrifugal force of the planetary movement did not precisely balance the gravitational forces, then nothing would orbit around the sun.
If the universe was expanding one millionth slower than it is, the temperature of the earth would be 10,000 degrees.
If the average distance between stars was not as far as they were, orbits would become erratic and the extreme temperature variations on earth would kill life.
If Jupiter's orbit was different, then the earth would be bombarded by asteroids and comments that would have otherwise been sucked in by Jupiter's gravitational pull.
If the earths crust was any thinner, volcanic activity would destroy life on earth. If it was thicker, too much oxygen would be transferred to the earth, thus life could not be supported.
If the rotation of the earth was anything other than 24 hours, the temperatures would be too erratic to support life.
If the axial tilt was any different, then surface temperatures would destroy life.
If lightening was any stronger, it would create too much fire destruction... if it was weaker, than there would be too little of nitrogen in the soil.
If there were more earthquakes, then too much life would be lost. If there were less earthquakes, certain nutrients needed for life would not cycle back into the continents as it should.
When I read these facts, I can not help but think about how God tailor made the earth for us. It gives me hope and it gives me faith knowing that God knows what he is doing. Anyway, I just wanted to share that because I found it to be extremely helpful!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Hurting people hurting people
A new friend of mine told me that I should get back into writing because I need to continue to work on my ability. I also realized that by me not sharing what I am going through, others can not learn from my mistakes, my incite, or what God is sharing with me. So I am hoping that this is not too rough, it is a bit personal, but I am not exactly a closed book.
My trip home to Cleveland was a huge help because I had a lot of time to think and pray (26 hours total after delays), and I was able to get perspective on work and school mainly. It looks like things are coming together with employment, even though I am not sure that I know where I will end up living in the next month. As for school, I may take a few weeks off and go back part time to get my counseling degree. So that was a few of the major concerns that I was able to have peace about, which leaves one big one.
I looked back on my life and I noticed a consistent relational pattern in my life. I found that in general I have a hard time finding people close to me who speak into my life positively. Whether it is friends, girlfriends, church leaders, or coworkers, I have a tendency to attract people who are negative or have unreal expectations. I have pretty healthy self-esteem, and I have always been comfortable with who I am, but it is never fun when you realize the person that you are associating with (friend, significant other, family, etc) takes you for granted, is careless with your feelings, or criticizes you when you are trying your best. In turn, when I am around this too much, it makes it harder for me to be positive. Thats why I took a break from writing, thats why I took a break from a lot of people: I did not want to spread that negativity.
I have learned that I can not control them or change them, but as an adult I can choose how much I am with them or how much they speak into my life. I can also tell someone when they are being rude, when they have unrealistic expectations, when I need a break from them, so on and so forth.
At certain stages of our lives, we can not control when we see someone or how much we see them, because you can not avoid classmates, coworkers, or sometimes family. What I have learned through my life is that I have to forgive them, and try be honest with them about what they did to me. The truth is that most hurting people do not know what they do, they just do it almost like a habit. They more than likely do not remember what they do, nor do they care, but you are the one left with damage. I can not change their actions, but I can make an effort to take the baggage that they placed in my trunk, and leave it behind so that it does not weigh me down. I also hope and pray that they heal, because they need it.
So I think the bottom line that I am trying to say is that when we think about Matthew 12:24 (from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks), are we allowing life-giving people into our lives rather than negative life-taking people? I know that we can not avoid all negative people, but we must be careful to have people who will love us and have realistic standards. If we do not, then we will become exhausted.
That is where I was, because I wanted to pick up and start school again, I wanted to get a job using my degree, I wanted to be in ministry again, I wanted to be around friends more, and I wanted to date again, but I realized that I was still exhausted from previous situations and I was trying to run at full speed while my body was beat up still. My heart was tired, and my words came out tired. I tend to do that, and I am doing my best to avoid that.
The good thing is that I figured out that I was dealing with hurting people hurting people. With that in mind, I am able to move forward and know that I am doing my best and I am overcoming my troubles, and not take ownership of their problems. It stinks sometimes, but it helps me and I hope it helps those going through the same thing that I am.
So when we think of the impact this has on our heart, I would like to challenge you today to do four things:
1. Be mindful of what people close to you are giving you. It can take years sometimes to undo what people do to you, if it can be avoided- avoid it.
2. Be willing to make the change need be, and don't let someone take your joy. This is one thing that the devil wants to take from us, so protect it fiercely.
3. Rest if you need to. Do not wear yourself out if you are tired... but remember that you need to eventually get back in the game because you are needed out there.
4. Get healing if you need to. If you have a broken leg, it won't fix itself and it will make things worse. Broken people have a higher risk of breaking others... as Christians we must be careful with each others hearts and avoid breaking others.
Thank you again for your patience with me, and I am glad to be back!
My trip home to Cleveland was a huge help because I had a lot of time to think and pray (26 hours total after delays), and I was able to get perspective on work and school mainly. It looks like things are coming together with employment, even though I am not sure that I know where I will end up living in the next month. As for school, I may take a few weeks off and go back part time to get my counseling degree. So that was a few of the major concerns that I was able to have peace about, which leaves one big one.
I looked back on my life and I noticed a consistent relational pattern in my life. I found that in general I have a hard time finding people close to me who speak into my life positively. Whether it is friends, girlfriends, church leaders, or coworkers, I have a tendency to attract people who are negative or have unreal expectations. I have pretty healthy self-esteem, and I have always been comfortable with who I am, but it is never fun when you realize the person that you are associating with (friend, significant other, family, etc) takes you for granted, is careless with your feelings, or criticizes you when you are trying your best. In turn, when I am around this too much, it makes it harder for me to be positive. Thats why I took a break from writing, thats why I took a break from a lot of people: I did not want to spread that negativity.
I have learned that I can not control them or change them, but as an adult I can choose how much I am with them or how much they speak into my life. I can also tell someone when they are being rude, when they have unrealistic expectations, when I need a break from them, so on and so forth.
At certain stages of our lives, we can not control when we see someone or how much we see them, because you can not avoid classmates, coworkers, or sometimes family. What I have learned through my life is that I have to forgive them, and try be honest with them about what they did to me. The truth is that most hurting people do not know what they do, they just do it almost like a habit. They more than likely do not remember what they do, nor do they care, but you are the one left with damage. I can not change their actions, but I can make an effort to take the baggage that they placed in my trunk, and leave it behind so that it does not weigh me down. I also hope and pray that they heal, because they need it.
So I think the bottom line that I am trying to say is that when we think about Matthew 12:24 (from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks), are we allowing life-giving people into our lives rather than negative life-taking people? I know that we can not avoid all negative people, but we must be careful to have people who will love us and have realistic standards. If we do not, then we will become exhausted.
That is where I was, because I wanted to pick up and start school again, I wanted to get a job using my degree, I wanted to be in ministry again, I wanted to be around friends more, and I wanted to date again, but I realized that I was still exhausted from previous situations and I was trying to run at full speed while my body was beat up still. My heart was tired, and my words came out tired. I tend to do that, and I am doing my best to avoid that.
The good thing is that I figured out that I was dealing with hurting people hurting people. With that in mind, I am able to move forward and know that I am doing my best and I am overcoming my troubles, and not take ownership of their problems. It stinks sometimes, but it helps me and I hope it helps those going through the same thing that I am.
So when we think of the impact this has on our heart, I would like to challenge you today to do four things:
1. Be mindful of what people close to you are giving you. It can take years sometimes to undo what people do to you, if it can be avoided- avoid it.
2. Be willing to make the change need be, and don't let someone take your joy. This is one thing that the devil wants to take from us, so protect it fiercely.
3. Rest if you need to. Do not wear yourself out if you are tired... but remember that you need to eventually get back in the game because you are needed out there.
4. Get healing if you need to. If you have a broken leg, it won't fix itself and it will make things worse. Broken people have a higher risk of breaking others... as Christians we must be careful with each others hearts and avoid breaking others.
Thank you again for your patience with me, and I am glad to be back!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Stopping for a While
To all who have kept up with me from time to time, thank you for reading. In light of a lot of things going on in my life, I am really starting to feel that it might be wise for me to step back for a while and not write. I have really enjoyed writing and talking with people about the different subjects, but I have started to notice that my messages are starting to get too painful and I do not want to be a wet blanket.
Nothing is life or death wrong, but I am dealing with a lot right now emotionally as I am trying to figure out the next stage of my life, work on my counseling degree, find a job, deal with ministry drama, health issues, try and fix the never ending problem with the Navy, and sort out my disillusionment towards something in my life.
Basically, I am trying to stay positive and struggling to do so. Matthew 12:24 says that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. I have always been the type that wants to give life giving words to people. Anyone that knows me knows thats my heart. I am exhausted and can't do that right now. Mainly it is because I have been surrounded by too many negative people or negative events, and it is burning me out.
I hope to write again soon, and if you can think to pray for me that would be greatly appreciated! You can always email me, call me, or facebook message me as well, and we can talk further. Good bye for now!
Nothing is life or death wrong, but I am dealing with a lot right now emotionally as I am trying to figure out the next stage of my life, work on my counseling degree, find a job, deal with ministry drama, health issues, try and fix the never ending problem with the Navy, and sort out my disillusionment towards something in my life.
Basically, I am trying to stay positive and struggling to do so. Matthew 12:24 says that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. I have always been the type that wants to give life giving words to people. Anyone that knows me knows thats my heart. I am exhausted and can't do that right now. Mainly it is because I have been surrounded by too many negative people or negative events, and it is burning me out.
I hope to write again soon, and if you can think to pray for me that would be greatly appreciated! You can always email me, call me, or facebook message me as well, and we can talk further. Good bye for now!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Do you understand the words comin outta my mouf?
I had to quote that line from Rush Hour, because it is pretty much what I am talking about today. I have been thinking a lot about how we communicate with different generations on multiple levels. I am going to keep it concise and note the subjects so you can skip ones that you may find lame...
Personal: If you were to compare Baby Boomers to GenX and GenY, you will see a huge communication problem. When I was on active duty with the Navy, I had a GenX boss (about 15 years older than me) talk with me to try and figure out how to motivate my age group (Gen Y). He was frustrated because all of the tactics he used on his own age group had very little impact on us, and he had no idea. This piqued my curiosity, and it is something that individuals need to figure out to effectively lead.
Church: This brings up a greater problem though, concerning the church. Whatever it is that motivates Gen X to go to church does not motivate Gen Y. One issue that I have found is that churches are often times started solely for evangelism purposes but they do not understand something that can appeal to all generations. You can also see a distinct personality difference between the pastors who represent the different age groups. If a pastor gets up there and makes cheesy jokes and talks about how God is going to give us prosperity, my age group will probably roll their eyes. Meanwhile, if the pastor is in my age group and if the church plays music geared towards my age group, a lot of older people will call it "too loud" and reject the "authentic and unpolished" message. These are actual discussions that I have had that capture common themes, and I think it is important to move towards a happier medium.
Work: Simply giving a promotion or a pay raise does not always work as motivation. After watching parents and older friends get laid off, retired with a swift kick out the door, or give their lives to companies that do not care about them, we can be sort of jaded towards big business that has little interest in anything but money. Notice the companies that my generation really gravitates towards and see how many of them support humanitarian causes. Also, what about the way in which they are appreciated by their employer? If the boss or coworkers are able to show appreciation to an individual and let them know that they are valued, they are more likely willing to stay... sounds basic, but not many places do that.
Family is another area, but being that I am a single guy... I have my ideas but I don't feel qualified to talk about that. But I just wanted to talk today about how we communicate with one another on a generational level. If we want to succeed as families, churches, and businesses, it is significant that we can relate with one another and understand where the other is coming from... as the old saying goes, communication is the key to success.
Personal: If you were to compare Baby Boomers to GenX and GenY, you will see a huge communication problem. When I was on active duty with the Navy, I had a GenX boss (about 15 years older than me) talk with me to try and figure out how to motivate my age group (Gen Y). He was frustrated because all of the tactics he used on his own age group had very little impact on us, and he had no idea. This piqued my curiosity, and it is something that individuals need to figure out to effectively lead.
Church: This brings up a greater problem though, concerning the church. Whatever it is that motivates Gen X to go to church does not motivate Gen Y. One issue that I have found is that churches are often times started solely for evangelism purposes but they do not understand something that can appeal to all generations. You can also see a distinct personality difference between the pastors who represent the different age groups. If a pastor gets up there and makes cheesy jokes and talks about how God is going to give us prosperity, my age group will probably roll their eyes. Meanwhile, if the pastor is in my age group and if the church plays music geared towards my age group, a lot of older people will call it "too loud" and reject the "authentic and unpolished" message. These are actual discussions that I have had that capture common themes, and I think it is important to move towards a happier medium.
Work: Simply giving a promotion or a pay raise does not always work as motivation. After watching parents and older friends get laid off, retired with a swift kick out the door, or give their lives to companies that do not care about them, we can be sort of jaded towards big business that has little interest in anything but money. Notice the companies that my generation really gravitates towards and see how many of them support humanitarian causes. Also, what about the way in which they are appreciated by their employer? If the boss or coworkers are able to show appreciation to an individual and let them know that they are valued, they are more likely willing to stay... sounds basic, but not many places do that.
Family is another area, but being that I am a single guy... I have my ideas but I don't feel qualified to talk about that. But I just wanted to talk today about how we communicate with one another on a generational level. If we want to succeed as families, churches, and businesses, it is significant that we can relate with one another and understand where the other is coming from... as the old saying goes, communication is the key to success.
Friday, October 14, 2011
God's Timing is Key
I will admit, I am a 29 year old who is single and is not using my degree at the moment! Sadly enough, there are people who will hear that and automatically judge me. Whether it is that I just finished a masters degree and I am starting on a second one, or the fact that I am 29 and not married that people will give me labels such as "loser", "damaged goods", "incompetent", or "commitment-phobe". Strangely enough, I look around at my fellow 20-30 somethings that are in the same boat as myself and I can't help but wonder if these people are on to something. But then again, I laugh about it and realize that it is not a big deal.
"Not a big deal??? What do you mean?!" Most would respond. When thinking about my job situation, I will eventually get into a job that is in line with my calling, but it may not be quite yet. I am entering the worst job market in a very long time, and you cannot expect me to just get a job. Trust me, I have met many people who did not deserve the job that they have, but they are currently occupying that job and it does more harm than good. It has been frustrating watching it, especially when I realize that I could be getting a pay check to do their job and do a better job (no one you would know, don't worry!). But I realize that God may not want me in that negative situation. I have been offered jobs and I have turned those jobs down. Again, you probably think that I am crazy. But if you knew the details of the job and the track record of those who went before me in those jobs, you would see why I passed. I did not want to end up jaded while working a job that did not pay me and cut me off from my friends. So instead, I am applying across the US looking for a ministry position or somewhere God is calling me to.
Now, lets talk about that pesky biological clock thing. A lot of friends and relatives seem to wonder when I will get married. Thats when questions about my sanity, pickiness, or commitment issues come up (I am sane, I have healthy standards and am okay with commitment). I have talked at length about this back in February ( http://jasonchrista.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-differently.html ) if you want to read it, but I won't revisit it. In general though, I get a lot of flack for being on the wrong side of twenty and single. What I find frequently is that even though I may be getting older, it is not that I have any serious life altering problems. In fact, I am finding that most of the people that it did not work out with was for the best because it would have made me miserable. I would much rather be content and single than married and miserable. In general, I do not hear about too many happy marriages. So that is why I am content to wait.
In closing, I would like to encourage you if you are in the same boat as me. We don't always know what God is up to, but I find that sometimes not being in a situation is better than being in a horribly bad one. What I find is that even though Abraham was promised a nation, he never saw the nation. He just saw Isaac. He was able to see God's promise, just not in full bloom. So maybe God has us in a place where we are antsy and trying to be patient, but we are safe. Now is just the time to pray that his will comes sooner rather than later! =)
"Not a big deal??? What do you mean?!" Most would respond. When thinking about my job situation, I will eventually get into a job that is in line with my calling, but it may not be quite yet. I am entering the worst job market in a very long time, and you cannot expect me to just get a job. Trust me, I have met many people who did not deserve the job that they have, but they are currently occupying that job and it does more harm than good. It has been frustrating watching it, especially when I realize that I could be getting a pay check to do their job and do a better job (no one you would know, don't worry!). But I realize that God may not want me in that negative situation. I have been offered jobs and I have turned those jobs down. Again, you probably think that I am crazy. But if you knew the details of the job and the track record of those who went before me in those jobs, you would see why I passed. I did not want to end up jaded while working a job that did not pay me and cut me off from my friends. So instead, I am applying across the US looking for a ministry position or somewhere God is calling me to.
Now, lets talk about that pesky biological clock thing. A lot of friends and relatives seem to wonder when I will get married. Thats when questions about my sanity, pickiness, or commitment issues come up (I am sane, I have healthy standards and am okay with commitment). I have talked at length about this back in February ( http://jasonchrista.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-differently.html ) if you want to read it, but I won't revisit it. In general though, I get a lot of flack for being on the wrong side of twenty and single. What I find frequently is that even though I may be getting older, it is not that I have any serious life altering problems. In fact, I am finding that most of the people that it did not work out with was for the best because it would have made me miserable. I would much rather be content and single than married and miserable. In general, I do not hear about too many happy marriages. So that is why I am content to wait.
In closing, I would like to encourage you if you are in the same boat as me. We don't always know what God is up to, but I find that sometimes not being in a situation is better than being in a horribly bad one. What I find is that even though Abraham was promised a nation, he never saw the nation. He just saw Isaac. He was able to see God's promise, just not in full bloom. So maybe God has us in a place where we are antsy and trying to be patient, but we are safe. Now is just the time to pray that his will comes sooner rather than later! =)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
God Treats us Differently
So this is a truth that I have been thinking about lately. I know that people like to say that it is not good to treat people differently, but what if you treated your kids the same way? You know, the older one that thinks that he can get away with everything and is very disrespectful. Will you treat your more mild mannered and respectful daughter the same way? Probably not. Because if you lecture her about respecting people, chances are you will lose her respect since there is little if any dialogue there and she will feel slighted. If you treat the older one like the younger one, then you will ignore the issue and things will get worse.
I find that God treats us as people the same way. We often times forget that because we are often times taught in church that God judges the same way. The one thing that we have to remember is that Jesus did not talk to all the disciples the way he did to Peter. He was at times very harsh towards him because he had to address him that way. Jesus is not that way all of the time. Another example of this is the way you see Jesus reprimanding the Pharisees calling them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, and children of vipers. But then you see him in John 3 talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, rationally and discussing with him rather than reprimanding him. So Jesus did not treat everyone the same, he was able to talk to and motivate people differently.
I am writing this today because I know that there are a lot of people out there who are thinking, "well I don't see this or that in my life, so God must have forgotten about me." God talks to people differently in different walks of their lives. I get into this discussion because I hear a lot of people that think that God has left the western Church. Just because we do not see overt miracles everyday or we do not see people getting excised everyday does not mean that God is not moving in his people. He has equally be blessing the man in Africa healing people as he did the woman who is encouraging people and helping create opportunities for people to succeed in life.
Neither one is greater than the next. It is just that God moves in different areas differently to reach specific audiences. Breathtaking miracles are of a greater need in religiously oppressive and poorer areas, where as an amazing teacher that moves people is better suited for an audience that has become irrelevant in their community. When we start thinking that God speaks the same way everywhere and start ranking the acts of the spirit, we get into a dangerous place much like the Corinthian church who favored "flashier" gifts such as speaking in tongues. Paul specifically spoke out against that. This is why there is a body, not just parts. We are needed that way, so lets try to avoid thinking that GOd has to act in specific ways.
Finally, one word on Love. When we read the Old Testament, you will see God showing his love numerous ways. When he led his people out of Egypt with the plagues and then parting the sea, that was his love in freeing the people. When he sent them into exile, that was his love disciplining them. Love takes on many forms, but it is doing what is best for the person.
So when you think of where you are with God, whether it is going through a silent period, a disciplinary period, a lavishing period, or a whatever, just know that he always loves you, it is just that there is not set rules for how he deals with us. Just the same way as you communicating with your children or coworkers differently, God talks to us differently at different times in our lives.
I find that God treats us as people the same way. We often times forget that because we are often times taught in church that God judges the same way. The one thing that we have to remember is that Jesus did not talk to all the disciples the way he did to Peter. He was at times very harsh towards him because he had to address him that way. Jesus is not that way all of the time. Another example of this is the way you see Jesus reprimanding the Pharisees calling them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, and children of vipers. But then you see him in John 3 talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, rationally and discussing with him rather than reprimanding him. So Jesus did not treat everyone the same, he was able to talk to and motivate people differently.
I am writing this today because I know that there are a lot of people out there who are thinking, "well I don't see this or that in my life, so God must have forgotten about me." God talks to people differently in different walks of their lives. I get into this discussion because I hear a lot of people that think that God has left the western Church. Just because we do not see overt miracles everyday or we do not see people getting excised everyday does not mean that God is not moving in his people. He has equally be blessing the man in Africa healing people as he did the woman who is encouraging people and helping create opportunities for people to succeed in life.
Neither one is greater than the next. It is just that God moves in different areas differently to reach specific audiences. Breathtaking miracles are of a greater need in religiously oppressive and poorer areas, where as an amazing teacher that moves people is better suited for an audience that has become irrelevant in their community. When we start thinking that God speaks the same way everywhere and start ranking the acts of the spirit, we get into a dangerous place much like the Corinthian church who favored "flashier" gifts such as speaking in tongues. Paul specifically spoke out against that. This is why there is a body, not just parts. We are needed that way, so lets try to avoid thinking that GOd has to act in specific ways.
Finally, one word on Love. When we read the Old Testament, you will see God showing his love numerous ways. When he led his people out of Egypt with the plagues and then parting the sea, that was his love in freeing the people. When he sent them into exile, that was his love disciplining them. Love takes on many forms, but it is doing what is best for the person.
So when you think of where you are with God, whether it is going through a silent period, a disciplinary period, a lavishing period, or a whatever, just know that he always loves you, it is just that there is not set rules for how he deals with us. Just the same way as you communicating with your children or coworkers differently, God talks to us differently at different times in our lives.
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