Judgmental Christians

April 26, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Godly Principles 

Have you ever run into a Judgmental Christians? C’mon, I know you have, everybody has. Judgmental Christians, they know just enough scripture to be dangerous. You never see them at Bible Study or Sunday school, but they are always around to talk about Sally, Sue, Me or You. Hypercritical, trash talking, fault finding, know everything about everybody’s business Christians. I don’t know about you, but I have just about had it with these folks. How many people have been run out of your church by these hurtful people?

I remember when a young woman (new to the faith) came into our church wearing pants (Lord, why did she do that). When some of our older “Judgmental Christians” got hold of her, she ran out of the church never to return. I believe that one of the problems with these people stem from a dislike for humanity and just pure jealousy. Maybe they just had a bad childhood or something. Our Lord tells us: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

Back in the days when I was a chauffeur, I took a passenger to the airport by Towncar. This passenger was a young white business woman probably in her mid thirties. As we were engaged in general conversation she mentioned at that time, the recent Bush victory and how she had wished that Senator Kerry had won. I remember remarking that ‘maybe he (Bush) will be good for the country,’ something in that order. To which she retorted indignantly; “Don’t tell me that you voted for him?” Before I could even answer, she cried; “Why?” I said; “I didn’t like either candidate, but Bush supported the Christian moral agenda.” Lord why did I say that, because as soon as I did, this nice lady lost her entire mind in the back seat of my car. She was now screaming at me at the top of her voice crying; “It is because of you people (Christians) that I can’t get married. It is because of you people that I’m afraid to go out at night. It is because of you people that I’m afraid for my life and the life of my daughter. It is because of you people that I have to hide being a homosexual.”

Wowwww! I couldn’t believe what just happened. She’s homosexual. Anyone that knows me knows that I can talk. I normally don’t even let the radio have that last word, but now I was stuck. I was really at a lost for words. Can you imagine the abuse this woman has had to endure at the hands of probably, well-meaning but “Judgmental Christians? They might not have meant to hurt her, but they did. Regardless of her sin, no one has the right to berate or abuse anyone because they don’t accept your theology. I am always reminded of Barnabas and Paul at Antioch and how well they worked together. Their love and respect for each other was so contagious, so admirable, that they were called by a new name, so that whenever you saw anyone acting like them you knew who they were because of this kind of behavior. They were called Christians.

If Judgmental Christians would take the time to watch, listen and learn, they would have better insight into other people and their problems. They might be able to help instead of hurt. After all isn’t this what we (Christians) are supposed to be about? Aren’t we supposed to help? How can we minister to the poor and imprisoned if we are judging them? The Bible tells us that we are the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth.” When Judgmental Christians start to love more and judge less, this will be a better world to live in. When we become one mind about what it is we are supposed to be about, maybe then we can finally be about our Father’s Business.

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You Got To Let It Go

April 19, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Our children 

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Many times in our lives we have heard people say, “Let go and let God”. What does that really mean?  Is it just another catchy christianese statement that sounds good but has no biblical implications?  If we look at letting go and letting God we will realize that this covers many areas in the Christian’s life.  First we must learn to let go of our past sins and failures.  So many Christians become ineffective in the ministry to which God has called them because they can’t let go of their past sins.  The bible declares in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”.  Many people acknowledge their sin and readily repent for them but few find the path to forgiving themselves.  John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.   God is faithful in His forgiveness but we often fail to forgive ourselves and decide instead to wallow in self-pity and shame.  This is a trick of the adversary who continually reminds us of our past transgressions so that we focus more on the wrong we did than on the good Christ did. As we continue to hold on to our past sins we fail to grasp hold to the absolute truth that we are forgiven thru the Blood of The Lamb.  We then make Christ’s crucifixion pointless.  We must relearn with each cleansing in Christ’s Blood that we become new creatures in Him and thru Him.  We must let go of our transgressions for if we do not we will surely perish in a mindset of doubt and question.  Stop beating your-self up over sins that God has cast into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).  “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea”. Don’t hold on to what God Himself has thrown away.

Another part of holding onto the past involves when others have done wrong to us.  All of us have had people to do us wrong (EVEN IN THE CHURCH – don’t trip).  Christians are not above making mistakes and acting ungodly.  We all (including me) have either done someone wrong or had them to do us wrong and we continued to hold on to that wrongdoing.  Many people hold aught in their hearts behind something that happened 10 years ago and they can’t even remember what was done just that Deacon Rabbi did something.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:32 “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”.  We must operate in forgiveness towards others, remembering that God operates in forgiveness towards us.  We are even warned by Christ in Mark 11:25 and 26 that our failure to forgive others will result in God not forgiving us.  “ And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  We must learn to let go of others wrongdoings against us so God will let go of our sins against Him.  Holding aught against another only leads to your own spiritual death.  Forgive your brothers and sisters so you can be who and what God intended you to be, a true believer. 

These two examples show that holding onto the past is destructive to your future in Christ Jesus as well as to your ministry.  Letting go and Letting God is not just another catchy church slogan to be put on a church sign.  It is a critical part to being effective in your ministry and being forgiven of your sins.  So let go of the past so you can grab hold of your future in Christ Jesus.

Amen

Brutha Whirlwind

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Tags: fear, forget, forgiven, forgiveness, let go, let it go, move on, new, newness, old things, past, release, stagnant, stagnation, weighed, weight

Seek and Ye Shall Find

April 12, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Biblical Teachings, Godly Principles, The Faith Walk 

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Quiet moments.  Silence.  It’s so quiet that breathing sounds like thunder.  It is then when His voice comes through clearly.

It is so important to take time out each day to pray, meditate and focus on the Word.  By doing these things, you will build a relationship with God; one of strength and intimacy.  Because we’re human, sometimes it takes hardship to bring us closer to God.  For others, it comes easier.  Whatever the case may be, intimacy with God is key to a prosperous life.
My New Year’s resolution was to get into the Word every morning when I wake up.  It’s mid-February and I’m doing pretty well thus far.  On those few occassions when I skip my morning routine, my entire day is turned upside down.  Minute things have an effect on me, clearly demonstrating the importance of building a strong, intimate relationship with God.  When I do mediate on the Word, my thinking is clear, my emotions are in check and peace surrounds me.  Intimacy comes from His Word.

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back.  I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live.  Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.’ “- Ruth 1:16

Because of Ruth’s loyalty and faithfulness, she was rewarded.  God showed favor upon her.  Ruth had an intimate relationship with God and therefore never stressed nor worried about her situation because the peace of God rested upon her.  Intimacy with the Lord breeds knowledge, understanding and favor that is unimaginable.  I’ve got it, how about you?

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Tags: destination, destiny, diligence, establish, established, find, help, locate, look, looking, looking for, search, seek, seeking, yearn

Your Unconditional Worth

April 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Prophetic Word, The Faith Walk, Words of Encouragement 

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As God’s beloved child, you are of inestimable worth!!
 
I rebuke every insecurity and feeling of unworthiness that you have ever experienced.
 
Every comparison you’ve made between yourself and someone else, I also rebuke because there is no one on this earth worthy enough for you to compare yourself to.
 
Jesus is the only perfect person that every walked the face of the earth; therefore every time you’ve considered someone else to look better, dress better, speak better, be smarter, more successful, and have a better personality than you is NULL and VOID!
 
II Corinthians 10:12 says, “We dare not classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. Whoever measures themselves by themselves and compares themselves with themselves is unwise.” I believe this verse is targeting those who walk around boasting about themselves; people who are so wrapped up in their appearances and their accomplishments that they can’t take time to acknowledge God who indeed granted them all that they have. 
 
Sadly, these are the people that we as Christians often compare ourselves to. 
 
I encourage you to count your own blessings and focus on where God has brought you from and where He plans to take you rather than becoming envious of what others have! 
 
You are more than worthy because He has chosen your body to be a dwelling place for His spirit.
 
God wouldn’t choose something raggedy and beat up to be a storehouse for something so treasurable; by joining in relationship with you He is expressing His approval of you.
 
You’re wonderful!! Remember, there is no woman or man greater than a praying woman or man.
 
So get on your knees and become one of the greatest! :-)
–
“Dolly”
Dylesia N. Hampton
Old Dominion University ’11
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You Can Face It

April 1, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Godly Principles 

Praise be to God for the great things he has done. I give him honor and praise for being the faithful God that he is. It gives me great pleasure and honor to present to you the highlights from Sunday, March 28, 2010. As promised God met us in the sanctuary and it was no more “Church as usual” Those who came to be delivered was delivered! Those who came to be set free, was Set Free! And those who came for strength, was strengthened! Our senor pastor, Bishop A. Ray Rouson, stepped forth with a life changing word. His anointed message “You Can Face It” came from Luke 9:51. If you have a problem facing anything or dealing with hardship in your life…. Then this is the message for you. Here are the highlights:
You can Face It – Luke 9:51.
No matter how hard it is you can face it. Christ is our example and he said that greater works will we do. He was telling us that if I (He) did it then you can do it. He wasn’t talking about greater in quality; he was speaking of greater in quantity. When we look at the life of Christ we are examples, you see not everyone loved him and not ever one supported him (or was for him). We as Christians will go through the same thing. Not everyone will be for us, and not everyone will support us and let me tell you that not every one is going to love you either. Paul said in the scripture that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So don’t think that you got this thing all together, if there are any props to be given, they will be given for being obedient to God. Jesus was facing a hard task and he knew that if God did not give him strength to do it, it could not be done. Luke 9:51 says “We shall be received up- talking about Jesus. He almost ran out of Jerusalem, but it was the appointed time for him to face what He had to face. God will not allow stuff to go on in your life before it’s time. It was God’s time.

Have you ever had a dead line that you had to face? Let me tell you that you can face it. When the time came Jesus Steadfastly set his face and dealt with it, because it was time to face it. We must remember that “they that live godly will suffer persecution.” Life is not just separation. Ecclesiastes 3 says there is a time for everything under the sun. There is a time for mourning, a time for dancing a time to laugh and a time to cry a time to break down and a time to build up. God does not give extensions of suffering, there comes a time in this life when we just have to face it.
Jesus knew it was just time. He could not put off what he was put on this earth to do. As hard as it may have seemed he knew that it must be done. Luke stepped all over the hard things that Jesus was going to endure, the details were left out, it said, and “He will go up” But Christ said I can’t ascend until I am crucified. Some time we wish we could have an extension from God so we will not have to face our deadline. How many of you know about extensions? How many have paid bills and needed an extension? The power company will sometimes give you another week to pay your bill or maybe even till payday. God does not deal with extensions… when it’s time to face it you must face it. You must know that if the Lord brings us to it, He will bring us through it. You can face it. When God delivers you everyone will see it. Jesus had to be crucified before we could see His glory. And like Jesus’ example we have to crucify our flesh and face hell just like He did in order for others to see God’s glory in us.
Don’t worry… “You can Face it”

There are three expectations we can be sure of when we make up our minds to face what you have to face:
1. Expect the devil to put fear in you- Luke 13:31-33- on the way to Jerusalem the Pharisees told Jesus to get out of here (look for the devil). He will always present himself. When you make up your mind to face what you have to face. The devil will put fear in you. Jesus said in (Luke 13:31-33) I cast out devils.

2. Expect people to change on you- They will change on you. When Jesus entered Jerusalem there was a crowd of people. Let me tell you that you can’t trust a Sunday face. On Sunday everyone is for you and smiling and shouting and rejoicing. But by Friday, the real you will be out. The same people who cheered for him in the previous chapters were the same ones who cried “Crucify Him” in the 23rd chapter of Luke. The same people who crucified Jesus will do the same thing to you. When you make up your mind to face what you have to face. People around you will change. The same people he fed when they were hungry, and healed when they were sick, the same ones He gave sight to and delivered turned against him. When the people who are close to you change, let it happen.

3. Expect God to work for you- It would not be put before you if He could not bring you through it. Everybody is facing something and he gives us the ability to handle it. We can over come whatever we need to as long as we face it. We must walk in integrity and face it like a soldier. What ever you have to face, face it with integrity. What ever is before you today, know that it’s time for you to stand up and face it. You can face it! God will give you the strength you need, He will give you the courage you need he will give you the peace you need. Just face it and let God’s glory be revealed in your life.

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