Love and Compassion

WISDOM FOR TODAY:

(Genesis 49:5) Simeon and Levi are brothers [equally headstrong, deceitful, vindictive, and cruel]; Their swords are weapons of violence and revenge. (Amp).

(2 Corinthians 4:1-2) Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (Amp).

Today,  I turn to address my fellow Pastors & ministers of God, not that I claim to know anything, but as laid upon my heart by The Holy Spirit. I know many will rubbish this few words, however the truth of God’s word has to be declared.

As much I enjoy preaching and teaching the word, I also long and thirst to hear another Minister/Pastor to preach convincing & convicting words that leads to repentance and a higher walk with God; after all, my desire is hear those famous words “…Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord (Matthew 25:23).These days, many congregations are blessed with intellectuals & educated professionals (people who read in between the lines and with a bit of bible understanding. It however sad and disheartening when a Pastor or church leader decides to treat such a congregation like two year old children (who hardly know their left from their right) by the way they present information or manipulate scriptures to soothe (back up) their views. Well two people can’t be at loss over a lie, it either the liar knows he/she is lying or the one being told a lie can smell a lie.

Hate me or love me, we have driven so many wonderful, would be useful children of God from parishes and churches by our greed, inferiority complex, insensitivity and insecurity to name but a few. We have termed (labelled) some of them as enemies of the church whereas, they were actually looking after the interest of their father business (the church) and even yours their Pastor.

Our pulpits are supposed to be a place where according to (2 Timothy 4:2) where we Pastors ought to be ready to preach the word in season and out of season as well as convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering (patience) and teaching. Not for ridiculing, insulting people’s intelligence or even cursing them. Remember the church is like hospital (different people with different ailments).

My question is: “Where is your fruit of love, meekness, longsuffering & temperance ?

I have heard Ministers of God uttering words like: ‘we did not invite or beg anyone to join us’. What ! What effrontery & nonsense !
Some of the big Pastors who use these languages forget days (of fasting), weeks, months and years of pleading with God to bring one member, only for God to answer and they suddenly become Nebuchadnezzar (I built this ministry), may God forgive you & I. So may I ask, so when state this position on them not them not being invited and consequently they choose to go somewhere else, who has lost?
Even Jesus Christ needed disciples to fulfil His ministry and Judas numbered among them. So you now see why the office of a Pastor does not have a not so good reputation these days.
(John 4:37-38) For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labours.”

How about those church workers that God has blessed you with (the no so polished ones or finished article) – like David’s rag tag army at the start – that you continue to rubbish, disgrace, demean week in week out, in the name of training or testing them (Harsh) ! What happened to encouragement, gentle correction ?
May God have mercy, I don’t recollect reading Apostle Paul putting Timothy or Titus or others through such, neither did Jesus on any of the disciples. I leave you to go and read up on John Mark (Acts 15:38-39),(2 Timothy 4:11) and Onesimus (Philemon 1:10-11).
Even as gifted as Apostle Paul was, he knew how to exercise meekness, longsuffering and temperance with the Corinthian church as well as recognise and repent on his initial opinion on John Mark.

Lastly, not everything that happening in your ministry or church is orchestrated by the devil. Yes, you heard me right !
If we as Pastors and ministers of the gospel will do a personal (inquisition) evaluation, repent and apologise where necessary (even when it not necessary) and understand that we are under the spotlight and cannot avoid criticism, as well as see criticism as way of bringing out the best in us – moving us into excellence!
Take time to meditate on the closing scripture below before you start thinking there’s a spy leaking information from your church.

“WHICH TEAM DO YOU BELONG TO, THE SCATTERS OR GATHERS ?”

# For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Good morning my family of friends.

Will you be ready when The Lord shall come, I will be ready (3x)…..
Still singing songs of victory, Hallelujah!

From: ‘Imitators of Christ, renewing the mind, under the guidance of The Holy Spirit’