|
Leviticus 22:17-23:44; Mark 9:30-10:12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 10:19
“John said to Him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.’ ‘Don’t stop him,’ said Jesus, ‘because there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name who can soon afterwards speak evil of Me. For whoever is not against us is for us. And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of My name, since you belong to the Messiah I assure you: He will never lose His reward.'” (Mark_9:38-41)
Nothing chaps my hide worse than folks who think they have a monopoly on the Word of God. Our sect is better than yours because we have divine truth that this is the way God wants to run His kingdom. Really. So He can’t speak to anyone else outside of your denomination, house church, or from wherever you hail. How arrogant.
I seek truth and I am open to anything pertaining to the Word of God. After so many years of seeing the different facets of God’s personality and how He has dealt with issues throughout His Word, I would never assume to know everything, nor would I assume that God always handles everyone in the same way. God is out the box; there is nothing cookie cutter about Him.
I bless the Lord for His patience in dealing with us. My goodness what a longsuffering Lord He is. With all the nitpicking and back and forth foolishness that goes on in His body, I’m sure He watches us sometimes and thinks, “They’ll figure it out one day. I thought for sure that unity speech I gave in John 17:22-23 would do the trick. Dad, do you remember when Paul had to straighten them out because the kids were all saying, I’m of Paul, and I Apollos, blah, blah, blah. Ha, wow, I’m praying for them to see they are one no matter who their teacher is or where they worship, house, building, coffee shop or open tent. Father, I pray they would major on sharing your love, plan of salvation and discipleship with others instead of focusing on minor details that divide, attacking one another. It really undercuts all we’ve done but I know You love them and it’s all going to work out.”
PRAYER:
Lord, I don’t want You to be ashamed of me for acting foolish. Help me to realize that You love all of Your children and You give us all truth to share in order that souls may be reached for Your kingdom. Forgive us for allowing the enemy to sidetrack us. Anoint us and bring us into unity, join us with the common things that bind us to You and help us to let the fluff stuff go. It simply doesn’t matter does it Father. I pray to do Your will according to the way that You have instructed me and I pray for my brothers and sisters to do the same. May we all be effective in growing Your people and Your kingdom. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. |
