What better way to start off the New Year but with a blog commitment to reach out to my Christian brothers and sisters who struggle with their faith. That is the purpose of this blog. I am not about "ologies" and "isms", only about a personal relationship with the GOD of the universe through his son Jesus Christ.
Many of us have been confronted with Pastors, elders, deacons, and church members in general that are so overbearing and self righteous that it forced us to consider leaving or to leave congregations. Many of us have encountered the "You must believe exactly as I believe or you are not saved" types, or the "what do you mean you won't serve where and when I tell you", or the "Oh please, no pressure" and then stealthily have pressure applied. For example a while back I was sitting in a pastors office of a church I was scoping out and a woman came in who was running a Woman's Outreach. She had just completed a three month project and the Pastor asked her if she was ready to start the next. I'll never forget this, she said "I'm tired and need a break". He laughed and then looked at me and said, "She is on fire for the Lord". I thought to myself, no, she is burned out, huge difference. I kept that in the back of mind and months later when I was confronted with a similar situation after witnessing similar situations with other members I left the congregation.
We have all been confronted with similar experiences. I want to tell you that in spite of the "people stuff" we all encounter to not lose faith, don't give up on your relationship with God through his son and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to remain Christ centered, to remain in fellowship somewhere, to read the word daily. Don't be put off by apparent hypocrisy, but be focused on Christ. There are grace abusers everywhere, don't allow yourself to be discouraged by them, but be encouraged by what you know to be the truth. Don't be put off by theologies and "isms" you think may be erroneous at best or heretical at worst. Stay focused on THE WORD by reading the word. Eventually the Holy Spirit will lead you to the right place if you are not already there. Sometimes we need to go through things, to learn things before we are ready to be used by God.
Until next time, may the Lord Bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
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