Are You Vexing Your Soul--At Church?
by Tonja Taylor "Vex" can mean many things, from "shake, trouble, etc." to "irritate" and "annoy". Are you being vexed--at church? I was, for years, and the LORD helped me realize it was because, for some reason, I was expecting too much of others--especially Christians, and most especially, those in the pulpit! I totally think that those in leadership in any church should live an even higher standard than the flock, as much as possible. After all, the leaders are supposed to be better, right? For some reason, a lot of us want our fellow Christians (truly born again and serving the LORD; not just saying they are "Christian" because they don't adhere to any other "religion") to be better than us. At least I do....did...am working on not, with God's help! By the way, true Christianity is a relationship with God the Father, through Jesus, not a set of rules and regulations! We only get to Heaven through our faith in what the blood of Jesus did for us at the cross over 2,000 years ago, to cleanse us from our sins--and we must choose to agree with that, and ask Christ Jesus (the ONLY Savior of the world!) to be our Savior and LORD, and Best Friend Forever! Amen and Amen! That's my opinion, and the LORD has to help me remember that the only good in any of us--leader or not--is Jesus; how much we yield to Him! I've had to repent for judging others, and often remind myself that we are all in the same Family, working for the same cause--to glorify our Father God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and expand the Kingdom! Even today, at an area children's outreach, when I showed up to help, and was told they didn't need any help, and everyone was busy; too busy to smile--as leaders often are, unfortunately (including me, when I've been very involved with something, especially trying to coordinate things in a rush), I've had to realize I was expecting too much of other mere humans like myself. The truth is, most people on the planet are not trying to offend us, but they are very busy thinking about themselves and what they have to do; just like we are, most of our waking hours! Or is it just me? :-) Jesus Christ the LORD, our Savior, is the only perfect One! For many reasons and for many decades, it's been a challenge for me to realize He is not mad. He is not busy. He is not irritated when I come to Him and need help. It's been hard to understand that His love never changes, and it's based on the fact that God chose to love me--way before I was ever born again and serving Him! Hallelujah! So, as I Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMPC) say: 4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. LORD Jesus, we yield to You, to love others! Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |
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