Ouch

Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author   Close Window

This is not one of my normal Bible studies, it is more comon sense than a Bible study.

How many of you attend church?

And do you say Amen when it is needed?

And when you say Amen, do you add a little extra, maybe some emotion?

Now how many of you get offended or mad during the week or month?

Do you get mad or offended when some idiot almost runs you off the road?

Pastor Fuentes told me she could not believe anyone could miss her big red truck (SUV) It is one of the biggest vehicles on the road unless you are driving an 18 wheeler.

But people still do not see her and try to run her off the road. Why?

Because it is the easiest way Satan can push our buttons.

If while driving down the road, you get missed only by inches you would probably yell at the idiot until you realize it is your pastor, or someone else you know well, and know they did not do it on purpose. Well, everyone else most likely the same. They feel like an idiot when they realize how close they came to an accident. I mean, haven't you cut off people before? You did not mean to do it, did you? So why do we think everyone else is wanting to kill us?

This is not the only way we get mad or offended. It may be we have had a bad day, did not get enough sleep the night before, or any of a 100 other things that gets to us.

Now think about when you get mad or offended, and now look at that person (you) saying, "Amen". I know, go ahead and say it "OUCH".

It hurts to look at ourselves and notice how imperfect we really are.

Jesus did not say, "Love your neighbors." meaning everyone except when they make us mad, did He?

I know you are thinking, "It is easy for you to say Pastor. You are a man of God." Well, first of all we are all men and women of God. Second of all, I am not perfect either and I get mad also, except it is 10 times worse for those of us who know better.

We need to get up every morning, and first say, "Good morning God!" and then look at ourselves in the mirror and remind ourselves that Satan is out there and wanting to get us mad and in offense. He does this so he has a better chance to drag us down. It is the first step on the way to Hell.

Some of you may think that is awfully strong to say, but it is true. If we are not the ones to live the life and be the example who is?

We need to impress upon ourselves every morning that we are not going to allow anyone to push our buttons.

One of the things that turns off more people to church people is seeing church people being all high and mighty or at the least all up on God on Sunday morning and maybe even judging those who do not go to church and get to sleep in. Then later that day or the next the church person becomes worse than the non-church goer, because the church person should know better.

We need to realize that we are not to judge at all (Matthew 7:1-5, John 3:16-17) and in any case I have met some people who are closer to God and never attend church than a lot of who do. They are getting closer and understanding God's word via the Holy Spirit at home. Why?

Because as church people are socializing with each other and listening to man's interpretation of God's word.

No, I am not saying do not go to church. I am just saying do not judge others until you have walked a mile in their shoes, or better yet, do not judge at all.

When you blow it and get mad or in offense, do not stay there. Get out of it as soon as possible; repent and go on with life.

Remember that person on Sunday morning yelling "Amen", may on Monday morning yell something else not so pleasant.

This is why we are told not to judge because we may be way worse than those we are judging. That's also why forgiveness is so important (Mark 11:26).

Think about it for a moment; you know I am right. So what are you going to do about it?

I am going to try harder, and if I fail, I will repent. To repent is to actually turn around change ones ways, not just say it.

During the season we are in (Christmas), it is even easier to blow it with all the traffic both on the streets and in the stores. This is when we need to be showing the true meaning of Christmas. LOVE for our fellow man.

My prayer for you is:

3 John 1

2. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth

Remember to show faith when you pray, then praise and give thanks.

God Bless You as you hear His words and follow His leading.

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