God wants somebody that's real...

We live in the most materialistic times I have ever seen. We can have most anything we want if we are willing to sacrifice for it. Yet what our country, our world needs most are people who are real. Do you know that sinners can spot a fake more than saints can? Do you know that whether anyone tells you or not, most know your shortcomings, attitudes, spirits and weaknesses? We as Christians try to look for the good in others, but never to the point of being gullible and being detrimental to our spiritual well being and the spiritual well being of our families. The hardest person to examine isn't our brother or sister, but ourselves. Why do we feel, say, think, do the things we do? There are motives behind every action in our lives. Our desires, wants, needs, insecurities drive us sometimes unconsciously. That is why it is important to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. I want to see the plain straight facts of all situations I deal with. How can I pray effectively if I am blinded by my own thoughts and feelings without accurate facts? How can I help anyone if I skirt the truth? How can I minister to anyone if I let them tell me what they want me to hear, when we both know it's not the whole truth? The theme for our Assembly this year was " Speaking the truth in love". It takes great grace, mercy and patience to be able to do this. The bible says, " He that offendeth not in word, is a perfect man". I wished I could say I never have offended anyone with anything I have ever said. But boy how that isn't true. I know that it was never my intent to offend, that is one good thing, but offend I did. You know those kinds of people, who I think lie awake at night thinking of new acid tongue things to say to people. Words are powerful and they come from a heart condition. We try to excuse ourselves and others with saying, they are under stress, they have had a bad day, they aren't feeling well and on and on and on. But truly there are no excuses whatsoever for being offensive in word. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. To be a Christian requires discipline in every area of our lives. To be a Christian is to be Christ-like. No guile was found in his mouth, yes he said many straight and hard sayings, but not with malice, but with eternity at stake for those who would or would not hear. Christ taught the straight and narrow and we must too. We can't sidestep the truth for people's feelings. We can't pamper evil spirits. We can't afford to indulge anyone who is wrong with a hug and a it's gonna be alright. It will be alright when you get your heart right with God. And the way to know if some one's heart is right is they will speak right, they will behave right, they will treat others right all the time. Right isn't contingent on who you are, who you know, it's based upon what thus saith the "Word of God". To show mercy to one and not another is partiality. To let one sin slide and not let every one's sin slide is wrong. Of course I don't mean let people sin's slide, I mean the same standard applies to every man, woman, boy, or girl. To correct one and not another is wrong too. God is a God of equality. We are all equal in his sight. I have never been impressed by stars, politicians, or position. We are all the same in God's eyes. The same standard applies to all. I know there is a difference in ignorant human error vs premeditated evil, I know that, but it's the same penalty if unrepentant. Only God can give us the wisdom we need in these trying times. It's there for the asking. I find people don't want the truth, they want to be right. They don't want to face and examine themselves, they want to examine others to justify their own faults. I know this one thing, real people who care, don't have to be told or prompted, they will respond real all the time. They may not be able to supply every need for every one, only God can do that, but they will be there to the best of their ability when it counts. I really, truly, whole heartily appreciate those that are in my life at this season who are real, who respond to the needs of my family, who are there because they truly care. I wish I could tell your their names, but they wouldn't like it and I don't want to keep them from getting all the glory that God can give them. With all my heart, I want to be pure and real just because my heart is pure and real and not for any other reason. Oh Jesus please keep me real. I want to love from a pure heart and be willing to take the heat for speaking the truth in love. Heaven will be worth it all and I want the truth now and not when it is too late. What a rare commodity in 2007, to be totally and completely surrendered to God and his perfect will and have a heart pleasing in his sight. You know the heart is deceitful above all things who can know it? We must daily seek God to keep us real. Like I said God wants somebody that's real. I want God to purge, cleanse, sanctify me completely to be all he envisioned me to be when I was fearfully and wonderfully made.


PS This is for Wen, CJ, CJ, CJ...

PSS I also want to tag Erika to say 8 things about Lance, Wendy, Vicky, Caetie, Tam, Em, Kim, Danny, Yvonne...like she doesn't have anything to keep her busy right now...lol