OH BROTHER!

Family Feuds, are nothing new.

Family Fued- the TV show- pits one family against another to win money.

In real life, family fued often plays out  within the family.

Many watched the truth of scripture played out on The History Channel by watching the series THE BIBLE .

Some folks were seeing -for the first time-stories of brothers and sisters, uncles and nephews, husbands and wives, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, friends and foes behaving very badly.

Dysfunctional families are not new!
"Nothing new under the sun."

From the beginning of time, anger, jealousy, resentment and selfishness have fueled generations of family feuds.

Have you been fueling a feud?

Have you passed down your resentment?

You have a choice:

A) Continue to focus on old hurts and act like Cain toward Abel, Jacob and Esau, Ramses toward Moses, and possibly even you toward your own brother or sister (biological or in the body of Christ)

Or:

 B) Ask  God to work in your own heart to help you understand the truth that Jesus was the only sacrifice provided on your behalf to make way for the forgiveness and reconciliation needed in your family.

If you choose "B" then also pray for our country, even our world, to seek God's will in admitting our sins and quickly turn to HIM.


"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:21-24 

Heavenly Father,

I ask for hearts to be softened to the truth. Not just that we sit in churches hearing a good message and then going on with hardened hearts, resentful hearts, but I ask that we would truly understand that the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, makes it possible to receive forgiveness of our selfish choices and that we should willingly extend that same forgiveness to others. I ask now that even our desire to leave an offering at your altar not be a reason for the delay in settling a matter with another brother or sister.


I pray that we would bring an acceptable sacrifice to you.

Lord, forgive us our trespass as we forgive those that trespass against us. Save us from evil. May we remember the sacrifice pleasing to you...is the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

In Jesus' name,
AMEN

Words of Grace

Just an observation on words: (You can scroll on away if you don't want my observation...no worries)

Several times in the past few weeks, I have had encouraging notes or phone calls or conversations from various friends, acquaintances, and even some strangers. Encouraging words are fuel for the journey and have been very welcomed. However, may I be honest enough to tell you...I did not take all of them to heart?

Here's why:

From a few (very few thankfully) came the encouragement, then within a short while came also gossip, slander, words rooted in jealousy or fear. That duplicity gives me pause to consider motives and sincerity.

Feeling so awkward and not really ready to commit to "whoa Nelly (or Nelson) you are a two faced -gossipy-hurtful-and double minded- scaredy cat judge and jury who needs to stop this mess right now"... I think I just look away or try to end the conversation, making a mental note to guard my heart in the future. I realize...that is not enough!

My reason for posting this is the following:

DO I DO THAT? DO YOU? Do we:
 Vent (even if somehow justified in the emotions) to others about another person? Allow old hurts or wounds to sneak into a conversation and slam someone not present?

YUCK! EEWWW! Blech!!!

What motivates us to harm others with our words? Some say, “I'm not gossiping, it's true!” That does not mean it is not slander or gossip. If it is not yours to share...don't share! (Previous post covered that)

The spirit that lived in the jealous heart's of Cain toward Abel, and Saul toward David, still lurks around looking to squelch the work Our Lord has for us to do and make our offering an offense. We all need encouragement in our lives. Look for what God has for you to do and stop minding other people's business.

Speak life! We need to trust the heart and motives of those who speak life to us.

Jealousy is looking around at other people's lives and deciding they don't deserve who or what they have in their lives, so we begin to tear down. This is sin...confess it as such!

STOP LOOKING AT OTHER PEOPLE'S PAPER! In this life, we have our OWN test to worry about.

Build up...or..shut up! (Yes I am very aware we don't say shut up at my house!)

I am very thankful for the people prompted by the Spirit of God who have left wonderful notes of encouragement to me personally or to the Ministry of A Gentle Answer Ministries ...Thank you, deeply!

For those who have used their words to tear down, I challenge you to ask yourself WHY AM I DOING THIS? Who do I serve? What does God have for me to do and do well? Who can I encourage and do so with a sincere heart?
Who do you/I need to apologize too? Do you/I have a tendency towards jealousy or envy that leads you/me to fear which causes you/me to stop trusting God? Have your/my words harmed any one's career, personal life, ministry, friendships or character? If so, then do you/I need to make amends? Tell the truth? Ask forgiveness?Repent of this behavior?

Ask yourself again...WHY DO I DO THAT?

Proverbs 16:28 

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Psalms 41:7

All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me.

2 Corinthians 12:20 

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Titus 2:2-3

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good...

I am going to:

-Strive to use my words for good...Words of Grace

-Guard my heart against known gossips or jealous minded people

-Change the subject when one tries to include me in gossip or slander

-Confront those who have harmed me  with gossip and seek to forgive

-Ask God to show me any error in my heart regarding this topic (jealousy, envy, strife, gossip) and seek forgiveness when needed

How about You?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 3:13 - But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

1 Corinthians 3:13 - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Just Thinkin',

Kathy