We are living in the end times, nothing will get better, things will get worse. However in Christ we don't have to fear all this mess, we can retain our joy, tell the truth, take our lumps while we wait for Christ to come and get us.
Are you like me? Do you seem to be the one to always be raining on other people's parades? Every time you turn around someone is doing or saying something mean or foolish to demean or silence us?
Welcome to the world of those who have trusted Christ. Nothing makes good sense in the world any more. In fact, when something does make good sense it is immediately rejected and dismissed by most people in our sphere of influence.
Does it seem like everything we say and do is judged as foolish, mean or down right stupid, in the reactions of those around us? Or do you find yourself being ignored a lot by those who don't want to hear anything except bubbly happy things?
Welcome to my world, the world I have lived in most of my life. And, my guess is that it is your world too if you are born again and walking with Christ.
Even those who attend a church gathering are caught up in Pharisaical rules, hyper sensitivity to instruction or correction and resistant to any form of challenge to seek God on any level.
Arrogance rules the hearts of most people involved in churches today. One is accepted as wonderful and special as long as they continue their plastic smiles, heads that nod in placid approval no matter what is going on. Silence is the new righteousness, it dominates most gatherings, sadly mistaken for meekness.
Meekness is patient endurance, it is not sheepishness, silence or weakness. It is the quality of speaking at the right time, telling the truth no matter the expected reaction while remaining in control of our emotions.
Exercising God's strength under His control is the Biblical meaning of meekness! Not weakness, not sheepishness nor is it cowardice. As someone once said it is actually "power under control."
When we allow others to manipulate us into silence merely to fit into their idea of righteousness, then they have become our god, an idol. We must be willing to be rejected and on the outs with those who do not want to hear truth, otherwise it is they who are in control of our lives rather than Christ.
Remember idols are not merely statues we place in our homes to bow to, they can be anyone or anything we give preference to other than God. Bowing is in the mind, it doesn't have to happen on the outside to be the same expression of worship, if it is in the heart, that is where it begins.
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