If I haven't mastered something myself, then I stay away from the subject area until I have mastered it. If I can't get my act together in one area, I can't afford to stand before a congregation of people and say, "Oh yeah, church I'm good!" I wonder if self-proclaimed ministers of God think this way before telling others what they ought to do in their lives.
We have witnessed ministers of God preach a good message, but later find out in the media that they have relationship problems, sexual issues, and weird childhood fantasies. We are perplexed. How can they tell the world something when they don't have it together at home? They do it by watering down truth.
See, there is no shame when one is not convicted by truth in all it's forms not only in the Bible but those miracles, signs and wonders in one's personal life too! No one around this person will confront others with truth for fear that they might get kicked out of the minister's chosen group. Therefore, the minister gets away with lies and half-truths.
Anyone preaching any message out of the Holy Bible is a minister with or without a title. That is why one must watch what he or she says and does around others. Are we watered down ministers with a watered down message spreading it to a watered down flock? If so, then we are held accountable.
Preaching messages that deviate from God's warnings in his Holy Bible to lost, back slidding men and women is wrong! Skipping over text in the bible so as not to offend is wrong! Re-wording scripture so that it is easy for people to follow is wrong too! God's word is simple enough without adding to it weak commentary.
It isn't any wonder why there is no staying power with the new Christian at a conference who gets saved. What I mean by staying power is a desire for a new Christian to continue to maintain a personal relationship with Christ. A new believer doesn't stay with a powerless group of watered down Christians. How can he keep attending church services with watered down messages that don't prosper him spiritually, physically and/or mentally? Who wants to continue to fellowship with weak-minded believers who are more interested in what you have on, then what you are saying?
If you are a minister, don't ask why people don't stay with God after attending your services. Could it be that you are more interested in growing the flock rather than tending to it in such a way that makes the flock want to go out and spread God's word? Maybe, for some ministers, it is more important to keep the flock at home, because if you do, the money will stay home as well.
Just something to think about.
Nicholl McGuire is the author of Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate
Thursday
The Has-Been Christian: Once a Soldier for God, Not No More
How do you talk to a Christian that thinks he or she is good with God? How do you tell this person that he or she has not been doing much these days that exemplify the character of Christ? Could this person be plagued with a spirit that keeps telling them, "You are okay." Is this person in the early stages toward having a reprobate mind?
There are many has-been Christians. The type of people who lived victoriously at one time in their lives. They walked around with an anointing. They witnessed to the lost. They may have sung in the choir, attended bible studies, and taught fellow believers at one time, but now? They are like one-hit wonder celebrities, has-beens, the kind of people who use to be great.
These, in my experience, are the hardest people to talk to. Years ago, I wanted to know what position in God's church am I supposed to play when it comes to witnessing about Jesus. The Lord told me, "You are to remind the back-slidden Christian to come back home." I started doing that in 1997 when I printed and distributed a newsletter in Pittsburgh Pa and then later in Cleveland Oh for a season. Then I too, became like the has-been, I reveled in the past victories, while God asked, "What have you done for me lately?"
The has-been already has some understanding when it comes to the Holy Bible. He or she is not ignorant of the witnessing process. He or she knows to go to church. This person doesn't mind telling you that either. Has-beens believe once saved always saved, yet they don't realize that they too, like the world, have monkies ie.) demonic spirits on their backs. These demons they invited into their mindsets when they decided to partake in worldly experiences. They are like the man who gets ready for work, he bathes and grooms himself only to go to his physically intensive job to get dirty again. How can a man call himself clean when he has been engaging with other dirty people in a dirty world?
Just like one who has once been lost in the world, now has a desire to serve God, the has-been must fall back in love with God. So how does he or she do it? By going to God with a repentant heart, not only praying, but allowing the time to listen to God as well. The has-been must get back to study. Go to bible passages as the Lord leads until he or she is under the direction of someone more knowledgeable. This person must admit before a congregation that he or she has back slid by taking that walk back down the aisle again like he or she did years back. Therefore, witnesses will welcome him or her with love as well as hold the brother or sister accountable to his or her re-dedication to the Lord. Members of the church will also need to pray for the backslider. The has-been Christian most likely will have some "stuff" on him or her from years of dabbling with the world's pleasures. Examples of that stuff include: entertainment that glorify sinful behavior, having sexual relationships outside of marriage, cussing, lying, and cheating others and groups out of time and money, and much, much more!
Unless you or I can admit that we have all been there, are still there, or are on our way to going there (meaning distancing ourselves from God,) we will one day look up, and be like the has-been still naming and claiming like we still have it together with God. Still praying like God is listening. Still sinning while falsely assuming we are good. Still praising the Lord while cussing people out. Still acting like a heathen while thinking we are a saint. The Bible has a name for people like this, "Fool."
Nicholl McGuire
There are many has-been Christians. The type of people who lived victoriously at one time in their lives. They walked around with an anointing. They witnessed to the lost. They may have sung in the choir, attended bible studies, and taught fellow believers at one time, but now? They are like one-hit wonder celebrities, has-beens, the kind of people who use to be great.
These, in my experience, are the hardest people to talk to. Years ago, I wanted to know what position in God's church am I supposed to play when it comes to witnessing about Jesus. The Lord told me, "You are to remind the back-slidden Christian to come back home." I started doing that in 1997 when I printed and distributed a newsletter in Pittsburgh Pa and then later in Cleveland Oh for a season. Then I too, became like the has-been, I reveled in the past victories, while God asked, "What have you done for me lately?"
The has-been already has some understanding when it comes to the Holy Bible. He or she is not ignorant of the witnessing process. He or she knows to go to church. This person doesn't mind telling you that either. Has-beens believe once saved always saved, yet they don't realize that they too, like the world, have monkies ie.) demonic spirits on their backs. These demons they invited into their mindsets when they decided to partake in worldly experiences. They are like the man who gets ready for work, he bathes and grooms himself only to go to his physically intensive job to get dirty again. How can a man call himself clean when he has been engaging with other dirty people in a dirty world?
Just like one who has once been lost in the world, now has a desire to serve God, the has-been must fall back in love with God. So how does he or she do it? By going to God with a repentant heart, not only praying, but allowing the time to listen to God as well. The has-been must get back to study. Go to bible passages as the Lord leads until he or she is under the direction of someone more knowledgeable. This person must admit before a congregation that he or she has back slid by taking that walk back down the aisle again like he or she did years back. Therefore, witnesses will welcome him or her with love as well as hold the brother or sister accountable to his or her re-dedication to the Lord. Members of the church will also need to pray for the backslider. The has-been Christian most likely will have some "stuff" on him or her from years of dabbling with the world's pleasures. Examples of that stuff include: entertainment that glorify sinful behavior, having sexual relationships outside of marriage, cussing, lying, and cheating others and groups out of time and money, and much, much more!
Unless you or I can admit that we have all been there, are still there, or are on our way to going there (meaning distancing ourselves from God,) we will one day look up, and be like the has-been still naming and claiming like we still have it together with God. Still praying like God is listening. Still sinning while falsely assuming we are good. Still praising the Lord while cussing people out. Still acting like a heathen while thinking we are a saint. The Bible has a name for people like this, "Fool."
Nicholl McGuire
Sunday
Mad!
She got her blessing, but he didn't,
the man once was smitten,
but jealousy got the best of him--
and now he's bitten.
Young woman lost weight.
Stopped eating so much off her plate,
but angry eyes, and negative cries--
have made her succumb to lies.
Old man seems to have everything
gave everyone he knew something,
but most didn't appreciate,
and now they just stare and hate.
Fans scream and shout for an idol,
have no time for the Bible,
for it doesn't matter to the Mad Hatter.
Just another celebrity,
cursed by his title.
See the world is mad, mad, mad
while the devil is glad, glad, glad!
for there's no love for the good,
and even if they could,
doesn't mean that they should.
Not happy for your fellow bro
don't think about the seeds one must so
just wait around, feel down,
while your spirit sinks to the ground.
Manipulators mold people like playdough
Always got them on the go.
They see the tree say, "What's in it for me?"
While another is swept by the sea.
No blessing lately has come to you
didn't want to do all there is to do,
talking behind someone's back,
taking up no slack,
then wonder why
nothing good happens to you.
the man once was smitten,
but jealousy got the best of him--
and now he's bitten.
Young woman lost weight.
Stopped eating so much off her plate,
but angry eyes, and negative cries--
have made her succumb to lies.
Old man seems to have everything
gave everyone he knew something,
but most didn't appreciate,
and now they just stare and hate.
Fans scream and shout for an idol,
have no time for the Bible,
for it doesn't matter to the Mad Hatter.
Just another celebrity,
cursed by his title.
See the world is mad, mad, mad
while the devil is glad, glad, glad!
for there's no love for the good,
and even if they could,
doesn't mean that they should.
Not happy for your fellow bro
don't think about the seeds one must so
just wait around, feel down,
while your spirit sinks to the ground.
Manipulators mold people like playdough
Always got them on the go.
They see the tree say, "What's in it for me?"
While another is swept by the sea.
No blessing lately has come to you
didn't want to do all there is to do,
talking behind someone's back,
taking up no slack,
then wonder why
nothing good happens to you.
He's Got Something for You
Got a million lines and a hundred signs
with few toys and four boys.
Got a place of peace and music to cease
the noise I hear when I feel fear.
Got a new view on life trying to stay away from strife.
Got a whole lot of wishes and a pond of fishes.
Cast my net below to see what grows
and hope through the process I won't doze.
Thinking of things and what the future will bring.
I have a small voice that sings
says, "You will be okay." Keep urging me to pray.
There is something bigger beyond a thought
if we consider ourselves nothing more than a dot.
You and I know we live life like a show,
until our final day we must go, go, go!
Say "hi" to a friend and hope it's not the end.
Say "bye" to a past and hope this time it will last.
Go to bed at night then wake up feeling alright.
Go about our day while that voice keeps urging us to pray.
He's got something for you, but what will you do
when the clock ticks and your heartbeat sticks?
When the time is right you will pray with all your might.
But will He listen when eyes no longer glisten?
Do you really know where your soul will go?
with few toys and four boys.
Got a place of peace and music to cease
the noise I hear when I feel fear.
Got a new view on life trying to stay away from strife.
Got a whole lot of wishes and a pond of fishes.
Cast my net below to see what grows
and hope through the process I won't doze.
Thinking of things and what the future will bring.
I have a small voice that sings
says, "You will be okay." Keep urging me to pray.
There is something bigger beyond a thought
if we consider ourselves nothing more than a dot.
You and I know we live life like a show,
until our final day we must go, go, go!
Say "hi" to a friend and hope it's not the end.
Say "bye" to a past and hope this time it will last.
Go to bed at night then wake up feeling alright.
Go about our day while that voice keeps urging us to pray.
He's got something for you, but what will you do
when the clock ticks and your heartbeat sticks?
When the time is right you will pray with all your might.
But will He listen when eyes no longer glisten?
Do you really know where your soul will go?
Thursday
Someone Prayed for Me Today
Someone prayed for me today,
came across my blog to say
that 'tis the season not to play,
time to get ready for the big wedding day!
They say,
"You have a lot to say, been reading your posts" since May.
Understand you have some seeds to lay,
said a prayer for you today.
You and I are from the same vine.
We stand in the same line
Like you, I use to drink wine and dine.
Then I realized I didn't have much time.
I saw an ungodly sign.
Thought everything was fine.
But the man on the cross,
Reminded me of my loss.
If I kept doing the same thing,
then misery I would only bring.
I know it has been hard,
that's why I carry a card.
It reminds me to trust God,
the creator of the rod.
Don't want to misuse my gifts.
Following God creates some rifts.
But I have to do what I do,
if I want to be one of the few.
There was a time I would cry
even justify a lie.
But time is of the essence,
since I have been blessed by His presence.
I don't know what your journey has been,
but like mine, most likely filled with sin.
God uses people to write--
some choose to share their plight,
while there are others who pick a fight.
The road to the promise land is a process
unlike a game, there is no recess.
Have to keep walking a steady pace,
stay focused in order to win this race.
Thank the Lord for people like you,
the ones who think of me,
the kind of people who look beyond
what the eyes can see.
came across my blog to say
that 'tis the season not to play,
time to get ready for the big wedding day!
They say,
"You have a lot to say, been reading your posts" since May.
Understand you have some seeds to lay,
said a prayer for you today.
You and I are from the same vine.
We stand in the same line
Like you, I use to drink wine and dine.
Then I realized I didn't have much time.
I saw an ungodly sign.
Thought everything was fine.
But the man on the cross,
Reminded me of my loss.
If I kept doing the same thing,
then misery I would only bring.
I know it has been hard,
that's why I carry a card.
It reminds me to trust God,
the creator of the rod.
Don't want to misuse my gifts.
Following God creates some rifts.
But I have to do what I do,
if I want to be one of the few.
There was a time I would cry
even justify a lie.
But time is of the essence,
since I have been blessed by His presence.
I don't know what your journey has been,
but like mine, most likely filled with sin.
God uses people to write--
some choose to share their plight,
while there are others who pick a fight.
The road to the promise land is a process
unlike a game, there is no recess.
Have to keep walking a steady pace,
stay focused in order to win this race.
Thank the Lord for people like you,
the ones who think of me,
the kind of people who look beyond
what the eyes can see.
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