Why is this happening?

Do you ever find yourself  overwhelmed with life, asking the question, "Why are all these things happening to me?" Often we look at conflict and affliction in our life, and wish it wasn't there. We wish a sickness, sorrow, annoyance, or controversy would just go away. Sometimes we think if a certain person were not in my life, things would be so much easier, and all the problems would be gone. Maybe these complications are causing sleepless nights, heartbreak, anger, and even depression. Before we allow "these things" to destroy us, and hold us back from the life God wants to give us, I want to offer another perspective on this.

It's found in the book of Philippians in the Bible. A man by the Paul is writing a letter to a church he started in the city of Philippi. Paul is away from them, and in fact, he is in prison in Rome. He is not in prison for any wrong doing, but he is there for preaching about Christ. Philippians 1:12 says, "the things that happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." He is saying that the affliction he is facing is so the gospel can be advanced. He also says in verse 14 that many other believers are going to gain boldness and confidence through this, and in verse 20 he says that Christ is going to be magnified! In other words, Paul saw all the affliction, problems,pain, and discomfort in his life as a way for God to be glorified!

Maybe we don't need a change of job, family, church, or circumstances. Maybe it's a change of perspective that we need. Maybe we need to look at "the things that are happening" as things God has allowed into our life for our good, and for His glory.

http://firstbaptistgeneseo.org/joyful/

Pastor Joel

"Don't Judge Me"

I'll never forget about a year and half ago being "called out" on Facebook by someone for supposedly being judgmental of them.  I thought it was comical, just for the fact that they themselves were being judgmental of me, by calling me judgmental on a social networking site. It was also comical, because I never said anything to judge them; they were just assuming  that I would preach against their lifestyle at the time. Another thing that was hypocritical, was the fact that that particular week we had about 20 people in our home who were addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography, and who had many other additional problems. These people sat at my table, in my living room, and spent time with my whole family. I don't say that to pat myself on the back, I simply am pointing out that I want to help people regardless of what problems they have in their life, and I don't want to be "judgmental" of anyone!

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus gives the warning to not judge, lest we should be judged. In the context, He is warning about judging someone's sins/faults, while ignoring even bigger sins in our own life. In other words, take the same microscope that you look at everyone else's sin with, and look at your own sin. That is some excellent advice! Think about how much better of a Christian we would be if we were as hard on our self as we are on everyone else. 

Now I agree, this passage is warning us to not judge others falsely; however, its purpose is not for us to use as our default verse when someone, or God's Word, is pointing out sin in our life. In fact, James tells us that it is our obligation to help convert sinners from the "error of their way." I don't think it's very effective to confront people about their sin that we don't have spiritual authority over, or whom we don't have a close relationship with. However, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should keep one another accountable in a humble and merciful spirit. Let's make sure we honor Christ with our attitude towards others, and not come across as condescending and "judgmental". Let's also not refuse truth from a brother or sister in Christ, or a Pastor or Spiritual leader trying to help us.

God Bless,

Pastor Joel