Confrontation

Sometimes confronting people and issues head on is necessary.  Sometimes a more indirect and "sneaky" method is more suitable.  Prayer is a good way to decide which is best if it is not obvious.

 

Often it is the harder thing to do to confront something head on.  If that seems like the case, then it is likely this is the way forward.  God rarely makes dealing with issues easy on us.  He wants us to grow and develop.

 

If you notice a fellow believer (who is close to you) involved in a regular sin, it is usually best to confront directly.  That doesn't mean you have to be harsh.

 

Some ideas of things to say that can be direct and indirect:

"Do you think your actions here are suitable, my friend?"

"Will you have confidence before God on Judgement Day in the light of these actions?"

"You seem to struggle with this, can I help you in some way?"

"I've noticed that 'so-and-so' does this different to you when faced with the same situation.  What do you think of that?"

"Jesus had this to say about those sorts of actions..."

 

 

Competition versus collaboration

Is competition wrong?  That really depends on your concept of competing.  How can we work out if there is something amiss with, say, competitive sports?

 

If we run through the fruit of the Spirit, that might help us form a picture: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

 

My advice: if you can't picture each of these in the context of competition, then your concept of competition is wrong.  Within sports, I think it would be hard (but not impossible) to find a sportsmanly attitude.  After all, winning is the goal.  That makes it hard for both the winner and the loser to be spiritual.

 

I tend to see collaboration as a more Spiritual form of competition.  Racing to help others improve, and improving myself to be a better help to others.  Thus, sport is about health and social connection for me.  This is not really competition, but I do think it is a better garden for Spiritual development.

 

Fearing God

How many so-called "prophets" have you heard of today?  Amazing TV evangelists who claim to speak words that God has given them , often wearing the latest fashion (or a fashion of a sort), casually throwing around words of prophecy, followed by a plea for money...

 

Do you think these people actually fear God?  Have they really encountered Him in the way that everyone in the Bible did, who had similar roles these guys claim?

 

How did Isaiah encounter God?

"Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" - Isaiah Chapter 6

 

How did Ezekiel encounter God?

"...Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face..." - Ezekiel Chapter 1

 

Being blessed

While the word "blessing" has several different ways it can be used, do you know where all blessings ultimately come from?  Do you act according to your knowledge?

 

As Jacob and Esau fought for blessing, and for birthright, Jacob used trickery and manipulation to try and receive what prophecy from God said would come to him anyway.  Jacob failed to trust the knowledge that God would bless him.

 

Where does the ability come from, to trust God for what you know to be true?  I'll give you a clue, the word starts with an 'S'.  The work of the Spirit gives life to mere knowledge, making you do crazy things like putting your life on the line for what you know and are convinced of.

 

The irony of Jacob in this example, is that he knows the blessing ultiamtely comes from God.  He even says as much to Isaac when asked how he returned from the hunt so fast, "Because the LORD your God granted me success." - Genesis 27:20

 

 

Being noticed

At some point you will stand out because of the work of the Spirit in you and in your life.  "We see plainly that the Lord has been with you" - Can this be said about you?

 

While those on the outside will often struggle to identify exactly what it is that is different, they will recognise a certain success about your life.  They will want what you have, even if they don't want the God who has given it.  As you progress with God, He will bless you and make His glory visible in you.

 

As you are noticed, you should be ready to honour God by speaking of the greatest blessing with which He has blessed His people.  Jesus' sacrifice for all who will come and partake of it.

 

While a good Christian life is important and glorying to God, the ultimate glory is the cross that our life should point towards.  As people notice you, help them notice the cross also.

 

The unexpected

When difficult situations arise, personal injury, monetary crisis, natural disasters, or tragic deaths, how well do you deal with it?

 

If you haven't accepted God's power and His willingness to throw you into testing situations, then you will likely be stunned by surprise too long to make good use of the situation.  If you can master yourself and your own reactions, you will be able to make wiser decisions.  Panic is lethal.

 

That doesn't mean that the emotion of the situation won't affect you, but when you are aware that all events come from God you can compose yourself faster, knowing that He is in control and His purposes are proceeding.

 

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, 
   but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand - Proverbs 19:21

God is our refuge and strength, 
   a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea - Psalm 46:1-2

Faith

It's both amazingly simple but incredibly hard to have.  God says, and you believe His words.  There's nothing else.

 

It can be as simple and as automatic as reading and believing His promise not to break a bruised reed (a tender conscience pricked and convicted He will not cast down).  Or His promise not to cast out any who come to Him.

 

But it can be as hard as believing that you are really in His grace, that you really do want Him, that you really are one who is called.

 

If it is hard for you, try to keep it simple.  Do you want to be saved?  Do you see your hopeless state of sinfulness? Do you see Christ as the only way?  What else is there?  Desire to come, and trust God to enable you to come.  Then come and don't look back!