Considering all of the tragedies in the world... war and civil unrest in the Arab nations... threats of war and terror against Israel... and the devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and elsewhere... now should be the time that Christians fulfill the work that Jesus commissioned:
- Healing those who are hurting.
- Feeding those who are hungry.
- Clothing those who are naked.
- Loving those who are broken.
Unfortunately, it seems a difficult task to accomplish when there are so many fights and schisms between those whose lead characteristic is supposed to be that of love.
Tired of participating in battles within the body of Christ? Ready to begin your course of treatment? This week’s blog features articles on broken relationships within the Body of Christ.
Following is medicine from Pastor Jake, Judy Ann and Brotha DC that should help us begin to bridge the chasms that separates us. Use these to help clean your headlights so you can shine for Jesus.
Schisms
by Brotha DC
What are Schisms? The dictionary definition:
m
–noun
1.
division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties.
2.
the parties so formed.
3.
Ecclesiastical .
a.
a formal division within, or separation from, a church or religious body over some doctrinal difference.
b.
the state of a sect or body formed by such division.
c.
the offense of causing or seeking to cause such a division.
Scripturally, schisms are something that God hates. In Proverbs 6, we see the six things that God hates (indeed, seven are an abomination to Him). The seventh is sowing discord among your brothers. In other words, creating or fomenting or perpetuating schisms.
16These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
17A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
17A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19 [AMP]
Schisms are something that Jesus prayed that the disciples would not have -- expressing His desire that those who believe in Him (that includes modern day believers, not just the 12 apostles in the Bible) would be in unity, not separated by schisms.
And [now] I am no more in the world, but these are [still] in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep in Your Name [in the knowledge of Yourself] those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We [are one].
John 17:11 [AMP]
Schisms are something that St. Paul gave great effort towards avoiding. He exercised and disciplined himself (spiritually speaking) so that he would not offend God or man. As someone who opens his mouth and changes feet... I can see the need to avoid offending others in my life. How about you?
Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.
Acts 24:16 [AMP]
Schisms are something that should not -- must not exist in the body of Christ. The human body can not function without clear connectivity between each organ, limb, and system. The same would apply to our corporate spiritual connectivity.
So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.
1 Corinthians 12:25 [AMP]
Schisms are a disease that prevents God’s people from doing what God wants us to do. For more on this topic, check out the following Powerhouse Sermons:
Discerning the Body
The Body of Christ
The Things That God Hates
Nail in the Fence
by Pastor Jake
There once was a little boy who had a bad Temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his Temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that He was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the Holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, those words leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say ‘I’m Sorry,’ the wound is still there.” A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise. And they always want to open their hearts to us.”
Show your Friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you’ll know you have a circle of friends. YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED! Now send this to every friend you have!! Send it to your family. And, finally…
Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole.
Word In Due Season…
by Judy Ann
The Effect Of Your WordsCurse not the king, no, not even in your thoughts, and curse not the rich in your bedchamber, for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and a winged creature will tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 [AMP]
Ecclesiastes 10:20 is a powerful scripture that warns us of the danger of gossip, tale bearing and backbiting. Speaking such things in private to even one person is just as damaging as speaking it to a multitude. Not only have we slandered an individual to another, but WORDS have been spoken out into the atmosphere that have continuing effect in the spiritual realm.
Gossip is a big problem among God’s children, and it should even be named as an attribute of the life of a Christian. Tale bearing, gossip, slander, and backbiting cause strife and division, which is the devil’s goal. Jesus’ words are spirit and life. Learning to say only what He would say, we would speak forth life - to the listener, to the person being discussed, and to ourselves.
Too often, we speak what the devil would say - words that have the potential to minister death to everyone concerned. I believe that “unscriptural speaking” causes depression and sickness. Remember words spoken into the atmosphere can cause trouble also - not just words spoken directly to an individual, for if no human person hears, remember that God hears every word. And every word is recorded and will be replayed on judgment day. Order your conversation so that your words minister life. Your reward will be more joy and better health.
Let God use your mouth… not the devil…
My desire Lord is for people to see You in me… may I reflect your love and grace and mercy… may I be more like You Lord everyday with a heart of compassion… You are the reason I live and breathe…
Words of Wisdom
Father, in the name of Jesus I apply my heart to instruction and my ears to words of knowledge. All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. The words of the Lord are flawless, silver refined in a furnace of clay, seven times. My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. AmenApply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12 [AMP]
The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.
Psalm 119:160 [AMP]
The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.
Psalm 12:6 [AMP]
My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
Psalm 49:3 [AMP]
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
Fruit of My Lips
Lord, by Your Holy Spirit perfect the fruit of my lips. Help me draw thanksgiving forth from my innermost resources; reach down into the most secret places of my heart that I may offer significant thanksgiving to You in the name of Jesus. Amen
Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.
Hebrews 13:15 [AMP]
Praying for Others
In the name of Jesus, I thank God for you—every time I pray. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Amen.16I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.
17[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,
18By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),
19And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,
20Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],
21Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.
22And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],
23Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
17[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,
18By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),
19And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,
20Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],
21Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.
22And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],
23Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
Ephesians 1:16-23 [AMP]
The Tongue of the Learned
Holy Spirit, help me remember that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, I have not been rebellious; have not drawn back. AmenA word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11 [AMP]
4[The Servant of God says] The Lord God has given Me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught].
5The Lord God has opened My ear, and I have not been rebellious or turned backward.
5The Lord God has opened My ear, and I have not been rebellious or turned backward.
Isaiah 50:4-5 [AMP]
Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You do I wait all the day long.
Changing our World
34I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
35By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
35By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
John 13:34-35 [AMP]
When believers begin loving as Jesus loves, we will change our world. It may be one person at a time, or you may be sent to other nations to proclaim the gospel. Whatever you do let it be done as a true representative of Jesus. Love is your identification badge!
Father, Your Spirit has anointed us to change our world! Help us to be imitators of You, and bring good news to the poor, and healing to the brokenhearted. Give us loving hearts so we will share Your love bringing freedom to those in bondage. We make it our goal to bring a refreshing to others, and we are refreshed! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
1THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3 [AMP]
The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
Luke 4:18 [AMP]
The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:25 [AMP]
Sing a New Song
Out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. This water is for your healing and the healing of those within your realm of influence. This living water will wash away thoughts that would limit your spiritual and emotional growth and your possibilities. What are you speaking; what are you singing? Are you singing songs of self-pity, gloom and doom or songs of joy, peace and love? The choice is yours.Speak out to others in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with your voice and making melody with all your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19) You begin by loving the Lord your God. Choose to be joyful in him and be in high spirits. If you are feeling down, if circumstances are holding you in depression, if you are in the midst of a trial choose to sing a new song to the Lord, and your feelings will be lifted, and you can go on your way holding your head high because the joy of the Lord is your strength. Praise goes before victory!
Heavenly Father, today I am singing a new song. Yesterday with its victories and failures has passed away, and behold on this day all things have become new. I look forward to all things that You send my way -- a new sunrise, new friends, relationships, assignments, responsibilities, blessings, and new opportunities to be a blessing to someone today. I release the past, and will not judge by the former thought patterns and attitudes. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your goodness to me. The earth is full of God’s unfailing love. Amen
9Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them [sing a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world]!
10Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them [sing a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world]!
Isaiah 42:9-10 [AMP]
8Bring forth the blind people who have eyes and the deaf who have ears.
9Let all the nations be gathered together and let the peoples be assembled. Who among [the idolaters] could predict this [that Cyrus would be the deliverer of Israel] and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear and acknowledge, It is the truth.
10You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know Me, believe Me and remain steadfast to Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.
9Let all the nations be gathered together and let the peoples be assembled. Who among [the idolaters] could predict this [that Cyrus would be the deliverer of Israel] and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear and acknowledge, It is the truth.
10You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know Me, believe Me and remain steadfast to Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.
Isaiah 43:8-10 [AMP]
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.
Psalm 33:5 [AMP]
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