The pettiness of people vs. the wisdom of God

After reading over I Corinthians 1, my heart has been burdened by the way that we as Christians, but nevertheless human beings, act at times. Sadly, the same division that went on in Corinth nearly 2000 years ago is still going on today. Have you ever wondered what a nonbeliever thinks as he or she drives through town, passing a different church around every corner? No wonder nonbelievers see Christians as hypocrites! We preach a gospel of peacemaking, patience, selflessness, and love, and yet we divide based on preference issues. Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about division in the church:

"Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 1:1-3
Notice how Paul reinforces the unity of the body of believers in his greeting to the Corinthians. The believers are those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ, with the basic foundational beliefs.

"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." I Corinthians 1:10-17
Paul said that there is to be no division within the church. What does division in the church accomplish? From what I've seen, nothing.

And now, to Ephesians 4, where our youth pastor has been teaching from:
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:1-7

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." Ephesians 4:15,16

If we know the truth, then why is there division? Why around every street corner to we see a Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal church? Why are there 1st Baptists, 2nd Baptists, and Missionary Baptists? Why within churches that believe the exact same thing, but have differing preferences on how worship services are to be held, are the churches dividing? Why do we snub our noses at those who believe the same as far as foundational beliefs, but differ in secondary areas? These are questions that have come to my mind and the only answer I have is that Satan will attack wherever he can, and the church is a great place to start.

How are we to witness to those who are perishing when we can't even get along with each other?
I think that we can apply our American saying to the church: United we stand, divided we fall.

Peacemaking is so very important!

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:13-18

Are you a peacemaker?

The Latest News

The Good News: After twelve long years of general education, and not quite two years of college, I am pleased to announce that the hard work and studying has payed off & I have been accepted into nursing school. Of course, it is only by God's grace and my parents' unending service and love that I have gotten this far, so I owe them immense thanks.

The Bad News: I am trying not to stress about all of the fees and deadlines. After looking through all of the web pages stating what I am required to have before school starts, it seems as though I will be nickled & dimed to death before I get to start school this summer.
I know that God will provide. He already has in so many ways. I have received uniforms, a stethoscope, and blood pressure cuff all for free, and have been offered an opportunity to borrow books from former students of the school I hope to attend, have been promised a gift of "the right shoes" that I will need, and do not have to pay housing expenses because my parents graciously allow me to live at home. God is very, very good, and even if these things had not been given to me, He would still be good because I don't deserve anything, much less offerings that will help out with expenses.

Please pray that I will continue to trust in Him and that He will provide the financial means that I need to make it through the last couple of years of college. I am quite positive that unless I am able to receive scholarships (which I am looking in to now), that I will come out a little in debt, but I would like to avoid as much as I possibly can. The Lord has kindly provided all of the financial means to put me through college debt free so far, and I am so very thankful for that!
I look forward to seeing what else He has in store, whether it seems "good" to me or not. I know that everything He plans is good, because He is good.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7

True Love

Happy Valentine's Day!
Spend some extra time with the One who loves you most.

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-6, NIV)

Reflecting

It's just been one of those weekends where I feel like I've been jumping over so many spiritual obstacles, just barely getting by and not tripping. Thankfully, I see the Holy Spirit at work in my life, molding me in to the person that God desires me to be. I am so thankful for a God who is living and personal!

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul,
'therefore I will hope in him.'"
Lamentations 3:22-24

I Wanna Set The World On Fire

Recently I found a great new singer. Her music gives me chills. I'm sure many of you have heard of her before, but I had not until just a few weeks ago.

Britt Nicole: Set The World On Fire
I encourage you to listen to this song (ignore the not so well done video). The point of this song is strong and assuring. With God nothing is impossible.

As I listened to this song and through messages that I have heard lately, I have been so convicted by these thoughts: What God do you serve? Is He not the God that created the entire Universe? Then why do you doubt Him?

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father's hands

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There's nothing I can't do
Nothing I can't do

I'm gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:12-13, ESV)

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16, ESV)

"The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:35-38, ESV)

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13, ESV)

"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:13-15, ESV)

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)

Winter Days

With all of the hustle and bustle of school, the past two weeks have passed by quickly! I feel like I've hardly had a moment to breathe. So far all of my classes are going well. I have quite a load of homework, but at least I am understanding the material!

I have been learning that I don't trust God nearly as much as I should. I worry over the little things in life, and fret when something is not going "how I planned." How prideful is that? For some strange reason I think that I am in control of my life... ha. I thank You, Lord, for reminding me that YOU are the one who is in control of my life and the lives of everyone else around me.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your way acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil."
(Proverbs 3:5-7, ESV)

Back To Reality

School starts tomorrow, so today ends my nice winter break. In some ways I am looking forward to school, and in other ways I wish that I had a few more weeks of break time. For anyone reading this, I sure could use prayer this semester. I have two hard core science classes (Anatomy & Physiology II & Chemistry II) and then Developmental Psychology (oh, joy), Spanish I, Aerobics, and Self-defense. The only class I'm really not looking forward to would be my psych class, but it's online, so hopefully I can just skim by that one. I believe that many issues are diagnosed as psychological when they should be diagnosed as internal cardiac (aka, sin) issues. Just one more semester until I am able to transfer and really start nursing school.

And now my favorite medical verse...
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22, ESV).