balaam

The world sees the junk that is going on in the churches, and they don't want any part of it. If we really accept the Great Commission in Matt 28:19, we will put our differences aside, we'll stop asking, 'What is in it for me?' and we will genuinely start loving each other.

Selfishness is the root of all jealousy. When we are caught up thinking about ourselves, we can't think about anyone else.

We've become very good in our churches today at faking our concern when really we couldn't care less about the people around us.

In order for us to become the Bride of Christ, we must stop being so divided. We must start coming together. We must be places of refuge for the nonbelievers and start being places they want to come. That doesn't mean that we will always agree on everything, but we must start pursuing unity.

I believe that forgiveness is a processes. You might be able to release some offenses right away, but some offenses hurt deeper. You have to choose to let go and let God.

Accuracy is not the measure of a true prophet. You will know the true prophets by their fruit.

In order to get some help in your love walk, all you have to do is ask God to let you see these people through His eyes.

Gossip is multiplying like breeding rabbits in the Church today. We may pretend it isn't, but we're only lying to ourselves. We like to put pretty little bows on it in the Church today. We like saying that we're just passing on some information so that so-and-so can be prayed for by our other sister. We like to justify it in our heads, but sin is sin so I'm going to call it that.

God isn't looking for a bunch of actors. He is looking for people who are sold out to His plan and purpose.

When new believers come into the Church-when the young and innocent who are so full of life come in-we must treat them with honor and respect. We must be careful not to violate them in anyway. We are held accountable for their spiritual growth.

Having true compassion for people isn't about the words that are spoken and the actions that are done. Having true compassion is an attitude from the heart that can't be faked.

There is a lost and dying world out there. They need to see that the Church is different from their socially-segregated high schools. They need to see a 'family' operating as a team, not a bunch of cliques playing a role.

Stop being fake and start being real. Start being real with the people around you, and start being real with God. Churches are not Broadway musicals where we can play the role of a Christian. You may think that you can play a role with people and get away with it, but I tell you today that you can't play that role with God. He sees through your plastic smiles and fake veneers.

The story of Balaam is also a good reminder that just because a person can flow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit doesn't mean they have character.

We used to live in a society where if we saw one person struggling in our boat, we'd all stop what we were doing and help that person. We'd all work together as a team. In today's world, we see that person struggling in the boat, feel glad it's not us, and pick them up and throw them in the water. We just don't really care about each other anymore.

In today's society, Christians have a bad rap for things like holding picketing signs, screaming mantras of hate, and bombing abortion clinics. Somehow, I don't think that's showing love.

You can choose to be part of the solution or part of the problem.

One person does make a difference. Jesus was one person. He made a difference. Stop telling the Lord that the problem is too big. Stop looking at your problem. The more you look at the problem, the bigger it gets. God is bigger than that problem. Keep your eyes on God! Let God be bigger than your feats! You are one person, but you have the life of God on the inside of you. You can and will make a difference!