D. Slam wrote:I'm so very grateful to be of the mind of being receptive to any learning experience or a word of wisdom. The statement below came to me via email. It touched me and convicted me both at the same time. Thus giving me yet another platform to attempt to stand upon.
"Be kinder than necessary, Because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
And I share in your gratefulness Don, as well as always seeking to be discerning of those who do not. What your post means to me is that "kindness" is among the fruit of Holy Spirit [Galatians 5...], against which there is NO LAW!
Like you, I feel any word of timely wisdom is to be acted upon - and not only heard. This is the very reason why when first joining Boomer's community back in the Fall of 2002, I was under conviction to not only share my musical experiences in the steps/shadow of Billy, but also my spiritual walk in the Light of Relationship with a living God. I was criticized for that, but understood why.
I was going through (and still going through) the battle of my life. Yet I'm encouraged in this struggle simply because I know that He who promised has shown Himself to be real in my life. Afterall, he not only swore to Abraham, but ratified the Promise his Sovereignty:
"For men verily swear by
the greater: and an oath for
confirmation is to them an end of all
strife.
Wherein God, willing more
abundantly to shew unto the heirs of
promise the immutability of his
counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
That by two immutable
things, in which it was impossible for
God to lie, we might have a strong
consolation, who have fled for refuge
to lay hold upon the hope set before
us:
Which hope we have as an
anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast, and which entereth into that
within the vail;
Whither the forerunner is
for us entered, even Jesus, made an
high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
[Hebrews 6-20]
For me, this synergy of Spirit brings to mind that I have gained more than whatever I sometimes find myself losing. Its best said by His Word, not mine:
"But what things were gain
to me, those I counted loss for
Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count
all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the
loss of all things, and do count them
but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not
having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by
faith:
That I may know him, and
the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, being
made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might
attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had
already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I
may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not
myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are
before,
I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many
as be perfect, be thus minded: and if
in any thing ye be otherwise minded,
God shall reveal even this unto you."
[Phillipians 3-14; KVJ]
Indeed, and in keeping here with "like-minded Believers," we are indeed in a Battle! The Good News is that those on the right(eous) [right-standing] side have already won:
"(For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations,
and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness
to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled."
[2 Corinthians 10:4-6]
Thanks Men and keep fighting the Good Fight of Faith [1 Timothy 6:12] which works by "Love!"
"For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which
worketh by love.
Ye did run well; who did
hinder you that ye should not obey the
truth?
This persuasion cometh not
of him that calleth you."
[Galatians 5:6-8...]
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