Remember those "stupid" statements folks made to me when I was a newly born-again Christian? I kind of look back and shake my head at the audacity of Satan, who pulled out all stops to attack one of Christ's lambs. Now, I can stand up and answer them. It took 30 plus years of being in the “fiery furnace” in order to do so.
Well, here goes!
“It's only a fad. It will wear off one day.” said by a supervisor, when I told her ( way back when ) that I had just gotten “saved”.
My Answer: 38 years later my faith is still strong! If not it has been made stronger by trials! I hold my Savor's hand a lot longer now!
“Are you going to be a Pastor or a Preacher? Why are you going to church so much?” asked another person.
My Answer: The Bible says; “Forsake not to assemble yourselves after the manner of some. Do it the much more AS YOU SEE THE WICKED DAY APPROACHETH!
“Why is your church so far away? Surely there is one right there in the neighborhood where you live.” said another.
My Answer: Just as you would travel many miles to the BEST Chinese restaurant, or the Best Italian restaurant, I've done so with my church! I've been to many other ministries, but God led me to where I am, and there I will stay.
“Are you giving all of your money to that Pastor?” was yet another query.
My Answer: That's personal between me and my God.
“Does your church give you a tax statement? Do you know what they are doing with all of the money you give them?” Obviously this was an accountant.
My Answer: Just like the prior question, that is between me and My Heavenly Father. Plus, I don't want the government knowing how much I donate to the Kingdom of God.
“Do you believe every word he ( the Pastor ) says? He's only a man you know.” was another stinging comment.
My Answer: Yes, my pastor is a man, but he is An Anointed Man of God through whom God speaks.
“You need to get a hobby.” suggested yet another.
My Answer: If it will take me away from serving my Master, it's not worth it. I was called to redeem the time, not waste it.
“You need to get out more. Kick up your heels and enjoy life.” was another quip.
My Answer: And how will that help to reach a dying world for Christ?
“You need a boyfriend.” totally out of left field.
My Answer: If he does not know Jesus Christ and not consistently under the Word Of God and have a laid down life, I'm NOT interested.
“You need to go back to school and make something of yourself.”
My Answer: I'm already part of a Chosen Generation, A Holy Nation, A Royal Priesthood, A Peculiar People, a Citizen of Heaven, what more can I want?
“You need to fix yourself up and maybe someone will take an interest in you.”
My Answer: Someone already has! His name is Jesus! And pssst! I didn't need to fix myself up!
"I know some nice guys. You want me to hook you up?"
My Answer: Be not unevenly yoked with unbelievers. . . .
“You need to get a life.”
My Answer: I have an AFTERLIFE! \o/ \o/ \o/
“You'll never amount to anything.”
My Answer: I'm already a child of the KING of the universe!
“You are going to die and leave this world dirt poor and unnoticed.”
My Answer: But, I have treasures in Heaven!
“My God! They've turned you into a Eunuch. No man, no children, no nothing!”
My Answer: I have LEARNED to be content with my lot.
“You are all alone.”
My Answer: The Bible says of Jesus; He will NEVER leave or forsake me! He will stick closer to me than a brother, and He HAS!
“You are an old maid.”
My Answer: In your eyes. But to Jesus I am HIS BRIDE! And His Bride is spotless and without wrinkle, because He has washed her with His blood!
I know these are only a few answers to a few crazy statements I've been confronted with in my Christian life. Not all of them are as easy to answer as these. And as mentioned before, there are times, the Spirit of God leads me NOT to answer. There is as much wisdom in NOT answering as there is to answer.
A good example of this is when Jesus confronted the Pharasies and Sadducees in the temple.
That is why the Bible admonishes us to:
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This is an admonishment to Pastors, but believers are accountable to it also. Yes, we are responsible to speak words of victory and encouragement into the atmosphere, to build ourselves up, build up others, and to defeat the enemy.
Just as the dark forces are so bold in attacking, we should also be bold in striking back. After all, this is WARFARE! Now, that is if we are led to do so. If not, we will be like the nation of Israel who were told to go into the Promised Land and they refused.
God told the Nation Of Israel not to go, after they had refused. Why? Because His power and protection was no longer behind them. Why? Because they were rebellious and refused to obey Him! Now, they decided to pick up and go. Well, they sure 'nuff got beat back across the river, post haste!
Lesson: The spirit of God ( Holy Spirit ) and the power of God must be behind everything you say or do, or you will be “beat down” by the enemy! The only way to stay filled with the spirit of God is to stay humble, stay bowed down before God, realizing you can't do anything without Him.
Thank You Lord for bringing me to this point. \o/
Go Forth in Christ!
P.S. I pray this blog entry has been a source of encouragement to someone. If so, I would love to hear from you if you are one of my twitter followers. Please DM me. :+}!
