The church and its leaders….

1 Corinthians 3

1Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Consider Moses, he was too often in his emotions as a leader  and made snap choices based on such. It cost him the promised land and a life of blessing.  God said, He could not  build a kingdom/church/people based on emotion, except love.  His calling and purpose was passed on to new leadership, Joshua & Caleb who were opposite, yet unified and Spirit led.

There are times we need to put ourselves in check and assess where we are. Honestly ask ourselves, Is it really worth it? Are my actions/words/emotions bringing positive God change?  Am I restoring or destroying?

I tell you truth… God is still on the throne. You will do more by submitting to His authority, humbling yourself before Him and and taking it all to prayer than by marinating in emotion.

Ask yourself, What blessings am I forfeiting because I refuse to come out of myself? Is this love I’m showing or pride?  As Moses found out, emotions are deceptive and costly.

I was praying for a woman on her deathbed yesterday. Man, she was a hardcore, tough cookie!! One of the many things that stood out to me was this, her niece, Melanie,  whom we all know and love, has been radically changed from her old life and she,  (her aunt)  recognized this change, again and again. This babe in Christ has made more of an impact by her life/attitude change than a thousand sermons could ever do.  Our example is the most powerful tool we have. So again, in conflict, we need to ask ourselves what example am I showing my family /church family, children, and spouse?  Is my impact negative or positive and who am I impacting? Brothers and Sisters, if we imitate anyone but Christ in love  and grace we are making the wrong impact.

Blessings & Peace