SIMPLICITY!

Sunday’s Monday

One of my major pet peeves with religion is the complication and division. Religion comes on the seen with rules that are supposedly based on biblical fact when in actually man has added his own twist to the rules and commands Jesus left with us. Take note most spiritual denominations come with a denominational based belief that’s divided believers through minuscule differences. I can remember years ago my pastor and I went to Hickory, NC to join in a prayer ride through the city. It was our plan to ride together and pray for God to break Satan’s strongholds in the city. Guess what! We were split up and placed with a person or persons we had never met. As my immaturity feared the worst, I landed in a vehicle that contained a white Mr. Methodist Pastor and a Mrs. Baptist Pastor of color. The first thing we did upon entering the vehicle was to introduce ourselves, starting with the male pastor who had degrees and accomplishments out the ears, next the lady pastor who was equally as impressive but added she had a doctorate and then came my turn in which I replied, with my name and then stated I was merely a follower of Jesus unrestrained by the spirit of denominational division, therefor I was legal to love them both in the name of Jesus. Immediately the car rocked with laughter and that spirit of uneasiness (on my part) was broken in that moment. The male pastor was so taken with the statement that he asked if I would mind him using it in a sermon to which I replied Jesus gave it to me and I gladly gave it to y’all. A spirit of jubilance filled the automobile, and the body of Christ became a little larger for me that night. Jesus took charge of the moment and removed any differences for that night, reminding us of Ephesians 4:4 (NLT), For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

I guess its human nature for most of us to see our spiritual glass half empty, in that we seem to search out our difference instead of our alikeness. Do you honestly think God is concerned about our churchy rituals or the music we worship him, sprinkle, dunk, large or small? If you do; allow me to tear down that wall! God call His church one heart at a time!! His church is not a building or a denomination, it’s the heart for Jesus inside each individual that matters to God. The question I often ask myself comes from Ephesians 4:7 (NLT), However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. My question is always the same, what am I doing with my gifts and how am I networking them into the body of Christ? God showed me a long time ago that I need a village of likeminded brothers and sisters “in Jesus” to prop me up in times when I am caught off guard by a situation. I don’t seek a particular race, sex, nationality, color, denomination, or age for my rescuer. I accept whoever God sends to bring His peace and favor back into my life. Just like the story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. God’s simplicity is, He created one man and one woman so man would not be alone ergo setting the precedence of togetherness. I know you’ve all heard God has a plan for you but what you seldom hear is that God’s plan is for you to become an active part of The Body of Christ! Therefore, we become individual parts of the whole! How simple is that?

I used to say about myself, I could complicate something as simple as drinking water. Simply because of fear! I had a boss once that told me, when talking with superiors keep your speech as technical and complicated as possible. When I ask why? His reply was, they will never stoop to your level to ask you to explain and it actually works! But it also has a downside when you need their cooperation in situations, they have no clue as to what you’re asking. Simplicity and honesty is the key to correct understanding! This is extremely helpful when witnessing to people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus or just think they do. They don’t know Jesus; I mean really know Jesus. In most cases what they know about Jesus is what they’ve seen and see in us. The best advice I have is found in Ephesians 4:23 (NLT), Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. Life has given each of us a story and for those of us who follow Jesus our story needs to be told, without dressing it up, manufacturing a people pleaser or fabricating a rag to riches series. Just the plain simple truth of what Jesus has done and is doing in your life. No one can tell your story like you can, and no one can show the emotion you do in living your story. Each of us has the God given ability to tear down the walls of division simply by living out Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT), 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. No one cares how bible smart we are when they have need, but everyone cares how compassionate we are toward them and their need. Let that sink in! Having the story of Jesus in one’s heart is only useful when it flows from our actions!

My prayer is for more heart knowledge of what Jesus did (lived, died, and resurrected) to save our souls from hell but it’s how Jesus lived (sinless, compassionate, and holy) that will save our peace on earth. May we grasp the fullness of what is written in Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT), 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Have us to allow you to live this lifestyle through us so others may see, believe, and grow in you. Amen

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

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