DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH A BABBLER

Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. 

          You will have to care enough to lovingly speak the truth, even when you would rather gloss over problem or ignore an issue. While it is much easier to remain silent when others around us are harming themselves or others with a painful pattern, it is not the loving thing to do. Often we know what needs to be said to someone, but our fears prevent us from saying anything. 

      Whenever an issue pops up, we know that it might cause tension or discomfort, it is immediately glossed over in order to preserve a false sense of peace. Friends, "don't rock the boat!" Jumps in and tries to smooth everyone's ruffled feather, the issue is never resolved, and everyone lives with an underlying frustration. Everyone knows the problem, but no one talks about it openly. This creates a sick environment of secrets where gossip thieves. We know that gossip is bad. Because it is spread by wicked people, where they stir up trouble and break up friendships. 

        Gossip is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution. Listening to gossip is like accepting stolen property, and it makes you as guilty of the crime. When someone begins to gossip to you, have the courage to say "Please stop! I don't need to know this. Have you talked directly to the person?" Remember, people who gossip to you, will also gossip about you. Until you care enough to confront and resolve the underlying barriers, you will never grow close to each other. When conflict is handled correctly, we grow closer to each other by facing and resolving our differences. Because in the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery. Frankness is not a license to say anything you want, wherever and whenever you want. It is not rudeness either.  We should use our ears more than our mouth. Before attempting to solve any disagreement we must first listen to people's feelings. Hmm. Do you know the phrase "look out for?" it is the Greek word "skopos", from which we form our words "telescope and microscope" so what does this mean? Simply, pay close attention! Focus on others feelings, not the facts. "A gossip reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with a babbler."

         We often look to others to make us happy and then get angry when they fail us. Listening says, "I value your opinion, I care about our relationship, and you matter to me." The cliche is true: People don't care what we know until they know we care. It's given, we are sinners, we hurt each other sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. But instead of leaving, we need to stay and work it out if at all possible.

'Thoughtless words leave lasting wounds.'

When you know what they've been through, you will be more understanding. Instead of thinking about how far they still have to go, think about how far they have come in spite of their hurts.

So ladies and gentlemen, please, CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY.

GROWING THROUGH TEMPTATION

Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. Temptation becomes a stepping-stone rather than a stumbling block when you realize that it is just as much an occasion to do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing. It simply provides the choice and it is Satan's primary purpose to destroy you! When temptation comes you are expected to express the exact opposite quality. Because character development always involves a choice and temptation provides that opportunity.

          We develop real peace within us, not by making things go the way we planned but by allowing times of chaos and confusion. Likewise, patience is developed in circumstances in which we are forced to wait and are tempted to be angry of have a short fuse. You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful. 

HOW TEMPTATION WORKS?

We are very familiar with evil schemes. It helps to know that Satan is entirely predictable.

Let me share to you the three-step process that follows temptation;

1st, DESIRE; it maybe a sinful desire, like the desire to get revenge or to control others or it may be a legitimate, normal desire, like the desire to be loved and valued or to feel pleasure. Remember this, temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at a wrong time. Always beware of shortcuts. They are often temptations! We may think that temptation lies around us, but the truth is, it begins within us. There's a whole army of evil desires within us!

2nd, DECEPTION; Satan is incapable of telling the truth and he actually called "the Father of lies." Anything he tells you will be untrue or just half-true. 

3rd, DISOBEDIENCE; Here, you finally act on the thought you've been toying with in your mind. What began was an idea gets birthed into behavior.

        We will never outgrow temptation. In one sense we can consider temptation a compliment. Satan does not have to tempt those who are already doing his evil will; they are already his. Temptation is a sign that Satan hates us, not a sign of weakness or wordliness. It is normal to be part of being human ang living in a fallen world. Let's not be surprised or shocked or discouranged by it. What we have to do is to be realistic about the inevitability of temptation; we will never be able to avoid it completely. It is not a sin to be tempted. Temptaion only becoomes a sin when we give in to it. We can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but we can choose not to dwell or act on them. Physical attraction, sexual arousal and lust are different. We are all sexual being, and that is good. Attraction and arousal are natural, spontaneous. While lust is a deliberate act of the will, a choice to commit in your mind that you'd like to do with your body. You can be attracted or being aroused without choosing to sin by lusting.

STAY ALERT!

          Sometimes there is what we called "holy spirit" who put some unlovely people around us for us to learn how to love them. It takes no character to love people who are lovely and loving us. 

          We are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear friends The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch us napping.

LET THERE BE HARMONY

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

`How are we to do this? I can give you FOUR PRACTICAL ADVICE.

1st, Focus on what we have in common, not our differences

Let there be LOVE. Only LOVE.

     Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of one another's character. We should take into consideration that we share the same life, same future, one hope, one faith and one love -far more important than any differences we could enumerate. These are the issues, not our own personal differences, that we should concentrate on. For unity's sake, we must never let differences divides us. We must stay focused on what matters most, and that is `learning to love each other. When we focus on personalities, preferences, interpretations or styles, division always happen. But if we concentrate on loving each other, harmony results. 

2nd, Be realistic in your expectations

     We must know the gap between ideal and real. Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity! On the other hand, settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Others may disappoint you and let you down, but don't mind them. Instead be kind to them and love them. People become disillusioned with the church for many understandable reasons; conflict, hurt, hypocrisy, neglect, pettiness, legalism, and other sins. We must remember that the church is made up of real sinners, including ourselves. And because we're all sinners, we hurt each other, sometimes intentionally/unintentionally. Reconciliation, not running away, is the road to stronger character.

3rd, Choose to encourage rather than criticize
      It is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a contribution. We must not stand in judgement or look down on others whose convictions differ from our own. Whenever we judge other people, we expose our pride and insecurity. We should remember this, "it is only the Devil's job to blame, complain and criticize", every time we do the same, we're being duped into doing Satan's work for him. What we must do is to help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault.

4th, Refuse to listen to gossip

     Gossip is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution.We know that spreading gossip is wrong! But we should not listen to it. Because gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships. Listening to gossip is like accepting stolen property, and it makes us only guilty of the crime. So when someone gossip to you, have the courage to say "Please stop. I don't need to know this", because those people who gossip to you, will also gossip about you. They cannot be trusted. A gossip reveals secrets; therefore, let us not associate with a babbler.

We know that during conflict, it is tempting to complain to a third party rather than courageously speak the truth in love to the person we're upset with. This makes the matter worst! Instead, we should go directly to the person involved. Private confrontation is always the first step. If we're unable to work things out between the two of us, the next step is to take one or two witnesses to help confirm the problem and reconcile the relationship.

There are many people in our community who are looking for love and a place to belong. The truth is, everyone needs and wants to be loved. And when they find a place to belong where genuinely love and care for each other, you would have to lock the doors to keep them away. :)

Imagine-John Lennon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIFY9h8DImg

LIFE IS A TEST, TRUST AND TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT

     Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. For all we know, earth is the staging area, the preschool, the tryout for our life in eternity. It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins. Death was actually not our termination, but our trnsition into eternity, so there are eternal consequences to everything we do here on earth. Every act of our lives strikes some chord that will vibrate in eternity. To make the most of our life, we must keep the vision of eternity continually in our mind and the value of it in our heart. There's far more to life that just here and now. "Today is the visible tip of the iceberg. Eternity is all the rest you don't see underneath the surface." For instance, if we think life is a party, our primary value in life will be having fun. If we see life as a race, we will value speed and will probably be in a hurry much of the time. If we see life as a battle or a game, winning will be very important. (You think, this is right?) Hmmm
     
     God continually tests people's character, faith, obedience, love, integrity and loyalty. Character is both developed and revealed by tests and all of life is a TEST. We are always being tested. God constantly watches our responses to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment and even the weather! We don't really know the tests God will give to us, but we can predict some of them, based on the bible. A very important test is how we act when we can't feel God's presence in our life. But you know, sometimes God intentionally draws back, and we don't sense his closeness.

     When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. We must take this in mind, every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love or to depend on God. The Bible says, "God keeps his promise and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out." We are stewards of whatever God gives us. The world and all that in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are his. We are the only one who should take care to all of it.

     We must not forget the two truths: First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief. Second, earth is only a temporary residence. We won't be here long, so don't get too attached. Okay? We're just passing through, just visiting earth. We can actually call ourselves an alien, pilgrim, foreinger, stranger, visitor and traveler. The things we see noe are here and gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. If that so, why we give so much importance on the things that were so temperary? What was we're thinking? Why did we waste so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn't going to last?! Well, life gets tough. You know that? When we're overwhelmed with doubt or when we wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, we should rememeber that we are not home yet. At death we won't leave home, we'll go home.

"Unless you are faithful in small things, you won't be faithful in large ones."
-Luke 16:10 (nlt)

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

-2 Corinthians 4:18

THE BEST TIME TO LOVE IS NOW

       The best expression of love is TIME. Because I believe that the more time you give to someone, the more you reveals his importance and value to you. Do you agree with that? Time for me is the most precious gift because we only have set amount of it. When I give time to you, it means that I am giving a portion of myself that will never get back. Yes, relationships are important but we must prove it by investing time in them. WORDS ALONE ARE WORTHLESS. Relationship takes time and effort and for me the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E". Like I don't need anything from you. Your time is what I need. Whenever I give my time to someone, I am making a sacrifice and I would say that, that sacrifice is the essence of love. Hence, everyday is the best way to express love to someone. Why? Because you don't know how long will you have that opportunity. Circumstances change. People grow, eventually will die. You have no guarantee of tomorrow.