Matthew 18:15 beating

^{Matthew 18: 15} “If your brother or sister^[b] sins,^[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’^[d] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Have you been beaten up by these verses?  Have you used them like a bludgeon?  

It has happened to me.  It hurt. Bad. Really bad. It blindsided me.  One even skipped part one totally.  But it wasn't that they thought I needed rebuking or correction that truly hurt.

It as that they misunderstood what Jesus meant by saying, "treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

That does NOT mean shutting that person out. It does NOT mean ejecting them from your fellowship.  It means to pursue them, to bring them back to the fold in GRACE.

No one did that.  We too often forget that last part about God wanting to reconcile us to Him.  We are supposed to be bringing people back.  The people Jesus came to save. He came to save us. You and me. At our worst. At our 'trying our best and failing'. Our 'misunderstood'. Us. 

2 Corinthians 5:11  Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Confront if you must. But prayerfully. Gently. With the goal of reconciliation.

Not one of us is righteous enough to beat another person with the Bible. No one deserves to be beaten with any verse, book or commandment.  Not a sister or brother in Christ. Not an unbeliever. Not one.  The only one who could chose instead to die for us.  The only one who could have, justly, made us pay did the exact opposite. He paid for us. In blood.

The next time you see someone facing a challenge, be kind.  The next time you see someone who appears to need correction, pray before speaking.  Seek correction prayerfully and with an eye to reconciliation.  Show grace.

People will screw up. We make a mess of things.

People will try too hard. And will be misunderstood.

People will hurt you. Show grace.

People will accuse you wrongly. Let God speak for you.

People will be people. Pray for them.

If you are struggling with whether or not someone needs correction, as prescribed above, ask yourself two questions: am I seeking reconciliation? am I showing grace?

Are you? If you are, and you have prayed about it, seek Godly counsel and proceed.  

Remember: 

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

and 

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Get out of the Boat

Dear readers, this is a combined repost, with an update here in pretty italics. I continue to be inspired by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I. also, continue to despair for them as well. We need to encourage each other, we need, let me reemphasize that WE NEED to encourage each other. When someone is walking out on faith whether they are doing something for their marriage like The Respect Dare or as a parent like All-Pro Dad or doing church from home via internet (Save The Cowboy) - encourage them. We don't need the details of someone's walk, we just need to know they are walking. And we need to encourage them. So, inspired by a Dare in The Respect Dare and by my desire to intentionally encourage people (Encourage Sisters) I invite you to enjoy this post, and the poem that goes with it. Bright blessings, Shanyn

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Sailing Lessons

A while back I wrote a poem called Get Out of The Boat on my poetry blog. 

I am still working on it, this getting out of the boat and walking with Jesus on the water.

It isn't easy.  The boat is filled with well meaning people who offer all sorts of seemingly sound advice.  They may even offer their prayers.  But what they are not offering is a hand to walk out in faith,.

Why?  Why?


WHY?


I wish I knew.  Maybe their own doubts hold them back and that encourages them to hold everyone else back?  Maybe their desire to be safe is greater than their fear of the water?

What God has been impressing upon my heart lately though is this:

Get Out Of The Boat!


You know the story, right?  If not, refresh yourself here at Matthew 14:22-33

A friend of mine wrote a book, against a lot of advice from people in her church, advice that would have denied a lot of people access to God's wisdom spoken through her.

A number of acquaintances are seeking to find truth in strange places while they stay safe on the boat.  You can, for example, read all the Amish books you want.  You can simplify your life.  It will not make you Amish.    They too, are people seeking God.  In their own way.  But God`s way for them may not be God`s way for you.


You may try to appear in a certain way.  Speaking in a certain fashion, perhaps.  This helps you appear wise.  Calm.  Godly.  Passionless.  Dead.  


SAFE on the BOAT!


Lukewarm on the boat.  In the middle rows.  Not at the helm, not working the mast.  Not on the rudder or rowing. Sitting and watching some fool stepping over the side. 

Brothers and sisters...can I ask you for something...

When someone gets out of the boat, even starts talking about it, cheer them on!


Shout some prayers of encouragement!


Remind them to focus on the face of Jesus across the waves.


It isn`t our job to keep them in the boat when God calls them out of it!

I would love to hear your stories of getting out of the boat...share them with us in the comments.

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Get Out Of The Boat
Inspired by Matthew 14:22-33.  Please feel free to read before, or after! 

Reach Your hand to me, oh Lord.

Touch me so that I won’t sink in.

Raise my face to Your eyes.

Touch my spirit so I can rise!

Walk me across the water, oh Lord!

Blind me to all but Your hand.

Watch my steps, let me falter not.

Blind me to all but each step ahead!

Lord, before all of that, please God.

Let me hear Your voice calling me.

Lord, draw me to You, wherever.

Lord, tell me, “Get out of the boat!”

Jesus, You never fail us. We fail us.

God, Your promises never break.

People, we fail, we break, we sink too.

We can’t walk on the water unless we

get out of the boat!

At lo levad

"In Hebrew, my native language it means 'You are not alone' meaning that it is personal language. Said with love and care, concern. You are not alone in anything you do, for I am always concerned. I have your back. I will protect you no matter what. It is what close persons say to each other." Feli from Yahoo! Answers

Do you wish you had someone whom you could trust like this?

Someone who always has your back?

Someone who loves you.

Someone who is concerned for you.

Someone who stays close.

Someone who will protect you.

What if I told you that you do?

We all do!

Someone who always sees the big picture.  Someone who can always give us time.

Do you know who I am talking about?  

Isaiah did. So very long before He appeared in the flesh.

Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

We are not alone. Ever.  As close as our breath and as big as creation. Jesus loves each one of us completely. With an unwavering strength, loyalty, concern and passion.

Does that take your breath away?  It should!

Does that humble you?  IT SHOULD!

Remember John 3:16?  Do you really? I mean REALLY remember it?    

Next time you feel like you need someone to have your back, remember Someone already does. Someone always has.

Care to share how God has shown you how He has your back lately?  

On a recent episode of NCIS Tony whispered this to Ziva as she returned to Israel.  I had to look it up.  At lo levad. Amazing promise friend to friend, more amazing to know God feels the same!

Five Minute Friday - Dive

Dive.

Dive into change.
Dive into faith.
Dive into a better marriage.
Dive into being the Mama.
Dive into being me.
Dive into a new house.
Dive into laughter.
Dive into silly.
Dive into what God moves us to.

Dive down past the fear.
Dive down past the doubts.
Dive down past the broken hope.
Dive down through it all.
Dive down to the bottom.
Dive down to where God waits for us.

Dive towards hope.
Dive towards promise.
Dive towards that which you are floating above.
Dive towards what we long for most.
Dive towards life promised eternal.
Dive towards the Holy Spirit.

Dive. Dive. Dive.

Linking up with Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday, her word Dive and my five minutes of poetry. Just write for five minutes and then stop. No fussing. No going back. Just write and stop. Post and share. Be sure to leave some love for all those you visit on this Friday.

Encourage Sisters

My word for this year is encourage.

My ministry, emerging into the light, is Encourage Sisters. Intentional encouragement. Godly encouragement.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

and more than this.  Not just the disheartened. But those who are angry. Those who are hurt. Those who feel alone. 

Encouraging someone can be an easy greeting card act to someone who will appreciate it.  I want more. I want intentional encouragement when it is hard. Super hard. When you know yours could be the only good words they hear all day.  Finding those words.  Choosing not to encourage behaviour which is hurtful.  Choosing to encourage to good. Encouraging seeking God.

I invite you to follow us at our blog, and on Facebook.  Be patient, and encourage one another. 

Are you a neighbour?

I shared a story on my Facebook status the other day.  I'll repeat it here.

I was in a store.  Getting a Christmas gift.  Waiting my turn. No rush.  I noticed a young couple behind me with two small children, really a toddler and a babe in arms.  I told the store manager who was serving me he could take care of them first.  They said thank you.  A number of times. But it was the store manager that was most interesting.  He said that one gesture of kindness restored his faith in humanity.  In human kindness for no reward.  Really?  Really.

It got me thinking...and then the next morning my son's devotional covered the story of Jesus teaching about being a neighbour.  Who is our neighbour and why.  You know this story, right?  Find it here if you are drawing a blank.

Today was Black Friday, the US version of Boxing Day in Canada. Or perhaps we are trying to catch up and with some stores having their own version we, too, have a Black Friday.  Just without the stampedes but I digress.

My point, and question is this: how have you been a neighbour lately? 

Note I didn't ask if you were being a good neighbour but a neighbour. Showing the fruits of the spirit to those around you.  You remember those, right?

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

So, using Galatians as our check list we can ask ourselves the questions...

• Have I shown my neighbour love, joy, peace, kindness?
• Have I exercised forebearance, goodness, faithfullness?
• Have I lived a spirit of gentleness and self-control?

I know it seems unfair to ask it but if we cannot show it then how can we expect people to see it?

If my one small act of kindness to a stranger showed them a bit of God's love and encouraged them to be kind, to show love, to work on patience then I have been a neighbour.

I don't need to be a nosy neighbour checking in to see if my actions are bearing fruit in your life.  That is between you and God.

I don't need to stay in my own neighbourhood which can be where I live, shop, go to church.  I can be a neighbour to anyone.  To the least of these.  When we are in the middle of being the least of them.

This Christmas season, let us begin by remembering to be good neighbours.

Share your ideas on being a good neighbour in comments, would love to have you bless us with your sharing!

Resting in Battle

Exodus 14:14

¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

In a duel between swordsmen there are rules.  In battle there are supposed to be rules of engagement.  

The devil does not recognize or respect these things.  There is no 'sword down to rest' signal when you are in battle with him.  And as Christians we believe the lie of the world that says, "In the middle of battle don't rest. Don't stop."

It is a lie.  A huge lie.  Why?  Because God will battle for us.  Indeed He commands us to be still and He will fight for us.  Many times in the Bible the battle is won for us by God.  Not by us for God.

Think of it this way - when we are in a struggle, in a battle, when we are under attack, it seems like the worst time to catch our breath.  We think there is no one to step between us and our attacker the devil.  We are wrong.  God promises to battle for us.  

I was speaking to a dear friend today who is in the middle of some serious spiritual attacks.  She is literally, and figuratively, in a downpour.  She knows she needs to rest. To catch her breath. To pray. 

She is not quitting.  She is not giving up.  She is letting God fight for her while she stands still.  While she rests.

This blog, and my others, has been silent for a while.  I've been catching my breath.  I've been resting.  I've been battling and God has been battling for me.

For the first time in months, literally months, I feel I can write again. I can share with you all.  It feels good to be back.

Be still.  Mouths. Feet. Hands. Minds. Spirits.  Be still.
Pray.  Let God fight for you.  Fight in your place.
Let God fight and let Him renew your body, spirit and mind.

When someone is embattled, encourage them. Pray for them. Be there for them. Let them rest.  Don't let them quit, but don't deny them rest either.  The more we feel the need to fight, the more we need to obey God and rest.

Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

We can be prepared. We can be girded.  But the victory belongs to God.  He wins it for us.  Victory rests with the Lord.  Always.  Always.

Are you in a battle today?  Is tonight the night when you feel you can't go on?  Then brother rest. Sister rest.  God will not abandon you.  He will fight for you.