December 8 Are We the Problem? Deuteronomy 31:6
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
A few weeks ago, I was attending a “Ministerial” meeting of various pastors, and an interesting conversation was overheard. After a lively exchange of ideas about growth and expansion, and an interesting lecture on attitude, and effectiveness, we gathered in the “Common” area for discussion and to fellowship. I was within listening distance of an unusual discussion. It appeared that two of the participants had “Squared Off” in a “Tet a Tet” over some of the bullet Points that had been discussed during the lecture. Amazingly, and shockingly, one of the participants declared that the problem with the other individual was his need to constantly want to “Change” people. Wow! An Ordained Pastor, declaring to another Ordained Pastor, that his problem is the desire to “Change” people. The young man that was accused of being an instrument of “Change,” gently responded with a “Thank You for noticing!” “In today’s world, you and those like you are the problem! You think that everyone should think and act like you!” At this point, it was all that I could do not to inject my “Two Cents Worth” into the conversation, but I resisted and continued to listen. The one young man, who was accused of being the problem, asked a simple, yet profound question, when he asked, “How can you be a Pastor and a Purveyor of the Good News when you are offended by the idea of people changing?” Without a thought, the young man that received the inquiry walked away without a word! I was stunned, amazed, and saddened, at the same time! What a “Preach-able” moment! An ordained minister, hired by a local church fellowship, tasked with the job of growing the fellowship and providing a stable and solid foundation for others to depend upon, is worried about the idea of changing people, viewing the concept of changing lives, and his role in leading others into a “Changed” relationship with Jesus Christ, what does that say about the condition of this World? LISTEN! If your Pastor is not PREACHING JESUS CHRIST and PREACHING the LIFE CHANGING GRACE OF HIS SHED BLOOD, then find somewhere and someone that does PREACH the LIFE CHANGING BLOOD OF JESUS! As we were breaking up to go our separate ways, I felt compelled to speak to this “Wayward” young man and I wrote a particular scripture on the back of my card, and as I passed him, I stopped, and I introduced myself and I handed him the card. I told him that I was as close as a call when he needed to talk or if he just needed a kind word. He seemed to be a bit shaken, and he struggled with “Thank-you!” He read the back of the card, smiled and replied, “I will take you up on that!” I simply wrote this scripture: Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” I am praying for this young man, and I am anticipating the opportunity to witness to him! How is your mind? Are you in need of a transformation? JESUS IS THE ANSWER! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY YET TO BE!