Exhortations for The Soul

I think we can all agree that everyone has something that isn’t going right in their lives.   And that’s why I am glad when I can speak with someone who has a knack for turning my negative into a positive. I am encouraged as well when I can speak life into someone’s doom and gloom situation.   We live in a fast paced world and we want to make sure that we have a handle on everything that concerns us. We like to be in control. When things are out of whack, we get anxious and nervous and miserable. As maturing Christians, we know we are called to deal with these hurdles in life in a different way. We know that we have to put our faith and trust in God, entirely, for His strength, His wisdom, and His guidance. There are a couple of sayings we tend to draw on to see us through these troublesome times: 1. "Where God guides, He provides." 2. "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." 3. "God will make a way." 4. "If God brings you to it,...

  Recently, I find myself wondering about some of these sayings a lot of Christians love to repeat. I feel a need to understand. One such relates to covering. What is that and where did it originate? Is it biblical or doctrinal?   Meaning, can we find basis for the concept in the Bible or is this one of those situations where a Pastor or a church board decides this is what’s going to happen in this church and if you don’t like it you leave.   I think the problem comes for me when these terms are applied in a draconian way. For example, you are under the covering of this church and you cannot do anything outside of what we tell you to do. Some denominations get real territorial with their members, literally dictating that members have to seek permission or approval to minister elsewhere. In fact, you can’t even have a ministry. And some try to discourage their members from visiting other churches.   Now, as I understand it, when the church, the Body of Christ, when Ch...

  I want to begin by making a profound statement to us this morning - Pride interferes with our relationship with Christ.   You might have heard me mention that in yesterday’s exhortation. Pride interferes with our relationship with Christ.   And can I further say, anything that interferes with our relationship with Christ is not good, cannot continue, got to go, it must die. Amen?!   But some of you might be saying, isn’t pride a good thing? Shouldn’t I be proud of myself when I accomplish great things? Yes of course. So that is obviously not what I’m referring to. The term pride has different meanings. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, pride can refer to a reasonable or justifiable sense of self-respect and self-esteem, as well as an inordinate self-esteem or conceit. It also denotes delight or elation arising from an achievement, possession, or relationship . The Britannica Dictionary further elaborates that pride can be the belief that one deserves respect...