Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28| Dateof Comment 03/25/2026 If you are like me I like it when things go smooth. This verse does not meet my requirements: Philippians 1:29 NLT For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. Even Jesus prefers to not go through suffering: Mark 14:36 NLT “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” He accepted that suffering and change the world for you and I. If you think about what Paul is saying that it sends a message, "We have been called by the Lord to be his. We love him and have given our lives to him. The enemy causes suffering because he hates anything God loves. He goes after those who exalt the name of the Lord the most because he goal is to make you stop. The enemies suffering can be a gauge on the Kings approval level. It is true that when we are ineffective for the Lord that the enemy leaves us alone. People who we should be talking to go to hell and even our own salvation may be at risk." Paul says this: Romans 8:17 NLT And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Sin brings on suffering for even the ungodly. This type of suffering is not fun either. This suffering does not please God in anyway and is not a way to store treasure in the Kingdom of God. Suffering created by the enemy does create treasure because you are doing something for the Lord that is making him angry. Look at like this, your suffering is "profit taking" in the Kingdom of God because you are serving the Lord. 03/21/2026 It was a beautiful spring morning and I looked up into the sky and noticed all of the jets spraying chemicals in the air. They say it is just weather modification, but I do know that they are spraying barium and aluminum in the sky. These are all toxic to breathe. As I was thinking about how they are trying to poison us, God gave me this word, "You and the people in the ghetto have been praying Psalm 91 over your life. Don't you realize that Psalm 91 can even protect you from those chemicals that are being sprayed on you." I begin to realize that I have been putting limitations on God again. I firmly believe that if you were forced to take the vaccine or even drinking the poisonous fluoride they put in our water, that Psalm 91 is powerful enough to overcome these two things too. If you think fluoride is safe, just remember this: It is a 30 year federal prison sentence for dumping fluoride in the water and look at the warning label on the tooth paste. Long ago, I put a tiny amount of sodium fluoride in peanut butter and placed it on the ground. It would kill all the black birds that were crapping in the cattle's feed bunk. It is so deadly that even our Kitty cat tried to eat some of the peanut butter too and died instantly. We loved our cats too much and had to quit doing that. What good are strong teeth when fluoride affects your body negatively? Make sure you audibly declare Psalm 91 over you and your family. If you are living for God, it will protect you too. Continue to learn what people are trying to do to harm us but sometimes we just have to give it to God. My buddy and I never became sick once this winter and that was due to the power of God's word. It only gets better as more people cover you with the power of this chapter. My buddy and I are truly thankful to those who covered us with the power of God's word? 03/20/2026 I do have to admit I am not the sensitive type and I sometimes miss those burdens that are going on in other peoples lives. Many times those people just need some encouragement that we can give. Paul had a story about another person changing his life: 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 NLT 5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy! Let's be a Titus to God's children. We too can make the same difference that Titus did to Paul. I know some of you are doing that now. I bet those people appreciate you for doing this. Let's all look towards encouraging other people. 03/19/2026 Man, it is already spring. Soon we are going to have many college graduates who are soon going to enter the work force. Paul has a word for you: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT The Temple of the Living God 14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. If you are in it for the money, evil will probably win over you. This is not how you impress Jesus. Look for businesses that have morals and preferably a connection with Jesus Christ. This same message applies to people already in business. Don't believe evil will not influence you when you expose yourself to it, because it will. If God has a plan to bring a business to salvation, he may want you there. But you better be sure you are called by him. He will give you the strength to overcome any evil that may exist. If you are not called by God you probably will fail. Just like Timothy, you should follow his example: 1 Timothy 6:11 NLT But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. I am thankful for our coming graduates. Especially those who know Jesus. They will determine if we become one nation under God again. My generation dropped the ball on this one. I really believe that God has some big plan for you college students. I will be excited to see it put into action. LET JESUS LIVE in your lives!!!!!!! 03/17/2026 I have watched how people who trust other people will want them to work for them to make their own life better. The question is, "Do I put the same trust in God believing that he will also improve our lives by turning things over to him?" Romans 15:13 (New Living Translation) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 03/16/2026 I believe that they are right when they say Jesus is coming back soon. I also believe there is no better time to talk to people about Jesus then now: 2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. If Paul could have done bold print in his letter, he would emphasize what I did. 03/15/2026 It is spring and it feels good to go out into the sunshine and get some fresh air. The warmth of the sunshine feels good on the skin. We feel refreshed, and when we go back inside we don't think much more about it. Our sun, when we expose ourselves to it, we experienced something that we don't notice. Our skin picks up the rays of the sun. Those rays give us vitamin D, increase our bone density and strengthens our immune system. I have been exposed to many sources of light but none do what our God created sun does. Those who sell sunscreen will tell you that no exposure to the sun is what is good for you. Just as the light of our sun changes our physical lives, there is a light that shines in the spiritual side that also changes our lives. We we have a spiritual light that does the same thing. He is called the light of the world. John 8:12 Jesus, the Light of the World Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” You are right that Jesus is in heaven but they say Jesus is God and Hebrews says this: Hebrews 4:12 NLT 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Sometimes we read God's word and we may not understand what we are reading now but we are exposing ourselves to something that is alive and it is changing our lives even though we do not realize it now. Those people who are in God's word a lot can confirm this is the case, but in time it all begins to be revealed. That is why persistence matters when it comes to God's written word. All other literature is dead. God's written word is the only thing that grows our spiritual lives like the sun that helps heal our physical bodies. Proverbs 30:5 NLT Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. 03/13/2026 You always hear about God hardening Pharaoh's heart like that is the only thing God is capable of. Our God is a God who also softens hearts. After Israel upset God so bad, he exiled them into slavery for 70 years. There are some amazing things God did to allow the people to finally come home: Ezra 1:1-7 NLT Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Return 1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: 2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! 4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.” 5 Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. 6 And all their neighbors assisted by giving them articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings. 7 King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. I never hear about this side of God. He did not stop here. Nehemiah was about to see what God was about to do: Nehemiah 1:3-4 NLT Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. God was about to do something for Nehemiah like he did for Ezra: Nehemiah 2:1-6 NLT Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem 2 Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” 6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request. Here are two occasions where our God softened hearts. What is really interesting about Pharaoh of Egypt, King Cyrus, and King Artaxerxes, is that the method God used on each brought Glory to his name. What we have to realize that God does not just make people stubborn. 03/11/2026 It amazing how much Christians fail in understanding God's word. We know the biggest one is: Matthew 7:1-2 NLT Do Not Judge Others 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Paul commands us to judge those in the church and remove those who abuse the grace of Jesus Christ. The next one they like to twist is: 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. They substitute the word "problem" in place of "temptation". Again Paul proves us wrong again about our problems: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. Paul said, "I cannot do it without God". God lets us get overwhelmed because he desires us to come to him. Think about this. Maybe, if we come to God earlier before the crapola hits the fan, that the situation may not get so far out of control. For us guys, it is still manly for God to help us out of a situation. He wants to do it again and again. God never gets tired but he wants us to learn something from every challenge we face. Jesus says: Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” With Jesus, there is always a happy ending! 03/09/2026 Even as Adam walked the earth, God predicted this day would come: 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, This grace came at a steep price. Let our hearts show how much we appreciate it by how we live for our King. Jesus is Lord!!!!!!! 03/09/2026 I have been watching what has been going on in Iran. I noticed that the women were anxious to shed their burkas. Those things had to be extremely uncomfortable in the summer. Their expressions on their faces were like they were just released from prison. I am glad the women in this country do not have to cover up like this. After all why should our women be uncomfortable. I would never want to cover up like that unless it was below zero outside. Paul did have dress codes for women discussed in 1 Corinthians 11: I have never had anyone challenge how things are done today. I see women praying in public and teaching about God. I sense that God is pleased with our women. I think it is cool also. Just like men, women have to watch things that can make them fall into sin. I feel that as men we have not handled our roles of being a godly man like God wants us to be. He has been forced to elevate women into roles that men should be doing. I have seen that women are capable of showing us up. Now check this verse out: 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 NIV 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. Verse 14 talks about long hair for men as being a disgrace. Jesus was a Nazarene and the men had long hair. I doubt if Jesus was embarrassed with his hair. Paul in Verse 15 talks about her long hair as a physical covering of her head. I thought that Paul meant she had to have a towel over her head to be covered. You ladies just keep that beautiful long hair so that you stay covered. This comment may not change your world but it is interesting to see how today compares with then. I do think it is still a good idea for guys not to wear hats in church. In the end, God is more interested in what is in our hearts then what we wear. Oh yeah, we are going to church not a strip club. 03/08/2026 One thing I remember growing up is when we wanted to start a game of some kind that I was always one of the last to be picked. This is not good for the self esteem of a child. As I began to figure things out and get taller the rolls changed. I was either a captain or one of the first to be picked. The choice was based more on how I looked compared to everyone else then actual performance. It was no different for the vineyard workers in Jesus's time: Matthew 20 talks about grape harvest where all the growers would hire people in town to help with harvest. The growers were looking for able bodied workers leaving the old and frail people behind. The Kingdom of God is different it wants to give all of us a chance. Matthew 20:1-2 NLT Parable of the Vineyard Workers 1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. The Kingdom of God is persistent. It is always looking for people to help with the harvest. God never gives up on us. Matthew 20:3-7 NLT 3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. 4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. 5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. 6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ 7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ The Bible does not mention the condition of the last workers at the end of the day. I feel that they were either old or feeble. That was why they were rejected from the harvest. I have talked to older people myself today and they mention their age is against them. We serve a God who can even use old people to bring the harvest into the Kingdom of God. He can even give favor to the down trodden: Matthew 20:8-16 NLT 8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. 9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. 10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. 11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, 12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ 13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ 16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” I have never seen God reward work equally. Some people may have sacrificed much compared to most people. Maybe people are rewarded just because they are treated like an underdog. God has the right to bless someone. Even if two people are working hard to solve a problem but one discovers the solution first. That person has the right to the royalties of his discovery. The question is are we going to rejoice for him. James says something about those who don't: James 3:16 NIV 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Do not let envy or selfish ambitions destroy your heart. I went to church with the man who started Otterbox. There was nothing special about him other than he had a dream and was willing to take it to the next level. I was envious of him and said to myself, "I am not going to buy anything from him." God showed me how dumb I was and I love his cell phones cases even if it makes him rich. I also discovered it is hard to be thankful for what God has given me when in that state of mind. When we are envious or try to destroy someone who is in our way to success, it becomes a real problem. It would be cool to be able to speak to him again and tell him how I like my cases. This time I will for sure have the love of Jesus in my heart. 03/06/2026 While read this verse in Paul's letter I began to think about teenagers: 1 Corinthians 8:2 NLT 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. You do not become wise until you realize that there are a lot of things you do not know. You will want to continue to learn new things and take advantage of the good knowledge acquired from the older generations. These are the teenagers who are truly wise especially the one's who have Jesus running their life. Our teenagers are going to be part of running this country soon and I encourage all of you to become wise with Jesus. Maybe you can make godly things happen in this country that my generation never put the effort into. Our motto was "Place head in sand and the problem will go away." This thinking only made the problem worse. Abortion is what it is today because my generation did not take a stand against it. I pray your generation will solve these problems because my generation failed miserably. Jesus even wants to help you succeed! 03/05/2026 When I read these verses from Paul, I really see how awesome you ladies are! Even though men can do what you do, our pride prevents us from performing like you do. I know because my buddy tells me about stubborn husbands in our ministry who do their thing while you wives are praying for him and putting up with his nonsense. You are very noble: 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 NLT 12 Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a fellow believer has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. 13 And if a believing woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. 14 For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. 15 (But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.) 16 Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you? Every man who is slow at turning his life over to Jesus should praise his wife for sticking with him until he finally figured out that he needs Jesus in his life too. The world is a better place because of your patience. Men could be as influential as you ladies are, but we let that "I can do it on my own" pride prevent us from being like you. I do know there are men out there who are responsible for bringing their wives to the Lord, but you ladies win this contest hands down. 03/04/2026 If we are living for Jesus Christ it is hard to imagine that anything like this would ever happen: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 NLT Avoiding Lawsuits with Christians 6 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? 3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? 6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! 7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers. As believers we should know better, Paul leaves us with this message: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT 9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. It is never to late to repent to get back on track but change needs to occur or our repentance is phony. 1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 03/03/2026 I used to think President Trump was just a great president. But after watching the media, the FBI, and the entire system unite against one man... I realized something: You do not get attacked like that unless you are a threat to them. That is when I discovered he is the greatest President of all time. Another thing that makes him cool he is not afraid to mention the name of Jesus Christ in front of people. Lord, I ask you to give President Trump and those under him the wisdom to conquer this Iran deal and that the devil is defeated because of what he is doing to the country of Iran. We wouldn't be disappointed if you give our military favor at removing the enemy too. Protect the lives and equipment of those who serve this great country. We understand that those in our services put the word "Free" in freedom Jesus Christ - Commander & Chief Joshua 1:9 NLT This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 03/02/2026 I listened to a pastor today talking about Proverbs 5. This is about a father talking to his son about woman. Women can either ruin your life forever or be your greatest honor if you do it right. Even though promiscuous women exits today, the greatest threat to a great relationship is pornography. Satan hates the family and pastor's who represent God and tries to entrap them into pornography and anyone else that he can snare. The addiction to pornography degrades the woman you supposedly have given your life to. The last verses in chapter 5 talks about the danger of these addictions. Proverbs 5:21-23 NLT 21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. 22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. 23 He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness. It is time to remove any addictions from our lives that are holding us back from being what Jesus Christ calls us to be. If you are like me, I do enough stupid things already. I do not need sins that me make me look even more stupid. This pastor I listened to conquered his addiction to pornography through Jesus Christ. Jesus can conquer any addiction in our lives if we really want to give them up. That is the question! 03/01/2026 Why does seem like God is quiet when we are being tested? Someone had a great analogy for this. I bet everyone of you can relate to this. When you were in high school the teacher would give us all tests. That teacher would be silent while we took the test. The teacher wanted to know what we have learned. So it is the same with God! James 1:3 NLT For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 02/28/2026 For those who love to take this verse wrong to get away from standing up against evil: Matthew 7:1-2 NLT Do Not Judge Others 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Paul commands us to judge: 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 NLT 12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” Even though we may not challenge the outsiders vocally, we need to continue to judge outsiders to determine if it is right to do what they do. If it is evil, we need to run from it. Lets stay pure as much as we can. If we are truly children of Jesus we need to do this just like Paul instructed Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:11 NLT Paul’s Final Instructions But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 02/27/2026 I have watched people come to church for a few weeks then all of the sudden they are gone. When I ask them about missing them, they usually reply, "The church did not fit my needs." Isn't this reverse thinking? We should be asking, "What can I do to fill the need of this church?" Paul talks about people joining skills to enhance the churches of Jesus Christ: 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. When you are part of an active church, do what Paul says: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 NLT Divisions in the Church 10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! Each church should have these common interests: 1. Speak God's word. No sugar coating allowed. 2. Honor the name of Jesus Christ. 3. Love people and share the gospel with the world and the people who come into the church. 4. Stand up against evil even if it is at the ballot box. Let the Holy Spirit come into every service. He is a sign that the truth is being taught and the name of Jesus is being honored in the worship. If a church cannot do these things, I would leave them to God's judgement. Remember that "Jesus is Lord" and should be the head of every body of believers. Always ask, "Jesus, what can I do here to best serve you."
