
I do not know about you but over the past few months I have been watching the news and watching as the press and the people of our country are getting yanked all over the place by contradicting stories that are causing all sorts of chaos. There are stories where some say the trade deficit is at a certain level and then later in the week, the number has risen, then the story rebuttal where the number is reportedly very skewed, and this is the real number. My personal view is this; there are two sides to every claim and then there is the third version somewhere in the middle that is the truth. All sides are trying to manipulate the feed so they can get the most support and be declared the keeper of the truth.
So, the question is this; do you take the word of one side or the other and allow them to make up your mind or do you take a moment to fully research both sides of the equation and seek out the actual truth? Here is an example for your consideration. One group says you need to be a member of the church in order to take communion while another group says that you simply need to be a follower of Christ, membership has nothing to do with taking communion. Both sides argue their point and camps are made, people are recruited to one side or the other and, in the end, the split is made and the faith gathering is fractured and hurt, in fact, I have seen families divided because of these issues. Let us keep on with this illustration. On one side, members only can take communion and on the other, it is open to all who proclaim Christ as Saviour. Research the supper in the upper room. How many were members of an organized church? How many in the room also shared in the meal besides the disciples? Do you have to be completely without sin to take communion. Consider who ate with Jesus at the table. Was Peter going to deny, was Judas going to betray, were the others going to run in fear and abandon the Lord? This is only one example of what research can do for understanding and, yes, it does take effort to consider all the information available for the time to create an environment of understanding.
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. 1 Thes 5:12-22 NLT
I did underline this last bit for a reason. Do not let people lead you down the garden path by tempting you with a piece of fruit. Ask questions, be open to the advice from others even if it differs and do not stifle the Holy Spirit, allow Him to guide you in your pursuit of the Truth. This is also very true in life as well. Use the wisdom that God has provided to make good choices for the betterment of all. You may find that being the peacemaker will be a blessing and you shall be called a child of God (Matt 5:9)
This Sunday, Pastor Eryn is going to bring us a delightful message. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
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