On The Straight and Narrow

My heart has been very heavy over the last few weeks, so I haven’t been writing much.  I have been reflecting, fasting, and praying about this situation.  Currently, my heart lays into millions of broken pieces about a close friend’s decision.  It’s not easy to watch your friend take unhealthy steps in her life.  Yet, as a friend I have pleaded and cried for her to realize the danger of her choices but she is ignoring my voice.  So, I have left her in only the capable hands I know-Gods.  Nevertheless, I haven’t stopped praying for the situation to change; it’s my only hope. 

Choices come with a price tag; they have consequences to pay.  God always sent a prophet to warn the people before He sent wrath but it wasn’t always heeded to.   As the prophets declared the truth, many were executed or persecuted for it.  The famous prophet Isaiah was sawed physically in half for his message.   Another prophet Jeremiah was beaten, put into prison, and falsely accused.  Tragically, our own Savior was treated disrespectfully, false accused, beaten, and crucified for sharing the message of the Father. (Matthew 21:26-38)  So, we shouldn’t be surprised about being persecuted for declaring the truth.  Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18)  It’s not always easy to preach the truth of God’s Word because it can cost us some close relationships.  As children of God our standards can’t be compromised because our standards come from God’s Word.  God sets the bar for leadership; our lives must be above reproach or blameless. We must abstain from the appearance of evil. We have to guard our hearts, our lives, and guard the vision God gives.  Ministry is a serious business because it's not only an eternal investment; it's has have eternal rewards which will be judged. (Hebrews 9:27)  It’s a sobering thought but I don’t know if the church takes it seriously anymore.   

 I Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

If we truly love our families and our friends, we will tell the truth-the Gospel truth.  It’s not always easy to profess our faith but it’s our obligation to God and those we love.  Do we love our family or friends enough to share the truth whether if it’s for their salvation or to avoid a trap of the enemy?  Also, what happened to discipleship within the body of Christ?  Within the body of Christ there is going to be different maturity levels, so we must understand this.  As our bodies physically mature or even among the maturity of siblings, we understand this to be a natural process.  Nevertheless parents do correct, discipline, and guide their children so they can be prepared for the real world.  If we don’t train our children properly in our homes, we can lead them astray.  It’s the same within the body of Christ. It’s not pleasant or exciting to confront a brother or sister in sin but we must to restore them.  Restoration is always the goal but it must be done with gentleness, saturated in prayer, wise counsel sought, and in love.  We can't leave this one out: it has to be done face to face.  Oh, being confrontational is very difficult but it's Biblical.  Paul opposed Peter to his face because he was in the wrong. (Galatians 1:11)  Also, the Bible provides a direct model from Christ found in Matthew 18:15-20)  

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” Galatians 6:1 

“Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers” Psalm 141:5

As I tried to counsel my friend towards God’s Word, she refused it.  I didn’t counsel once but several times with no effect.  As the Lord and my husband directed me to confront her with the consequences, I was completely torn inside.  Yet, I realized if I don’t confront the situation, I am accepting it.  We must understand a powerful truth: our lives must match the Word. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” I Timothy 4:16

Our lives must match the Word of God; there is no separation.  Sadly the church has been accused of this for far too long.  It’s time to come out and be separate from the world’s ideas, beliefs, relationships, and ways.  If we are truly children of God, we will obey.  When we try to justify our actions for disobedience to God's Word, it's called deception.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 16:25

     God will never override our choice; He will let us decide.  Yet, He advised us of the consequences very clearly.  Out of His love a warning was given to us all.  It’s not going to be heeded by everyone, only a few. (Matthew 7:14)  We may be separated from close relationships for our choice to walk on the straight and narrow road but we are never without God.  

     As I told my children, they can't get to Heaven from my relationship with God; it's their own personal choice. We are not responsible for the choices of others but we are to be a voice of truth.  We are to preach the truth in love!  If we don't preach or extend a hand of grace to others, our faith is meaningless.  If we want to touch the lives of people; we will have to touch their heart.  Faith moves mountains but love moves people to a relationship with God.      

          

       

     

What's in a Name?

On television, we will see ads to encourage us to see who was in our family tree, maybe someone famous, an inventor, or a rascal.  Although all the members of our family are diverse in personality, abilities, and callings we still belong by blood.  We don’t get to pick out our families; many of us probably wish we could.  I admit my family tree has a few rotten apples in the bunch but who doesn’t.  They have the ability to keep the chaos going, so it’s never a boring day.  Nevertheless, do they ever think about the impact of their lives upon the family name? 

     One of the greatest disadvantages of growing up in a small hometown, everybody knows everyone.  Although, my adolescence was probably boring in comparison to my peers, my mother still got a daily report of my whereabouts the night before.  My life was so exciting.  I worked a part-time job, played volleyball, went to school, and participate in church activities.  If I got ice cream at the town's malt shop, my mother would find out.  Somebody would always find out.  Since my mother works for a credit union in town, she daily hears the town’s gossip.  News travels faster than the speed of light where I grew up.  Sadly, many people’s lives have been destroyed with horrible gossip.  Forget if you were innocent, the town’s gossip could plow your name into the mud.  It’s a tragedy to think about how many lives have been destroyed with the tongue.  Some of these people’s lives have been spread through the fire, leaving nothing but ash.

      On the other hand, some of the information can be true.  My parents would always advise me to avoid this family, they were nothing but trouble.  People will always associate your family’s heritage by your name.  It’s a sad statement but true.  Although our lives our just a breath on this earth, our names will be always remain.  Your life will have a paper trail somewhere in the government, even if you did nothing illegal.  Someone will look down the family tree to discover you, what do you hope they find?  Or don’t find?  It can be a challenge to overcome a heritage of a bad name but don’t let it get you down.  Choose to make a good name for yourself; someone might follow  your lead.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

     Have you ever thought what you would want on your tombstone?  Or what do you hope people will say about you at your viewing?  Please don’t worry, I am not planning to die tomorrow or have a deadly illness.  But this thought is challenging me to evaluate how I live my life.  All I what to be said about me, “Tina Wetor was a preacher who preached the whole truth of God’s Word and she lived her faith before God and man.”  “She was a loving wife and mother who lived the Gospel before them.”   If these statements are spoken about me, I will be blessed. 

     A few years ago, I read a wonderful book about a woman preacher in the 1800’s.  One of her great-great-great grandchildren decided to look up his family tree.  Much to his surprise, he learned about his wonderful grandmother who was a healing evangelist in her era.  She impacted so many people with the Word of God and the miraculous healings within her ministry.  The grandchild discovered the church she planted was still active, so he went to visit.  The pastor of the church was healed through the anointing of his great-great-great grandmother. The pastor shared with him all the details of his miracle but what happened next is astonishing.  The pastor, who was healed by this woman of God, led her great-great-great grandson to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The story touched me so it made me cry.   That's what I desire, may my name be discovered so if someone doesn’t know Christ, they can find eternal life. 

     Since I am the first generation Christian on my father’s side, I am challenged to start a new legacy-a godly one.  Although my family and I have made committed sins, it’s only in Christ we can stand forgiven.  My past has some blemishes, painful scars, and horrible deeds but it has been washed away through the nail scared hand of Christ.  There is a new name written down in glory and it’s mine.  Oh, yes.  It is mine.  Is yours?  Don’t allow your family’s heritage to scar your life but challenge yourself to live a legacy behind.  Someone needs to take the lead, why not you?