This blog space was birthed during one of the most difficult times in my adult life —  a church split.  That split rocked my little world about 16 years ago.  Writing was and still is cathartic for me and here I am again (due to church junk) walking through my thoughts in written form.

People hurt people.  It is just that simple.  We all come from Adam and the fallen nature.  We are born with sin in our hearts.  Honestly, I don’t expect people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus to act like someone who does.  Why would I?  But it is those who make loud boasts about their titles and giftings that I expect to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.  After all of these years I am still holding out hope that there are people who really are walking with Jesus.

HELLO. Are you out there?

Before you think I am watching aloft my beautiful high pedestal — think again.  I was the worst of sinners and have misrepresented Jesus many times in my life.  I have failed and gotten back up 70 X 7 times I’m sure.  I have hurt others and I have repented and asked for forgiveness.  I’m not perfect and I don’t expect others to be perfect either.  Within the past 2 to 3 years, God has been allowing the following lessons to finally sink deep into my heart.   I am sharing these with you today to hopefully equip you to walk in wisdom in the areas of character, fruit, and holiness.

The lessons I have had to learn the hard way are these:

1.  Go with your initial discernment about an individual(s).  You know that little feeling you get — that check in your spirit?  If you are someone who walks with the Lord and don’t have open doors to the demonic, then you can trust that God is giving you a warning.  Trust it.  Pray and ask God what to do with that “pause” He is giving you.  It doesn’t mean a person is evil per se, because our battle is not against flesh and blood, BUT … it could be a warning to be on alert.  Something isn’t right or as it seems.
2. NEVER assume that people who walk in the more visual gifts of the Holy Spirit are people of character or integrity.  Trust me.  I have seen this over and over.  So many in the Charismatic circles are easily swayed by someone who walks in miracles or prophetic gifts.   Romans 11:29 states, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”   God gives us gifts, freely.  So please, never be too impressed by any man or woman, but worship the GIVER OF THE GIFTS.  God, the Father — the giver of good and perfect gifts.
3. Believe the fruit you see with your own eyes.  Matthew 7:16 states, You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”  What do you see in someone’s life?  Is he a liar or a truth bearer?  Is he a person that sows dissension and strife or does he attempt to bring unity and peace?  Is he calling wickedness good and making fun of holiness or does he use the Word of God as his compass?  Do you see someone laughing at the debauchery in his own life?  Celebrating his own sin?  Or do you see someone broken by his sin?  You will know them by their fruit …  Words are cheap, but actions speak LOUDLY.  Believe what you see though it may be a sad pill to swallow.

God calls us to forgive those who hurt us.  In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you:”  As believers, we MUST forgive.  Is it easy when people slander and hurt you or others?  NO.  God never said it would be easy.   Continually pray for these people and in time the pain will lift.  Unforgiveness and bitterness will hurt you and those you love.  It must be dealt with.

God is exposing so much right now.  TRUTH is being poured out in the shaking.  Hidden things are being uncovered.  You might not like what you see, but trust that God is exposing for your own protection.

I refuse to walk in HOPE DEFERRED.  I KNOW that the Holy Spirit is being poured out and a great awakening is taking place.  He is preparing The Bride to be without spot or wrinkle. The Church will be operating and occupying in His power and dominion.  For that to happen, some things need to be aligned.

I pray something I have shared will come to memory when you get that little “check” in your spirit or you see something that doesn’t align with scripture.

Remnant of people who actually want to walk the walk and not just talk the talk — I am so grateful for YOU!