I believe this is an important subject the immigrant Chinese christians here in America need to seriously work on.
Very caring? Yes, but watch the motive. It should not be for the purpose that others would stay or join the church. It should not be for the purpose that others would serve or co-work. It should not even be for the purpose of graying the distinctive black and white of this subject.
What happened today was a wake up call. The fox and the grapes, Javert vs Valjean, mammon and God.
It was the first of such offer. My first time at this kind of mistake. It will surely be the last.
There's an urge in me to make many times this much on my own, nonetheless, control. What if my hope is set too high and is not the measure of potential given me; or so what if I've done it, who am I proving to? Who deserves such worth? Who am I proving for? Do I cloud my own judgment with the will of God?
A good company is not built on bills and benefits, nor is it built on blind judgment. A good company is built on the goodness of God bestowed upon men.
Let my righteousness exceeds the righteousness of these.
I do have to seriously pray for John Chen. As I heard last night after visiting CCGCLI during our dinner discussion that they are going to start a fellowship and the topic would be on the book of Hebrews. It would appear that John wished to use Rev. Tong's seminary lectures on the Hebrews as study materials, which is a great thing. I can only pray that God keep this fellowship, bless this fellowship and guide John richly according to His will.
I was silent back then but I am deeply moved and thanking God now. Lord, may you be with them always through the hardest road they will be facing, Amen.
This can be the rule of thumb for those who serve and just can't stop blaming others by not following their examples and respond as if they can't find any other reason why this fellowship is failing.
If your only responses are "I already did my best", "Why can't others put more effort like me to serve?", then you are already on the wrong path.
It is rather that one responds: "Perhaps I should go study theology." And if one thinks theological study is for pastors and preachers, then this person is better off going to farming, because his diplomas or whatever degrees he has gotten, are garbage, he studied for the purpose of getting a good job, he studied for the purpose of good salary, for good positions and obviously, his offering is despicable for it comes from counterfeit talents. It is better that he refuses all church positions except those which require only the strength to sweep the floor, wipe the tables and clean the chairs.
I have seen enough of these people, these are like some of those whom I tutored, who only want answers but never the principles or methods of obtaining such answers.
I hear many criticisms against lots of mega churches pastors, some went to the extreme of condemning them to hell.
I would only say there's a warning at Matthew 7 against these people.
However, as for those who love books and sermons by Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, etc. I would respond this: If Jesus had done it the way these pastors are doing, the Pharisees would never be so jealous of him, the Jews would never rise up against him, the Romans and people would never crucify him. All the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them shall be his back then, as Satan put it in Matthew 4:8.
Statistically, today's so called "Gospel Camps" and "Music Ministries" are those ministries which have the greatest appearance, but the least effect.
All Christians, not just pastors, should escape from hell fire. But...
爱逃避困难的人，岂能做牧师呢？
What kind of shepherd, when wolves arrive, flees faster than the sheep?
"A friend in need is a friend indeed", this plain observation sounds like it rhymes more than it is useful.
Are we always in need?
Lately I've been troubled by one thing. As I shared with a couple whom I greatly love how I find ways to fill in my time with small jobs, selling little things online, etc., his wife immediately suggested that we should all be partners, to do business together. It is obvious that this wasn't just something I haven't considered, I believe I have, but perhaps for only a mere 0.001 millisecond. And my objective is obviously a leisure business, making use of what free time I have after coming home from work. I'm just rather amazed at her naive persistence. These are very nice couple, always love inviting people to their house.
I wonder, is this how friends often got used by another? Or perhaps I could learn from her enthusiasm, but with lots of caution, plenty lots.
So what really makes a true friendship?
A true friendship is not how long you have been visiting each other, exchanging gifts, talking, etc...
A true friendship is how much TRUTH you know of him.
After using NoteTab Light for a few years, I have to say farewell to this wonderful and elegant freeware for a better one, Notepad++. Due to the support for UTF8 Characters.
It is true, that Paul in the scripture (Romans 14, 1Corinthians 8, etc.) spoke of different measures of faith and God wants those with greater faith to receive those with lesser faith with love and should not despise them. This is the unity of the family of Christ.
However, I have seen those who teach the "unity of Christians" to those with lesser faith that it is those with greater faith who has lesser faith and to have "sympathy" on them who are actually greater in faith.
This kind of perversion prevents the church from further growing in knowledge of Christ and causes a fake unity, making deceitful witness before the grace of God.
These false teachers will have serious judgment from God when the time comes.
