Christian Family Services Ministry

11-8-2022 – A Word to the Wise – Sensitivity

Many people feel deeply about things, but living deeply is another matter. This requires objectivity. Behind almost ever degraded person is something in their life they felt very deeply about. But the question is what did they feel deeply about? Usually it is found to be themselves. Many people feel deeply, but the capacity to live deeply is the test of life. Feeling is an index to what is in the heart. Not a justifier of what is there.

Do you ever wonder why the small thoughtless things people do hurt you so much? Do you find yourself telling yourself to stop being so childish, that you should have the maturity to overlook these short comings in others?

If you experience these things then you have a symptom many Christians just like you suffer from, that of sensitivity. We strive to cultivate it on the one hand then wonder what to do because of it on the other. Without this sensitivity we would lack the capacity to feel deeply for others. It you see, is the “emotional eye” that causes us to feel and see the needs of others.

It is valuable to Christians; it is one of the elements that helps us to love our neighbor as ourselves. We comprehend feeling in others more deeply when we feel deeply ourselves.

But there is a balance, a safeguard for us that keeps us from being torn and destroyed by the virtue and that is understanding. If we do not allow our sensitivity to increase beyond our understanding, it will be a blessing , and never a stumbling block. So do not try to gain a “tougher skin”, or “harden your heart” for protection, but rather strive to increase your tolerance and understanding to meet these unkindness’s.

Read Full Post »

11-6-2022 – A Word to the Wise – Other considerations:

Some things need repeating. Other things need further discussion. Let’s consider the Lord’s relationship with us. The sentence from Hebrews 11:6 intrigues me. “”for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Again, I know I have addressed this before but give me grace to dwell on it, please. Upfront notice the first part whoever would draw near. Not everyone desires to be this close to the Lord let’s face it, he is a consuming fire. So, this is not a universal desire nor does one have to long for this kind of relationship. However, some of us do. Therefore, this is addressed to this group.

Moreover, Paul acknowledges this in II Cor. 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Two distinct groups those directly comforted by the Lord and those who are comforted by those comforted by individuals who have been comforted by the Lord. We return to Hebrews 11:6.

The section we are addressing is that little phrase “he rewards”. The issue becomes what do you even consider a reward? Well, I have a suggestion. It goes back to an understanding of the Motivational Gifts. These gifts form the central factor in a person’s experience. They affect the heart, mind, body, and soul. Therefore, it’s reasonable to believe that a specific reward usually conforms to the motivational gift.

Examples. Take the Exhorter the central theme of the Exhorter is a search for and striving after wisdom. Therefore, Solomon when faced with the question at once said wisdom. So, what of the other 6 gifts what do they long for?

The teacher would typically search for knowledge. It would seem their lifelong quest is for knowledge.

The Organizer the completion of an important project which brings honor to the Lord.

The Giver additional funds to provide for the Lord’s work

The Mercy ability to heal when all else has failed.

The Server praise from the mouth of a person which the Server must accept.

The Prophet a soul lost to the Lord brought back by the persistent prophet.

These are only examples. Let’s take it a little further. Either the Lord opens the door with a question, or it may be at the request of the seeker.

What happens? A personal example perhaps to enlighten us. I have already mention at the age of 12 when my father died the Lord ask me if I wanted him to be my father I said yes. This was asking for a personal relationship. Shortly thereafter he actually, physically saved my life. A story for another time.

When my mother passed, I knew to ask. His reply, what do you want? I am an Exhorter therefore wisdom is supreme. “Lord give me a double portion of my mother’s wisdom,” notice please this is not intellect it is something far different. Mother’s IQ was probably 150 to 160. Mine half that. Wisdom and intellect are different from each other.

Is this what everyone should ask for? By no means one takes into consideration the strengths of their gifts and the desire to please the Lord. So, in the real world how does this work?

Before I meet with anyone, I quote Psalm 69 “O God you know how foolish I’m my sins cannot be hidden from you. Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me. O Sovereign Lord don’t let me cause this one to be humiliated, O God. “

Insight and discernment about the things in the person’s heart then become plain, task to help the person come to mind.

So how does the reward work. When one has, please the Lord in such a manner to glorify his name one will find a reward is awarded. After a few times the person wakes up to see a pattern here. When he is pleased with me just as the Hebrews 11 says, he rewards according to our agreement.

Read Full Post »