NOT LIKE YOURS!

 

There is one sun and one moon in this world we're living in, but we got seven continents and one hundred and ninety-five countries. All with different timezones, I usually have online bible studies with the brothers and sisters in Christ across the world. The first thing that comes into mind is to want to know what time it is on their side, in order to keep track of their schedules and also knowing the seasons. You might wanna know where I'm going with this, well, it's all about our lives as Christians. We are many and for different purposes, yet there's only one Holy Spirit and one God.

As I continue my journey with God, fellowshipping around the country and being in touch with brethren around the world, God made me realize a lot that is taking place among Christians that causes divisions. We've got the group that calls others religious and some call others lukewarm, and all this because of our appearances. 

But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.[19]If they were all one part, where would the body be? ‭‭1 Corinthians 12:18-19 (NIV‬‬)

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. ‭‭1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV‬‬)

What God showed you and what He showed me, it can't be the same thing because God has His own way of doing things and the way He likes. Why then do we as people not want to accept that? Why are we making ourselves the way, while there's only one way, which is our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth?

Samson, when he faced a lion, God gave him the ability to kill that lion, and when we check the situation of Daniel, who also faced lions, God made the lions not harm Daniel, not even a scratch was found on him. Just because God saved you in this particular way, don't have your own expectation that He'll do the same way to the next person.

‭‭Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. [6] The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. Judges 14:5-6 (NIV‬‬)

‭‭My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” Daniel 6:22 (NIV‬‬)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV‬‬)

When a person testifies about the power of God in their lives, don't focus on how it was done, rather allow the Holy Spirit to make you focus on how the power of God managed to change that individual from their situation.

As we read the Holy Bible, we realize that some became mighty people when they were taken out of Egypt and some when they were taken to Egypt. Try not to limit what God is pouring into your cup by wanting to live with your own understanding.

‭‭Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number. Genesis 47:27 (NIV‬‬)

‭‭The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him. Hosea 12:13 (NIV‬‬)

Be careful about what you think of others, because whatever you think out of your own understanding might look okay with you, but to God, it can be totally the opposite thing. Remember the scene when Jesus was with His disciples and the woman came and washed Jesus's feet and applied expensive wine, and Judas said that she was wasting it.

‭‭Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 (NIV‬‬)

He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. John 12:6 (NIV‬‬)

As you live in this world, don't think that you know it all because God is unpredictable, but however you live your life, you need to continue to walk by faith.

‭‭I have seen that all [human] perfection has its limits [no matter how grand and perfect and noble]; Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. Psalms 119:96 (AMP‬‬)

REFLECTION QUESTION :

1. HOW DO I REACT WHEN I SEE OTHERS DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY IN THEIR WALK WITH GOD? 

2. AM I LIMITING GOD'S WORK IN OTHERS BY EXPECTING THEM TO DO THINGS MY WAY? 

3. AM I FOCUSING ON GOD'S POWER IN OTHERS ' LIVES OR GETTING CAUGHT UP IN HOW IT'S DONE ?