Recently I was at a worship and we sang and prayed for each other.
The pastor then got up and read
JOHN 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Mark 12:33
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
The pastor then said God said to love one another but much of the time we do not like one another.
I can look around this room and see people who refuse to work togther and some who are often at odds with each other on trivial subjects. Others who will not associate with members of their own church who they think are to worldly and my infect their own children with their wanton ways.
At this point I heard uncomfortable laughter and was knowing I was being spoke to.
The pastor then said For the rest of our time today we will have a meet and greet. But this is the deal.
NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO BE OFFENDED.
Everyone on to my left will pick the number one person on my right that they are guilty of this behavior towards. You get 5 minutes get to know them.
Then we will reverse the situation. We are doing this till the end of church. If you want to leave and not participate then you may do so now. If you stay then you are committed to staying till then end.
He then led us in prayer again and said okay lets go. He started by walking up to the most grumpy nasty person I have ever known and got down on his knees in front of her. She was crying. He asked for forgiveness and then asked what he could do to help her be more able to be loved by everyone.
We all watched for those few moments and then that right side of the church got up and went to the people on the left side.
There were many many blessings that day. All of realized we were unlovable in some way but yet worthy of love from God and our church family.
Many people just held hands and prayed for each other never speaking of past difficulties.
Most were on their knees forgiving and being forgiven.
Read the whole chapter Zechariah 8 below but look closely at verse 11. God said he will deal with his people differently.
Then In 12 God says several different ways that they will be prosperous. He then reminds them that they were a curse to the whole world, but they now will be considered a blessing. He says don't fear!
Zechariah 8
1Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
2Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
4Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
5And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
6Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;
8And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
9Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
10For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.
11But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
12For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.
13And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.
14For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:
15So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.
16These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
17And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
18And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,
19Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
20Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
21And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.
22Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
23Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment