A Word from You!

And now a word from you….on “My Struggle”

Good Day, Friends~

From time to time, I have some feedback that I think will interest you. This last week, I invited you into my inner sanctum to tell you of the struggle I was facing about teaching straight through the Scripture, including passages that seem irrelevant today. Paul said in Acts 20.27, ‘I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.’ So while I did lose a few readers last week, I also had some affirmation for my convictions. I concluded “My Struggle” with “So, let’s read it all. Let’s ask God what he has in mind for us . . . Are you with me?” These folks let me know they were ‘with me’. Okay, that is cool. Check it out:

"My Dear friend, I am with you. I find myself "wandering" in my readings. That is when we must stand firm. "Do not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God." God's work must be done in full. With integrity, honesty and of course love. It is how Jesus taught. Keep up the good work of God's work. Though people come and go, God is right by your side.....Always!

Your friend and Brother in Christ, Andre" - (Andre is a Facebook friend who often comments and sparks other responses in the “Morning Briefings” group on Facebook.)

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"Amen! I believe we should be ready in season and out of season to give an answer, to 'preach the whole word of God!" Joseph, Brisbane, Australia

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"I'm with you .

I had an hour long heated discussion yesterday with a seminary professor who takes the "progressive" view regarding marriage and family.

Your recent morning briefings helped give me the courage to go into this discussion.

'Christine,

I have been receiving your lessons via mail for several months and I want to take this opportunity to share and encourage you to stay the course:

I thank you for your honesty and this is the TRUTH and those that just desire milk will fall away, but I hunger and thirst for the meat, the TRUTH and teachings of righteousness – HIS NOT MINE..so I thank you for standing firm to HIM and HIS ways and HIS Word.. The world desires to feel good and to hear what matches their feelings, but that will not transform them.. I thank you and I lift you up always that you would continue to teach what HE draws you too and yes not shy away from any teaching in HIS word for I agree with Rob Bell that ALL of it has meaning,, sometimes clear, sometimes now and sometimes later but Gods word NEVER comes back void and will fulfill His purpose.. So teach and preach on.. Don’t skip just continue to press on in this race so that you and all of us who are learning will be found worthy and hear “well done, “.. We must know the hard things draw us close to Him as the fellowship of His sufferings,, those are the true gifts because we find He alone is our very great reward..

God bless you and don’t worry about the readers,, stay fixed on Him the Author and preserver and finisher of your faith.. Men are fickle and Jesus Himself did not count or focus on them for He knew their hearts,, but who knows what God will do with His truth even after one rejects or finds it too hard.. He asks us what will we do, is it to hard, too boring, to much--- many of us say where will we go ONLY YOU have the words of eternal life…

Thank you sister and God bless you…

Cathy" I don’t know Cathy or how she gets my emails, but I sure appreciated her response!

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She mentioned my Rob Bell quote, “I always assume that there is way more going on in the text than we see on the first reading.” He operates under the belief that ‘every text has something for us—even ones that make no sense the first time you read them.’ On good teaching, Bell also said,

"A good sermon is going to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed," he says. "It inspires you. It provokes you. ... It should make your soul soar."

In a couple days, we will discuss Paul’s writing on food offered to idols; it might surprise you just how applicable is its message. If you care to discuss or debate others’ positions, go on Facebook, join the “Morning Briefings” group….

Grace and Peace,

Christine

podcast: www.pastorwoman.com