One of my most vulnerable patterns of walking AFTER my flesh is my war against rejection from those I love or maybe from others, I hope to be loved by.
I have never been accused of trying to "take-over" a church. But one church in particular treated Michelle and I like gold when we were making $12,000 per month. We tithed, gave, gave more, bought a new keyboard........
Then one day we lost our business to a hostile takeover. We were BROKE. Suddenly the pastor treated us like we had the plague. Also TOLD us to stop asking for prayer about our finances.
We left the church. We forgave them....many years later. Never heard back from them. Is there still a wolf there? I don't think so. Not really sure.
That testimony is not only sad but predictable. The Laodicean church is all about wealth, and their actions prove this. To answer your question, I would send a follow-up letter as I did and tell him about your experience while asking him if you did anything to offend him or the church. Close the letter with a statement of your willingness to make things right. Before exiting a local fellowship, I always tell people to meet with the pastor before exiting.
A couple of years later...they fired him for inappropriate handling of church finances...amongst other things. Also, I have no clue where he is at or what he is doing.
All I know...is I am pretty sure he got what he deserved without my help.
In our heads... Michelle and I forgave him and moved on...but it did do a lot of damage both spiritually and emotionally.
I sat in bitterness and anger for many years, and found the greatest freedom I've ever felt was when I chose to forgive without expecting anything from the offender. It's difficult at times, but it's so worth it in the end. Thank you for sharing your story!
Wow, Michelle, that is a powerful statement. We, believers, are also mandated to let go of resentment and surrender our hurts to God’s justice. That was the key for me. This enabled me to walk in freedom from the bitterness caused by my selfish flesh. When I got it, I found solace in knowing that God was/is always watching my back and front sides. I love this passage, Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
That is 100% accurate. Remembering that God is The Great Judge, and He'll work everything out because we belong to Him, is at times, the only thing that keeps me going. Unlocking the door to forgiveness brought freedom, and brings about growth as a believer in Christ. And Philippians 4:6-7, was the catalyst that brought me out of crippling fear and anxiety. God is interested in our mental health. Praise Him!
Well, we have more experiences in common! A friend recommend a book which was of great help in this regards - it is "The Bait of Satan" by John Bevere.
Forgiveness is release for the offended. Regardless of what the other party does, we forgive so that we may see the blessings of Christ in our own lives.
We may never achieve reconciliation with the offender but we don’t need to.
Here’s a thought. Is it easier to ask for forgiveness or grant it? Asking is hard. Granting it means you can never revisit it. You give away your right to be offended by that thing. Both are hard. But if you cannot do it for the other do it for yourself and the sake of Christ.
Well said. Forgiveness is released THROUGH the offended. However, if not authentically indwelt by the Holy Spirit, eternal forgiveness is IMPOSSIBLE. Furthermore, I forgive others in Christ so they can receive the blessing of authentic salvation, minimally to cast a blessing onto the offender. I don't count my blessings in Christ, there are too many of them. I do, however, bathe in the joy of the everlasting blessings I have inherited in Jesus.
Readers, the key that Jesus put in my hands was the key to elevating God's justice - not mine. God’s justice is about making things right through the means of being deeply rooted in the Holy mission of the Cross of Christ. It is the manifestation of God’s righteous character to defend His Son's Bride through executing judgment in its ordained timing. Eternal justice is the expression of God’s righteousness through His promise to punish evil-doers in the final End Times.
I have never been accused of trying to "take-over" a church. But one church in particular treated Michelle and I like gold when we were making $12,000 per month. We tithed, gave, gave more, bought a new keyboard........
Then one day we lost our business to a hostile takeover. We were BROKE. Suddenly the pastor treated us like we had the plague. Also TOLD us to stop asking for prayer about our finances.
We left the church. We forgave them....many years later. Never heard back from them. Is there still a wolf there? I don't think so. Not really sure.
Thanks for sharing!!!
That testimony is not only sad but predictable. The Laodicean church is all about wealth, and their actions prove this. To answer your question, I would send a follow-up letter as I did and tell him about your experience while asking him if you did anything to offend him or the church. Close the letter with a statement of your willingness to make things right. Before exiting a local fellowship, I always tell people to meet with the pastor before exiting.
A couple of years later...they fired him for inappropriate handling of church finances...amongst other things. Also, I have no clue where he is at or what he is doing.
All I know...is I am pretty sure he got what he deserved without my help.
In our heads... Michelle and I forgave him and moved on...but it did do a lot of damage both spiritually and emotionally.
Praise Jesus for your action of forgiving this man. Your commitment to Jesus is honored by His throne in Heaven.
I sat in bitterness and anger for many years, and found the greatest freedom I've ever felt was when I chose to forgive without expecting anything from the offender. It's difficult at times, but it's so worth it in the end. Thank you for sharing your story!
Wow, Michelle, that is a powerful statement. We, believers, are also mandated to let go of resentment and surrender our hurts to God’s justice. That was the key for me. This enabled me to walk in freedom from the bitterness caused by my selfish flesh. When I got it, I found solace in knowing that God was/is always watching my back and front sides. I love this passage, Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
That is 100% accurate. Remembering that God is The Great Judge, and He'll work everything out because we belong to Him, is at times, the only thing that keeps me going. Unlocking the door to forgiveness brought freedom, and brings about growth as a believer in Christ. And Philippians 4:6-7, was the catalyst that brought me out of crippling fear and anxiety. God is interested in our mental health. Praise Him!
You are a woman who has discovered the secrets of the authentic, indwelling Christian LIFE!
It's only by His grace. I was a hot mess, and now...not so much. lol
And now you are on fire for Christ. Powerful story your life is.
Well, we have more experiences in common! A friend recommend a book which was of great help in this regards - it is "The Bait of Satan" by John Bevere.
Great book. My wife takes a group of women through that book in a weekly Bible Study. They love it.
Forgiveness is release for the offended. Regardless of what the other party does, we forgive so that we may see the blessings of Christ in our own lives.
We may never achieve reconciliation with the offender but we don’t need to.
Here’s a thought. Is it easier to ask for forgiveness or grant it? Asking is hard. Granting it means you can never revisit it. You give away your right to be offended by that thing. Both are hard. But if you cannot do it for the other do it for yourself and the sake of Christ.
Well said. Forgiveness is released THROUGH the offended. However, if not authentically indwelt by the Holy Spirit, eternal forgiveness is IMPOSSIBLE. Furthermore, I forgive others in Christ so they can receive the blessing of authentic salvation, minimally to cast a blessing onto the offender. I don't count my blessings in Christ, there are too many of them. I do, however, bathe in the joy of the everlasting blessings I have inherited in Jesus.
Readers, the key that Jesus put in my hands was the key to elevating God's justice - not mine. God’s justice is about making things right through the means of being deeply rooted in the Holy mission of the Cross of Christ. It is the manifestation of God’s righteous character to defend His Son's Bride through executing judgment in its ordained timing. Eternal justice is the expression of God’s righteousness through His promise to punish evil-doers in the final End Times.