"This is Known"

 "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?" (John 6:61 KJV) 

  "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4:13 KJV)

 Because there are only 24 hours in a day, and at least 16 of those hours are tied up in working, I will not spend as much time as I should in this. However, having been in ministry for as long as I was, I know enough about the hard-cold hearts that can tear at the unity of the church body; and over some pretty stupid reasons; reasons that should never ever be important enough to cripple a fellowship. 

 Bitterness is like a virus within the church body; not only does it spread, like a virus, but it can become out of control, in so much, as there is hardly anything that can be done, except to open the door and let it out. Even then, it is still working from the outside, picking and scratching at the door, hoping to have some sort of influence on the body, from without. 

 The seven deadly sins; yet bitterness is, and always will be the top of the list! It pretty much started with Satan. Many believe that it was because he did not like the fact that man was so important to God, that it caused him to be bitter towards God, making him feel as though he was somehow superior or better suited to be in control. In other words, bitterness causes anyone, or anything, to lose sight of any sort of rational thought!

 Then there was Cain, who being warned by God to control himself, ignored God's warning, and became out of control with bitterness in his heart, bitterness towards his brother, and bitterness towards God for choosing sides. It is pretty hard to stop the downhill slide! This is some stuff that always rolls downhill, making a stinky mess as it goes.

 Okay then, now what? What if you might have some bitterness within your heart? Where does it go if you ask it to go away? Even if that was possible, you cannot kill the bitterness; the death that must take place is within you! We must die to ourselves and give up our rights, understanding that because we have bitterness, we have lost the right to judge anything rightly. Is that even possible? 

 If you want to add something to that list, making peace might be a good start to the New Year...

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." (Philippians 2:1-2 NLT)