Sparkie Inspires

John 10:10-14

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

CHURCH HURTS

People walk away from church for different reasons. I wanted to point out that God has told us about the thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy. Satan knows exactly how to put things in your life to stop you. He lies and makes the picture look different. Do you really think the enemy of your soul doesn’t cause division?

The Bible says:

James 3:1-2

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

According to the Bible:

Teachers are held at a higher level. They know the word of God. They have titles and yet make mistakes which is caused sin. Christian people can say things that hurt us or treats us different. It can also bring division. There are no perfect people. They should ask you for forgiveness. Some people will never forgive and go about living wrong.

We must forgive and guard our hearts against division from you and God. It wasn’t God that hurt you. I know this all too well. My heart was hurt and I had to decide to move forward or stop.

This was over 1987 when my brother died on Christmas Day. Leadership of the church said I wish he would hurry and die, so we can go home. When I heard that I was 32 years old and I told them all to go home. A broken heart and division started that day. I stop church for almost one year. That was over 36 years ago and now I view things different. We were not family as they preached, because their families were home. Church family and blood family are different to most people. I’ve learned a lot since then. God has given me much compassion for people hurt in church.

Maybe you got hurt over something and church just isn’t for you. My other example is my son. He got very hurt in our current church and left. He said he would never walk inside this church again. After much prayer and his own decisions, he came back. His wife and him lead kids at church grades 1 to 5th. God is a miracle worker!

Only God can heal a broken heart. Only you can make a decision to try again in church. It is best to remember we are human first and then surrender to God’s plan. Guard your heart and let God heal you to help others. That’s a big part of my story.

Blessings, Sparkie