So many Christians leave their church because they are offended or hurt by someone in the church. Maybe they feel invisible, or feel like there's an in crowd and out crowd, or maybe they feel slighted or ostracized so they leave to find a place that they feel good at, feel like part of the family, appreciated, loved and important to the church leaders and those in the 'in' crowd. But the thing is, you are meant to be where God put you. The church is our sanctuary but it is also a battle ground. Souls are being fought for and won. Coalitions are formed and working together and praying together to break down strongholds in the community, strongholds on our children, strongholds on the leaders who have become corrupt, complacent, and sacrifice good people to meet their agenda. Right is right and wrong is wrong. There are no grey areas in God's eyes. He is no respector of persons and each and every one of his children is loved with a godly and unconditional love. Our God is just. Does he use the things we go through to help us grow, to help others grow, to drain the stagnant water and pour in fresh water - YES! He does! So don't leave. Don't doubt that you are where God has put you when he's confirmed it to you. Don't allow your feelings and emotions dictate your strength in Christ. Pray harder and dig down your heels and trust God to be your strength, your friend, your sanctuary and safe haven and your General. Win ground for God by standing your ground in adversity, trusting him, dwelling in his spirit and his word, looking for holes in your armor where darkness can creep in and cloud your vision and causing hurt, a break down in your confidence, loneliness, anger, spitefulness, or talking about others. Tell no one but God and watch him cause the people around you to grow and flourish. We are to love others with a Christ-like love. He forgave the people who beat and murdered him while he was dying. Let God's love shine through you and conquer the world around you. Let your light shine and win ground for Christ. Do not be offended but pray and love those who hurt you and watch God's love and will prevail. We are all under attack by our enemy. The powers of darkness want to beat us down and confuse us and use us being OFFENDED to break down relationships and DESTROY CHURCHES. If you're a child of God you're under spiritual attack. Your leaders, friends, family, finances, job, anything that directly impacts you can become a stumbling block for you if you fail to continuously put God first, set him above everything and everyone, and dwell in him, reading his word, singing praises, being thankful for each and every blessing, remembering his godly unconditional love and strength. Put God first and everything else will fall into place. That's a guarantee. The chips may not fall the way you want them to but rest assured, God's will be done and his kingdom magnified, you will be blessed beyond measure.
Written by Lisa C
🙏For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:12-19 KJV
