The trouble with faking it

 
 
 

This morning I was reviewing a devotional page that I really liked from a couple of days ago.  The author spoke about the 'church' and how we all have rolls to fill and things to do in the body of Christ. This got me thinking about insincerity. Insincerity is no better than lies. A lie is a statement made with the intention of deceit. When a person is insincere wouldn't that constitute a deceptive life. This is not pleasing to the Lord! I desire to be as real as I can be with everyone I meet.  I have spoken with several people who say they struggle with lying because they WANT to be a certain way and it's just not happening, so they make out like they are living a better life than what they are.  We've all done it.  We all need to help eachother live above that and actually realize the freedom to live with power in Christ! (Acts 1:8)

The trouble with faking it is that no one can keep it up permenantly. Eventually the truth comes out and you are discovered for who you really are; a fraud. The popular phrase, "Fake it till you make it" is one that I hope that I never do. I want to be effective in ministry, but not at the price of being someone I'm not.

If we each are part of one body, Christ's, (the Church) than we ought to be praying to our God to show us and teach us what our gifts are and then live out those gifts every day in every way. Pursue those giftings with all of our might, and do not worry about other areas in life that God has not called us to.

1st Corinthians 12:10-31

For the love of God

For the past week or two I’ve had some things weighing heavily on my mind; pursuing God, pleasing God.  I have been working really hard at starting a new church plant in Sioux Falls this year and it has gotten me thinking.  As you can imagine, the finances have been the most difficult part of the church to get off the ground.  In this ‘down’ economy it has been more difficult to get people excited about parting with even very small amounts of income.  I have prayed and prayed about this and have asked God to help me to know what to do.  I believe that God has put in my heart the thought of, “Pursue Me, seek Me, and desire Me.”  What I mean by this is that sometimes it’s difficult to not bend over backwards for people hoping that they will help and yet, as a believer in Jesus, shouldn’t I be relying on Him alone for everything?

God uses people to accomplish His plans and many times we get to be part of those plans.  That is when life is exciting.  Other times I think we pursue our own ideas, our own agendas, and our own plans to the detriment of the better way that God had wanted for us.  My prayer is that I will pursue the Lord and His plans for me and for Compass Community Church with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my might.  I don’t want to please men, I want to please my heavenly Father!  May God bless us with everything He wants for us and may we be thankful and grateful for what He does for us! The bottom line for me is that the scripture teaches us that the Lord WILL provide for us; therefore I am not going to go to anyone for help without seeking the Lord first.  HE is all I need!

 “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.  I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.”                                                                                  1 Corinthians 10:31-33