Guilt Free

As children we do what we use to because of training and those that told us what to do were older and had already been there. We paid attention to our elders because it is what the Word tells us to do. Honor our mother and father so that our days may be long (Deuteronomy 5:16 KJV). Having the fear of the Lord, we hold fast to these verses including to hold those of the faith in the highest esteem. So when is it time for us to do what we please in the Lord rather then adhering to what ever body else thinks we should do (Proverbs 10:24 AMP)?

Back in the day if two people had pre-marital sex, there just was no question that those two people needed to be married. "He should make an honest woman of her",  they would say. That really never made sense to me. If she laid down with a man and wasn't trust worthy to begin with, when marrying her doesn't all of a sudden make her honest. Nevertheless, it was the principle that was held fast to and seemed it kept wild behavior tame. I recall in another ministry where two single people were found out of their behavior and the pastor told the man that he needed to marry her. That single man, I was told, said he wasn't going to marry that woman and no one was going to make him do otherwise. He held fast to what he said even though the woman he had sex with was distraught over his decision. What he did do, months later, was marry someone else, move out of state, and as far as I know, are still together even now.

In another ministry, the pastor told one of his security officers to go to one of the sister churches out of state and train the men there to do what he was doing at the mother church. He said he would knowing that he was going to get paid for his time. The problem he was having was that he was a newly married man and had the responsibility of caring for his elderly mother. His wife was attending school at the moment and it just wasn't feasible for him unless they could come up with a resolve. The pastor couldn't see the problem. Nonchalantly, he asked the man could he find someone to take care of his mother and his wife could commute to see him on occasion. The man having been faithful to the ministry for decades found the demeanor of the pastor insulting and asked him, "would you have your wife travel back and forth and someone else care for your mother?" The pastor was quiet and agreed that the man was right. The pastor found someone else to do the task.

I use this two examples because it is where we become stagnate in our quest to get to where God would have us to go. Pastors are sent to give a message and make sure that what they are teaching is what God told them to teach (1 Corinthians 12:1-28 KJV). They are accountable for making sure people understand what they are assigned to teach so that the people can live a better life. The pastor cannot live the life for you. They cannot make you do what you don't desire to do. Here is another epiphany, if the pastor did not do what God told him/her to do and he/she preached a message that didn't set well with you, you are not obligated to abide by what was taught (Psalm 56:11 KJV). The Word tells us in all of our getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7 KJV). If the pastor has issues himself and starts to sugar coat the Word to accommodate his fears, then how are you suppose to enjoy that spiritual meal? The Lord prepared the table already (Psalm 23:5 KJV). This is one of the main reasons why you have to read the bible for yourself.

People use guilt and don't have to be in ministry. Italians and Jewish people joke all of the time about the mothers of these nationalities using guilt to make their children do as they tell them. Then when the children do as they are told because of the guilt, they are praised as being good children. These same tactics are used in ministry. Recognize them and govern yourselves accordingly. When you live in someone else's home, you have to abide by their rules, because it is their home and apparently you have no place else to go. If you don't like the rules, you can't try to make changes when you have your name on nothing and pay none of the bills. You must move from there and establish your own home.

Recall Abraham and Lot. Both men and heads of their homes. Should one bow to the other when they both of their own possessions? They had to separate to keep the peace. It is the same in ministry. When you feel guilted into doing something - anything, you must be able to recognize where your peace and joy are (Romans 14:17 KJV). For it is written, God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV). This scripture is gladly used when it is time for tithes and offering in the church; however, I am using this same verse here. If you have no joy in volunteering in those various areas of the ministry, don't do it. If you have no joy or peace in giving again and again of you finances - don't do it. If what you do is cumbersome and even in ministry it has become so burdensome that it causes you to grumble and complain and wish that you did something else with your life........selah!