There was a time that I condemned this man I knew.

He was the head Deacon at a local Denominational Church, as we called it. And he smoked a pipe — I saw him.

His wife cut her hair and she wore ear-rings. They did not have the same beliefs as many of us did; so, we did not fellowship with them.

We unknowingly assumed that they likely couldn’t really be true Christians as we all were.

If we’ve grown and we’ve searched ourselves, we’ve let God change some things in us. Perhaps, we’ve even repented of the ways we may have approached others.

The main thing, is are we different now; will we do it differently today. Have we fully come to understand the meaning of, “speaking the truth in love.”

This may not help to throw in that old scripture — that God does not think as we think. He still does things His way.

There came a time when I lost my way; I went astray and I became hurt, bitter and very down on myself. You’ll do a lot of things you’d never think you would when you get like that.

It was because that somehow, I had lost everything that I even thought I was. I lived in shock, that things could have gone so awry.

Likely there were issues that I never had truly dealt with before. Nonetheless, I was a terrible mess. I was so hopeless. Jesus goes searching for those kind of people — He finds them!

Would you know that the very person who reached out a hand to me to help me, was The Deacon?

Yeah, the one with the pipe. He had heard about me and he actually came to my house, knocked on my door and asked if he could come in.

He knew I was in trouble and that I needed help. It’s kinda funny now, but he invited me to his Church, and to visit his home.

I learned that these folk were well respected in the community, had a great relationship together and enjoyed reaching out to people. It was well said, they were honest, sincere and fair.

I thought the subject of this message was about the genuine need to discern the spirit of those around us right now.

We the people, are in trouble, and we are also in a mess.

It’s not just us; it’s all over the world.

People everywhere are afraid; so many are terrified with all the things they see around them. If there ever was a time they need somebody, someone with a kind word, just a little bit of understanding, it’s now.

You might think everybody’s okay, but they’re not.

We’ve never been through anything like this here. Locked up, covered up; etc..

To those who will hear this: Discerning those around you through the Spirit, is absolutely necessary now.

The evil one and those who’ve sold out to him, have every intention of barrelling forward at break-neck speed.

Church, there are so many who do not have the experience in The LORD as you do. Many don’t even know how to pray; many who do are tired and very weary.

They are. You can see it; if you discern it. You can’t even see if people are smiling. You must read their eyes.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Those who are truly filled with the Spirit, manifest the fruit thereof.

One of them is Peace. I urge each of us to speak a word of gentleness to someone. Dare let them see a moment of meekness in you. Take a risk in allowing them to detect some goodness.

Yes, there are too many who hate those who are good, and even call it evil. But we’re not after them; they can’t overpower us. Not with His name and in His Power. Let Satan be a lie. Call him out, now.

Those wonderful people who reached out to me, frankly when those who I thought loved me did not, saw something.

Under all that despair and wrong, they detected my spirit.

A dear minister friend of mine told me that he could still see a faint glimmer of flame left in me. All it took was a small breath of someone’s hand, to see that light began to get brighter.

Read their spirit; you have the power to do so.

Use the tools that you have been given in The Holy Ghost. God will direct the rest.

 

~ Robert Blackburn

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Robert Blackburn

 

 

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