Pickin' and Choosin' -- Prophet's Place

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Date Posted: 06:56:38 02/20/09 Fri
Author: Joan
Subject: Pickin' and Choosin'

Pickin� and Choosin�
June 28, 2008

After having read another article about how many believers are in error, following after their flesh, etc., etc., my heart was so saddened. One need not go into detail to know that there have been those who believe one way and in their eyes anyone who believes differently is wrong. They are able to use Scripture to back why they believe what they believe. Or they might tell of a move of God that they were involved in and they know how God moves and if something comes up that doesn�t look exactly how they have experienced God move then it isn�t of God. Not only is it a question of whose right and whose wrong, it becomes even more than that. If we as Christians are to be living epistles read by all men then what are we presenting to them?

All of this was running through my mind tonight as I was talking to the Lord about it, asking Him how we were every going to come to unity in Him if there is so much division in the church or amongst the people. The next thing I know I am seeing a turkey in my spirit, on a platter much like we would see one set on the table at Thanksgiving! I am understanding how one takes only the white meat because that is what they prefer. Another likes the legs as the dark meat is more to their liking. Then I see the neck and giblets, knowing these are the parts that I throw away yet there are many who find these parts very tasty. Instantly I knew that the Holy Spirit is likening the turkey with the body of Christ. There are those who prefer certain parts over other parts and they tend to only �eat� of that part and that is the �part� they become.. Others might eat most of what is available to them but tend to lean more heavily on favored parts. Then there are those who totally omit certain parts because it just looks so �unsavory� and toss these parts out without regarding what these parts might have to offer.

Then the saddest part of all was revealed to me by the Holy Spirit when He asked me what part of the turkey was missing from that which was being served. That was easy - it was the head! My heart nearly broke when I heard the Holy Spirit say, �That is right. It seems the head of the body is missing in My church as well. Christ Jesus is the Head and yet the �body� is so busy eating of the parts they favor, even fighting over who gets the best parts, the Head isn�t missed at all.� The Holy Spirit went on to say, �Jesus said that �the world would know that You are My disciples by the love you have one for another.� Yet the body has failed to walk in that love one towards another and have rather become like buzzards picking at the carcass, inflicting wounds upon itself. Rather than allowing the Head to be the eyes, ears, mouth and guiding force, the body has been going around much like a chicken with it�s head cut off or, like the turkey served on the platter, headless and serving up favored parts over others, not seeing the value of the whole.�

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! We do want to acknowledge You as our Head, being like-minded with You. There is so much to learn about You and there is so much You desire to reveal about Yourself to us. Oh, help us to love one another as You have loved us so that the world would see You reflected in our being. Let us be one with You and one with each other knowing that everything else will fail but that love will endure forever. Please forgive us our pride and being quick to point out another�s error rather than lifting them in prayer and coming to You to see if perhaps it is us in error rather than them! Let us allow love to cover a multitude of sin and trust that You can lead Your people better than we can! Let us first examine ourselves before so quick to cast the first stone at a brother or sister in Christ. Lord, a saying is coming to mind that was taught to me by my mother. Though it is not Scriptural it holds much wisdom, �If you have nothing nice to say, don�t say anything at all.� We should hold our tongue unless we are certain it is You guiding us to speak on Your behalf. We know You chasten those You love. But often times what we see taking place within the body of Christ comes more from frustration than it does from revelation. Oh, I know I have done this. Please forgive me, Lord. And please forgive my brothers and sisters in Christ. And help us to be Your body, with You as our Head, in Your sweet name I pray. Amen.

Humbled and needing Him so much,
Joan

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