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Ever heard the saying, "Don't be too heavenly minded to be any earthly good." For most of us that is not the case. In fact, the opposite could be true: 'we are too earthly minded to be do any heavenly good!' Sometimes we can get to the place where we are frustrated with others because we think that they should be on 'our level' of thinking or believing. Then we get critical or impatient because they don't have the same thinking on a certain subjects or have the same commitment level we do for the Lord. Let me tell you, not every person is going to be as committed as you and not everyone will have your level of the Word. And, believe it or not, you are not as committed as some other people or even have the level of the Word that some have. That is okay! As long as you are striving toward the mark that Christ set down for you. Do not let others intimidate you or make you feel inferior because you are not where they think you should be. If these people are frustrated or if this is you that I am talking about, let me tell you what Joyce Myers says.I love this... Joyce says, "If you are frustrated in any area then you have gotten out of grace and stepped over into works." This is so true. Just think about it. The word level you have, the anointing you have, the gifts and talents you have, the calling you have, even the commitment you have is all because of the grace of God. You are nothing without Him, and all you are and all you have is because of His grace (God's ability in you). It has nothing to do with you. Yes, you have a part to play as far as studying and being obedient but you can't even do that with out God's grace. So why get all frustrated and upset when people are not 'measuring up' to your standard? It is God's standard we all have to measure up too. I think about 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 all the time. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."(KJV) I can preach and teach the word of God all day long and I can be used in the gifts of God all day long and I can know more of the Word of God than you all day long, BUT IF I HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING. I will tell you something else, if you don't operate in the love of God while you are teaching or ministering, whether on the job, on the street or wherever, no one is going to want to hear you. You will sound like brass to their ears and they won't be able to hear you because of the lack of love you speak in your voice. Prove it out for yourself. Approach someone, even someone you know with a kind and gentle attitude and talk to them, watch the response, then approach them again with a know-it-all, brassy attitude and see what their response is then. We may not like it, but how we say and do something is more important than what we say and do. God is working with each of us right where we are. I may never be where you are spiritually but that is okay with God. I remember one time I was part of a church and people were leaving by the carloads. The Word was going forth in a mighty way, but the love was not present in very much of it. Because it bothered me, I went to the Lord and this is what he told me: "These people have chosen to go find a place that operates in my love. They chose to leave the level of word being taught to find my love and that is okay with Me!" And I got to thinking; God is love, so that would be okay with Him. He wants His Word spoken in love to benefit His body-the Church. Don't be deceived into thinking you are walking in love when you are not. I have seen many ministries fail because of lack of love in their teaching and ministry. God has a judgment side, this is so true. However, all through the New Testament His love is spoken of more than His judgment. I believe it is because that is God's best for us! You are blessed! Lisa

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

"Lord God, You Have a Funny Way of Working at Times"