The Chatroom

the MastersGroove.  Moriah and I regularly tune in to these live, inspirational broadcasts of Gospel House music, and join in the chats.  DJ’s that contribute to the MastersGroove also join the chatroom, regularly.  Last week I was inspired by a loving Word shared in this chatroom, from which resonates much of what the Word of God tells us.  Here's an excerpt from that chat:

We must lift each other up and stay encouraged . . . Part of the problem today.  We mind our business and don't want to be deemed a snitch...but you must stand up for righteousness or join in the devils army through silence. . . . Watch out for your neighbors child, help the elderly, share your wealth, bite your tongue, practice patience . . .

Oh how we must lift each other up and stay encouraged! We proportionately receive our own encouragement from being an encourager, ourselves – like we reap what we sow!! If we don’t heed this exhortation from the chatroom, we cannot effectively represent Christ and His teaching. In fact this exhortation is exactly HOW to represent that His Holy Spirit resides within us. We can positively and miraculously change our own neighborhoods and families.  However, without operating by the Holy Spirit (Love) and standing up for what is righteous and true, we will absolutely risk joining the devil’s army. None can combat and defeat wickedness in this world while sowing with the enemy’s tools; or silently allowing our friends and neighbors to remain engulfed in sin.

 “But instead warn, admonish, urge, and encourage one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ that none of you may be hardened, or settled into rebellion of sin; warn of the deceitfulness, the fraudulence, the stratagem, or the trickery with which the delusive glamor of sin may play on someone” - Hebrews 3:13

“And he set captains of war over the people and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying:  Be strong and courageous.  Be not afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there is Another with us greater than all those with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles" - 2 Chronicles 32:6-8

“Also David told Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord" - 1 Chronicles 28:20

. . . Part of the problem today. We mind our business and don't want to be deemed a snitch...but you must stand up for righteousness or join in the devils army through silence . . .Watch out for your neighbors child 

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them” - Luke 17:3

“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” - Matthew 18:5-7

Here we learn that to “watch out for our neighbor’s child” doesn’t mean just for their protection. We must live as examples and role models, exemplifying the manners and behaviors of righteousness and truth. Our children should see and hear us proclaiming only truths and generously loving one another.  Should something about our actions, life-style, or our words cause a child to stumble into sin, or create a deception of some truth about God – Jesus has promised a woeful judgment.

. . . help the elderly, share your wealth, bite your tongue, practice patience . . .

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless, futile, and barren. Religion, as it is expressed outwardly, that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.” - James 1:26-27

“Do not turn to mediums that have familiar spirits or to wizards; for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” - Leviticus 19:31-33

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud, the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, and the boastful -- and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them, but gives grace, favor, and blessings to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” - 1 Peter 5:5-7

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” - 2 Corinthians 9:6

“He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.” - Proverbs 11:12

“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” - Proverbs 10:18-20

“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and go after it!” - Psalm 34:12-14

“Finally, brethren, rejoice! Be strengthened, perfected, completed, and made what you ought to be; be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be agreeable one with another; live in peace, and then the God of Love - the Source of affection, goodwill, and benevolence toward men - and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you.” - 2 Corinthians 13:11-12