Please Chime In: How Do You Treat Non-Believers?

On March 15, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture18 Comments

Every Monday evening my husband and I attend a small group Bible study that is associated with our new church. We love the group, the camaraderie, the different topics and just being around like-minded people. But last night, I was disturbed by something and I would like some input from my faithful readers (emphasis on FAITH-ful). I know what I think, but I seemed to be in the minority.

Part of the discussion was how to treat people who are blatant sinners, lost in sin and who don’t seem to want to find their way out of it. Our video presentation last week had an insightful message about the topic. The speaker said that the sinners are not our enemies, although we often treat them like they are. They are victims of the enemy who is trying to destroy all of us and take as many as he can with him to hell.

During the discussion last evening, we also talked about how Jesus would respond to the LGBTQ+ advocates who are sometimes aggressive. My opinion was and is that he would love them. He always loves the sinner! But what disturbed me was when one member of the group spoke up, kind of off topic, and said that one church pastor from a local church (not the one I attend) had said from the pulpit that anyone living in sin with a partner outside of marriage needed to leave the church because they weren’t welcome there. The consensus of the group last night, at least among the vocal ones who spoke out, was that was the correct thing to do. Kick the sinners out! My heart plummeted but I did not enter the discussion. I just pondered it and awakened this morning with the issue in my mind and heart. Is that truly what Jesus would do? They justified it with a few references to Scriptures, but I looked the verses up.

This verse specifically says if someone sins against you, not the church, not God’s law and moral code, you, then you go to him/her privately. The second step is to take witnesses and confront the person and the final step is to go to the whole church. I’m not sure that the issue we were discussing last night falls into this category. Rather, I think it’s more of confronting the log in your eye instead of the speck in another person’s eye since God is the final Judge of all. I hope it is obvious to you that I think it is totally uncalled for and wrong to publicly humiliate sinners and tell them that you expect them to leave the church. Where out in the world will they hear the Gospel if the church people, those supposed to be filled with the love of Christ have rejected them? Furthermore, will these sinners be even willing to listen to a Christian again? All of this disturbs me greatly.

This was another reference that I looked up and now I see clearly that it is the leadership of the church being held to a higher standard. They are reproved before all so that others are warned. But I still did not see anything in the Scripture about asking them to leave the church. I think in the Catholic Church, that is known as excommunication and is an extreme consequence rarely used. Not wanting to focus on differences in beliefs here or one particular church, I want to draw your attention back to the matter at hand and my question on which I sincerely desire your input.

Is it ever right for the leadership of the church to call out sin before the congregation and ask those sinners to leave the church? To tell them that they don’t belong there, so they just need to leave?

My mind is going in circles at the repercussions of such abuse of power (that’s what I think it is) as well as a judgmental spirit that is not working towards restoration but all reproof and rebuke. Jesus was our example and he hung out around sinners all the time, to the point that the “religious leaders” called the Pharisees judged Jesus for being around those who sinned so much.

I don’t know about you guys but I don’t want to go to a church in which the sinners are not welcome. I am a sinner saved by God’s grace and I want everyone to understand God’s love and mercy. Yes, He is filled with righteous anger at sin and will one day judge all of us. But is it right to not offer the bread of life to the hungry? Of course, I agree that living with someone to whom you are not married is a sin. But I don’t think this sin is any worse than others and Jesus would have rebuked the sin and loved the sinner.

Now that I’ve rambled on for a while about my own frustration, please feel free to leave me a comment about your thoughts. I would greatly appreciate Scripture verses to defend your own thoughts. I’m not confused but I am astonished that any church could do this to a non-believer and think it’s okay. What happened to forgiveness and restoration?

Have a blessed day, remembering that you are a sinner saved by God’s grace and left here on earth to tell others about His mercy and forgiveness.

A Census

On March 14, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Every citizen of the United States has probably participated in a census at one time or another. An envelope comes in the mail and there are numerous questions for you to answer and return to the sender (the U.S. Census Bureau). The purposes of a government census are many: to make sure a state is represented correctly in the House of Representatives, to allocate funds to the states, and to see population trends, for examples.

But as I read the Book of Numbers, I have come across an interesting census. God ordered Moses to take a census of the people. So, I began to ponder why God who knows the number of hairs on our heads would want the people counted. I am sure that He knew exactly how many people were there in the desert traveling with Moses. But I am also sure that His census had a purpose.

Can you even fathom the fact that God knows your name, your age, and all of the other facts that the U.S. census asks you about and He never has to ask? I think one of the purposes of the census God asked for was to make sure that each individual knew without a doubt that they counted to the Lord. We matter to God! He doesn’t need to take a census for His benefit, but rather, He takes it for ours. Every single individual is important to God, our Creator who loves us and wants us to have a relationship with Him. Even as God ordered the census, He already had in mind every man, woman and child that stood before Him.

I think that another possible purpose of the census was to call on Moses to do something and then watch what happened. Have you heard from God lately? Or ever? Was He telling you to do something? The big question is: Did you do as He asked? Did you follow His instructions? I have found that when God asks me to do something, He only tells me one step at a time. Once I complete that step, He tells me the next step to take until my task is complete. When God told Moses to take a census, I can imagine how impatient the people may have been to just move on in the desert and get to where they were supposed to go. But God had a plan. He wanted to number the people and so He did. I recall later in the Bible when David did a census without God’s calling for one and God punished Him for it. Why? Because it was not God’s plan at the time. Sometimes we get ahead of God and sometimes we fall behind. His timing is what is perfect. So, God told Moses to complete a census. When Moses acted and obeyed, the census was completed and now there is a record for all to read of the tribes and the numbers in each of them. The first step was the obedience to count, a step that may have not made much sense to the people in the desert wasteland. But God had a plan and this was part of it. Like allocating resources with a current census, God had a plan. I don’t know all of it, but I know He had one. God never does anything without a reason and I’m pretty sure the reason had something to do with God making sure that individuals knew that they counted and they could count on God to include them in His plans.

What is God’s plan for you today? Or tomorrow? Or in the distant future? You know what? We don’t know. And that is okay because regardless of how ignorant we may be of what God is doing, He has a plan and He is working to carry it out.

I think it was also interesting that all of the members of all of the tribes were counted in the census except for the Levites. These were the priests, those who were anointed to take care of the tabernacle and to camp around it and protect it. So why were they not numbered? I don’t have an answer to that except that these men already knew how closely God watched over them, having received explicit instructions for their own cleansing and for the sacrifices they made for the people They were not a higher class of people, but they were already set aside for God’s purposes. They knew it and so did God, so I don’t think He had a reason to number them.

Listen for God to speak to you today, tomorrow and whenever He will. Then, be obedient and act on what He tells you to do. Like Moses, just start doing. You don’t have to understand everything. You just have to take that first step of obedient action and work with God in fulfilling His purpose for your life. You matter to God, and He has a good plan for you!

Book of Hosea Spoke to Me Today

On March 12, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Is this Scripture not true and applicable to our fallen world today? We are a proud people who think that we know all there is to know and yet we know nothing about the great God who created us and wants us to fellowship with Him. I’m saddened by this scripture that was written as a judgment against Israel so many hundreds of years ago. It seems that we have learned nothing about repentance except to be more prideful and less humble.

Peace Comes from God

On March 11, 2022 By vickleaIn SongLeave a comment

Just a Reminder

On March 10, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

God is in control!

Review of MALICIOUS INTENT by Lynn H. Blackburn

On March 9, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

This book is a prime example of what romantic suspense should be! It started with a fast introduction to the conflict and the plot rolled along quickly all the way to the end. Dr. Ivy Collins in a vulnerable and sympathetic character who runs a successful business but whose life is in danger from some unknown threat. Enter Gil Dixon, a U.S. Secret Service Agent, and her first love when they were teens. Gil is investigating one case and gets pulled into the threat against Ivy. He is determined to protect Ivy at any cost, even his own life. I have read the first book in the series, but this book can be read as a standalone. I do think that getting to know the characters who were introduced in the first book, however, quickly engaged me in this new story as former characters played a role in this book as well. This book was intriguing and intense, with the danger ramping up just at the pace of the story quickened too. With bombs, guns, kidnapping attempts and computer hijacking, this story has everything that a suspense junkie like me craves and it definitely fulfilled my desire to read a book that had me engrossed from beginning to end. The plot was just complicated and twisted enough that I was not able to figure out the bad guy until Gil did and the characters were so realistic that I found myself giving them advice. For example, “Seriously, Ivy, don’t go in there. Just don’t!” I loved this book and would give it five plus stars just for its entertainment value. Fans of clean romantic suspense should run quickly to get a copy of this one because you will not want to miss it!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via the Revell Reads Blogger Program via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*Clean Christian romantic suspense. Rated PG because of intensity of the action.*

**Photo and info from author’s website at** http://www.lynnhblackburn.com

This book is available now in all formats. Here is a list of suggested retailers:

Until next time, my dear readers. Keep reading, keep loving, keep believing!

Review of LOOKING FOR LEROY by Melody Carlson

On March 1, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

The story of Brynna and Leroy is heart-touching and realistic. The two met at a camp when Brynna was in high school but haven’t been in touch for years, since Brynna married the man she calls Dirk the Jerk. Dirk left her for a younger woman and now Brynna is feeling like life has passed her by. When her friend from school Jan asks her to go on a summer camping adventure with her, Bryanna reluctantly agrees, so the two set off from Oregon together. Brynna shares with Jan about her long ago love named Leroy whose family owned a vineyard, so Jan makes it her mission to find Leroy and see that he and Brynna are reunited. I enjoyed all of the characters and especially liked the descriptions of California wine country. The author made the places come alive, especially Leroy’s vineyard with its lovely sunrises, sunsets and rolling hills with vineyards. My favorite character was Leroy’s daughter Sophie who loved and accepted people as they were, without expecting perfection. She was also quick to forgive and an example to her sisters Gina and Luna. I was impressed with the realistic way the relationship between Leroy and Brynna was rolled out, slowly and with a lot of obstacles in the way, just like in real life. The plot was well-paced, telling the story of a second chance at love for both the protagonists as well as for the Leroy’s family. Told with vivid details and a knowledge of vineyards and camping, this is a story that was a real pleasure to read and to recommend to others.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*Rated G for all audiences. Lovely, Christian romance!*

*For all information about the author, go to her website at* http://www.melodycarlson.com

Happy Release Day to Melody Carlson! You can purchase this delightful book online at any of these sites:

Letter from Australia 108 – Ukraine – How Should the Church Respond?

On February 28, 2022 By vickleaIn ReblogLeave a comment

Letter from Australia 108 – Ukraine – How Should the Church Respond?

Letter from Australia 108 – Ukraine – How Should the Church Respond?

— Read on theweeflea.com/2022/02/28/letter-from-australia-108-does-the-church-have-to-pick-sides/

Please go to the original blog and follow the author. He has great wisdom to share, especially about world events and the Christian response to it.

God Has a Plan

On February 28, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture6 Comments

These days, it’s hard to pick up a newspaper or turn on the news for only a few minutes without getting discouraged. There is so much evil in the world that it seems to be overflowing with it. Now that war has begun in Europe, it seems that the vile things that man does to other men is indescribable. Nevertheless, in my devotional this morning, God spoke clearly to me that He is in control and He has a plan.

Have you ever started your day with your hours all planned out? It’s a long “to do” list and you proudly check off things as you accomplish them. Then, there are the days that you have the list, you have the plan, but you don’t get to check off anything because you are just trying to make it through the day. Have you ever thought about the fact that God, the Sovereign Lord, does not have those kinds of days in which He gets discouraged and nothing seems to go right? He makes the plan and carries it out. In fact, He makes the plan before the plan needs to be made.

A case in point is Jesus. There was a whole system of sacrifice established in the Old Testament and described in great detail in the Book of Leviticus. A lamb without blemish. Blood on the altar. Take away the sins. All the columns were checked. But it wasn’t enough. Even before the foundation of the earth, God had a plan to save mankind from our sinful natures, once and for all. His plan was Jesus! Before I knew that Jesus died for me, God had already provided Him as my Savior.

I like the part in this verse that says I was still a sinner. God didn’t wait for me to get my act together and complete a “to do” list of things to accomplish before I could be saved. His plan was Jesus…already made. Done! Finished!

Now, back to the scenario of war in Europe. This verse is my prayer for the brave Ukrainian people. But it is also my prayer for anyone facing a formidable enemy. Instead of thinking about the power of the enemy, consider the power of our God who is beside you and who already has a plan. When Elisha’s servant was downhearted in II Kings 6 because he saw how great the enemy was, Elisha prayed for God to open his servant’s eyes. The prayer was answered and the servant saw a host of angels prepared to fight the battle. We don’t always know what God’s plan is, but we can rest in the absolute certainty that He has one, and it’s good.

I have read this verse many times because waiting is just not something I’m very good at. But today is the first time that I paid close attention to the middle part of the verse. It says to be brave and courageous. We are not supposed to cower away from the world and events that cause us fear. Instead, we are to bravely wait for the Lord, knowing with all of our being that He has a plan. And it’s a good one!

Andrew Murray was a pastor and author, most known for his missions work and establishing churches in South Africa. I saved this quotation from one of my devotionals last year and when I read it again today, I knew that it would be useful for my current blog. We limit God because we put Him into a box of humanity, thinking that He can only do so much because that is what we can do. God, however, cannot be fenced in. He is everywhere, all-powerful and capable of doing anything. So, today, as you pray over your to-do list or pray for the people in Ukraine, be bold in your prayers. Be brave! Know that God is hearing and will answer them. Perhaps His timing is different than ours would be. Most likely, that is true. That’s because God is always on time, He knows the best time to answer, and He has always and will always be there for us. Why? Because He loves us and He has a plan. And it’s a good one!

God bless you as you go through your day and may God show you part of His plan for you and encourage you today with that knowledge.

Review of THE NIGHT SHE WENT MISSING by Kristen Bird

On February 24, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

This is a fantastic debut novel by a new voice in suspense and domestic drama! Three families are bound together by the events in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else and where the matriarch of the town, Rosalyn Callahan, pull strings like she’s a puppeteer. Catherine, Morgan and Leslie were once friends, but their relationship has deteriorated so that they are barely speaking and then only when necessary. When Catherine’s teen daughter disappears one night after a party, Catherine pulls out all the stops to find Emily, including seeking the help of Morgan’s son Alex and Leslie’s daughter Anna. There is a lot of underlying tension between the families and a lot of suspicion about what happened to Emily. The tension builds nicely, with a quick-paced plot and a well done conclusion. There were a few loose ends that I would have liked more information about, so that is the reason for the four stars. There is tons of family drama and people with real psychological problems who are mingled in a very complex plot, with lots of characters and more than a few suspects. I enjoyed the setting and the way the families were all connected in some way. I also enjoyed getting to know Sawyer, Leslie’s estranged son and one of the few characters who seemed genuinely honest and concerned about Emily. The characterization was fleshed out well, even with the number of people involved in the drama. All in all, this was an extremely well-written novel that kept me reading and guessing until the end.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I would rate this book a hard PG-13 because of the plot content and also there are lots of expletives. The F-word is used freely and often. Note that this is a debut novel, so hopefully the author will temper the language more in future books.

Growing up, Kristen lived in Virginia, Alabama, California, Oregon, and Texas. She wrote plays and short stories for anyone who would read them and eventually graduated college with a double major in Music and Journalism. A few years later, she earned a Masters in Literature and for her creative thesis wrote her first full-length novel, which she happily keeps unpublished.
As a teacher, she enjoys finding creative pairings of the classic canon and modern texts, and she promotes choice reading in her classroom. She also likes to tell other writers, including her students over the past fifteen years, the importance of extensive revisions as well as the necessity of grit—in the writing process and in everyday life.
Kristen is the oldest of four kids and is grateful to see her parents and brother and sisters, nieces and nephews often. Her husband is a musician and a worship director for a church near their home, and her daughters are amateur bakers, awesome artists, and inquisitive thinkers who love to cuddle up and read together.
Thanks to Bess Garison for photography. **Biographical Info from the author’s website at** http://www.kristenbird.com

This is an excellent debut novel and I recommend it for mature readers. It is available now at the following online site:

Harper Collins (includes links to multiple sites to purchase the book)