Message #15314

[Psalm 51:17]

Well, first of all, just want to thank everyone here for all your prayers and support.

Anyhow, been doing some prayer and bible reading on this issue...to be frank, I'll admit I've done WAY too much worrying about this, to the point where I've let my peace and joy in Christ be robbed. Yes, I probably should have spoke up 2 years ago(after we went to that church), or last year, instead of recently. However, at the same time, I shouldn't be too hard to myself over this kicking myself constantly. If anything, my parents probably wouldn't have listened to me anyways then like now(ie-after we went to that Chinese New Years festival there, my parents were almost immediately convicted that that pastor did a wonderful job witnessing to them, they even sat down with me afterwards and were serious about it - my dad has alot of Chinese students, which is why the connection is right there).

There were 3 instances last week where I just started shouted matches with my mom over this b/c I ended up getting aggravated over her rebuking me over other issues(which deserved so, but somehow b/c I robbed myself of my peace and joy in Christ, I ended up letting myself go off).

However, the more I prayed and read my bible, the more I realized that our battles are not against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places. Jesus said that if we love our parents, children, land, etc more than him, than we can't be his disciples. The fact that I kept getting after my mom hoping she would change my mind really showed my true colors over my lack of love with the Lord. If anything, Paul stressed how charity is longsuffering and not easily aggravated. Jesus also warned that he doesn't bring peace, but a sword, which made me realize that even within my own family, there will be differences whether we like it or not.

As for this pastor - I don't know if he's a Satanist, but apparently he DID sell himself out for $$$$. Pt being that why should I fret and bite my fingernails over this? He may come off as a nice guy, but he IS deceived, and will suffer consequences at the Great White Throne of Judgement. And for that matter too, what he and other megachurch pastors are doing is only wearying their flesh quite a bit, so there's really nothing to fret about, or even feel sorry for them, b/c they made a choice. And the same goes for Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, and the Emergent Church. Pt being that let's not confuse these guys for Satan and his fallen angelic demons, b/c again they're just men who sold themselves out b/c they are blinded to the truth. They will have their reward, and we should be at peace with Christ.

My mom's right on one thing - whether or not that pastor gets that church built for that girl in China, it's in God's hand. I pray it doesn't happen, but again, God's will be done in earth as it is in heaven.