JonathanBryant.info

So here the last 8… be sure to read the beginning of this post http://jonathanbryant.info/?p=181

What if I was:

-NOT KEEPING RECORDS OF WRONGS? – what if I forgave everyone, always, no matter what? What if the church put the past in the past and moved in unity?

-NOT DELIGHTED IN EVIL? – what if I never told a lie, a fib, a white lie, or ommited anything… Nothing but the whole truth? What if a ministry never compromised, even it was the easiest, most logical way?

-REJOICING IN TRUTH? – what if I listened to the Word of God more than the words of men? What if the church started preaching the Gospel every time the doors were open?

-ALWAYS PROTECTIVE OF OTHERS? – what if I protected others, even when it put me in danger? What if the church stopped gossipping?

-ALWAYS TRUSTING? – what if a church opened its doors to the “bad” people, instead of just the “good” people? What if I always took people at their word, even if they’ve lied to me before?

-LIVED IN HOPE? – what if I could practically evaluate my present circumstances without letting my world fall if I didn’t like what I saw? What if a church could look at their situation, all the while knowing that there is something greater coming?

-ALWAYS PERSEVERED? – what if a church never stopped pushing the vision, even if it meant making people uncomfortable? What if, when I got a word from God, did not stop until it was done, every time?

-REALIZED THAT LOVE NEVER FAILS? – what if I stopped acting like an orphan and started resting in the promise that God has a plan for me? What if a church never stopped loving on people, realizing that they need it more than anything?

There it is. God is rocking my world with this, and I hope you’ve gotten something out of it too. Like I said in the last post, this was what God is speaking to me… not meant to be negative and certainly not directed at anyone except myself.

Jesus, it’s tough to say this, but mold me until I look more like you. And if I ask you to stop, please don’t… For my good and for Your glory.

What if a community was presented with a ministry that embodied the 1Corinthians 13 method? What would it look like if a church entered an area and based everything they did on that passage?
I’ve seen and been a part of churches that do some well. And to be honest, I’m so very guilty of neglecting these things in my own life.

Honestly it’s not easy or convenient. It’s usually not the best choice if you’re trying to be cool. It’s usually the wrong move if you’re trying to be “religious.” it is the right way, however, to show how loving Jesus is, and how his mercy changes everything.
I pray that through processing this, God would make me a person who continually grows in His characteristics.
Please don’t be offended or put off, these are simply honest questions from my heart… Meant for me, and I figured I would share them with you.
What if I was:

-PATIENT? – what if I was always patient even when waiting hurt more than anything? What if I waited on God more? What if I was more patient with the people around me, even if it sucked bad?

-KIND? – what if I was kind, even when everyone seemed to be taking advantage of me? What if a ministry was rooted in kindness so deep that they could be ok with being used and abused by hundreds of people, if it meant they got to share the Gospel with only one.

-NOT ENVIOUS? – what if I didn’t look to the possessions and positions of others to determine my worth? What if a church could be supremely effective in a community by the power and presence of God, but not heard about by ANYONE outside of a 20-mile radius, ever?

-NOT BOASTFUL? – what if I couldn’t tell anyone about anything I ever did for anyone else, but only rely on the blessings and rewards from God Himself? What if a church gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the community, but had to do it annonimously and got to tell no one outside the body?

-NOT PROUD? – what if I based all my decisions from the Word of God, even when it made me unpopular around my circle? What if a ministry loved people so much that when someone said, “thank you,” they had to respond, “I love you,” instead of “you’re welcome.”

-NOT RUDE? – what if I was unconditionally encouraging, only correcting from the Word of God, and IN LOVE, and not out of preference? What if I ministry never came down on anyone, but instead, came up under people in order to lift them up?

-NOT SELF SEEKING? – would I still be in ministry if it didn’t pay or never got another compliment or pat on the back? what if a ministry started seeking for people hearts to be changed, instead of their wallets opened?

-NOT EASILY ANGERED? – what if I was slow to speak in anger, even when I deserved to get to tell someone off? What if a ministry never wrote people off, but always gave another chance?

There’s 8, I’ll publish the last 8 tonight or in the morning.
Jesus, please stretch me in this process. If there is anyone out there who is connecting with this, please mold them in this time as well.