i have realised something after sharing MAD AND FURIOUS. When we do not have that common understanding, no transparency, people get suspicious, offended and wounded, unnecessarily. i think as human, i would too if i am not mature to handle the truth, even though it is not about me, but the work of the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. Truth hurts, but it sets you free. If you are convicted by the Holy Spirit to share MAD AND FURIOUS, please share freely and do not be intimidated by the rebukes from people. Look at their response, and you WILL KNOW if that is from God. The attitude of Christ ALWAYS edifies and brings glory to God. This article is what i practice and how i live out the Word of God in my own outreach.

So what must i be, do, and have ?

 

WE ARE NOT ENEMIES 

The very 1st thing i mentioned in MAD & FURIOUS was, i wanted my readers to have a common understanding before they read on, and that common understanding encompassed and affected all human relationships.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 NLT,

INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Teachers of the Word cannot teach with their own effort & intelligence. They are subjected to a very strict criteria from God,

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1 NLT

WE ARE IMPERFECT

We are imperfect beings. We are bound to make mistakes. But that does not stop us from pursuing perfection …

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 3:23 NLT

BE HUMBLE TO ADMIT MISTAKES AND BE TEACHABLE

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5 NLT

Many who make mistakes do not dare to admit, because they are afraid of bashing. There is no love demonstrated in correction, something that i personally experienced, and that hurt with wound run deep, though healed but left with scars that cannot be removed over time especially coming from a group with the same belief and teaching, who was ignorant of the consequence if wound run too deep, and beyond healing. i thank the Word for being my Saviour, my Refuge, restoring my faith at my lowest point, by not looking to man for approval, but to God; reason YFBRC exists, reason you are reading this article. Here is what God has to say about how correction SHOULD BE DONE.

Whatever i have written are not based on my whims and fancies, they are my real life experiences. i do not have the conscience and the ability to articulate and  write something i do not experience.

 

PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS

Just as i mentioned in MAD & FURIOUS, Christian leaders/ teachers teach because they love the flock, and God sees their heart. Yes, even though they know that they can be subjected to God’s severe judgement, they still teach. They are taking the risk for you & i, as they are accountable for their teaching. It not about them that we are against, but against the mighty powers in this dark world. Therefore, no matter what you think of them, respect them, and pray for them just as you would pray for others, so that Christ image may be revealed in them.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

1 Timothy 2:1 NLT

1. Pray for your church leaders

2. Ask God to help them

3. Intercede on their behalf

4. Give thanks for them

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NLT

 

SUGGESTION : THE BEREAN CHANNEL

i understand some churches are practising this. i would recommend it to all churches. A channel for congregation to express their gratefulness, encouragements, queries, disagreements with what has been preached, suggestions for improvements. This channel is managed by a team of pastors and other congregational matured Christians. This team will meet up immediately after each preaching for post-mortem. Create a chat group so that they can discuss and respond as it pleases God, as messages from congregation are received throughout the week. Christian leaders, be open to constructive criticisms & suggestions. Use discretion, at the same time, do not think you are so knowledgeable that you do not need to learn from the flock. The flock are watching you, and see if you are living out what you preach, especially in this case, humility. If you are eager to live out God’s word, this is the place to live out Matthew 5:48.

Make this channel known, if it is not obvious. Transparency, accountability and genuineness for improvement help to build bridges for harmony and relationships to blossom between church members and pastors. Again, the attitude of Christ shall prevail. You will live out many biblical principles if this channel is stewarded wisely, taking away some of the unnecessary problems the church is facing, and focusing on what is important. i coin this channel as the BEREAN CHANNEL. This group theme verse, perhaps, should be,