Check That Attitude

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A couple weeks ago Pastor Cliff Cameron spoke about God's peace through storms. As a church we have been through storms...again...at least three during my time at Victory International. Last week Pastor Andy Horn spoke about pursuing the presence of God. And yesterday Pastor Cliff talked about being led by the Spirit.

We have recently seen our lead pastor resign and because I just don't know the absolute truth, it's futile to surmise. I can tell you this--I've heard both sides of the story and either way, it hurts. In my heart and mind I'm constantly asking why this happened--again in our church? 

It's during difficult times like this that we need God's peace. I believe the true attitudes of people come out. I've heard things that make my stomach ache and which I'm sure grieves the Spirit. No matter which "side" a person is on we still have to maintain a Christ-like attitude. We need to just let our judgment go and ask the Lord to do His work. This can be hard. We are told we are allowed to judge righteously, but is that what we do? Do we truly have the strength to do that without some attitude of our own creeping in?

As Pastor Cliff said yesterday: God knows every thought we have. That might be good or bad, probably both. We might think, "oh good" but I know there are times in each person's life when "ouch" is probably a better comment to make. He will judge us some day on those thoughts. But as a child of God, He still loves us and if we confess those sinful thoughts, He will forgive us. Our sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).  How far is that? Try to picture it! You can't. It's an infinite distance. Then picture Jesus' outstretched arms upon the cross. That's the true picture of forgiveness. 

Yesterday's sermon on being led by the Spirit was yet another reminder of how we should live our lives...and our thoughts. The scripture above was based on the peace that Christ left with us through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Faced with the resignation of our pastor we all have questions. We have been told we may never have all the answers but we are to trust God just the same. Whatever the reason, God's plan will be accomplished in this church, our own lives and the pastor's life. That should be our main focus. God does not give to us like the world does. He gives in ways we have yet to fully understand. 

I personally don't think we need to have all the answers. Maybe I'm wrong but if we are given the truth, how many of us would not be able to say or think, no matter which side we're on, "I thought so!" And then the attitude comes into play. Right or wrong our feelings need to be controlled. If we were on the "I was right" side, we might gloat. If we were on the wrong side, there could be an indignant attitude. It's all about our attitudes. And that it must be on the good things during a storm of life.

That's where we need to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts, to think on the good things of God.  We have to remember that everything in life is all about God. We hear it over and over that we are to have the mind of Christ. What attitude will we have and what will people remember about our reaction if we find out what the truth is...or which side we are on? I think the attitude we are to take on is one of standing in the gap for both sides and allowing the Spirit to work in hearts.

Whether Pastor was wronged or was wrong, we need to have forgiveness in our own hearts. God knows who's right and wrong in this. He knows what caused all that has transpired. I just pray through this new storm that each one of us would come away with something personal from God. That heart attitudes would be changed, trust in God would arise, even the ability to let go of things we cannot control and know that God will do what we cannot.

Sadly, people have left our church...again...for both sides' reasons. I'm so confused by all that has happened. God is not the author of confusion, so we need to draw on His peace in this storm of life. We need to pursue God's presence and His peace. And we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide is into all truth. I think the main truth in all this is that God is still on the throne, He still reigns, He is still in control...and that's all we need to know.  He will heal, He will chasten, He will forgive each one of us personally, no matter which "side" we're on

The truth, I believe, will come to each of us. I think the truth isn't about knowing what happened, but knowing that God has a plan. He doesn't always let us see what work He is doing in us or in others but He's at work. His presence is always there, whether we feel it or not (like in the Book of Esther we just studied). It's all about God, trusting in Him and letting Him do the work necessary in each of us during this time. And keeping a proper attitude.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.