Throw Out The Bones

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd September 29, 2015 - Filed in Devotional - 12,795 views
  Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 WEB
  
  While traveling through Milwaukee Wisconsin, we stopped at an old smokehouse restaurant and ordered some wood-smoked baby back ribs. They were nothing short of amazing, but were of course, full of bones which we had to slowly pick through. Still, it was so worth the effort, and years later I still remember eating there. We ate the meat which was good, but threw out the bones.
  
  In our church experience, I have heard great men of God say things that I did not understand or really even agree with. I used to try and make it fit somehow anyway, but that led to a mess in my mind. In the end, I had to start over and keep the simple things that I can understand and let that slowly build. When I hear something that does not seem to fit now, I put it on the shelf and think about it a while before I put it in my pantry. Sometimes it just gets thrown out completely.
  
  On the other hand, there have been sound biblical truths abused and mentioning them now is almost taboo. Still, the truth will always be the truth. Our enemy loves to blacklist the blessings of God, gently erase them from our messages, and then subtly reverse them. 'Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38)' will always work, regardless of how many charlatans have abused it in the past. By hiding this truth, the enemy essentially hides the key to the cell door of poverty and keeps God's people locked inside. Many even begin to agree with him, contrary to the word of God and then believe 'Keep it all for yourself and you will prosper.' But that is not what Jesus told us. The truth has been reversed and the blessing made into a curse.
  
  Another important truth that has been neglected is that we are not to 'quench' the Spirit of God. This essentially means 'putting out the fire' and it is talking about the Holy Spirit and is not about people who may just be speaking out of order . The Holy Spirit brings warmth and light to the Christian life and came on the Apostles as 'tongues of fire' (Acts 2:3, Matt. 3:11). Paul especially singled out one gift with 'Do not despise prophecies' (1Th. 5:20). When you enter a church that is spiritually dead, water has been thrown on the fire and what you are left with is a cold, dead, religious experience. I know the hair on your neck is probably rising but I am only writing what the New Testament teaches as the truth. We cannot treat the Bible like a buffet and silently drop the parts that our denomination disagrees with, or even reverse their meaning into 'despise all prophecies.' The Holy Spirit is still alive today and the book of Acts is still as relevant as ever.
  
  Be open to new things. Keep what is good, throw out the bad. None of us are as smart as all of us. None of us have the entire truth, only parts of it, but all together we make up the body of Christ. Do not try and keep what you do not yet understand. God is able to quicken His word and make it understandable when He chooses to.
  
  We are to test all things and keep what is good. We cannot ignore truth because someone abused it in the past. We cannot limit God to our own church experience so far. Jesus could do no mighty works in His hometown because of their unbelief, though He did miracles everywhere else (Matt. 14:57). What if we are like them?
  
  Prayer: Father I believe, help my unbelief. Lord do not pass me by but include me in what You are doing today. I want more of You in my life. Teach me what I need to know and fire me up God. Dry up the water that has been thrown on my life and make me a torch for You in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: Good morning! The weekly Bible study is now available, covering Luke Chapter 22! This chapter is filled with core elements of our Christian faith, so don''t miss out. We look forward to hearing from you! Also, the FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) will be building on the "Refocusing Our Efforts" vision during their Thursday evening chat. Even if you missed the last chat, we encourage you to join for this inspiring and fun time!