WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS?

We learn to take heed lest we also fall. We learn to humble ourselves before God and allow Him to search our own hearts, rather than pointing an accusing finger. We learn that anointing does not always equal character and that God chooses and uses imperfect vessels. We learn the importance of developing character and personal integrity in order to run the race for the long haul. We learn that gifting cannot take precedence over character. We learn that the enemy is truly looking for people to seize upon and devour. We learn that we must take every precaution and shut every open door to the enemy in our lives. We learn that we must deal even with the small cracks in our foundation. If we don't, the enemy will eventually find his way in to steal, kill and destroy. The only thing that will keep us for the long haul is a life of daily surrender, hiding His word in our hearts, staying filled with the Spirit, having a sense of both love and awe for God as well as keeping our lives open for godly counsel and input.

We learn that the church must be baptized in such a deep Christ-like love, that we can be transparent with one another and truly reach out for help when help is needed, rather than placing people on untouchable pedestals that set them up for a fall. We learn the importance of having sound, solid doctrine and theology. Not only is it enough to have personal integrity, but we must also have our lives deeply rooted in God's word so that we can rightly discern and divide the word of God. We learn the power of the simplicity of the gospel and keeping first things first: that Jesus died on a cross, was buried and was then raised from the dead for our salvation and has given us the wonderful Holy Spirit to empower us to live the life He has called us to live. We learn to keep the gospel centered on Jesus and keep the word as our solid foundation. We learn that we must never get puffed up with pride and think more of ourselves than we are.

As I said, we can learn a lot!

MAKE A CHOICE TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY DISTRACTIONS

As we draw near to God, allowing Him to search our hearts, I encourage you to remove every unnecessary distraction from your life. Technology can be great and used for many useful things. However, it also has a way of making our lives busier than ever before. With cell phones, text messaging, emails and more, it's easy for our minds to become so cluttered that we are no longer hearing the still small voice of God speaking to our hearts. I recently made a decision not to get emails through my cell phone. When I first set my phone up to monitor my emails it seemed like a helpful thing, until I became addicted to looking at my cell phone 24/7. When I woke up in the morning the first thing I would do is check my emails. At night before bed, checking emails. During prayer time, checking emails. One day I realized that my relationship with God was being affected. So I decided to simplify and limit my email viewing to my office computer. About a week after not receiving emails through my cell phone I realized my mind was clearer, my prayer time much less disturbed and my spirit more sensitive to God's Spirit. Whatever your clutter may be, clear it out of the way so you can build a strong relationship with God.

A WORD ON BIBLICAL RESTORATION AND HEALING

With the rise and fall of many public figures and Christian ministers, we need to embrace the biblical perspective of accountability and restoration. In a day where it seems biblical standards and morals are being tossed out the window and we are finding our Christian "heroes" aren't as heroic as we thought, we must ask ourselves the question, "What should our response be?" While working through feelings of disappointment, confusion, betrayal, sadness and even anger, we must rise to the occasion and respond in true godliness. I have spoken with several major leaders in the body of Christ, each with different personalities, temperaments and responses. Some say, "Off with their head! It's about time that heretic was exposed!" While others say, "We need to love and embrace and let them know we care." But what does the Bible say? It is clear that a standard of holiness, integrity and accountability needs to be upheld at all costs. But at the same time, our hearts must be for personal restoration in life of the fallen believer. While we uphold truth, we never stop loving, praying and bringing godly correction where needed. Scripture gives us a very clear guideline for our response. Galatians 6:1-5: You should read it. It instructs that those who are spiritual should restore the one in sin without a sense of superiority, lest you also be tempted. It's easy to point a finger. But you always have three pointing back at yourself. We are to help carry one another's troublesome, moral faults and scrutinize our own conduct. Another person's failure should cause you to search your own heart. If it doesn't, that's a good indication that you are operating in spiritual pride.

While we hold a person to a standard of righteousness, we also believe for God to bring restoration through true heartfelt repentance. We need to hold each other accountable in love, not a condemning spirit. Remember, the measure of judgment you give out to others is what will come back to you (Matt. 7:2). That being said, ministers who open doors to the enemy and influence the body of Christ in sinful ways need to sit down and allow God to sort through the issues of their heart. Something needs to be said when a major public figure goes through a time of personal devastation in an area of morality and simply continues on with their public ministry. Something is wrong here folks. Wrong examples are being set and Christians are starting to believe, "well if my spouse doesn't suit me anymore, I will just turn them in for a new one and carry on." Is anybody else shaking their heads in disbelief like I am? I am all for restoration, but there needs to be acknowledgment of wrong first and a sense of heartfelt repentance. Not, "My best days are yet ahead." God help us. We really do need a revival of the fear of the Lord.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Allow the Holy Spirit in this time to search your heart in a new, fresh way. Allow Him to expose any areas of weakness and any open doors or cracks in your foundation. Allow Him to truly deal with the root issues within your heart so the enemy can have no legal access way. As you spend time in His word and presence, I believe many will find healing from past offenses as bitterness and anger are repented of and turned away from. Many of you will find freedom from besetting sins as you take the measures you need to take to cut sin out of your life. Many will find freedom from the devil's lies as your mind is soaked in God's word. Many will find areas of your soul being restored as pains from the past are released and new life enters into you. Total healing and freedom require deep surrender of the heart to God to allow Him into every area. But as God causes your foundation to be solid and your heart to be as pure gold, you will be empowered to carry a new weight of His glory on your lives. Prepare yourself for His coming. Expect Him to draw near in your private prayer time. With a strong foundation of integrity, character and a deep relationship with God, there will be no limits to where God can take you!