This is a follow up to my post “Kicking Against The Pricks” post.
This one is “HOW TO STOP kicking against the pricks” because the Lord laid it on my heart.
It is this challenging and yet simple –
That’s it.
That is all, why are you still reading? Well if you need more you can go to “my acceptance letter” post.
You may not need to, but if The Holy Spirit is really working on you in this area of your spiritual life and pruning your tree like he is continual doing to me you may want or need little more.
If you need more 1st ask God and He will help you. You know He can and will. Sure, He can and will use other people’s, blogs, songs, movies, nature, children, ‘life’ but nothing beats asking Him for wisdom and then paying attention to the life around you, the people around you and situation and stories, even non-christian fictional ones, HE USES all those simple things around us as a mode of transporting to us exactly what we need. Everyday life and encounters and happenings are all part of the process and that is exactly what it is a process, a relationship to be developed and nurtured, grown.
Here is what God gave me, i hope it may help someone else,
“It is hard to fit a well rounded Spiritual life into a square holed institution”
From my past experience i’ve learned it is a real struggle to fit a well rounded Spiritual life into a square hole institution. Institution not to be confused with “Church” for you can not go to Church you are the Church. You live as the body of Christ you don’t ‘attend’.
Also, it takes an immense amount of patience with those who don’t understand why a round peg doesn’t fit into a square hole.
Look, Christ never promised you a rose garden but he did promise and warn us about the thorns, persecution, trials and temptations.
I’ve also developed and i am still trying to mature enough to “ACCEPT that sometimes you have to retreat, not surrender, but step back, take your foot off the gas, regroup before you face another attack, and you will always face another attack, from the enemy and/or from those you thought were on the same side.
Only after you retreat can you then move forward again. As a new friend, Scott E. Strissel, most recently reminded and encouraged me by saying to me, “Blessings on you! Forward into the fray – which is never easy and sometimes dangerous!”
If we can’t move onward then maybe it is time to step back and come apart for a time with JUST Jesus, not meeting with people who claim to be members of His body. “Come apart before you fall apart“, as my dad Ed Bailey always says.
So many times God uses a metaphor or a parable to speak to me more than anything else. My son recently was telling me how when he was learning to be a lifeguard in order to work at Camp Keystone they taught him something that applies to this. He said that when you’re trying to rescue someone if that person struggles and starts to drown you, you have to back away. Leave go! Otherwise, there will be 2 casualties. I said, “Well, what happens to that poor person?” He confirmed, “You may have to let them drown but don’t risk being drowned.”
Not that they don’t want to be rescued and you don’t try to be part of rescuing them but it they are freaking out drowning they are not thinking as clear as when they were when they are breathing oxygen rather than underwater or in between water and air , gasping. So they may not even mean to be pulling you down and not attempting to drown you but they are without even realizing it.
I don’t think it can be any more clear for me, i hope it is for you to.
Pressing On,
Tom “Beetle” Bailey
If this touched your guts go to: Fruit Inspector ?
When I wrote this I still worked at The Salvation Army of Saint Augustine, Florida
That was also my church. Visit the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Salvation-Army-of-Saint-Augustine-204243596357064/timeline/
And if you’re ever in beautiful Saint Augustine, Florida visit
at 1425 Old Dixie Highway Saint Augustine, FL 320884
The Salvation Army is part of the body of Christ (a Christian organization)
I encourage you to visit a Christian Church near you, any denomination or even one that is non-denominational.
When you go make sure that what is preached is also practiced (lived out)
And lines up with God’s Word.
If this post was interesting and you need more in this area of your Spiritual journey GO TO:
“KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKS” https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/kicking-against-the-pricks/
Sometimes ya just need to tell the devil and his demons in The Name and Authority of Jesus Christ the same thing Degarmo and Key share in their song “Rock Solid” (audio posted in comments), “i don’t need your lies, you’re nothing but a thorn in my side, just a wounded snakes looking for children to bite…
My satisfaction comes from Jesus and He is so much better than you.” Demons, go where Jesus tells you to go!
“LET GO” https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/let-go-of-the-little-things/
“TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS” https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/taking-my-foot-off-the-gas-pedal-online-journal-entry/
“MY ACCEPTANCE LETTER” https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/my-acceptance-letter/
OTHER GREAT BLOGS THAT MAY HELP YOU WITH THIS “HOW TO STOP KICKING AGAINST THE PICKS” CHALLENGE:
https://stevesimms.wordpress.com/
Special Thanks to: My wife Rhonda, son Alexx, daughter Kyri, Steve Simms, Scott Strissel, Cadet Gavin Yeatts and Chip Noel
ESPECIALLY to my family and true friends in Christ for being patient with me as i learn and keep learning to accept others as Christ accepts me; when i am a heretic, ‘parasitical’ and pharisaical (like a self-righteous pharisee) let alone lost in sin B.C.
Jesus loves, even me, and so, i love you.
tombeetlebailey 
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Friends, remember if you feel Christ calling you to (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH ANY OR ALL THE WORDS BELOW)
feed the hungry, Visit jails, visit shut ins, visit nursing homes, walk through the neighborhood, pray for the lost as part of a 20 min. prayer meeting. YOU DO IT, even if no one else does, even if anyone else says we don’t need to, they don’t want to or just won’t participate, you DO it even if it is just YOU and JESUS, what more do you need
AND
do not become bitter, just do it and accept the fact that others may not, not your place to judge them it is your place/job/responsibility to do it.
God’s Job is to convict and ultimately judge
Our job is to do what He lays on our hearts and equips (equipts- not sure of that spelling) us to do. (What he sets us up and makes us prepared and gives us the ability to accomplish)
Some are not equipped, mature, ready, or even realize what is and isn’t asked of them BY CHRIST.
Accept that or you will never grow.
There are Spiritual gift resources (books, test, material) available to find out how YOU can personally serve God best according to the gifts you naturally posses. Much like a test or quiz you could take to find out what occupation you would be good for or what career is best for you. (Unlike a Facebook quiz that tells you what Disney Character you are most like)
It is healthy to ask God what HE wants YOU to do and once you find out do it well but don’t spread yourself too thin, leave room and opportunities for others to do somethings, you can not do it all all the time and may need to accept that if you can not do it, because your not gifted to do it well (whatever it is) then it may not get done by those you see around you. Your little Church or your large Church may not do certain ministries (like working with the blind or reaching the skateboarding kids down town) BUT those ministries (services) will be done by the other parts of the body of Christ. If you have a burning desire to reach kid’s on the street or runaways then give it a try or find a church (group of people) who have that same interest. If The Lord keeps laying on your heart to witness to people down town,be a monument or living statue go down town and do it. Don’t worry if you are on your own. Use some caution as i’ve already said in another post, but if you are feeling lead to reach out to single father or stay at home dads then pray and look for opportunities to do that. God will open those doors. Look on line, there might be another person trying to do some of those same things God is calling you to do and they are trying to do it all alone as well. HIS body is everywhere and HE will geter’ done.
You may be asking, “shouldn’t all Christians be doing ALL those things listed above?” Before you answer that question consider that we are all different parts of the body (1 Corinth. 12,Romans 12). And we all have different gifts, if we find out where we are especially gifted and equipt then we can better serve him. If you are not good with children, please let someone else teach the kids in Sunday School. If you are just not good with the elderly let someone else run the “super 60’s seniors club” All i am saying is let us consider each other, consider what we personal should be doing, not just what we enjoy because some of the things that Jesus calls all of us to do are not pleasant to anybody, however, there are some areas you may shine in and others that you just can not do. If your good at speaking, preach. If you are deaf and mute, start signing the message someone else is giving for others who are also deaf and mute.
I have not written this post just for others to possibly read it, i am writing it for the same reason i journal, because i need to hear it, work through it and apply it to my journey in life.
May Jesus heal His body and if parts that should be working are just not doing anything (only 5 people out of 50) then be one of those 5. If it is 1 out of 10 be one of those 10 so on that final day when you are accountable for you you’ll know Christ will say well done. Do SOMETHING for HIM, even if you “feel like” you are the only one doing it and stop feeling that way because you are not alone.
Pray and encourage those who you see are paralyzed or a parasite or have gangrene but do not let them drown you, infect you or cause you to fester and nurture any root of bitterness. If that happens then you and i are just as bad and that very sin will interfere with our relationship, peace and joy we find in JESUS.
Keep your eyes fixed on HIM (Hebrews 12:2).
CHRIST will intervene in some way and on that final day He alone will determine what is what, until then let’s let Him do His job and i (personally) will focus on doing mine (to give Him glory in thought word and deed).
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Thorn in your side?
Kicking against the pricks?
God’s grace is sufficient !
JESUS IS ENOUGH, He forgave us now it is up to us to accept others as He accept us, warts and all.
Forgive us Lord as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
Lord, help us move one, go and sin no more.
EVER FEEL LIKE, “I want to preach the word, LIVE JESUS they want massages (just something that will make them feel all warm and fuzzy inside)…You check chapter and verse, they check their watches? THIS SONG IS FOR YOU, remember who called you, remember who the real enemy is and remember what YOUR call (what shoes YOU are to wear) and let Jesus sort out and determine who’s fruit is worthy. PRESS ON in spite of the other sheep for those may not be sheeps brothers and sisters, they may be goats.
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Within the 1st 6 min. of this audio The Holy Spirit says things through His word and Chip Ingram that we all need to hear to heal and STOP kickin’
For Audio go to: How To Be A Christian without being religious -TRUE Integruity
(http://player.subsplash.com/5ba198b)
This is just part of a larger picture painted by the ministry of Chip Ingram and Living On The Edge
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Sometimes we do need to KICK against those who are suppose to be bearing His name.
BUT LEARN HOW TO KICK (follow Jesus’ example with the religious people of His day) then for His sake and His glory learn how to Stop kicking.
Remembering Jesus was and is a radical
Remember the times he was sarcastic and said, “you’re straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel.” “The outside of the cup is clean but the inside is filthy”
Remember Religious leaders being called white washed tombs?
Come on now, take a stand for Christ and all that is right but remember, always remember HE is the judge and HE, not us will make it all right in the end:
1 Co. 4:5
So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
Wait it out, pray, STAND but also kneel and accept others.
Pray for those who seem to prey on you.
Be careful for wolves in sheep clothing.
Reject the lies & opinions of others as you accept the truth and facts found and measured only by HIS solid word.
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It takes a little bit of understanding, let’s join together and fight the real enemy.
I’m not just like you, a brother doesn’t judge a brother, can we all agree that is true?
Time to stop looking for the devil in others and in the world and seek out Christ and keep our eyes so fixed on Jesus that everything else grows strangely dim.
May Jesus help us to STOP kicking. Move on and grow.
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Standing like a rock
Some of the lyrics, “i don’t need your lies, your nothing but a thorn in my side, just a wounded snakes looking for children to bite…
My satisfaction comes from Jesus and He is so much better than you.”
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Hebrews 12:2
“2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”
…Study how he did it.
…he never lost sight of where he was headed
…he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever
Below is from the comment section of Alexx’s blog post (https://lexbailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/disincentive/comment-page-1/#comment-291 )
For the 1st time in my life God is really working on getting me (changing me) in the area of truly accepting other people. It is easy to accept sinners, not so easy to accept saints living like sinners and i realize ironically i am suppose to KICK against that but at the same time i am suppose to STOP kickin’ and let Jesus handle it. I am finding myself in a real oxymoronic state but the confusion is fading and Christ is helping me see and understand, apply and live pleasing to HIM with much less of a pain in the neck. Slowly but surely thorn in my side is not hurting so much any more.
Living for Him and focusing on HIM.
Do my best pray that it is blessed and He’ll take care of the rest https://youtu.be/Vhxzwp6h_TI Keith Green Song “He’ll take care of the rest”
I’ve always said, “He died for me and I’ll Live for HIm” and now another oxymoron but i am learning
“He lived for me i’ll die for HIM”
KILLING MY OLD MAN,
i am taking “THE PLEDGE”
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It is important to know, contrary to what you may believe, “Nothing others do is because of you.”
I love/hate that and it took a while to wrap my brain around it. We influence and are influenced but ultimately we use our own free will to choose what we do or do not do.
This is taken from part of a post i did on Suicide (https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/where-did-this-fog-come-from/comment-page-1/#comment-274)
You’ve heard it said, “that job or person drove me to drink” or “that person made me lose my mind!”
Don Miguel Ruiz came up with 4 agreements and although i may not agree with everything Don Ruiz says i can measure these 4 agreements along with the “Truth” i know.
1. Practice Integrity (Be impeccable with your word)
2. Don’t take anything personally
3. Don’t make assumptions (even those based on history or past experiences)
4. Always do your best.
Need more? I did.
(Go to: https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/you-made-me-do-it/)
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This whole album is good and many songs on it are applicable to this same subject but this song particularly is perfect:
If you like this style of music or if you like the sustainer (Christ) more than this container (1970 rock n roll) Youtube more of “Jerusalem” (The Band) “Volume 1” (Album)
My fav. by them is their album “Warrior” and this song fits this topo of kiickin and not kick against the pricks perfect!
It’s mad that they don’t understand all that God has planned, it’s MAD!”
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INDEX: https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/oooookicking-and-not-kicking-against-the-pricks/
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I put this same comment under the “Kicking Against The Pricks” post because The Holy Spirit really spoke to my heart when i’ve read through Matt. 13. He really helped weed my garden and remove some rocks and any bitterness that is trying to take root…. ONE DAY I REALIZED WEEDS AROUND A SAPLING ARE NOT GOOD FOR IT BUT THAT TREE IS GROWING AND MATURING AND THE WEEDS MIXED WITH GRASS WON’T BE ABLE TO CHOKE IT OUT THE MORE MATURE IT GETS.
I guess it is up to us to decide what environment we grow best in and avoid environments with NO sun, not shade or shadows… hmmmm God knows exactly how much of what is needed and as long as HE is the source and i keep my focus on HIM and depend fully on Him i think i am going to be o.k. and continue to grow as He wants, sad that it may not be what friends, family, or others want but when it comes down to it when i go to meet my maker i want HIM so say HE is pleased and that is all that really matters. Lord Jesus help my to swipe left on everything else!
Mt. 13 starting around verse 42 talks about some of those weeds, ” thistles” Thorns in the rose garden i was never promised. The Bible says….They (the true pricks, thistles, thorns) are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. 43 At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father. “Are you listening to this? Really listening?
back up to Mt. 13:40 “The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, 42 pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. (SWIPE LEFT!) but note who’s job that is to do the harvesting and the final shifting… CHRIST, The God of Angel’s Army and HIS Angels, not us humans, still dealing with our own “earth suit issues” https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/earth-suits/
I am learning to say to myself, “that’s not my job man!” and focus on doing that i am urged to do.
If the shoe fits, wear it and i am now just wearing my own shoes, not comparing other’s shoes and how nice or dirty or shiny they are, just focusing on wearing my own two shoes! https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/free-shoe-giveaway-acquire-inquire-within-our-souls/
Walking on, fully appreciating prayer and prayers put into action by other encouraging believers.
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GALATIANS 6:1 Doing Good to All
” Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
“YOU without sin throw the first stone…” is how Jesus put it.
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I put this video/music at the end of several post in the comment section because even the first few words say so much.
This is by the band “Styx”
Do you hear what i hear, the world crying out to see real authentic Jesus lived out faithfully by people they they know?
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Degarmo & Key – Hand In Hand Music Video
Music
“Hand In Hand” by Degarmo & Key (iTunes • AmazonMP3)
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Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
2 Timothy 2:22-26 MSG
http://bible.com/97/2ti.2.22-26.MSG
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I’m realizing God doesn’t need quality control.
He will handle who is in His body, how they function & how they don’t function.
If the main ‘pastor’ is not bearing fruit We are to still bear fruit, he is not our source & if too much manure is stunting ones growth, get Outta there…it is ok. It is hard to leave the church you may feel a connection with but sometimes we got to leave & go on.
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In Ephesians 4:29, the Apostle Paul says , “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” In other words – we should attack problems and issues, not people.
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Trust THE LORD. He will step in, not just to seperate the sheep from the goat but to set things right with all of the sheep.
Go to post, “HEAD BUTT” 👉http://wp.me/p6Exj2-2lY👈
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