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| Dudley Anderson |
The e-Devotional helping to keep you on-track
Published through www.godtracker.co.uk
22 July 2016
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God-tracking Through the Year - year two
By Dudley Anderson
The second in the series of 52 weekly readings to help keep you on track with the plans of God.
NOW AVAILABLE VIA http://godtracker.co.uk/book.html
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Dear God-tracker
GOD-TRACKING IS GUARDING OUR TONGUES AGAINST A QUICK CRITICAL BARB
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works
American comedian, George Burns said, “Too bad the only people who know how to run this country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair.” We smile but it’s true! Criticism is a disease that has crept into every echelon of society. But it’s nothing new.
Paul the apostle was a man of integrity, called of God to preach the Good news to the Gentiles. He was a Jew – a “Hebrew of Hebrews” – and yet God gave Paul a message for the non-Jews of his time. This, however, raised many eyebrows within his own camp. As a result, Paul was criticised and condemned by his Christian brothers. I thank God for Paul’s resolve to not allow this criticism to affect his work. He continued to do what God had called him to do, believing that the Holy Spirit had called and equipped him to do it. God watched over his Word to Paul, who became one of the pillars of the Christian Faith. Eventually his critics had to admit that Paul was fulfilling God’s purposes with power and integrity.
In my few humble years of life as a Christian, active in my local church, it has never ceased to amaze me how loving, caring children of God can raise each other’s hopes and dreams to the ground through unmerited criticism. All too often jealous selfish ambition is disguised as well-meaning advice. (The Bible is clear about selfish ambition: where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.) But a heart intent on humbly and selflessly seeking God’s purposes in grace and meekness will bring words of peace, encouragement and gentle godly rebuke instead of criticisms. And such words can only emanate from prayer. As someone once said, “Don't put people down, unless it's on your prayer list.”
I used to be an extremely critical person. I’d criticise the performance of my co-workers, my pastor and, sadly, even my own family. One day my Christian boss called me into his office and came straight to the point, “Dudley, you need to stop being such a critical person!” I was stunned. I never realised I was critical. I asked God’s help to change my ways.
My encouragement to us today is, let’s seek to build each other up, stirring one another to love and good works. Let’s think twice before opening our mouths to offer criticism, especially of our leaders! Remember, a soft answer turns away wrath and soothes troubled waters.
God-tracking is guarding our tongues against a quick critical barb.
Blessings
Dudley
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Philippians 3:4-11
Galatians 2:1-10
James 3:13-18
Proverbs 15:1-2
Don’t Give Up, Look Up!
Thank you for your grace and strength to help me only encourage folk in their Christian walk, from now on
Pray
“O Lord, I apologise for having a critical spirit. I am sorry for hurting people by my selfish comments. I pray that you will remove any offence that I have caused by my snide remarks. I pray for your help in overcoming this critical attitude I have. Help me to always weigh my words very carefully before I comment on someone’s performance. Help me to have a meek and humble heart, filled with love, before I offer any advice again. Thank you for your grace and strength to help me only encourage folk in their Christian walk, from now on. Amen.”
If you want prayer, please email me at dudley@godtracker.co.uk
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What is trACker?
GodTracker and trACker owe their origins to an international Christian radio programme produced by Dudley Anderson called, On Track. Although On Track went off-air in 2005, trACker has continued to help people to track God's plans and purposes for their lives since July 2003.
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