WILL YOU HELP THIS MINISTRY TO THE ELDERLY?

As a Workplace Chaplain, criss-crossing the State of Texas, one of the places I find myself doing the lion's share of face-to-face ministry lately is among the elderly in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities and Retirement Communities. The past few months, I have felt led to conduct a 7-week Bible Study with groups of Seniors, focusing on topics of greatest interest to those who live there.

Today, I began recording these messages. I felt led to call the series "Senior Moments."

I hope you will forward this ministry resource to all the retired and elderly people you know. Please include anyone you know who works with our aging population, too. Nurses, Housekeepers, Veterans, Red Hat Members, Senior Centers... will you be my boots on the ground in those places? I cannot do this alone. Why not forward this message, by eMail or by printing and posting somewhere, to anyone you know, age 65 and over? 

IMPORTANT: Just because these recording are entitled "Senior Moments" does NOT mean the Spirit can't bless whosever takes a few minutes to listen. Could that include YOU?

Thank you for passing this message along!

Every  blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work

"As it was in the days of Noah..."

I officiated a beautiful outdoor wedding Saturday night. Though I could not attend the rehearsal, the report I received from the bride regarding the behavior of the wedding party that night was they were so disruptive, the engaged couple almost walked out! Imagine my surprise when the groom showed up at the ceremony with his asthmatic, tuxedo-clad boxer dog on which he'd placed a doggy tuxedo while holding his leash during the vows. Big crowd, expensive venue. Great catered affair with a DJ, a bar and a dance floor.

As a minister who loves to officiate weddings, I often wonder why so much more is invested in weddings than in marriages. Frankly, the greatest problem with today's married couples is so very few are engaged in the process. While having my teeth cleaned at the dentist yesterday, I was informed by the gal cleaning my teeth that she and her husband of over two decades had divorced since my last visit. 

It's rampant.

Even the Great Flood of Genesis was preceded by four generations of prophets and preachers warning of the coming judgment: Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and, of course, Noah.  “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,” (Matthew 24:38). 

Hmmmm. In Noah’s day - just as it is today - there were plenty of weddings and warnings, but no preparedness. Why? Because the people didn't take heed. They probably mocked him, became angry with him for cramping their style. They may have accused him of 'judging' them. Perhaps they even called him a "Prepper" for building an ark when it had never previously rained upon the earth. Likewise, most of the Church today has reduced their faith to two things: 1) Church attendance and 2) Trying to be seen doing good things. Dead works at best; God is not impressed. Warnings are being given but are so rarely heeded.

In a recent NewsWithViews.com article, Dr. Patrick Johnston wrote: 

Listen up religious conservatives: God is a greater threat to American liberty than Obama. As news spreads on the front pages of newspapers all over the country that hundreds of thousands of people have added their names to online petitions encouraging the secession of every state in the union since Obama was re-elected, and as the number of signatures grow exponentially, let’s keep the true cause of our loss of liberties at the forefront of our minds. Just because our freedoms and prosperity began dwindling dramatically when Obama took office, it does not mean that Obama is the principle cause.

Why is God a greater threat to American liberty than Obama? There are three sins that repeatedly are mentioned in the Bible as reasons God punishes and destroying nations:

1. the shedding of innocent blood, 
2. the toleration of sodomy, and 
3. idolatry.

Judgments are pronounced in Scripture, not only against the nation of Israel – the “apple of God’s eye” – but also Gentile nations (Jeremiah 18:7-10). Nations that slaughter as many people as our nation has – almost 55 million since Roe v. Wade legalized abortion-on-demand – deserve tyranny. When we promote the toleration of sodomy at taxpayer expense to our nation’s public school children, in our federal and state bureaucracy policies, and in allowing tens of thousands of sodomites to march the city streets at annual gay pride parades (they march nude in Columbus, Ohio) – we deserve tyranny. Nations where the public proclamation of God’s law and Jesus’ lordship in our courthouses and schoolhouses can get you sued, expelled from your teaching position, or booted out of office – such nations deserve tyranny.

Tyranny is a beast worthy to be feared, but if you fear tyranny more than you fear God, you’ve not identified the proper cause of the threat to your liberty and you’re consuming the wrong remedy. You’re like an athlete who’s running the race in the wrong direction. You’re like a patient with a diabetic foot infection eating donuts to make his infection go away.

Now, I am a man who daily praises God for His immeasurable grace, His unmerited favor and His un-earnable forgiveness. But I also understand we will reap as we've sown... and we've sown LOADS of bad seeds. The Bible says we will be marrying and giving in marriage. Today, we're marrying and divorcing multiple times each. Malachi 2:16 “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence.” I contend this has greatly contributes to America's societal breakdown: no commitment, no love. The nation is only as strong as The Church and The Church is only as strong as its families.

Genesis 6:11-12 says, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” Today, our world is constantly threatened by terrorism. We even have hate crimes, drive by shootings, mothers killing their own infant children, parents killing their children, children killing parents... demonic, unrestrained behavior is the fodder of the nightly news. It’s lawlessness. There's less fear of God than there is being pegged as "intolerant." In Israel’s apostasy at the end of the Book of judges, just as in our society today, “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” People go to suicide because they have no hope. Euthanasia is becoming an accepted alternative. Light is called darkness and darkness is light. President Clinton's sex scandal had no affect on his popularity.  People don't care. To point fingers would only make them guilty of the same behavior. These days, we vote for whoever gives us the most that will keep or make us comfortable.

Joel 3:19 says, “Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom a desolate wilderness, because of violence against the people of Judah, for they have shed innocent blood in their land. In Jeremiah 22:17 we read, “Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence.” Innocent blood can be those of age and those without ever seeing the outside of the womb. I'm attending a Crisis Pregnancy dinner tonight; fifty million babies are aborted worldwide each year - 137,000 every day! The land is defiled by blood and we have brough upon ourselves a curse. Alcohol kills 65,000 people a year, 22,000 on the highway. A hopeless people, we are turning to anything we believe might ease our pain only to discover it only hastens our death.

Luke 17:28, 29 reads: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built... but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven..." What took place in the days of Lot that deserved this kind of judgment?

(Genesis 13:13) “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.” The people gave themselves over to blatant sexual sin. They were homosexuals, pedophiles, adulterers and engaged in any thing their wicked heart desired. It became a normal thing in their cities to live in this way. Truth is, every one of the world's great empires fell soon after they embraced these abhorrent sex practices.

What does God say about violence? Psalms 11:5, “The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence.” It also says “all those who love death hate me."

Video arcades are filled with death-themes. Like Romans in the Coliseum, today's entertainment is filled with violence.  We can't blame Hollywood! Because Followers of Jesus did not speak out and lift up a standard, they kept cranking out what we, apparently, had no problem watching. From Hollywood's perspective – because so few complained - it's good business to promote entertainment filled with murder, sex and violence. At this point, our entertainment has permeated our culture.

The storm clouds are gathering in the distance. We're seeing the days of Noah manifesting before our eyes. Noah knew rain was coming, having heeded God's warning. He, too, watched as dark clouds gathered. We have been provided with our own ark: it's the Gospel of the Kingdom. This Gospel must be proclaimed loud and clear in this hour!

“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147:11)

Let's cry out for mercy upon nation. Let's return to our first love.

Let's REPENT!

Every blessing,

 Michael Tummillo

 Founder, The Church @ Work

Thanksgiving Dinner: A Spiritual Perspective

Everyone has their own spiritual and motivational gifts. In The Church world, we tend to think of those standing behind the pulpit, or having written the best-selling books, as having the most important gifts. "Surely it's not me because they're up there and I'm down here." 

While Ephesians 4:11 refers to the Apostles, Prophets, Preachers, Teachers and Evangelists, I'd like to focus on a gift every bit as important as any of those.

YOURS!

The way I see it, if you have a job, you have a ministry.

If you're elderly and in a nursing home, you have a ministry.

If you're the head of a corporation, you have a ministry.

If you have a pulse, you have a ministry.

You see, the world doesn't need another ministry, another church building. 

They don't need another Baptist, Catholic,Methodist or Presbyterian. 

The world could do with one less Christian song on the radio. 

In fact, the world could do without Religion.

The world could even do without Christmas. 

What the world needs desperately is Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory. Since the very same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead DWELLS IN YOU (Romans 8:11), bear in mind that God desires to use your words, your actions, your finances, your very existence as an "epistle read by all men." As Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." People are watching us. They are not impressed with our church attendance and elaborate church buildings. They rank Evangelists way up there with used car salesmen, in fact. I've even had people verbally attack ME for doing my ministry "for the money." 

Laughable. If they only knew.

This Thanksgiving Day, if you find yourself cooking turkey dinner for a house full, try and see it differently. Consider those in attendance to be your congregation and your dining room as their sanctuary. Without saying a word - simply by serving and loving those gathered at your table - you are their minister. What you're doing is no different than the fish Jesus cooked His Disciples for breakfast while they were fishing after His crucifixion. Perhaps you're in the kitchen of a Salvation Army, at a banquet hall, or a mess tent. You are a servant, just as Jesus was.

Obviously, by taking this line of thinking to its logical extension, you can easily make application for everything you do, from changing diapers to running a corporation. From leading a battalion to teaching 1st graders. Whether your wearing a fireman's coat or a nurse's scrubs, a business suit or greasy coveralls, these are nothing less than the camouflage uniform of a soldier in the Lord's Army. 

Your weapon? As with Moses' staff, it's whatever you have in your hand. In my own life, it wasn't until I surrendered my used computer, my one-finger typing ability, my broken heart and an incurable spinal disease that I found myself truly satisfied with my life and saw what truly effective ministry looks like.

As I see it, we have two choices: 1) Do everything with all our heart, mind and strength as unto the Lord, thereby receiving a peace that passes all understanding and an unspeakable joy, or 2) Do everything for our own benefit, expecting something different while doing the same thing we've been doing for years perhaps. 

How's that workin' any way?

Make this year's Thanksgiving feast the most blessed, HAPPY, gathering yet. It all begins with our perception of the occasion, whether it's a Holiday or a work day.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work

Are YOU being sexually tempted?

I was amazed last night when, during the local news, a survey was taken asking viewers if they ever felt tempted to have an affair. By a large majority, the answer was overwhelmingly “YES!”

In my lifetime, I have heard at least three men assert that it was “OK” for a married man to have a female as a best friend.

All three are divorced now.

Over the years, the Holy Spirit has revealed to me some “Manhood Tips” to be used during my interactions with people of the opposite sex. As a former Singles Pastor at a large church, I've taught many people what you're about to read. I believe God not only revealed these to me for my own good, but so that I could use these tips while discipling others.

With so many high-profile people making the headlines lately as a result of their sexual sins, I feel now's a good time to elaborate on this subject. I can not believe how much time is being spent on our so-called leaders' inability to keep their pants on.

Adultery. Extramarital affairs. Families torn apart. Hearts broken. Shameful!

You may not agree with everything you read here. All I can say is, “This has worked for me!” If we want something different than what we have, we must start doing something we haven't previously done.

Here we go:

SUCCESSFULLY SINGLE

Dating is a false environment. It's a job interview. Few people act like themselves on a date. Why would they? They want the job!

As Christians, we should be careful with our words and our actions. Supposedly, our mission is about advancing God's Kingdom. Sitting with another individual over a meal is a great way to share our testimony and edify the other individual as we dine. That IS our first order of business, isn't it? It should be. Unfortunately, far too many Christians do exactly what they observe the world doing, showering the other person with compliments, mixed with flirting, soft brushing of hands, and trying to impress with our own accomplishments. Ultimately, far too often, couples wind up alone, perhaps at one of their apartments, and a physical relationship begins, muddying the waters and eliminating anything spiritual as they bow to the carnal.

Sorry, older folks, but that's the standard procedure today.

Rather than gazing into each other's eyes, the whole world revolving around “US” while romantic music plays in the background, why not stand shoulder to shoulder as part of a warring army, our mission being all about “HIM” and His Kingdom?

How about getting to know one another while involved with a group and at public events where friends are present. It's called accountability. I can recall an evening when two singles knocked on our door. They said they were alone that night and thought it best to go pop-in on some friends.

Admirable.

COMPLIMENTS

Society says it's acceptable for people to pay a compliment to those of the other gender. Well, how's that working? There's a right and a wrong way to do everything. The Holy Spirit has shown me how, even though it's encouraging to be told your hairstyle looks nice or a dress is pretty, a better approach is to say “That's a pretty dress” rather than “Wow! You look hot!”

See the difference? Words are powerful, folks. Speak carefully.

CLOTHES CAPTIONED

Just because you may have it, does NOT mean you should flaunt it. Again, this simply is NOT working.

How are you dressing? From work-out clothes to business attire to swimwear, what is your motivation for wearing that? Whether it's your undergarments (or lack thereof), or the cologne you put on, ask yourself why – or for whom – you are doing so. Are you wearing that as unto the Lord? I admire how my wife will not wear anything that reveals too much. I appreciated a coworker who, whenever she was seated and I was standing, would lay her palm on her chest to obscure any revealing angles. She would do the same when she bent over to pick things up. I was grateful and all that more respectful of her for doing so. She was edifying me – strengthening my spiritual walk – and never even knew it.

David gazed at Bathsheba. Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

TOUCHY FEELY

Be careful little hands how you touch!

I'm amazed how touchy-feely some people are, and how often signals are mis-read. I'm a hugger, but I'm careful HOW I hug. Chest-to-chest hugs between the sexes are not encouraged. If a hug is necessary at all, an embrace with one arm around the shoulder is best. Kissing isn't really necessary among opposite sexes outside of marriage, sorry.

When it comes to eye-contact, be careful there, too. Body language can speak volumes.

If you're rolling your eyes at this point, all I can say to that is, “How's the alternative workin' for ya?” Folks, it's NOT!

DOING LUNCH

If lunch with another woman is absolutely necessary (it usually isn't), I do three things: Invite my wife, make sure it's OK with her, and let her know with whom and where. If the woman is married, I'll make sure her husband knows. Even when sending email to a married woman, I'll “CC” her spouse whenever possible. God showed me to do this through the example set by Dr. James Dobson, Billy Graham and Chuck Swindoll as well as a book entitled “Hedges.”

It works.

TRAVELING

I do everything I can to let my wife know when I'm leaving for someplace and when I arrive, no matter where I go. She does the same with me. It's not only about accountability, but it's about safety these days. If either of us were ever abducted, harmed, has car trouble or an accident on the road, we could tell Law Enforcement officials where our spouse was calling from and at what time.

KEEP THE HOMEFIRES BURNING

A person who's happy at home is less likely to allow anything to jeopardize that. This is where understanding your spouse's “Love Language” reaps dividends. Just because YOU like back rubs doesn't mean they wouldn't rather have a really bad poem you wrote. I love hot baths but, after several attempts, my wife finally admitted she can't stand them!

I suggest reading Gary Chapman's “5 Love Languages” together and, on occasion, attending a marriage conference together. Go on a weekly date! You have everything to GAIN by doing so. Building into your relationship is not unlike putting on the full armor of God.

Before you go thinking I'm perfect, let me explain to you what a soul-tie is. This is a sharing of one's mind, will and emotions. There are godly as well as ungodly soul-ties. We should discern good from bad and resist those that will not benefit anything but our emotions or our flesh for the moment. Before I knew any better, I was creating soul ties with women in the workplace for years, even after I was married. And it cost me.

Be careful out there. The nation is only as strong as The Church and The Church is only as strong as its families.

Infidelity is tearing us apart.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work

Dip from your own well and lift that countenance!

Wow! The re-election of President Obama has many who did NOT support him licking their wounds the past few days. I've heard from quite a few who said they were depressed, angry and that a "heaviness" had fallen over their community while Sodomites, Baby-Killers and Dope Smokers reveled.

A few days ago, after I had broadcast a message reminding people to pray for the President, I received 'thank you' messages from more people than I can recall having ever received messages, most who seemed to appreciate the reminder. Today, American business is reacting, with long lists of well-known companies feeling forced to begin massive lay-offs immediately.

Even Joel Richardson writes, "In the afterglow of Obama’s victory, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Ayatollah Khamenei, Vladimir Putin and Chris Matthews, as well as millions of pot-heads, sodomites, pro-aborts and all common moochers, are sharing a collective thrill. The American people by a clear majority have rejected fiscal responsibility, energy independence, national security, border security, traditional family values, and worst of all, standing with the most defenseless and innocent among us."

In my opinion, it's always best to come against Oppressive Spirits with an Opposite Spirit. When the Scripture encourages us to "give thanks at all times," some might be wondering how that would be humanly possible when their Candidate lost.  Well, I ran across a video by Pastor Carl Gallup this afternoon. It was a "True or False" ditty and I thought it made sense. I pray it blesses you... no matter WHO you voted for!

TRUE or FALSE. The day after the election, no matter WHO had won the election...

...Jesus is still your King!

...your responsibilities as a Follower of King Jesus remain EXACTLY the same?

...the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the souls of others through the Gospel - NOT through legislation.

...your primary citizenship will be the Kingdom of God. Heaven is your home!

...the unchanging Word of God is still the unchanging Word of God.

...the tomb of Jesus is still empty!

...Jesus Christ - NOT the government - is still where salvation is found.

...our children will still be more concerned about spending time with their parents in their own home than who is sitting in the WHite House.

...the only way to see abortion overturned will be by winning others to a higher way of life through the Gospel.

...the only way to see homosexual marriage defeated will still be by winning others to a Biblical view of marriage through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

...your retirement - and anything you have in the bank - still won't match the treasures stored up for you in Heaven.

..."Jesus Christ is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the universe.

...you can still be at peace knowing God is in control and still has a plan.

Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work

Winners and Losers: Hey, half the nation was bound to have backed the wrong guy.

Well, the election is over. As that 4-year old girl said through her tears, "Bronco Bama" was the winner. I've already received several eMails and phone calls on the outcome. All Romney-ites. 

Now, I voted for Romney, too. As I've stated in previous posts, my vote was cast NOT because I thought he had a snowball's chance of righting this sinking Titanic - that's too big a job for any mere mortal - but, frankly, because I felt his Mormon survivalist nature would trickle down and cause more Americans to embrace Personal Preparedness as disasters increase all over the planet. 

Just being honest!

In my heart of hearts, I always felt Obama would win. Despite all the negatives of his first term, I believe he IS the "chosen one" for such a time as this. 

Isn't it obvious? He won. God is much more concerned about our nation's character than our comfort. Once we are driven to our knees in repentance, we will see a revival that permeates every facet of society - the Seven Mountains, they've been called, including the Government. At this point, most Christians need to be "vived" before we can ever expect revival.

If having Obama in the oval office causes Christians to pray more than they did previously, mission accomplished. 

If having Obama as President causes people to seek God's face more than ever, that's a good thing. 

Till then, we are directed to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. 

We are instructed to "be anxious for nothing." 

We are taught to "pray without ceasing and give thanks at ALL times."

There, I said it. Do I believe God is wringing His hands over an Obama win? 

Hardly. 

No more than He was wringing His hands over Saul who was persecuting The Church. All it takes is one motivated, repentant, interceding-on-scabby-knees Church to cause our newly re-elected President to experience his own Damascus Road encounter with Jesus, after which, he would be forever changed. (TIP: Pray for Obama's benefit, NOT for what he can do for you). We are, after all, directed to "pray for those in authority" (like 'em or not!). We are barreling toward the so-called "fiscal cliff" at break-neck speed and the Prez could REALLY use some wisdom right about now. Pray for unity, too, because Obama only possesses 1/3 of our government's branches. If only for your own good, pray as if Obama's success depended upon YOU, personally. 

Already, according to FoxNews this morning, "After the opening bell, Wall Street is dropping deep into the red as traders’ focus shifts from the U.S. elections to the looming fiscal cliff. The Dow is down 180 points, or 1.4%, while the broader S&P 500 is down slightly more on a percent basis. Every major sector is in negative territory, led by the telecommunications, energy and financial sectors." 

So, allow me to congratulate you on your newly re-elected Government Employee. He and his family need your prayers and, I am sure, they would appreciate them.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work

Overcoming Sin-Consciousness

It never ceases to amaze me.

God-fearing, Jesus-loving Christ-followers around the world are so quick to label this or that thing as "sin." Even though Scripture clearly points out we have been forgiven, those sins are forgotten, and that we have been justified. 

1 Samuel 16:7 clearly points out that while man looks at the outside, God looks at the heart. What was this verse in reference to? It was God's words to the prophet regarding the little shepherd boy, David, who would one day be the King of Israel. David, as you may recall, was selected over all of Jesse's big, strong sons. 

David? King?! Didn't God know David would one day spill the blood of thousands? Didn't He know David would one day become a conspirator and an adulterer? Surely the prophet Samuel had the wrong guy. Right?

Wrong. Of course he knew. But God was looking at David's HEART. Sure, King David took the bait and did some “bad” things. Don't we all? We say ungodly things, do ungodly things, think ungodly things, eventually act them out when we get the chance, hoping we aren't "caught." 

Trying not to sin is not unlike, for instance, trying NOT to picture a clear glass bowl filled with green and red M&M's. Go on, try it.

Next time you do that thing you hate doing, or next time you fail to do something you feel you should be doing, ask yourselves, "Who labeled that a sin?" Undoubtedly, the answer will be something like, "my Church, my pastor, my parents, my wife."

You see, the people who point fingers and accuse - human beings who also needed a Savior -  are typically focused upon two things which, in general, define their own faith: 1) Going to church services and 2) "Being good."

That pretty much sums up most people's definition of Christianity.

These Christian accusers are in bondage to Sin Consciousness and are quick to judge you according to their own standard (typically, it boils down to church attendance and being good). Like Jesse, they, too, are looking ONLY at the outside and NOT at the heart. Sadly, making things worse, when an unbelieving world sees us fall, we are ridiculed and scorned and the cause of Christ for which we said we lived, becomes irrelevant in their eyes and we are marginalized.

Many of should grasp the theology presented in Romans 14. Here Paul uses the example of formerly unclean food to point out how different people at different stages of maturity in their faith will yoke themselves to different observances. 

"Some Christians may still find eating certain foods as unclean while others have no problems eating those foods, or one group may uphold a holiday over another, but it is not required for us to all believe the same or become  yoked to the same beliefs.  However, in order to edify those who believe differently, we are not to violate the observances of our fellow Christians lest they stumble.  It's a matter of how firmly one is yoked to a belief in contrast to another."

I believe Paul is encouraging us to not yoke ourselves to manmade, legalistic traditions and dogmas as much as we can, but not to offend those who are more legalistic so that the body of Christ is edified. It's not unlike telling an adult not to get upset over a child who is still learning to walk. As that child grows up and becomes stronger, behaviors will change. Our job is simply to love, serve, edify that child, picking him up and encouraging him when he falls.

I hope you are not one of those who goes around keeping a record of wrongs, deciding who is a "real" Christian and what is or is not a sin. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty; there's no freedom in a life lived in bondage to Sin Consciousness, always trying to determine who is sinful, who is good and who is bad. If you aren't sure if that's you, ask yourself if you truly love the person, or people, in question. Ask if they are showing any fruitful evidence of the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling and living through their lives. If your standard is whether they attend an institutional church and whether they are good or bad, that standard is NOT the standard modeled by Jesus. 

Paul wrote (1 Cor 10): “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, This has been offered in sacrifice, then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake, the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God, even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." 

I believe if we live our lives attempting to be all things to all people so that we might win some, motivated by a heart filled with love and the purpose of introducing others to Christ in us, the Hope of glory, we will either be sought after or attacked. Jesus was our example of that.  The focus should not be on how good or bad we are, but our own growth in faith and in our knowledge of Jesus. Stop grading your progress.

I know a woman who was a prostitute and porn actress. High on drugs, with alcohol in her glass, alone, she would read the Bible. For many years since, her minstry has been to rescue those trapped within that industry. Thank God no Sin-Conscious Christians were around heaping condemnation on her lifestyle while the Spirit was working on her!

Remember, because of Jesus, you are the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). In other words, when God sees you, He sees Jesus and the potential to do what He empowered you to do. We have been justified ONLY by His grace, not because of any seemingly “good” thing we might have done.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work