Leonard Sweet

Leonard Sweet on reading scripture and seeing people as a whole

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Be Open

Just some things I've noticed. We Christians, mostly on the evangelical side of the spectrum, although I find myself more and more moving away from that label for myself, are more closed off to the world than we will admit. Honestly, it feels like we're fearful of contradictory worldviews, doctrines, or even opinions from tribes other than our own. What are we afraid of? It seems many of us are very unsure of our beliefs. Deep down we know that too often we believe what we believe because it's what we've been told to believe. Our beliefs become integrated into our identity, and we naturally resist the possibility of those foundational changes. That is hard for everyone, but if we adopt a new normal that change is normal, we may just grow and learn more. This is something we don't want to talk about, but we must. We need to learn to tolerate some spiritual insecurity and hold loosely to our beliefs. Only then can we have beneficial conversation around these issues an
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What are you praying for?

What are you praying for? We should know what we need to prayer about. That should be in the forefront of our minds. Start your day asking the Lord to help you be kind, extend grace to other, and practice patience. It too easy for our focus to shift during the day. We need the Holy Spirit to keep reminding us to live and respond to each moment God's way, not our own. Be open and prayerful. Let God remind you as many times as is needed. Say "Yes Lord" every time and make the adjustment for the 100th time if necessary. Don't give up until you reflect the fruit of the Spirit in that situation or conversation. Live with a sense of awareness to what God desires throughout your day. That is how we move forward and honor the Lord with our lives.
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Right or Wrong

It seems these days most people just want to prove they are right. Our identity and pride, built on the surety of our beliefs, needs the constant validation. We have difficulty making room for real examination and questions. Most things are not as right or wrong as we think they are. Truth is progressive and eternal. We can be confident we know the truth as much as we understand truth, but there is always a lot we don't know and don't yet understand. Even what we do know needs to be continually yielded to examination by the Holy Spirit (Ps. 139:23-24). God has made a dwelling place for us where we can grow and experience truth. I know the Father loves me not just because I read it in the Bible, but because I can experience that truth and live in it every day.  "I'd rather be wrong trying to do the right thing than think I'm right while doing the wrong thing."
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