Shalom all

Romans 14

I was talking to my dad on the phone this morning (my flesh dad) and he is a Southern Freewill Baptist.
We have had many discussions about scripture and clearly see differently on MANY subjects. I am aware of his stance on most of them.

When I was talking to him this morning the subject of meat offered unto idols came up and I wanted to say something along the lines of eating clean and unclean meat but we have had the discussion before and I know that his stance is the new testament says ALL meat is clean and the dietary laws of leviticus are passed away.

I saw something inside of me that wanted to say my views ANYWAY even though I knew exactly how he would respond.
I resisted that urge.

Therin, I realized there is no excuse to have more than one argument with someone. When we are having a discussion about a subject and both sides have established their stand and they are not in agreement then the subject never needs to be discussed again unless one person decides to reconsider their position and inquires of the other regarding their belief. But to bring up a subject or answer a subject when I already know their position is not pursuing peace or edification (Rom 14:19)

Then as we closed our conversation I had a prompting to pray in agreement with my dad concerning my brother, Bill. I often open my prayers in Hebrew or at the least address my heavenly Father as YHWH and close my prayers in the name of YHUShO Ha Mashiach (Yahusha the Messiah) but as I closed the prayer I was strongly prompted to close it in the name of Jesus.
My father and I have had discussions before and it is a bit offensive to him when I use the hebrew so I knew to use it would be contentious. I was motivated by pure love for my dad and not controlled by anything but love.

When I went to YHWH after I hung up the phone to sort out the issue of using Jesus's name. The spirit took me to Romans 14 especially verse 22
Rom 14:22 Have you faith? have it to yourself before YHWH. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows.

Have it to yourself before YHWH!.
I do not need to prove everything to YHWH by demonstrating it in front of people. He KNOWS what is in my heart! I know his name and I know his son's name and I know blah blah blah but it does not need to be proven unto others. Actually if we can have our faith unto YHWH and keep peace, receive him who is weak in the faith and do not cause an obstacle or stumbling block in our brother's way we are actually having MORE faith than if we go around spewing our great faith, offending and stumbling others. Just as secret praying results in open blessing (Mat 6:5-6) so does secret faith result in open blessing.

I know this may be DUH but the deeper revelation of it was eye opening to me. I know I used to think it was some kind of betrayal to NOT speak what I believe or worse to partake of or say something that I had greater knowledge about but the fact is: YHWH knows the heart and is not dependent upon our outward behavior to judge our motives. YHWH never misunderstands me or my motives. He knows me better than I know myself!

There is no greater motivation than LOVE!

Thanks for listening and sharing my joy

Shalom
Sharon

1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of YHWH of great price.



[This message has been edited by squartucci (edited 02-15-2007).]