Things that I have learned...

A couple of years ago, I passed a list to some of the older Christians that I knew. I asked these friends to write in a simple sentence about what they have learned from being a christian for so long. Here is that list. I would be honored if others here at SermonIndex would consider adding something to this list.What I’ve Learned…1.\tNot everyone who “speaks for God” is really speaking for God.2.\tMost people that are worried about people “submitting to their spiritual authority” actually do not have much spiritual authority.3.\tThere are some people who enjoy arguing about anything.4.\tSome people really believe that God speaks only with 17th century English grammar.5.\tTest everything.6.\tEven when they’re obviously wrong, some people will still refuse to acknowledge that they don’t know everything about the Bible.7.\tSome people can be “proud” that they are so humble.8.\tSome people can argue that a verse doesn’t really mean what it says.9.\tWhen you think that you’re “more spiritual” than most everyone else, you really need to become “more spiritual.”10.\tGod is not an American.11.\tYou don’t need a building to worship God.12.\tSome people do not care who they hurt as long as they can prove that they are right.13.\tThose same people will probably never admit to those that they have hurt that they were wrong.14.\tBe cautious with those who always say, “God told me.”15.\tNo matter what a person has done – God still loves them.16.\tThe best time of your life should be your time alone with God.17.\tGiven the right circumstances, those who say they love you today may hate you tomorrow.18.\tNot everyone who claims to be a Christian is really a Christian.19.\tSometimes, God’s answer is no.20.\tNot all traditions are bad. 21.\tNot all changes are good.22.\tGod’s timing is always perfect.23.\tIt is good to get alone with God.24.\tSome people who have something to say have nothing to say.25.\tJust because God promises something, it doesn’t mean that it will happen immediately.26.\tSome churches think that they are perfect and lack nothing.27.\tThe size of your congregation does not matter.28.\tNo two people will agree on everything.29.\tThe “perfect” church on earth exists only in the imagination.30.\tChristians come with all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and beliefs.31.\tA person who truly loves God will truly love others.32.\tIt doesn’t matter if you work for the Lord if you don’t take care of your family.33.\tYou should never take off the armor of God.34.\tGreed is an ugly sin, but it is present in a lot of Christian homes and churches.35.\tInner holiness comes before outer holiness.36.\tA building is not the church. People are the church.37.\tThere are infinite numbers of churches that will tell you whatever you want to hear.38.\tIt’s strange that most healing evangelists go to huge arenas but never go to huge hospitals.39.\tSometimes, the promises of God can take a long time.40.\tNot everything is black and white. Thank God for the red letters (God’s grace).41.\tPrayer is a conversation. Its okay to be quiet and listen.42.\tSome people will go out of their way to tell you that you’re wrong.43.\tSpiritual pride is unattractive to the world.44.\tIt doesn’t take gimmicks to convict sinners.45.\tThe reason we live is to choose and fellowship with God with a free will.46.\tJudgment made by human beings is usually flawed.47.\tThere is nothing better than spending time alone with God.48.\tChristians can be very “spiritually superstitious.”49.\tPoor people can be just as greedy as rich people.50.\tGod uses imperfect people.51.\tTo be “spiritually honest” does not mean you should be “spiritually mean.”52.\tPeople don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.53.\tPray first. Act later.54.\tWhere God leads, he provides.55.\tIt is possible to be dishonest while “worshipping.”56.\tHungry people work harder. :-)

Chris,thank you for this list! It is such confirmation, as well as some conviction. I mean, some of these I was just talking about with my husband last night and my daughter today.On so many of those I had to say, "wow, that is so true!" I will copy this one. Thanks again!In Him, Chanin

3. There are some people who enjoy arguing about anything.No there aren't! :-D :-D seriously, this is a great list. Can I post this on my own website?

Hi Phililogos...Feel free to use this list -- and add a few more of your own!:-)

Chris!This is a fantastic list.A couple of thoughts spring forth from reading through this, just off the top...I have learned that...Most "seasoned saints" 'Have been there, done that', listen to them.All it takes to find out if you are really trusting the Lord is to be put into completely different circumstances, surroundings or situations.The devil and/or his minions will awaken you in the middle of the night and attack, irregardless of your mindset.And it is not always just your imagination.Your mind will play tricks on you, don't trust it. Trust God.Drifting happens without an anchor.The best advice I ever had was to return to the classics. Of Christianity.Study Church history, not for trivia and facts, but for hearts after the Lord.The idea that something needs to be repeated 10 times before it sinks in is well summed up in "Spend time alone with God."My thoughts are not your thoughts, sayeth the Lord. And is the greatest answer to predestination and the Calvinism/Armenianism debate, amongst others.The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.Being a Christian is a bundle of seeming contradictions and paradox's, it's designed that way.One thing for certain, uncertainty.Faith is Christianity is not anything close to what I thought it was.You must be born again or it is all a charade.More good advice: Approach Gods word everyday as if it was the very first time you had ever read it.Practice the principal of silencing your mind before God in prayer. It is a still, small voice most times.It is difficult.Put your thoughts to the test. Of scripture.And let scripture interpret you.Spare yourself extra grief by being honest before the Lord. He already knows.Pray always.Be quick to repent, to forgive, to change your mind, to let go of your preconceptions when proven otherwise.More difficult; Accept the Lords forgiveness when you stumble.Re-think things, at least, think.Discipline is derived from disciple.Refuse to be phony, insincere or hypocritical.Christianity cannot be narrowed down to one principal alone, but it is a matter of the heart.Glean truth not so it sits well with your minds agenda, but because your soul cannot argue with it.Expect to be surprised by God.Expect to be "left alone" by God.Expect to see yourself surrounded by trouble on every side and go on believing anyway, it' not over yet.Expect it to get worser still.Expect when you least suspect it, God may intervene.Most things in this walk you will find Gods hand in it upon reflection, after the fact.Watch how Jesus reacted.Be highly suspicious of "Thus sayeth the Lord".You may be a legalist, check yourself.Check yourself.Strive towards being un-offended.Don't project things that haven't happened yet.Casting down evil imaginations doesn't mean to dwell on them first.Thinking about death can put a lot of things in perspective.I think God understands our prayers of "Oh" far better than we might imagine.You can give thanks in all things, sometimes it takes time to realize just why.Context is everything.Sometimes Gods answer is wait."Prophets" and the definition thereof has changed considerably in our day, tread carefully.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Almost wanted to snag certain numbers out of this list and found it difficult to do so, but really liked 23 and 47... ;-)

Really like these all you have posted.Would like to add one.Being in the Peace and Rest of God cannot be explained.Have a great day, I am what I am, because Of Him.Nellie

chris,Outstanding list.That one's pretty good, too, crosscheck.I know this is Scripture, but it comes to my in the spirit of these lists.Psalm 8:2: "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger."Anyone that stays on their feet before the throne is not impressing God, no matter how impressive they are to us. Those on their face may not get our attention, always, but they are getting His attention.

Wow! It reminds me of reading proverbs...Can I add one?Nothing achieves more than more prayer :-)

Sermons are alot like a T-Bone steak! You cut away the fat, throw away the bone and eat the meat :-)