Saturday... There may be another way that is better.

We are living in a world of confrontation, aren't we? We have all these opinions and we are right and they are wrong but how do we change people's minds especially when they really are wrong. It is all in the way we approach them and of course we need to know what the truth is.

Let's say you take your right hand and make a fist and then take your left hand and start pushing the right. What happens? The right starts pushing back. But what if you reach out your right hand with it opened up to shake hands with your left. Then the left will reach out to shake hands. The way you reach out to people determines many times their response and reaction to you.

Now the Apostle Paul knew this to be true. In his second letter to the young preacher, Timothy in 2:23-24 (NLT) he says, "Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people." He then says in verse 25, "Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts and they will learn the truth."

There are many reasons why some are against the church and one of them could be our approach. We come at them with fists not with open hands. Maybe that's why your family has negative reactions to you. Check your approach. Pauls says, "Gently instruct."

I spend a lot of time in Starbucks and I have found that a smile goes a long way at reaching out to people. Maybe we need to spend time at a mirror and see how our smile looks or even practice at having one.

Our Pastor dealt with a very difficult subject this past weekend. The church too many times deals with it with fists. But he dealt with it with a broken, loving heart. He was very gentle. It was great. I still get emotional thinking about it.

Verse 26 says, "Then they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap. For they have been held captives by him to do whatever he wants." This reaching out to people is very serious. It really is. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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Todays Beginning

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