Jesus said in the last days many will be offended as the love of the church will grow cold (Matthew 24:10).

So many people are majoring on minor issues today such as whether or not we should speak in tongues, whether or not we should baptize babies, whether or not we should prophesy, and a bunch of other stuff that shouldn't be causing us to gossip, get upset, and run off looking for another church.

Simply because every church is made up of imperfect people, there is not a church anywhere where we will find everything to our liking.

I believe the utmost important thing is to know we are 'born again' children of God and our names are recorded in heaven. We shouldn't be too concerned over different denominational teachings. There will be no denominations in heaven. Just people who love Jesus.

If people speak in tongues, baptize babies, or prophesy, and you do not agree with it, so be it. We are required to love them anyway. If you know people who are in to gossiping, complaining, and criticizing, love them and pray God will convict them.

Whatever we do we must be careful to not fall victim to the same trap. It's easy to gossip, complain about, and criticize someone who is gossiping, complaining, and criticizing.

The many differences in people can very easily cause gossip and criticism. 1 Thessalonians 4 says, "Aspire to lead a quiet life and mind your own business."

If we really want to live life in abundance and prosperity we must give God first place in our lives. We do this by loving others and serving them, not by talking about them, complaining and criticizing. Jesus said, "As you have done unto them, you have done unto me" (Matthew 25:40).

People are a whole lot more alike than they are different. The same wants, needs, loves and hurts are common to us all. Understanding this will help us to think thoughts of peace toward others.

A person who sows negative thoughts and deeds and prays that God will bless him is confused. Whatever type of seeds you plant you will also reap. A farmer who plants corn will get corn, not wheat. If you want to be blessed, scatter blessings. If you want to be happy, consider the happiness of others.

Whether by the law of attraction or the law of sowing and reaping, it is impossible to give without getting in return. When we put out thoughts of anger, frustration or ill will, they are certain to be returned to us. If we think hateful thoughts we will bring hatred upon ourselves. Likewise, if we think thoughts of peace toward others it will bring great peace to us, for the one who thinks loving thoughts is loved.

There's a poem that goes like this: "If I knew you and you knew me, and each of us could clearly see, the meaning of your heart and mine, I'm sure that we would differ less, we'd clasp our hands in friendliness, if I knew you and you knew me."

Because every one of us is imperfect, we should all be patient with one another, helping one another, and praying for one another.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Ecc 12:13-14).

Copyright 2005 Daniel N Brown