Growing Pains
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Dealing with Sibling conflict
Q: I'm fifteen years old, and I have a younger brother who doesn't respect me very much. He is two years younger but is now slightly taller than I am. He tries to act as if he's somehow better than me, making comments here and there, and just by showing it in his body language. But I can let those things go by if I pray about it, because it's personal.
I want to be a kind, awesome brother just like one of my friends has, and I could if it weren't for what my brother does to my little brother. He often mistreats him as well, and while I can ignore his disrespect to me, I can't ignore it when he does it to my little brother, and so I have to tell my parents. I can't ignore that situation, but then that ruins my efforts to be kind because his opinion of me is a tattle-tale. He says I act too responsible for my age, and need to act like a normal kid. Is there anything I can do to still be the kind of brother I want to be? Jake
A: Another excellent question from one of God's acorns. (Is. 61:3b NIV)
The Potter's Hand is on you. He allows unsaved siblings to provoke us into being more like Him. Heb. 10:32-39.
You pass the test when you turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile. You fail when you act in accordance with your flesh. Mtt. 5:39-41, Gal. 5:24-26.
Remember how you reacted when you were in your sins? But now you have a choice, you have power to show the world what a real Christian is like. Eph. 2:1-10.
Here's a secret; your younger brother does respect you, he's just pushing you to see how far you bend before you break. When you rely on Christ in you, and follow His Spirit, the glory of the Lord will be on you, and be assured your brother will notice. 2 Co. 3:18.
He will say in his heart, "Wow, I wouldn't have taken that, I would have whacked him!"
Recall the teenage Jesus growing up in Nazareth, He kept his younger brothers in line without ever sinning once, and they surely provoked him! His Mother and Brothers even called him crazy as He was proclaiming the Words of Life.
Then consider the lad David constantly being mocked by his elder siblings. 1 Sam. 17:28. How did the spotty-youth earn their respect?
Young Joseph's brothers were so jealous and exasperated, they got rid of him by throwing him in a hole. Joseph forgave and loved them, and guess who lifted Joe up? What was the outcome? Gen. Chs. 37-50. What's the lesson?
Regarding your giant brother abusing your smallest brother;
Choose a time when there's no tension, and talk to the sinner boy.
The aim is to show him there is a line he must not cross, and if he does, this is what will be the consequence.
Remember, you would be just like him if it were not for the grace of God, so don't be patronizing. Assure him that you love and respect him just as much as you do the youngest, simply because he is your brother.
Tell him that if he abuses the nipper in future, as a loving protective elder brother it is your duty to protect him, and to report the matter to your parents. Tell him that if he was the youngest, you'd do the same for him too. You are being kind by protecting both of your siblings, one from the other. It is unkind to allow one to abuse the other, and not report it to your Mum and Dad. Let them do the disciplining, not you.
Inform him that you will forgive him if he calls you silly names, even though they are unfair and do hurt.
Ask him if he understands, then give him a big hug and go fishing together.
Stick to your word. Show integrity.
It's good to model yourself on somebody, but the "awesome brother" of your friend has feet of clay like all of us. Instead, it is wiser to model yourself on your elder Brother: The Carpenter from Nazareth. Check out His feet. Lk. 7:45-50, Rev. 1:15-18.
He's thrilled with you Saint Jake!
Christianity in China
Are there any born again Christians in China?
A: Indeed, despite decades of terrible persecution, China has more real Christians than any other nation.
Over 80 percent of Chinese Christians are also Spirit-filled tongues talkers, they are refreshingly sincere and devoted to Christ. And loud with it! I love them.
Most are in house churches. No buildings; remember the church is people, not bricks and mortar, or a system.
The Government approved "Three Self Church" is a pathetic sham, and shunned by real Christians, because evangelism, praying, preaching, and worshipping Christ are severely, and officially, restricted.
For example, they agree not preach on Mtt. Ch. 24 and Lk. Ch. 21; signs of the End of the Age.
You can see why the Chinese Government don't want people reading prophecies about End Time earthquakes, floods, epidemics, and famines, in light of last week's earthquake that killed 80,000, last year's floods, and the regular disease plagues in China.
In contrast, the house church preachers and evangelists major on the Gospel, the coming Judgment, and Lk. Ch. 21 and Mtt. Ch. 24.
How to grow in faith
Q: How may I develop biblical faith? That is, faith without any wavering. Philip
A: Excellent question, with a meaty answer.
Biblical faith comes by hearing the rhema Word of God, and you grow in faith by instantly obeying it. Ro. 10:17, Jas. 1:21-25.
It is good to read the Bible message, but not enough; it is good to hear Spirit-filled preaching of the Word, but not enough; it is good to embrace the message, but not enough.
You must also be a doer of the Word to receive the blessings it promises.
As you obey the Spirit-anointed Living Word you will remain strong, and grow in the true faith.
If you remain in a dead fellowship, governed by the dead letter of the Word, without the Holy Ghost revelation of the Word, you will wither on the vine.
That is why denominations and groups who reject the Baptism, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit revert to moribund formalism, drearily debating doctrine instead of doing exploits in Christ's Name.
Christ is the Word of God in the Flesh, but He didn't move in ministry until He received the Power anointing. Mtt. 3:16. Contemplate the significance of that Bible fact.
We need both the Living Word (not the dead letter), and the Spirit's revelation in order to understand and obey God fully.
Finally, personally experiencing the victory of walking with Christ stimulates your faith.
Once you have slain the giants of temptation through faith, they won't intimidate you again.
As you experience God working healing miracles through you, your faith grows exponentially.
In short; Bible faith is an action, so act on the Word, and you'll get what it promises.
