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First Lutheran Church
In faith sharing God's love, in kindness serving all
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FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
303 6th Avenue in Havre, Montana

Join us for Worship at 8:30am & 11:00am with Coffee Hour at 9:30am 
 
(Radio Broadcast at 11am on Sundays on 610AM KOJM)   
        
                                 




 

CRITICISM TAKES NO EFFORT
But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. [GALATIANS 5:15]
 
Criticism and finding fault are not spiritual gifts. Did you know spiritual gifts are designed by God to help the church? I find that criticism and finding fault are not very helpful. I would say that criticism and finding fault are not spiritual gifts.
The apostle Paul, inspired by God gave us these words, “You should desire the most helpful gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31). So, do we listen to Paul? Nope, we seem to have a better idea.
 
Who would want to aspire to help, heal, teach, encourage, or serve others---when we can more easily criticize and find fault with others? Maybe that’s because criticism comes more naturally for us. That’s what we do when we live by our old sinful nature---which takes no effort at all---rather than live by the power of the Holy Spirit---which requires a daily, willful surrender to God. The church should be a place for building up and not down.
 
“A Builder or a Wrecker.”
As I watched them tear a building down
A gang of men in a busy town
With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled,
And the men you’d hire if you wanted to build?”
He gave a laugh and said, “No, indeed,
Just common labor is all I need.”

“I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do.”
And I thought to myself, as I went my way
Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan
Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker who walks to town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
“O Lord let my life and labors be
That which will build for eternity.”
-Author unknown

The only question is: “Will you be a builder or a wrecker?”
 
See you in church,
Pastor Michael


 

 
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303 6th Ave Havre, Montana