Shooting our wounded

My dear friends, are we guilty of shooting our wounded?

The church is an army, we are soldiers in that army, and we fight a horrific foe (Satan and his demons).

The battle is intense.  Satan wants to completely destroy us  - and our church.

I read this week where in Operation Desert Storm, more American Soldiers were killed by "friendly fire" than by the enemy.

I’ve often heard a similar statement made about the church.

"The church is the only army that shoots it’s own wounded."

That’s a troubling statement, but I’ve seen it proved true far too many times.

We fire at one another with criticism, gossip and slander.  We walk down the hallway, now paying attention to those around us – while the walking wounded, wounded by depressions, anxiety and fear, walk by.

We live in our own little world, our own little platoon, not caring about the other soldiers in the army.

Your life in Christian is not just about your own personal battles with the enemy.  We are to support one another, encourage one another, and "bandage up" one another in this battle.

If we are to be effective for the Lord, the local church must become a place of safety.

Did you know that your home is the most dangerous place you can be?

More accidents happen in the home than any other place. The air is more polluted and there are more potential hazards in your home than anywhere else.

Somehow this just doesn’t seem right. Your home should be a place where you are safe.

Likewise, the church should be a place of refuge and safety for the Christian.

Why not look around you this Sunday, go beyond the four or five people you talk to each week, and minister to the hurting.

Just a thought for a Thursday.