RUSSELL SANDERS

9-4-2025

A FALSE GIFT

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Have you noticed how clouds that might bring rain usually have a noticeable breeze spring up just before the rain comes? That breeze feels refreshing. But what if the rain never comes?

Proverbs 25:14 says, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

Ephesians 4:8-12 tells of the five-fold ministry gifts Jesus has given the church (as Holy Spirit distributes to selected ones) for the perfecting (maturing, edification, building up, equipping) of the saints. One of these gifts is the office of the prophet.

The early church had prophets, but some of them were false prophets. Paul warned the church about them. They still exist today. Theirs is a false gift.

Often these false prophets give out good words of prosperity or blessing, or encouragement that people like to hear. If you study all of the scripture, you will see some good words given, but the true prophet will give God’s whole word, not just a part of it. They will also speak against sin. They will speak of judgment. They will give hard words, not just “fluff” words.

Beware of those today who only “prophesy” revival without repentance of sin, or other nice and good sounding words. These words are like the breeze before the rain. The rain (which edifies) never comes. You must measure them by the whole word of God, not just part of it.

HELEN SANDERS

9-4-2025

ARE YOU A FIXER?

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Are you a fixer? You might ask, what do you mean by that? I mean do you like to fix things, including people? Maybe you have an answer for every problem that people have, and you want them to get “fixed.”

I can sure understand that having been a Pastor, but there are times that God says, take your hands off the situation, and let me take care of it. That is hard for a “fixer” to do. Yet, if we step in and try to help, we might be robbing that person of the experience that it will take to “get right” with God.

It is hard as a spiritual leader, friend, parent, or family member to see others make mistakes and not want to step in and help change it. I am here to tell you that it will not do any good unless that person is ready. In fact, if you step in when you shouldn’t, it just might take them longer to come around.

Waiting and watching are some of the most difficult tasks a person can do. We do not like to wait, and when we see with our own eyes the mistakes that our friends and family often make, it is nearly impossible not to get involved. Yet, that just might be what God is asking you to do.

We must “let go and let God.” He knows just exactly what someone needs to go through to refine them and make them turn to him. He is God, after all! He is a “know it all,” and if we let go, He will do a work. 

What do we do while we are waiting? We pray and expect things to happen. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen. Do not give up on those loved ones that have gotten off track! God will bring them around, and they will come back to him. You will see your prayers answered if you ask in faith and not doubt.

A verse that brings much comfort for yourself and for others that may have gotten off the track with God is found in Philippians 1:6 where it says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

The Amplified bible reads this way, “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return] [ Rom. 14:10]

Trust God that He can take care of any situation and fix it even without your help.