The Ministry of Correction by B J Bassett

 

 

The Ministry of Correction

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28 NIV

Have you ever had another believer correct you? I have.

She was a good friend, a strong Christian, a godly woman, and wise. I respected her opinion, so I listened. I didn’t always agree with her, but I did listen and consider her observations. I knew my friend loved me and had my best interests at heart.

Most people hate to confront another person and will try doing anything to avoid it for many reasons—fear, laziness, uncertainty, a misunderstanding of the verse, “Do not judge lest you be judged.”

We are accountable to God to love others. As Christians, it is our responsibility to confront another believer when we think they are going in the wrong direction. Real love has the courage to confront someone who is going astray. We also need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in our own lives to know whether or not we should correct someone.

O’ Lord, I so dislike confronting someone. Help me love others enough to correct. In Your Holy name, I pray. Amen.

Reprinted from

The King’s Daughters—

A Women’s Devotional

B. J. Bassett

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.