Falling for empty words

This is something I would call a "feel-good picture". How nice it looks, and as Christians we assume because it talks about worship and God it's gotta be biblical, right?

Lies.

The man who this quote is from is Plutarch, a Greek historian, biographer and essayist who is considered a Middle Platonist. I'll let you do the research yourself about this man, but I do want to point out one part of what he believes, "The gods of popular religions are merely different names for one and the same divine Being and the powers that serve them". I'm sorry, but this is not someone from whom I would like to take advice.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when God's Word is added to, taken away from, or simply just used out of context. There is nothing that infuriates me more. This is why I believe it is so very important to know God's Word! We should be studying it every day. Not because it is the right thing to do, but so that we can know what it says!

Back to the picture. It tells us that we have to be thankful and cheerful in order for our worship to not just be acceptable to God, but to be most acceptable. What a big, stupid lie! If you are familiar with the Bible at all, you will see the life of Paul, who experienced more trouble in his time as a Christian than nearly any American Christian will ever have to experience (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). He was broken down, wounded, and hanging on the last thread of His life. He worshiped God in this state and he was not always cheerful (adj. noticeably happy and optimistic), but I can guarantee you that God did not reject His worship on that premise, or say, "Meh. It's alright." Now, I do think that having a thankful heart in worship is biblical, as well as being joyful, but I do not believe that the words "most acceptable to God" are Biblical.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; 

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Paul knew the worship that God desired.

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Romans 12:1

As did David, who saw sacrifice as a part of the act of worship.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; 

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." 

Psalm 51:17

A broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart. I believe this is more often the state in which we should be if we are to please God in our worship. We must remember that as sinners, we are not even welcomed into the presence of God. He is an Almighty God. We CANNOT belittle His Majesty. To be humbled in the presence of the Lord, to recognize our weaknesses and to confess our sins before Him is a proper response to His Greatness. This is what true worship is: committing our lives to His service because it is the fitting response to what He has done through His Son, making a way for us to enter into His presence once again. Despite what this nice picture may say, we cannot EARN our salvation, or the right to worship the Creator. We are only acceptable because of what Christ did on the cross. Nothing we do can help with that. He only accepts us, wholly, because He sees us through the blood of Christ. He desires us to see ourselves that way as well, and when we do, our worship will be quite pleasing to God.

Don't fall for every feel-good quote or phrase that's placed on a nice picture. Question it. Every time. Against the Bible. Even if it's a piece of Scripture. Read it in context and be sure it is being used properly. Especially as we watch many churches fall into the pit of the "prosperity gospel" (that doing Christian things will increase our blessing on earth, specifically financially). 

When we say things (or read things) that make ourselves feel good, and put God's name on it so it sounds Christian-like, we are only fooling ourselves. Study the Bible, so that when you come across the lies, you will know. 

"Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

 abstain from every form of evil."

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Jenna's Journal

Lessons from the Corinthians--Part 1

Over the last month I have spent my time each morning reading through the books of 1 & 2 Corinthians. Each day has brought a new lesson to consider throughout the day. As I finished my devotional study through these books, I decided to share some of the key thing that God has shown me. Through these lessons, I hope to shed light, and some context, onto verses that are over-used, as well as point out a few new gems.

The power of God is held in the cross--not in people

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

1 Corinthians 1:17-18

It's true that the same power that rose Christ from the dead also works in us (Colossians 1:29). However, when it comes to the Gospel, and leading others to a growing relationship with Christ, the cross is the only power we need.

     Context: There was danger of division in the Corinthian's church because people were drawn to different styles of preaching and teaching. And although the preacher's were united in their message, there were quarrels (arguments) breaking out between believers as to which preacher was better. 

They were comparing the teacher and forgetting about the message. 

From the Commentators

"Don't let your appreciation for any teacher, preacher or author (worship leader, artist, or mentor) lead you into pride." ... "The persuasive power is the the story, not the storyteller"

We need to be talking about Jesus--not our great pastors.

Fire is the ultimate test of our ministry--not popularity

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work."

1 Corinthians 3:11-13

Whether you work in full-time ministry or not, if you are following Jesus Christ, you are ministering through your life to those around you. The message we bring and even the encouragement we give, should be based on the Word of God, not a re-teaching of someone else from a self-help book. We can glean a lot of wisdom from others, but we must be sure that that wisdom lines up with the foundation, with Jesus Christ, or it will not with stand the fire. 

     Context: Paul has been driving home the power of God above the words of men. The Corinthians were getting too caught up in being the best followers of specific teachers, that their life message was starting to confuse people and push them away from the message that Jesus had brought.

They were trying to keep up with the latest, rather than pursuing Christ whole-heartedly.

From the Commentators

"Paul's words challenge our methods of discipleship...Do we use Bible-based teaching or merely adaptations of worldly wisdom?"

We need to build our ministry off of Christ--not worldly wisdom.

We must honor the weak--not the honorable

"On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. 

But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 

so that there may be no division in the body, 

but that the members may have the same care for one another." 

1 Corinthians 12:22-25

As the body of Christ, it is our job to care for each other. If all we ever do is honor those who are already on a pedestal, we are only hurting the body. We must seek to honor those that are building up the body behind the scenes. 

     Context: This passage is sandwiched within Paul's discussion on spiritual gifts. He's telling the Corinthians that each member of the body possesses a different gift for a reason, to take care of each other. Paul makes it clear that those members with gifts that are not extraordinary are necessary to the body and will be shown favor, but those with extraordinary gifts do not need to be honored.

They needed to be better at looking out for the weaker members of the body.

From the Commentators

"Believers are in the world together--there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. we need to get involved in the lives of others and not just enjoy our own relationship with God."

We need to give honor where honor is not due.

"So, my dear brothers and sister, be strong and immovable. 

Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, 

for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."

1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT

There is only so much that I can put in a blog before I lose the attention of my readers, but that's okay. I encourage you that if you feel stuck, and are longing to get into the Bible, start reading in 1 Corinthians, just a chapter a day. There is lots to learn from the Corinthians! What treasures can you find in God's Word as you read? 

And keep watch for Lessons from the Corinthians--Part 2

Jenna's Journal.

The Christian Walk: Is it even Biblical anymore?

I hear contemporary worship songs today sing about how God is “a friend of mine”, as if we had a panel of gods to choose from and how neat we are to have picked this God. This line, and others like it, have always irked me in the wrong way. I recently discovered the Biblical truth as to why this has been bothering me.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.”

John 15:13-17

According to these verses, we are HIS friends…under one condition, “if you do what I command you”. Followers of Christ should desire nothing more in their lives than to obey His commands and be obedient to His voice. However, I feel that this is less and less the case among Christians today. We have become so wrapped up in ourselves and what we need to “do” to look like a Christian, that we have forgotten about the real heart of our Salvation: God’s Love. 1 John 4:7-21 sums it up well. Here’s a snapshot of what John urges of his brothers and sisters:

“10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit.”

1 John 4:10-13

John MacArthur, a respected author and commentator, said this about verse 12, “Nobody can see God’s love since it is invisible and Jesus is no longer in the world to manifest the love of God. The church is the only remaining demonstration of God’s love in this age” (emphasis mine). How are we doing, church, at demonstrating God’s love to those around us? Does our love reflect that which Christ demonstrated for us: selflessness, humility, compassion, and grace? The most common form of love discussed in the Bible is agape love. (Side Note: the term eros, the Greek word for romantic or sexual love, never once appears in the New Testament) MacArthur gets to the heart of the Greek word agape to define it as this: “Love is, above all, sacrificial. It is sacrifice of self for the sake of others, even for others who may care nothing at all for us and who may even hate us. It is not a feeling but a determined act of will, which always results in acts of self-giving.” (emphasis mine). So basically, love, as Jesus demonstrated and taught for His followers, is something we must be determined to do, whether we like it or not. This very same love is what we are commanded to do all throughout the New Testament by Jesus and his disciples.

I wonder if you caught this in the John passage…

“14 You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.”

Christ first loved and demonstrated His love towards us. We did not love Him before He loved us. In fact, we HATED Him. We cared NOTHING for Him. We ran from Him the opposite direction. Yet, Christ’s love was this “determined act of will” that defines agape love. He did not give up on us, and that is a beautiful example of the way we need to be towards others, especially those who are in Christ.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:10

Another thing I find from this passage in John 15 is that Jesus tells us, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you…” (v. 16). He chose you. For something specific that only you can accomplish. He sought us out so that we could bear fruit for His Name. Not so that we could be “blessed” on earth. No, so that we could do good work for Him! For a better understanding of bearing fruit in all parts of our lives, check out this excellent message by Lecrae.

Our view of the Christian walk has been completely warped. We spend too much time talking about what is right and wrong. We get hung up on politics, education systems, and other people’s public sin, as if it is a surprise to us that there is sin in this world. The reality is, this is a fallen world, and Satan is the prince of this world until Christ comes back. But praise be to God that He has, through the sacrifice of His Son, purchased this world, placed us here to bring glory to His name, and provided His Spirit to guide and direct us. We have nothing to fear if we are in Christ.

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God…By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

1 John 4:15, 17-18

Fear is when we know there will be punishment. As God’s chosen, we do not have to fear, because He has called us as His friends, he has reached out to save us from this punishment. Therefore, we have the opportunity to suffer with Him, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3: 10-11). We can count it as a privilege to follow Christ’s example. And one of these ways is through love.

Let’s remind ourselves once again the love which God has demonstrated for us. Let’s stop falling prey to the eloquent words of empty truths. Let’s stop letting our feelings drive what we do and say, but make every effort to act with a determined will, especially to those who hate us. Let’s start holding the messages we hear, and the words we worship God with, against His Word of Truth. Let’s start asking for wisdom, knowledge and understanding like Daniel when he was faced with certain death (Daniel 2:21).

Let’s actually open up our Bibles and start reading the account and example of Christ. Let’s glean from the apostles of old who have given us more than enough advice on godly living. Let’s stop being lazy in our faith and start bearing fruit for His Name--because we know He deserves it. And let’s stop acting like we are someone worthy of God’s Love and forgiveness, because we are not; yet He has chosen to show it to us, so let’s worship Him for the perfection of His love that He has given to us. Let’s remember that we are the church, “the only remaining demonstration of God’s love in this age”, and let’s start ACTING like it, not just talking about it.

Jenna’s Journal.

Wisdom and Understanding

"Take my instruction and not silver, 

and knowledge rather than choicest gold. 

For wisdom is better than jewels; 

and all desirable things cannot compare with her."

Proverbs 8:10-11

As I was preparing myself to go to college three years ago, I asked the Lord to teach me what "the fear of the Lord" meant. A little bit at a time, He allowed me to experience moments that would lead me right into the fear of the Lord. However, what I learned was not what I expected. 

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; 

Pride and 

arrogance and 

the evil way and

 the perverted mouth, 

I hate."

Proverbs 8:13

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, 

and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Proverbs 9:10

Words like "wisdom", "understanding", and "knowledge" of the Holy One started to make sense. These weren't things I obtained by doing something (being in church, listening to sermons, raising my hands during worship, or even sharing my faith with others). God taught me that these were merely a result of my wisdom and understanding of Him.

As I begin to learn this lesson, I am struck with conviction and anger at how I  have been living my Christian life...often times with the wrong motivations...

Colossians.

Paul says a prayer for the church of Colossae, and he does not pray for good health, financial provision, or any blessings because of their faithfulness. No, he prays that:

"...you may be filled with the knowledge of His will 

in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 

so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, 

to please Him in all respects, 

bearing fruit in every good work 

and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, 

for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; 

joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."

Colossians 1:9-12

If I am truly seeking to live my life for the fear of the Lord then I believe, according to these pieces of Scripture, I need to be constantly seeking the Lord in order that I may grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Then, and only then, will I be able to glorify Him in EVERY area of my life.

"Therefore, 

if you have been raised up with Christ, 

keep seeking the things above, 

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

Colossians 3:1

When I committed my life to Christ, there were certain areas that did not align with God's call for me as a believer. A few of these included the music I listened to, the movies I watched, and the way I dressed. So, in order to throw off the sin that so easily entangles, I cleared my iTunes, broke my CD's, changed my movie selections, and practically cleared out my closet.This was not an easy task, especially since my friends, who were not believers, still consumed this media. I was very encouraged by this Scripture, though:

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 

so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, 

children of God above reproach 

in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, 

among whom you appear as lights in the world."

Philippians 2:14-15

Now, I believe that how we live our lives says a lot about us as believers and whether or not we are continuing to "seek the things above". The way I live, and the way I look towards outsiders, will state my desire for the Lord. What is my reaction to hard situations in life? What is on my radio in the car? What movies are on my shelf? What am I wearing?

One of my recent passions has been a desire for modesty among Christian girls. If we are going to be "children of God above reproach" in this world, then one thing we NEED to do is stand out, not blend in, in the way we dress. 

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, 

but a woman who fears the Lord, 

she shall be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

In light of everything I have learned about fearing the Lord, I have realized that it is my job as a woman (and a woman who longs to one day become a wife and a mother) to be dedicating my life to growing in my knowledge of the Lord first and foremost, and as I do that I desire to not only protect the sanctity of my body for my future husband, but also to help out my brothers in Christ in their walk with the Lord. 

As Christian women, we have all heard this...multiple times, I know. However, have you heard what the guys are saying? The majority of what I have learned about real modesty has come directly from the mouths of the men:
"I have encountered nothing more difficult in life than to try to avoid looking at a woman who is dressed in a revealing way."

"It is so much easier to talk to a girl when we don't have to worry about looking at her inappropriately." -Junior High Boy

I am convinced that truly dressing modestly does not come from "appropriate" and "inappropriate", one way or the other, but rather from the fear of the Lord. 

Seeking to grow in our knowledge and wisdom of Him, and then letting that permeate how we dress.

Now ask yourself (and maybe even a friend, too): Are you seeking to grow towards a greater knowledge of our Lord every day? Are you intentional about protecting the life that God has given you, and using it in every way to reflect Him? When people see your life outside of church events, do they know that you are a child of God, a light to this world?

I challenge us to really think about this, and take action to change the things that we need to. With God's strength and courage, we can, and when we do, I believe He will grant us more than we can ask or imagine.

Jenna's Journal.

Following Paul's Example

The Apostle Paul's story is not one of the ordinary. Being a persecutor of the church, then suddenly an evangelist for the church, his story reveals the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Because of his extravagant story, many people look up to him...I know that I do, and I have since I've committed my life to serving Christ. But I wonder, do we look up to Paul because of his great commitment to serving Christ, or because he is well known by his story and the books he wrote that are recorded in the Bible?

Many of us probably imagine Paul as a great preacher, in front of the crowds, sharing the good news of salvation to the Gentiles. We imagine him in the spotlight, like our pastor on Sunday mornings, or that famous author/speaker who comes to speak every now and then.

Although there were times that Paul was able to teach large crowds from up front, I believe Scripture tells us that they were not as numerous as the times he spent in prison, in shackles, being beaten, whipped, and stoned. Nor were they as numerous as the times he spent teaching and discipling the next generation of leaders so that they could be the ones to build up the churches.

So we look up to Paul, and we want to be like him and follow his example.
Yet, how willing are we to go all the way and make the same commitment he did?

Many of the pictures we have today tend to misrepresent what prison would have been like for Paul. The top two pictures are prisons much like the ones Paul could have been in. The left is one in Rome, which is where Paul spent the latter part of his years, and the one on the right is in Philippi. Neither are spacious or comfortable looking. Nor do they have beds and sinks like the prisons we may picture of today. No, these prisons are tight, dirty, muggy, hot, and not meant for people who are claustrophobic. THIS is where Paul lived most of his life, but not until after the authorities would afflict him. Paul committed his entire life to the Lord; it was not a side thing that he did twice a week. He had no other duties in life but to share the gospel with the Gentiles, no matter the cost:

"Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love..."

2 Corinthians 6:3-6

One thing God has been teaching me lately is how living a life for Christ is one of extreme commitment, not being comfortable and "doing good deeds". It's not about being a nice, happy person, going to church, being in a Bible Study, and volunteering in a ministry. A life that is committed to Christ is one of pure motivations, intentional decisions, and walking by the Spirit.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, 

and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

Galations 5:16

Every day we need to chose to 

"not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind, so that [we] may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

Every. Day.  

Committed. To. His. Greater. Glory.

Whatever a farmer plants (sows) is what he will harvest (reap). If he plants corn, he will harvest corn. If he plants beans, he will harvest beans. Let's say it is easier to plant beans than it is corn (I'm not a farmer, so I don't know if this is true or not, but let's just say..), so the farmer plants beans and expects to harvest corn. Now, we don't need to be farmers to know that this is just silly, not to mention impossible!

Well, Paul says the same thing about our lives in Christ:

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; 

for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, 

but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Galatians 6:7-8

Just like whatever the farmer plants he will also harvest, the same is true for our lives.

Wherever we invest our time, energy and committment (sowing) is what we will be rewarded for (reaping). This does not mean the journey will be easy, or the decisions a breeze to make. In fact, it shouldn't be easy, and we should hope that it is not. Because if it is, then we have done something terribly wrong: we have become like the world, we have conformed.

This Christian life is NOT about the happy feelings we get when we go to a conference or experience a good worship night. 

Though these things are good, and encouraging for our walk with the Lord, True Commitment is when we remain faithful (and joyful) in the midst of the hardships of life. 

When nothing seems to be going "right", and we're able to raise our hands and praise God that He is doing a mighty work in our hearts.

True commitment is living with integrity, whether someone is around or not:

Being modest because we know that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and we want to guard it with our lives; Watching the words we say so that they are not hurtful to those around us, but rather so that they build others up; Being careful of the movies/shows we watch and the music we listen to, so that we may glorify God with Every area of our lives. 

True commitment is choosing to not participate in an activity with our friends (even if they are Christian friends) because we know that in doing so, we will just look like one of the world. 

True commitment is taking the time to reach out to non-Christian friends, and if we don't have any to find some, because that's what being a believer is all about!

True commitment walks in the Spirit all day, every day; not just when we are at church or doing devotions

We cannot stay within the walls of our churches, christian schools and homes and expect the Word to be preached to those who do not believe. They Will Not come to us, we Need to go to them. And it is not the job of the pastor, or missions pastor to do so. It is the job of the body of Christ. That is us!

I am challenging myself, along with anyone else who wants to give up the worldly-Christian life, to step out of the comfortable walls. 

To be willing, EVERY DAY, to say Yes to God and No to the patterns of this world. 

To soak in Scripture and pray for discernment of what is glorifying to God and what is not. 

To follow Paul's example, and make myself nothing so that Christ can be everything.

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; 

for when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:10

Righteous Anger-Is it possible?

"Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing."

Psalm 37:8

The term "righteous anger" is used a lot within Christian circles. It's used to explain our desire for justice in this world. We get righteously angry when someone is mistreated, or we see God and His Word being disrespected. Jesus even had righteous anger as he turned over the tables in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). But have we, as Christians, taken this concept further than we ought?

For as long as I've been in the church, I thought I understood this righteous anger: "It's okay to be angry, as long as it is for a good cause". But is that really what it is? Or have we turned it into a way of justifying our anger against people, organizations, and our government?
There are many passages in Scripture that talk about this topic; like the one below from Ephesians, that warns us against sinning when we are angry:

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger."

Ephesians 4:26

And we are told over and over again in the Psalms and Proverbs,  to wait for the Lord:

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation"

Psalm 5:3

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

Psalm 27:14

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry."

Psalm 40:1

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."
Psalm 130:6

"Do not say, 'I will pay you back for this wrong!' 
Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you."

Proverbs 20:22

 Paul also gives some instruction on this in the book of Romans:

"Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good" 

Romans 12:9b.

and

"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord."

Romans 12:19

So how are we to respond to all these pieces of Scripture? Well, if I've learned anything from being in Bible school it is this: look at the context.

"'Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, 

for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 

But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; 

for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:19-21

So when something is done that is against God's Word, and all you want to do is give that person a piece of your mind, don't. Wait on the Lord. Vengeance is His. But what are we suppose to do in the meantime? "Overcome evil with good". Love. Trust in the hope that God has promised to us. Know that He has already won, and He will not let evil come out on top. Seek Him. Cling to what is good: cling to His Word. And in doing so, I believe He will lead us to a place in which we can stand up and defend Him and His Word. 

In other words, we need to be carefully watching our motives. We can be righteously angry, but in doing so, are we fulfilling an internal bitterness towards someone? Or are we desiring and longing for God's perfect plan to prevail? Has this anger occurred because we have been hurt personally, or because God is deliberately being disobeyed?

I've been wrestling through these questions a lot lately for myself and some anger I have been dealing with. I find great encouragement in Psalm 37. I need to trust in the Lord and delight in His ways. I need to spend more time praying, cultivating a faithfulness within myself, and committing my way to Him. I need to wait on the Lord and delight myself in Him.

So I challenge this upon myself, and to my brother and sisters in Christ: Where is your heart when you are angry? Do you need to stop and Wait on the Lord first?

"Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.  

For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb.  

Trust in the Lord and do good;  

Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.  

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light 

And your judgment as the noonday. 

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently (longingly) for Him;  

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.  

Cease from anger and forsake wrath; 

Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.  

For evildoers will be cut off, 

But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land."

Psalm 37:1-9

We are ALL the church!

I have always been passionate about youth...junior high girls in particular.

It all started when I was a student leader my senior year of high school. I was paired with an adult co-leader and thrown into a leadership role for a small group of 7th and 9th grade girls.

I had no idea what I was doing. For the first few weeks I just observed, watching my co-leader guide a time of discussion amongst the girls. I slowly began adding my input, and asking thought-provoking questions of them. A few months into the school year, my co-leader pulled me aside and asked if I wanted to lead the group by myself, as she had administrative things she needed to get done during the small group time. I said yes, not knowing that this decision would spark my passion and love for students and being a leader amongst the next generation.

I went off to college the next year, leaving my beautiful girls behind, but never forgetting all they had taught me and never giving up my time of prayer for them.
With a fire in my heart, I plugged into a church closer to my school. The junior high pastor and female associate immediately welcomed me as a leader into their ministry. I jumped right in. Paired with a senior high co-leader, we led a small group of about 10 girls on Sunday mornings. For the first few weeks I felt lost, I had no idea what to do! But, the girls were patient with me, and helped me along the way.

That summer, God called me to stay in Eden Prairie as an intern at the church under the junior high female associate. My passion continued to grow, and I was excited for the next year of small groups and being able to pour into my group of girls for another year. The female associate discipled me and took me under her wing not just during the summer, but throughout the school year as well as the following summer when I got to intern again!

 As school went on, and ministry happened, my heart grew more and more passionate for this ministry. (And when I say "ministry", I don't mean the programming, I mean pouring my life out for the sake of the next generation)

Junior High Ministry is two-years long, then they are off. This first group of girls that I had are now in high school. I am still able to pour into them, but I also get to invest in a new group of 7th graders!

However, the point of this blog is not to give you a story of where God has taken me physically in ministry, but to show what God has done IN me, spiritually, THROUGH ministry.
Each Wednesday night, I stand amongst a group of about 250 junior high and senior high students as we worship. And each week, I am taken aback by their Love for the Lord, and their Desire to know Him more. This is one of my favorite things about ministry: The encouragement from them in  my own faith journey..

Often times, adults, or even myself as a leader, think that we are "above" these students, and that they are still in the 'process' of growing towards spiritual maturity. And we let them go to Sunday School and Youth Group so that they can reach their prime before we send them out or, in some cases, even allow them into the "big church".
I have a problem with this. A BIG problem.
I recently heard someone say, "Students aren't going to be the church, they ARE the church". And as part of the church, they are part of the body, therefore, we can learn from them, just like we learn from others "our own age". The majority of the spiritual growth in my personal life throughout middle and high school came from those much older than me. There was a group of women that took me into their Bible Study. I was the only student and they were all at least 25 years older than myself. This group changed my life. And I theirs.

I recently had a student talk to me after church service on Sunday about how uneasy they felt with the message, and how it sparked conviction, longing and desire for the Lord. Is this not what we are supposed to do after we hear the Word of God? But yet every week we rush out of the worship center with our minds already set on the next thing we have to do. I am guilty of this, and this student helped me to stop and really think about what God's Word was saying in my life.

So my question is this, to those young and old; Are you going to sit on the sidelines and do what you've always done, receiving what you've always received and move through life in a comatose state? Or will you stop, observe, and welcome those of other generations around you: how they worship, their passion and longing for the Lord, their desire for others to know the Lord, and the cry in their hearts to feel accepted, even amidst their own church family. In doing so, your life will be changed and you will change the lives of those around you.

The church is not about the building, it's not about Sunday morning or Wednesday night, it's certainly not about the programming that happens, or even about the type of music that is played during musical worship.
The church is a body of believers who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and long to encourage, uplift and spur one another on towards the work of the Kingdom.
Yes, the church of today has lost this vision...but that doesn't mean we have to.
How are you doing your part as the body of Christ, as the church, in your sphere of influence?

Jenna's Journal.