Recently the Lord placed a simple truth on my heart & I felt the strongest desire to share it with everyone in hope that I might inspire at least one person.
You are someone who attends church weekly. You enjoy the coffee and the bagels before service. You enjoy the chit chat with fellows Christians. You enjoy the worship and never miss a sermon. You tithe weekly and then pack up your children and head home, thinking nothing of "church" again until the following week.
It seems to me at least, that it's normally the person that I described above who is always showing up to take and never stopping a minute to think about how that coffee and those bagels got there, or about all the hard work that was put into the worship to be prepared for Sunday morning, or how long the Pastor spent his time writing his sermon and praying for the Lord's guidance to successfully deliver the message. What about the people who watch your children in nursery? Or the ushers that collect your tithe?
Everyone wants something from the church yet not everyone is giving themselves to the church. I think there are so many misconceptions about what Jesus meant when he created Church. In our modern society it has come to be known that "church" is a place we go to. I disagree with this definition and believe it does not matter the "place" we are in when we celebrate God. Church is a group of believers gathered together to praise and worship our Lord God regardless of where they are.
Acts 2:42-47 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
All that mattered was that they were together. Enjoying each other and enjoying God. I think it's sad when the church can not all be dedicated to each other and making all the components of it run functionally. When only a few people are doing many multiple jobs the church as a whole does not run as efficiently.
What makes a member want to be apart of nursery duty? What makes a member decide to volunteer to clean up or to set up or to usher? Why do the same people over and over volunteer? Do you think they don't also have responsibilities outside of the church family? Do you think they are not as busy as you? What is it that prevents you from prioritizing the church family into your schedule. Is this not the church you love but yet you feel you cannot step out and do more for it? You probably do not realize how important you are to the church family that your absence is more hurtful than helpful.
1 Corinthians 12:14-26 "Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unrepresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
The biggest problem I see that probably breaks my heart most of all, is the lesson being taught to the children. They are learning that it is okay to put church on the back burner. They are learning that attendance is enough. Attendance is great! But attendance is not enough. They want the perks that go along with being involved with the church family but they don't want to be involved in the hard work it takes to get there. And who is showing them it's okay to act and think this way? You might not realize it, but kids watch you, most importantly they listen to what's not being said. Ex: You attend the Potluck and enjoy the food, but didn't find it necessary to bring any food to contribute. That's a clear sign that it's okay to take from your church family without feeling the need to give back.
As a Christian and being a member of the church we are to speak through our actions. I feel as though this has hit me now all at once. Last week's youth meeting was on "faith & deeds" well how can we have faith and say we are followers of Christ and now even show deeds to our our church family? I am saddened by the amount of youth that either can't or don't want to participate in the "rent-a-teens." The excuses, while some are legitimate, most really show a lack in deeds, a lack in "Being the church vs. Going to church." These teens want the perks of attending the trip in the summer, yet lack the God given drive to work hard to earn their way to attend.
We always hear how we need to go out and "spread the Word" through our actions in truth and in love. To show people we care through little deeds that could mean big things to them. I do not understand how we as the church, as the body of Christ can possibly go out into the secular world, when we cannot even make the time to extend love through gracious deeds and actions here within ourselves.
My prayer is that people will stop complaining they believe the church is "dying" or that "no one is doing etc" and take a step of faith for themselves and BE that person to volunteer. It doesn't take much to unclutter your schedule and focus on putting the church family first. It is a wonderful thing to help unburden your fellow brother or sister in Christ who might also be bogged down with too much.
The moment that we as a body of Christ stop waiting for someone to come along and do things for us, to make us better and realize we are the ones who need to step up to the plate and take a hold of the place God has for us in the church, I know amazing things will happen.
I know going out of your comfort zone is a difficult task for some. But with prayer and trust in God, you could make it happen. God NEVER said to just listen, God said to participate actively in His Word.
James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does."
My prayer is that this will stir your heart to desire to be all the Christ wants you to be in the church.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Filling That "VOID" In Your Life
A lot of things have been going on in my personal & professional life lately. I have been doing a lot of reading and praying more so than I have ever done in the past. My relationship with God is growing stronger each day & each day I am ever more grateful to have the opportunity to know Him. This topic of 'filling the void in your life' has been on my mind now for a about a week or so as I speak with friends of mine, family members or reflect back onto my own life.
A lot of close friends I have, along with members of my own family often tell me how they have "an empty feeling inside" or "a deep void within me" or better yet "a piece of my soul is missing." When people tell me these things I am hurting inside because the answer seems so simple to me. "You need Jesus." So many people will often disregard such a statement and think I am nothing more than "a Christian trying to shove religion down their throat." I feel being someone who has been struggling with this "void" in my life for many many years, that I want to share with you how it can be filled.
As humans we tend to look to fill our lives with alcohol, drugs, sex, exercise, over working ourselves to exhaustion to satisfy this "hunger" deep inside. Even with close human relationships, as exciting or loving as they may be, they still will never completely satisfy this "emptiness" that we as humans often feel.
Only a relationship with God can fill this gap deep inside our hearts & souls.
Jesus said to us: "I am the bread of life." John 6:35
He is the only one who can ultimately satisfy our deepest hunger because He is the one who makes it possible for our relationship with God to be restored.
Ways that He satisfies us:
First, I know when I was using drugs, I often asked myself "What is the point of life?" or "Why I am even alive?" I have learned that until we come to a point in time in our life where we realize that we NEED God in our life and seek out to have a relationship with the Lord God we will NEVER find the true meaning and/or purpose of life. Lots of other things (like I listed above) can temporarily provide satisfaction but it NEVER lasts. Only once we are in a relationship with our Creator do we find the true meaning for our life.
Jeremiah 29:11 -" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Secondly, another thing I have learned in my relationship with God, is that the fear I had of dying has diminished. When I was living in sin I used to think about how often I could use or drink just one more time and die. I even had a terrible car accident in 2006 where I passed out while I was driving and hit a telephone pole head first with my SUV. Amazingly, I was able to walk away constantly thinking "Why didn't God let me die?" or "If I did die tonight, I think I would have gone to hell." For a while after my accident thoughts about why I had been 'allowed' to live when others in less severe accidents had not, haunted me. And although I was scarred from my experience & still fearful of death, the desire to get high and have my temporary satisfaction still came first before the Lord, leaving the aftermath of my decisions to follow. Through my sobriety and coming to know Jesus as my Savior, I also now know that my seat in heaven is secure. Only in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ can we find eternal life. Our relationship with Him may start now, but it WILL survive death, and then go on into eternity.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" -Ecclesiastes 3:11
Lastly I feel that in knowing Jesus as our redeemer, He has set up the plan so perfectly that we will also be able to receive forgiveness. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." If you are really completely honest with yourself you will realize you're not a perfect person and sometimes you do the wrong things. Sometimes you even do things you are deeply ashamed of. Believe me, I am not one to judge because I understand. I was someone who always thought that I was perfect. I thought I was 'invincible', that I hurt no one, and was basically not in need of anyone's forgiveness. I was someone who prided myself in 'not crying' and 'being strong.' When I entered into my recovery program, I learned really quickly as I did my Steps how WRONG I was. In Mark 7:20-23 Jesus says, "What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God." Most of us have committed one or some of these things and the fact is that we all need forgiveness. No one is beyond the point of being unable to be forgiven. You may be thinking that what you have done is something that God could never forgive or love you for. But God has seen everything in this world and loves us all anyway. 1 Timothy 1:16 -"But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." The Pastor at my church spoke last night that Jesus is the "Great Healer," and with that said, I believe that just as someone who might get cancer would need a doctor to help them, whether they want the help or not.. we as humans need our 'Great Healer' to forgive our sins whether we feel that we do or not. Jesus' death on the cross has made it possible for us to receive forgiveness and for us to communicate properly with God. In this awesome way our greatest need for "satisfaction" has been fulfilled
Also as a side note: I am someone who used to think 'I could never COMPLETELY give my life to God, I would be giving up too much and getting nothing in return.' If you are thinking the same thing, fear not! You are not alone. Maybe people think that if they enter into a relationship with God, they are going to be losing so many things in life that they hold onto so dearly. But in reality this is so far from the truth. God loves us and only asks us to give up things that cause us harm. Example: If you saw children playing in the middle of the highway during rush hour traffic, wouldn't you get them out of the road for fear of their safety? In the same way that you are not trying to put a damper on their 'fun' you are just looking out for their best interests, God does the same thing in our life. The other thing to remember is that what Jesus gave up when He died on the cross for our sins is NOTHING compared to anything He might ask us to give up for Him. He gave His life for us so that someday we might be able to join Him in heaven. John 3:16 "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die" This gift of eternal life is worth giving up the 'earthly possessions' we might value and hold so high in our life. This life is only temporary anyway and we cannot even begin to fathom how long eternity is. We are only travelers here on earth...don't get so comfortable. Matthew 16:26 "For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose their soul?" Don't risk your soul. The gift Jesus has waiting for you is so much better, and as someone who has now seen both sides of the track as they say...I would never go back. ever.
A lot of close friends I have, along with members of my own family often tell me how they have "an empty feeling inside" or "a deep void within me" or better yet "a piece of my soul is missing." When people tell me these things I am hurting inside because the answer seems so simple to me. "You need Jesus." So many people will often disregard such a statement and think I am nothing more than "a Christian trying to shove religion down their throat." I feel being someone who has been struggling with this "void" in my life for many many years, that I want to share with you how it can be filled.
As humans we tend to look to fill our lives with alcohol, drugs, sex, exercise, over working ourselves to exhaustion to satisfy this "hunger" deep inside. Even with close human relationships, as exciting or loving as they may be, they still will never completely satisfy this "emptiness" that we as humans often feel.
Only a relationship with God can fill this gap deep inside our hearts & souls.
Jesus said to us: "I am the bread of life." John 6:35
He is the only one who can ultimately satisfy our deepest hunger because He is the one who makes it possible for our relationship with God to be restored.
Ways that He satisfies us:
First, I know when I was using drugs, I often asked myself "What is the point of life?" or "Why I am even alive?" I have learned that until we come to a point in time in our life where we realize that we NEED God in our life and seek out to have a relationship with the Lord God we will NEVER find the true meaning and/or purpose of life. Lots of other things (like I listed above) can temporarily provide satisfaction but it NEVER lasts. Only once we are in a relationship with our Creator do we find the true meaning for our life.
Jeremiah 29:11 -" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Secondly, another thing I have learned in my relationship with God, is that the fear I had of dying has diminished. When I was living in sin I used to think about how often I could use or drink just one more time and die. I even had a terrible car accident in 2006 where I passed out while I was driving and hit a telephone pole head first with my SUV. Amazingly, I was able to walk away constantly thinking "Why didn't God let me die?" or "If I did die tonight, I think I would have gone to hell." For a while after my accident thoughts about why I had been 'allowed' to live when others in less severe accidents had not, haunted me. And although I was scarred from my experience & still fearful of death, the desire to get high and have my temporary satisfaction still came first before the Lord, leaving the aftermath of my decisions to follow. Through my sobriety and coming to know Jesus as my Savior, I also now know that my seat in heaven is secure. Only in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ can we find eternal life. Our relationship with Him may start now, but it WILL survive death, and then go on into eternity.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" -Ecclesiastes 3:11
Lastly I feel that in knowing Jesus as our redeemer, He has set up the plan so perfectly that we will also be able to receive forgiveness. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." If you are really completely honest with yourself you will realize you're not a perfect person and sometimes you do the wrong things. Sometimes you even do things you are deeply ashamed of. Believe me, I am not one to judge because I understand. I was someone who always thought that I was perfect. I thought I was 'invincible', that I hurt no one, and was basically not in need of anyone's forgiveness. I was someone who prided myself in 'not crying' and 'being strong.' When I entered into my recovery program, I learned really quickly as I did my Steps how WRONG I was. In Mark 7:20-23 Jesus says, "What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God." Most of us have committed one or some of these things and the fact is that we all need forgiveness. No one is beyond the point of being unable to be forgiven. You may be thinking that what you have done is something that God could never forgive or love you for. But God has seen everything in this world and loves us all anyway. 1 Timothy 1:16 -"But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." The Pastor at my church spoke last night that Jesus is the "Great Healer," and with that said, I believe that just as someone who might get cancer would need a doctor to help them, whether they want the help or not.. we as humans need our 'Great Healer' to forgive our sins whether we feel that we do or not. Jesus' death on the cross has made it possible for us to receive forgiveness and for us to communicate properly with God. In this awesome way our greatest need for "satisfaction" has been fulfilled
Also as a side note: I am someone who used to think 'I could never COMPLETELY give my life to God, I would be giving up too much and getting nothing in return.' If you are thinking the same thing, fear not! You are not alone. Maybe people think that if they enter into a relationship with God, they are going to be losing so many things in life that they hold onto so dearly. But in reality this is so far from the truth. God loves us and only asks us to give up things that cause us harm. Example: If you saw children playing in the middle of the highway during rush hour traffic, wouldn't you get them out of the road for fear of their safety? In the same way that you are not trying to put a damper on their 'fun' you are just looking out for their best interests, God does the same thing in our life. The other thing to remember is that what Jesus gave up when He died on the cross for our sins is NOTHING compared to anything He might ask us to give up for Him. He gave His life for us so that someday we might be able to join Him in heaven. John 3:16 "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die" This gift of eternal life is worth giving up the 'earthly possessions' we might value and hold so high in our life. This life is only temporary anyway and we cannot even begin to fathom how long eternity is. We are only travelers here on earth...don't get so comfortable. Matthew 16:26 "For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose their soul?" Don't risk your soul. The gift Jesus has waiting for you is so much better, and as someone who has now seen both sides of the track as they say...I would never go back. ever.
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