Are You Rooted?
What Do We Need Roots For? “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least-recognized need of the human soul” -Simone Weil, French Philosopher Roots are one of the most important parts of the plant. Stretching into the soil, roots provide stability for the plant, allowing it to sustain high winds or trampling. They gather nutrients and water from the soil, feeding the plant and sustaining its life. They even store some of these nutrients to provide the plant with food in seasons of hardship. Healthy root systems can even ward off disease and keep a plant focused only on absorbing nutrients that are good for it. A few summers ago, my family took a trip to California and stood in awe in a forest of Redwoods. Redwoods are among the largest and tallest trees in the world. While their roots stay shallow in the soil, they spread 50–100 feet out from the tree. The roots intertwine themselves with the roots of all the other Redwood trees. This community of roots provide additional stability for the tree in storms and flooding. What Do Roots Need To Survive? If you’ve ever gardened, taken a walk after a storm, watched the landscape change in times of drought, or seen crops decimated by bugs, you’ll realize that simply having roots is not all a plant needs to thrive. The roots have to stretch deep into the ground, and they have to be planted in the right kind of soil. They have to be watered and fertilized, and may even need to be surrounded by other plants that provide benefits to their well-being. Growing up, my parents always kept a large garden in our backyard. As a child, I helped till the soil, plant the seeds, water, and harvest the vegetables. I used to love the fresh green beans and cucumbers, while my mom would eat tomatoes by the pound. The garden thrived, and it was something I believed I could replicate at my own home. Recently, my husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary, which also marks the 13th year we’ve been in our home. The first year we moved in, I planted a large garden in the back corner of our property. I watered it daily, my plants grew and flowered, and I became so excited about the fresh produce we would enjoy. As the vegetables began to grow, though, my plants began to shrivel. Some were eaten by beetles, deer, and rabbits. Some just dried up and sank back into the earth. I was so disappointed that all my hard work had amounted to nothing. I decided to stop planting things and, in fact, ripped out a bunch of plants around the house. Don’t Give Up – Dig In We put rocks in our landscaping, and I swore I wouldn’t plant again, as it was obviously something I wasn’t very good at. Sometimes, this is how our faith life can go. We try it for a season without laying any significant roots or really investigating how we can strengthen our faith. We come up fruitless. In our frustration, we don’t return to our faith or our relationship with God in a serious way. Because of fear that it won’t yield results, we may even become cynical or angry at God. Scripture often provides metaphors between plants and our relationship with God. Within Scripture, we are compared to seeds that need planting in the right kind of soil, branches that need to stay connected to the Vine, and trees planted by streams of water if we remain focused on His ways. Colossians 2:7 states, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness (NLT).” Spiritual “Roots” Need Nourishment Too If you were to examine your life right now, where have you laid roots? Are you planted in soil that provides you nourishment and hope, or are your roots thirsting after something that leaves you dry and wanting more? When the wind blows and storms set in, are your roots planted firmly in the ground, or do you feel tossed about and unsettled? Have you surrounded yourself with other plants that enrich the soil, intertwining their roots with yours to help you stand strong and shield you, or are you attempting to stand alone and wish for the best? Beginning September 11 at all campuses of The Village Christian Church, you will have the opportunity to spread your roots into good soil. To grow in a way that will be fruitful and long-lasting. To be planted in something stable and full of truth. The Village will be offering a program called Rooted for ten weeks beginning in September. And we will celebrate your growth on November 14. Find What You Are Missing During Rooted Our mission statement here at The Village is Life Change, Life Growth, and Life Purpose. Is your life is in a place where drastic change is needed, where you need to meet God face to face and invite Him into your heart? Rooted is the place for you. Do you know God, but need to grow in your relationship with Him and His believers? Rooted is the place for you. If you’ve been walking with God awhile, but you lack purpose and vision and don’t realize all the plans that God has for you, then Rooted is also the place for you. For ten weeks, Rooted will walk all participants through the seven habits or disciplines of a relationship with God. Here at the Village, we have four core values: everybody grows, everybody serves, the Bible is our guide, and no boring here. The seven disciplines of Rooted will allow you to see these core values at play. Everybody will grow while learning how to pray and overcome strongholds in their lives, eventually learning to share their faith journey
Back To School Wisdom
The end of summer conjures many different emotions from different people, here is some back to school wisdom for you… Summer’s End As summer winds down, it’s a time to look back on all the memories—whether it’s enjoying countless popsicles, patching up scraped knees, or splashing around at the pool or beach with friends. There have been moments of joy, sibling squabbles, and countless hours of cheering on your kids in their favorite activities, including America’s beloved pastime, baseball. Many of us have also savored family vacations and cherished quality time together. For working families, you might be thinking, “No, summer can’t be over yet! We haven’t done everything we planned!” That feeling of wanting more time is completely natural. And for those who stay at home, perhaps you’re looking forward to the routine of school days and a bit more quiet time. Both feelings are valid, and it’s important to remember: you are a great parents, no matter which perspective you have. God chose you to be the parent to your kids, and He knows you are the perfect fit for them. New Beginnings As we transition from summer to the school year, let’s embrace this new season with joyful, God-filled hearts. Our children, especially the little ones, are incredibly observant and absorb everything they see us do. Starting the school year with genuine faith and a desire to deepen our relationship with Jesus can have a profound impact on our families. When we model a life of bold, faith-filled living, it sets an inspiring example for our kids. They notice how we handle stress, how we worship, and how we live out our faith. These moments leave a lasting impression. Matthew 5:13-16 reminds us: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Consider doing a family Bible study, praying together, listening to worship music, and having Jesus-centered conversations. Shine your light before your children and show them the joy of a faith-filled life. A fun way to grow in faith together is by attending family-friendly, Jesus-centered events. One such event is FamBlitz, which we will be hosting soon. FamBlitz is a live, Nickelodeon-style event that uses games and excitement to teach the whole family about Biblical principles. Parents and children play games together, learning and having fun while hearing the Gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect as a family through fun and laughter while growing in your faith. When your kids see you enjoying learning about Jesus, they’ll be inspired to do the same. Let your light shine brightly for them to see. Purchase Tickets for FamBlitz
How Do You Share Your Faith In Jesus?
Do you feel a responsibility to share your faith in Jesus with those that are close to you? How can you encourage others to have faith in Jesus too? Who’s First? We had to leave the house for family pictures at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. I have a beautiful wife and two gorgeous daughters. Between the three of them, they must have been in the bathroom for hours. Outfits. Hair. Make-up. All the stuff girls do to get ready. My girls are still young enough that they need their mom to do a lot of that for them. She had a busy morning. Would you like to guess what time I got in the shower? If you guessed 10:40 a.m., you’re not right, but you’re not that far off either. Christmas gifts work the same way in our house. My wife’s Christmas list includes me, the girls, our parents, a niece, extended family, work gifts, teacher gifts, and likely a bunch of other people I’m not even aware of. There may have been a few times when the both of us were thanked for giving a gift, and I didn’t even know what it was until it was unwrapped. She does a great job. My list is short. It’s her. Even then, I’ve had some off years. Is that how your family dynamic is when it comes to things like family pictures and Christmas gifts? One person only has to get themselves ready. Easy-peasy. No stress. The other is not just getting everyone else ready, but getting everything for everyone else ready. Invite People To The Party One is for themselves. One is for others. Which perspective do you hold when it comes to your faith and knowing Jesus? There’s a difference between viewing your faith as something that is only your own and something you lovingly want others around you to have. Your relationship with Jesus must be incredibly personal. It will not be judged based on your parents’ beliefs, what your Christian friends believe, or what kind of people you follow on social media. It’s between you and Jesus. But, God calls us to care about more than ourselves when it comes to developing that faith. We have to keep our eyes open for others. We have to help others reach that same faith. The way someone likely helped you do. Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20). We are told to love and serve others (John 13:34-35 and Mark 10: 43-45). We are told to train up the next generation to know God (Psalm 78:4-6 and Titus 2:4-6). That doesn’t mean we neglect our own faith, but it means we have a bigger perspective on what living out that faith means in the first place. It’s not just for you. It’s for others around you, too. There are plenty of passages throughout the Bible that compare the afterlife in heaven to a massive feast, celebrating with God and His people (Isaiah 25:6-9, Matthew 26:29, Luke 14:15 and Luke 22:29-30). May it be your goal and heart’s desire to not only get to that feast for yourself, but to take as many with you as possible. Check out the whole series “One At A Time” to learn about how to love others the way Jesus did. You can do an in depth study with your Lifegroup, a friend, your spouse or by yourself with the One At A Time Discussion Guides.
How Do You Follow What God Says To Do?
The ways of the world are certainly different from the ways God says we are to live, aren’t they? I constantly see this pattern displayed in the media, TV shows, commercials, everywhere. It seems like society almost prides itself in complaining about their children, their spouse, their work. If we can’t commiserate together about how “aggravating” or “time-consuming” our family is, what other common ground do we share? Now, we are going to talk about God’s ways. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. – Romans 12:2 In a world that says “kids are so stressful,” God says they’re a blessing. In a world that says “you do you, as long as you’re happy,” God says to serve others before yourself. In a world that screams pride and accomplishments, God calls us to humility and recognize our flaws and desperate need of saving. In a world that thrives on badmouthing your spouse, God asks us to lay down our own life for them. What Are You Going To Build Your Life Upon? While the ways of the world may seem enticing, shiny, popular, and fulfilling… that happiness is only fleeting. Your circumstances can and will change, and building your life upon anything other than the solid foundation of Jesus will inevitably make your home fall apart. When I tell people we homeschool our 4 kids, they often look at me like I’m crazy. It’s almost always followed by the question, “how in the world do you do it?!?” Spoiler alert: I don’t. God does. Something I’m working on every single day is not placing all of my value and worth in what reading level my kids are on or how athletically gifted our kids are (or aren’t). If my children learn one thing in life and one thing alone – That God loves them, and they are HIS – then I can rest in that, feeling accomplished. A relationship with Jesus is and always will be my biggest goal for our children. The world will never satisfy their souls. Being number one on their little league team will never find them eternal peace. Having the most expensive pair of shoes will never cause them to repent of their sins. Making sure they “fit in” and are enrolled in every activity possible will never deepen their relationship with Jesus. There are times and places for sports, clubs, and things of that nature, of course… But prioritizing their spiritual life needs to always be first. Something That Lasts God tells us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” He tells us to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to His commandments. Not only that, but to “repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 The world says they should be reading at XYZ levels, going to Ivy League school, enrolled in 8,000 sports programs and extra activities, and so much more. God says all we need to do is love him & love others more than ourselves. God’s way wins. Every time. We would love to meet you and share more about what to do to take the next step. We are here to help. Contact us. Learn more about God’s ways and how to follow them, Check out Rooted.
Mind Your Own Business
Mind your own business! Anyone ever tell you this? Or maybe it’s something you have said out loud, or thought in your head? Any way you slice it, it doesn’t come off very gracious. But sometimes when we get sidetracked from “what we are doing” because someone else has stepped in our way or questions our plan, this phrase could easily flow off our tongue. What’s complicated is when that someone is God. Although it should be tougher to tell Him to mind His own business, I bet there are times we all have. We create a plan for our life and chart a map of our future, or at least what we hope our future will look like. But when our plotted course sets sail in a direction never purposed by God and all our striving hits roadblock after roadblock, are we able to shift our mindset and be open to a path we didn’t expect to be on? What if we paused, laid it before God and asked for His wisdom? What keeps us from letting go of “our” way and more readily walk in His? Proverbs 3: 5-6 encourages us to lean on Him: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. (NIV) Submitting all our ways to Him, doesn’t mean we can’t have input. God allows us to try things, to enjoy new experiences, and even helps us endure hard seasons. But, if we keep going day by day, feeding our own desires, never asking God what He has for us—we are going to miss the best parts. We all have beautiful gifts and abilities from God. I don’t want to waste them, do you? As followers of Christ, He is the only navigator we need. We can trust His leading even when we can’t see the entire path ahead of us. In scripture, we learn that our ways and thoughts don’t always line up with His: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) At your next planning meeting (with yourself), try a fresh approach. Invite the Lord to sit at your table and ask Him for wisdom as you formulate your thoughts. Seek His guidance for any perimeters He may set for you. And most importantly, allow Him full access to “your business.” It will mean putting God in the driver’s seat and you rejoicing as a passenger. As you release control you will gain so much more. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
God’s Unending Love
We have a choice whether or not to follow Christ. He does not promise us a life without trouble, but He does promise us His unending love. My Reflection The other day I was scrolling social media. You can imagine my feed because it’s probably not all that different from yours. There’s some good, some funny, and a whole bunch of negativity and divisiveness. I wish Jesus had a Facebook. Am I right? As I mindlessly scrolled, I was struck enough by a particular post that I stopped to read it. I was paused by the anger behind it. I quickly decided to abandon it and kept going. A few moments later, I stopped to read a second, entirely different post. This post felt equally as enraged as the first. But what interested me were the striking differences between the two writers. These two writers, and their messages and posts, could not have been any more different from each other. But their anger was the same. Our Troubles So I found myself reflecting on anger and all of its “cousins:” frustration, impatience, criticalness, irritation, and more. I thought about how these apply to me and how they’re a stronghold for me. I was flooded by one thought: it is unending. There is no depth or ending for anger. It can last decades, generations even, and grow to a point that all it does is destroy everything in its path. Other strongholds are like this too, right? Sin takes hold so strongly that if we don’t turn from it towards God, there’s no end to it. We will quickly find ourselves lost in it. And it will take many forms, sometimes causing us to be blind to it. His Truth And while I held this thought in reflection, God quickly revealed His truth: He is infinite, He has no end either. God has no limitations, no barriers. He can fill us without end and fulfill to no end! So we have a choice. We can choose to be fulfilled by our strongholds, our pain, and our emotions so dark and deep that they feel hopeless. But we can also choose to live our lives in relationship with God. He will be our strength and absorb our burdens. He will light our path and fill us with hopeful joy at His mercy and grace. In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He does not promise us a life without trouble. We will experience sin and strongholds. But He does promise He has already won. For those who choose the path of Christ, we can walk in the footprints of this unending love and victory. You can read more of His truth with the YouVersion Bible.
Grace, A Free Gift For You
Are you familiar with the word “Grace”? There are many meanings and definitions of the word, but only one has power. Dictionary.com says grace is: “The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.” Freely given, you can’t pay for it or earn it. Unmerited, none of us deserve it. Grace is, by definition a free gift of favor and love from God for you. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Who doesn’t love a free gift? How many of you reading this have been around long enough to know that a “free gift” isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be? I really started to learn this lesson when I left home and went to college. The free t-shirt and a two-liter of Mountain Dew I got for signing up for a credit card came with some strings attached. As children, we excitedly accepted any free gift we were offered. My favorite free gift was a sucker when my mom took me to the bank. With age comes wisdom, experience, and skepticism. Maybe that is why we tend to struggle so much with the idea of grace. By the time we reach adulthood we are very aware that sin exists, both in the world and in us. If you are a parent, you have realized that sin is not something you need to teach a young child. They can figure out how to be naughty all on their own. We all seem to react to our sin differently. Some of us try to hide it, like Adam and Eve with their homemade fig leaf undies. We feel shame for the thing (sin) that separates us from God. Some of us shift the blame somewhere else; again, Adam and Eve. Adam said, “this woman you gave me caused me to sin.” Eve quickly came to her own defense and pointed out that the serpent deceived her, and it was not her fault either. Maybe you are not a blamer or a shamer; maybe you are a good deed doer. Have you ever felt bad for something you have done and tried to do something good, to in some way, cancel that debt? Let me be clear here that none of these things will work. You were created in the image of God. He is perfect and Holy and he cannot be in the presence of sin. It literally separates us from God. That’s why sin makes everyone feel so bad. We inherently know we have separated ourselves and we want it made right, but we go about it in the wrong way. We complicate things and try to hide it, blame it away, and fix it ourselves. God knows us because he created us. He knew our flesh would try to leave Him out of the equation and we would think we could save ourselves. He designed salvation in such a way that only Jesus could provide it. Ephesians 2:8 says: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” God loves us so much that He gave us His only son, to come into the world, and be the perfect sacrifice. He died so the brokenness that sin created between us and God could be restored. We are given eternal life instead of what we deserve which is eternal death and eternal separation from God. Why would He do that? Why would he withhold punishment and instead, give us a free gift? It doesn’t make sense. That’s what makes grace so amazing. I love the lyric from the song What a Beautiful Name, it says, “He didn’t want heaven without us, so Jesus you brought heaven down. My sin was great, your love was greater. What could separate us now?” This song so beautifully paints the picture of grace. He chose us, He loves us and He wants us, not because we are good, but because He is good. That’s grace!
How To Build Your Spiritual Endurance
What exactly is spiritual endurance? The ability to continue on, especially during difficult times. Even those who consider themselves resilient sometimes waiver. It can be hard to overcome seasons of discouragement without feeling some sort of shift or discomfort. In these times, we may feel spiritually drained or out of sync with God. But He knows our heart and instructs us. You may be reading this as a person who struggles to feel brave or encouraged. Or, you may feel like me, a fighter that’s more tired than usual. You may be feeling something in between or completely different. Either way, our struggles are often similar. We all experience loss, sorrow, disappointment, fear, worry, stress and the list goes on. The Struggle is Real During times like these, we can end up feeling drained- financially, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc… Whether you’re used to leaning into God or not, that’s a scary feeling for anyone. What do you do when you have prayers that feel unanswered? How do you respond when you feel you’re not on the same page as God? Do you struggle with feeling connected and motivated to maintain your relationship with Him? This happens to nearly all believers at some point. Don’t believe me? Just ask them! And He Knows It Fortunately, our God knows us well and designed us to be in community with others for support. He sent His Son to the cross so we could go before Him and have a relationship with Him. Jesus knows your pain because He struggled as a human. Last, but not least, God provided us with Scripture to better know Him. He has provided us with tools to build up our spiritual endurance. Our God may be mysterious but we also know He is an intentional provider with perfect timing. Pray So when you find your spiritual endurance being tested, know there is more ahead. God sees time as eternal, not as we do. So the best thing you can do is…pray and wait. I know, I know. This isn’t what you want to hear! Keep reading though because it’s what you NEED to hear. God has a plan for you! Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “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.” So while we are not guaranteed ease and happiness at every turn, that only strengthens our understanding of His greatness. The same Father that created you is the same Father that will carry and deliver you. Just pray. And wait. If you need some other ideas to dust yourself off and continue your journey with God, I’ve included some below. Ideas: Stay in the community: come to church, join a Lifegroup (if you haven’t), and/or volunteer. Switch up your spiritual routine: consider adding a prayer or Bible study, start a devotional, or spend more time in prayer. Seek wise and trusted spiritual counsel. 1 John 4:4-6 Get in the Word daily! Seek an accountability partner, if needed. The YouVersion Bible App is a great tool and you can download it onto your smart device and take it with you wherever you go.
Who’s Going To Win In Your Life?
It’s all about the win. When I was in Jr. High and High School and my family would go visit my grandparents and we’d always spend time watching sports on TV. My grandpa would always walk in the room and ask the question, “Who’s winning?” It didn’t matter who was playing, only who was winning. I actually love that question as it relates to our relationship with Jesus. Who’s winning in my life? Jesus or Satan? Maybe better said, “Who am I allowing to win in my life?” Did you know Jesus is the key to the kingdom? John 10:10 clearly shows us who the opponents in our life are and their plans for us. By the way, these are the words of Jesus to his friends: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Don’t Let The Trash Talk Win I love sports and competition. I love strategy and figuring out the weakness of my competition so that I can exploit it for a win. Basketball is one of my favorite sports and often times when playing basketball, you could easily trash talk another player into playing like garbage. I’m pretty sure that was a sin when I did that in High School and Bible College. ? Satan is going to do anything he possibly can to get your off your game. He will trash talk you (tell you things that aren’t true), trick you and steal anything he can from you. He wants to kill the good things in your life and steal your joy. If you ever need a reminder about that just go back and read John 10:10. That sounds like a lot of bad news, and it could be. But there’s good news – you get to choose. You can choose not to let the trash talk win. You can choose to stay connected to Jesus. He loves you, He chose you. Jesus is the key to the Kingdom. Jesus came not only so that you can have life, but have it to the FULL. He always meets us where we are and continues to develop us if we make the time. Just like sports, it takes dedication to have a solid relationship with Jesus. You can’t just show up once in a while and expect it to happen. You need to practice daily. It requires commitment and setting priorities in your life. Ways To Connect With Jesus Stay connected by reading truth, God’s Word/The Bible, every day. A great way to do that is the YouVersion Bible App. In addition to Bible verses, there are reading plans on just about any topic you can think of. You can even invite a friend to work through a reading plan with you. Spend time praying. Don’t let prayer intimidate you. Think of it as a time to talk to a friend and just let out what’s on your heart. God wants you to have an honest conversation, let Him know your struggles and ask Him to guide you. Just sit. Life gets busy and often we are running from one thing to the next with little to no downtime. When you just sit and be quiet, reflect on your day, your week and all that has been happening. Close your eyes and ask God to reveal where He walked with you. Try this experiment for today and continue this week and this month. Ask yourself 3 times a day, “Who’s winning…Jesus or Satan…in my life? Don’t allow Satan to win. Choose to win and receive the amazing life Jesus has for you.
God Created Us To Be In Community
When surrounded by both good times and bad, we find ourselves desiring to feel support from those around us. That’s because God created us to be in community with one another and it’s during times like these that we remember why. As I considered writing my next blog post, I knew that I wanted to write about the idea of community but had no idea what to say about it. Then God provided the perfect inspiration. TAKE THE RISK Recently, a friend invited me to her church for a women’s ministry event. I was excited but my mind was racing, wondering if there would be tables set up or rows of chairs, friendly and welcoming women or cool and standoffish ladies, values reflected that aligned to my own or a night of discomfort ahead, and so on. You see, most people think I’m outgoing but I’m more of an introvert at heart. And I overthink- a lot. Sometimes I even let these types of thoughts psych me out. Does that ever happen to you? Do you ruin something before even giving it a chance? Fortunately, the Holy Spirit was working hard and I attended the event. And it was great! On the way home I found myself reflecting on all of the ways I’ve benefited from the community throughout my life. SEE THE BENEFIT OF COMMUNITY Most recently, I’ve benefited from expanding my community to include other believers. This didn’t happen easily for my husband or me, especially me. But The Village made it so easy that once our hearts and minds adjusted, God began to clear paths for us to a new community, one with other believers. We now have a network of other believers that come alongside us regularly, without judgment and with total selflessness and compassion. They speak truth to us, pray for us, encourage us, send us scripture, and so much more. The best part is that we get to try our best to return this care to them. MAKE IT HAPPEN So, knowing this, I ask you: Are you surrounded by a strong community of believers? If not, I encourage you to pray on this and become involved in opportunities to build this system for yourself. It is unlike any other support you’ll receive from humanity. You can build up your community by participating in some of The Village’s activities such as Rooted, Lifegroup, serving on a team, and numerous ministry opportunities.
How To Get To Know God
Do you ever wonder, who is God? Do you know of God, but don’t know Him personally? Did you know He wants to know you, and He wants to have a personal relationship with you no matter what you have done in the past? This blog will guide you with simple and practical steps on how to get to know God so you can have a close, personal relationship with Him. Start Here I want to start with an apology. If you’ve been hurt by the Church, I am so sorry. If you feel that you have been hurt by God, I am so sorry. Our world can be a hard place, a place with a lot of hurt and suffering. When difficult things happen it can definitely be challenging and you may feel let down and all alone. Let’s be honest, you may blame God. God doesn’t promise us that there won’t be pain and suffering in our lifetime. In fact, the Bible tells us that there will be, check out this verse and note where it says you WILL have trouble. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Today I want to encourage you that you are not alone. I encourage you to set those past hurts aside and clear your mind. Open your heart to all that God wants for you. He doesn’t want you to have chaos in your life and He wants to be there for you when you are hurting. Take the step to start fresh and take a step to start a personal relationship with Him. God created everything from nothing. It’s hard to wrap your mind around that, right?!? Take a minute and really think about that, God created EVERYTHING from NOTHING. He has the power to do anything so are you willing to give Him a chance? Are you ready to get to know Him? Take The First Step To Know God – Prayer If you’re ready to take that first step, I want you to take a minute to pray. Don’t be intimidated, don’t be scared. Think of prayer as if you were talking to your best friend and just talk. Prayer isn’t a magical conversation. You don’t have to use certain words, or get on your knees, or have superpowers. You don’t have to go on and on with a long dissertation. Just talk. Here’s one example of a prayer to get you started: Dear God, I’m really struggling right now and I need you. Help me open my mind and my heart to you. Guide me for your will to be done, not my own. I want to get to know you, really get to know you. Lord, provide the opportunity, the time, and space for me to get to know you personally. Thank you, amen. Take The Next Step To Know God – Set Aside Time Now that you have opened up your mind and heart to God, the next step is to set aside time for Him. Life is busy – you may be running kids from activity to activity, or maybe you’re buried at work or school. The list of distractions is endless and I get it. Did you know that being busy is one way that Satan uses to distract us? If you don’t take the time to make time with God a priority, then it will be impossible to get to know Him and build that personal relationship. So take a look at your calendar. Do it right now and find a time to schedule with God. Make it a daily appointment at whatever time works for you. I prefer first thing in the morning, but the time doesn’t matter as long as you commit to making the appointment and sticking with it. Set an alarm, set two alarms or whatever it takes to remember and hold that appointment. Now What – Get Into God’s Word, The Bible So now you’ve prayed and set your time with God, now what? The next step is to turn to the Bible. If you prefer to work online, the YouVersion Bible App is a great resource. If you prefer a hard copy, I suggest a life application study Bible or a journal Bible. The life application study Bible includes clarifications that help you understand the language, advice on how to apply the Bible’s teaching to everyday life, descriptions of the context and setting, profiles of key Bible people, guides for finding what you’re looking for and more. The journal Bible provides space on each page for you to add notes, questions, resources and more. Culture likes to throw a lot of lies at us, but the Bible is truth, 100% of the time. It can be difficult to understand at times, but if you try that life application study Bible or the Youversion Bible app it can easier. The app has reading plans that you can search by topic for whatever life is throwing at you. The reading plans include various Bible verses. You have to make time in God’s Word a priority to stay focused on the goal, which is getting to know your creator. Feel free to contact me if you need help finding a YouVersion reading plan or need some help getting started or working through your Bible. Take the step to start fresh and take a step to start a personal relationship with God so you can get to know Him. Check out this message from one of our Pastors, Nick Sandeno, about Who Is God…
Digging Ditches To Catch God’s Rain
The Greater Than Message for 2022 is about learning to ask God for help. But, we have to realize, God may require us to dig a ditch to prepare for what He is going to do. Have You Been Here Before? A little boy was playing in his sandbox. He had his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox. The lad dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn’t roll it up and over the wall. The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, and shoved. But his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers. Finally, he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy’s father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy’s father. Gently but firmly he said, “Son, why didn’t you use all the strength that you had available? Defeated, the boy sobbed back, “But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!” “No, son,” corrected the father kindly. “You didn’t use all the strength you had. You didn’t ask me.” With that, the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox. I wonder what dreams or needs you might be bringing into 2022. What Big Rock Is In Front Of You That You Need To Be Moved? We are going to look at the scripture today for encouragement on how to come to God for help. Background…3 kings set out to go after an opposing army. 2 kings from God’s people (northern/southern kings) and another ally. They are supposed to fight against an enemy that they should have been able to defeat easily… And we pick it up right here in 2 Kings 3:9: So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or the animals with them. There had been famine in the land, a drought. The kings had been running their kingdoms with not much thought to God. But, when you run out of water, you look to God real quick. But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”- 2 Kings 3:11 This was a very common thing in the Old Testament. Ask a prophet to ask God and tell us what to do. What need do you have in your life that only God can meet? What thing beneath the surface of your smile is bothering you at night that no one knows about because you are too embarrassed to admit it. You can do all you can do…but only God can make it rain. You need something only God can give. “The Lord says, ‘Dig a lot of ditches in this valley.’ – 2 Kings 3:16 Only God Can Make It Rain, But He Wants You To Dig A Ditch. They dug ditches to hold the water. God was saying, “I’m going to bring the water, you get ready for it by digging the ditches.” Before God sends the rain in your life, often He will call you to dig some ditches in preparation for the rain. What ditch is God calling you to dig in an area of your life in preparation for the blessing He wants to send? You answer that question, you will be living out your faith. If we do what we can do, God will do what he can do! Our mission at The Village is helping people experience Life change, Life Growth, and Life Purpose: Life Change: Faith/Repent/Confess/Baptism/Live the Christian Life, Daily Prayer, Daily Bible reading, taking that next step in generosity, inviting friends to church so their lives can be changed. Life Growth: Join a Lifegroup, Reaching out to others to connect and experience community. Life Purpose: Serve (dig ditches so others can experience God’s Grace). You dig a ditch, God will bring the rain! Don’t stop digging. Do it because the Lord says, ‘You will not see wind or rain. But this valley will be filled with water. Then you, your cattle and your other animals will have water to drink.’ “That’s an easy thing for the Lord to do. The next day, the time came to offer the morning sacrifice. And then it happened! Water was flowing from the direction of Edom! The land was filled with water! 2 Kings 3:17-20 Ask God To Help You Do Greater Things Every year, we come before God and ask for his blessing on another year. Each year, He is faithful and does way more than we could ask or imagine. Every year, we remind ourselves of Jesus’ words in John 14:12 which say: “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.” We believe these words of Jesus, that together, everyone giving room for God to work and us doing what we can do (“digging ditches”) that this is true. What ditch is God calling you to dig? Where do you need to step out in faith and give him room to work? You might be tired, you might be worn out, just keep digging. Keep serving. Keep believing!
Jesus Came To Redeem Humanity
On December 12th, Julianna Pena – a +850 underdog – managed to defeat Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight championship. Amanda was the No.1 fighter in ESPN’s women’s pound-for-pound ranking and a winner of 12 straight fights. She was considered one of the greatest MMA women fighters of all time. Many UFC analysts suggest this upset defeat by Pena was one of the greatest upsets in MMA history. Some argue that Pena will not be forgotten after this past weekend’s fight. As Christians, we know this MMA historic event will soon be forgotten. Although the excitement of the fight is still fresh in the minds of many, one story of one person continues to stand the test of time. Today I want to talk about why Jesus’ arrival to earth is still remembered after all this time. He did not win a fight or an MMA belt, but He did redeem humanity. Sinless Yet Human Jesus Christ came in the flesh and is fully God. He arrived in human form to live a fully human life. He cannot take our place receiving the full punishment of sin without living and experiencing all that a human can encounter in a lifespan. Jesus was born into a body that was not sinful. He cannot sin, but he obeyed the limitedness of his physical body. He did not use the power that he could have as God while on earth. Jesus’ body “contained” his power, in other words. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not come into a sinful body; let me explain. He could not have been put into a fallen body because that would assume that Jesus Christ is sinful. 2 Cor. 5:21, Paul tells us that, “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (ESV) 1 Peter 2:22 tells us that Jesus, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth…” (ESV) The author of Hebrews, verse 4:15, states that we do “not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (ESV). Jesus Suffered For Our Sins Jesus chose to take on the full weight of all sin of the world to save humanity from God’s punishment. The scholar, Wellum tells us that while Jesus did not possess the moral corruption brought on by the fall, He did suffer from the fall’s amoral effects. These effects are grief, weariness, prolonged hunger, opposition by enemies and even neighbors and family members…and the physical agonies of dying. Putting it differently, it is like a person having flu-like symptoms but not having the flu. Jesus felt the effects of the sin but is not sinful himself. To close, Jesus Christ took on our human nature without human sin. Praise God! Our precious Savior is the only one who could take our place on the cross. Jesus Christ came to this world to save you and me from the punishment of sin. Put your faith in Jesus Christ and He is faithful and able to redeem you from the hands of evil and darkness. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12 (ESV)
You’re It: The Next Witness
Do you find it uncomfortable to talk about your faith? Are you uncertain of how to approach people or tell them about Jesus? Or maybe you have the opposite problem and you’re able to share but it doesn’t always go well. It’s something many of us struggle with, but fortunately, God has a plan. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. -1 Peter 3:15 THE PROCESS Life on Mission teaches the process of how to share our faith. It explores the concept of witnessing, as opposed to being the lawyer, police, judge, or jury. This provides valuable insight into a Christlike (and non-weird) process for sharing what God has done in our life. It’s important to balance being both the salt AND the light. And yet, many of us still struggle to feel prepared at times. We know what to do but not always how to do it. When I first returned to church, I remember thinking that I would not be the one to witness, that there was NO way God called ME to do that work. I was too this and that and not enough (fill in the blank). However, a recent experience has changed my mind and my heart. OPPORTUNITY Recently, some friends of mine and I went on a girls’ trip. Because we were in Life on Mission and I was being prayerful for opportunities, I mentioned to one of my friends (also a believer) that we should do a devotional with the group one morning. Not everyone was a churchgoer or believer on the trip so I felt it would be a great way to try and witness. We invited everyone without pressure. Fortunately, our friends chose to attend (AKA- God wanted this to happen!). Before the trip, we picked some scripture from Hebrews and my friend wrote the devotional. After completing the devotional, the group discussed how it applied to life today, particularly friendships. By the end, my friends who do not understand our faith, began to ask questions. They were hard questions; questions without easy answers. They expressed their frustrations and beliefs about organized religion. They were honest. In my past, I would have either agreed with them and joined in or felt defensive and challenged. But now, having the relationship with God that I do, I found myself excited- a sure sign the Holy Spirit was at work! WITNESS Going in, I had prayed not only for an opportunity but discernment. As recent as that morning and right before the devotional, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to give me words. So in the face of questions that should have been difficult, I saw their worldly understanding as a lack of knowing Christ. I found myself acknowledging with a genuine heart their concerns. I used it as an opportunity to explain things that the world does not tell us about what it is to be religious, to be a Christian, and most importantly, to have a relationship with God. While I’d love to say that all of my friends are now regularly attending church, we know that is not realistic. But it’s also not the goal. The goal was to witness and give God space to plant seeds. PRAY I encourage you to pray for opportunity and to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your words and your heart in these difficult conversations that you’re praying come up. I encourage you to have those conversations when you can, even if you’re uncomfortable. Be vulnerable and OK with saying “I don’t know.” Remember that they won’t be your words, because if you’re prayerful, the Holy Spirit will most certainly speak through you. Pray for discernment and let God work.
How Do We Disagree And Still Get Along?
The big question during these times is, “how do we disagree and still get along?” Would you agree? Keep reading and gain some insight and learn some ways to foster good relationships without compromising what you believe. Today’s blog is a follow up to Nate Ferguson’s message at The Village Christian Church when he taught on how to show compassion within our relationships. As a clinical therapist (in training), I often teach cognitive skills that help people improve their relationships at home. The main type of relationship that people need help with is between parents and children, both young and grown. There are several paths to discuss this challenging topic, but I want to focus on the main thing that tears down the relationship between children/young adults and their parents. What Is The Cause Of The Problem? Invalidation is the main reason relationships suffer at home between children/young adults and their parents and it occurs often within these relationships sadly. A person’s self-worth is taken from them when he/she feels like what they have to say is not important. In many cases, parents listen to “answer” rather than listening to “listen.” The latter expresses a message that although a parent may not agree with the child, the content is much less important than validating the perspective of the child. However, the moment a young person feels invalidated, he/she will experience a great deal of shame. Sometimes they may feel like they do not matter, that what they have to say is not worth listening to. The disagreement between a young person and a parent worsens when this type of invalidation is not dealt with. The problem turns into the issue of a young person’s self-worth crumbling. Nothing is more painful for a human being than to feel like they don’t belong. Research tells us that not feeling like you belong is one of the main reasons why a young person does not want to keep living. Although this seems extreme, this often occurs in homes where families appear as though everything is “alright.” Another major component that comes up is the feeling of self-hatred because of being invalidated. Self-worth decreases which can lead to a person feeling like who they are is not important. This same person can experience the feeling of being alone because their perspective continually is being ignored or unappreciated. What Does Scripture Say About It? Proverbs 11:9 (ESV version) says that: “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly”. Proverbs 11:17 (ESV version) also tells us that: “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.” Lastly, in Matthew 12:36 (ESV version), a great warning is presented to us as believers: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak.” Words are powerful and without the discernment given to us by the Holy Spirit, many of us harm those that we love dearly without intent by our words. Further, the harm may be extended to those outside of our family; friends, co-workers, and relatives can also be harmed by our careless words. Practice The Art Of Communication To find the middle path, we can disagree with our loved ones AND still find a way to bring about comfort and acceptance of their self-worth. The art of communication is difficult to do well. For the sake of the glory of Christ, I think it is worth taking this art seriously. I want to share with you all three main ways that you can disagree with a loved one and still validate their self-worth and their perspective, i.e., the middle road is not compromising. Validating someone’s perspective does not have to mean you agree with their perspective.“I appreciate your perspective. I want to think a bit more about what you are saying. Maybe we can get together again soon to chat some more about this?” Disagree with the content of someone’s perspective, do not make it personal.“I have to share with you that I do not know if I come to the same conclusion you do about that passage in Scripture. Maybe you and I can talk to a pastor about our disagreement?” Build trust and rapport before you start disagreeing. Trust binds together those that disagree about many things.“I appreciate you so much and I know that we do not agree about a lot of things. I’m so thankful that we can disagree and still care about each other. I would rather be together than disagree harshly and never speak again.” Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! -Psalm 141:3 (ESV)
How To Incorporate Jesus In Your Life
Have you ever wondered how to incorporate Jesus into your daily life? Have you ever wanted an instruction manual for how to be a Jesus follower? You love Jesus, but maybe you just don’t know where to start or how to grow closer to Him. Those are common questions that I come across. We are in the midst of a series at The Village titled, Here’s How, that addresses some of those questions. I want to start by referencing this verse… Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. -1 Peter 2:1-3 Get Rid Of The Bad Stuff In short…Get rid of the bad stuff and replace it with good stuff. In the message, I challenged everyone in a couple of ways to put this into practice. One of those challenges was to only listen to Christian radio while in the car for a month. This was especially pointed at ME (just in case you don’t realize…a lot of what I teach I’m struggling with…just like you ?). At this writing, I’m 4 days in and continuing to push forward. It’s remarkable how much I miss my talk radio! I miss everyone being crabby about the Chicago Bears and other political pundits creating division. Why do I crave the bad stuff? Ugh! Find The Time For The Good Stuff At the same time, for me, my only time to step away from work is in the car. The ride to and from work, lunch, or a meeting is a respite from the busy schedule. I’m pretty much in the car every day. If you don’t know me, I tend to be a bit high-strung. Now in my times of stress, I get in the car and “escape” to the Good Stuff!!! It’s so good to hear (through music) God’s reminders for my soul. This daily time in the car is a great time to incorporate Jesus into my everyday life. It’s so important to continually remind yourself of who you are in Christ. To be honest, I do miss the ugly stuff. However, while I miss the ugly stuff each day I’m finding a difference in my life by only putting in the good stuff. What’s the bad stuff for you? I encourage you to take the time to think about it. Make a plan to eliminate it and replace it with the good stuff. What’s the good stuff for you? Think about it, make a list. Consider this question, what do you think God may do in and through your life? If you need help finding the good stuff let me know, I’d love to help you. There are many ways you can incorporate Jesus into your life every day. Sometimes you just need to slow down, spend some time thinking about it, pray about it, and ask God to help you figure it out. Check out the entire message, Here’s How To Stand Out
Be Careful What You Wish For
“Be careful what you wish for” is a phrase we have all heard and felt before, I’m sure. Most of us consider this phrase following something difficult. But have you ever experienced it in a good way? I have and maybe you will find that you have too. The past few weeks, I’ve been thinking that phrase quite a bit. Usually, I’m smirking and shaking my head at God’s plan for me lately. Between Life on Mission, the 60-day prayer challenge, Discipleship Journey, daily devotionals, and Lifegroup, many of us are praying for a closer relationship with our Father. For God to show us opportunities to witness. Well, ask and you shall receive, right? In my own life, I’ve noticed every one of my “buttons” being pressed and my patience being tested. I feel like God is all but screaming at me to lean into Him and yield to His will. It’s been TOUGH, but worth it and I’m happy I’m not “careful” in what I prayed over. When we pray for life growth, life change, and opportunities, God will deliver! That’s not always easy because change is difficult, to say the least. But without it, we cannot grow closer to our Father and carry out His mission to expand the kingdom. The good news is that we can call upon the Holy Spirit, dive into scripture, lean on our church family, and pray to Our Savior to carry us through. Romans 5: 5 reminds us that, “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” We can call to God at any time for help, seeking strength in the Spirit! And while we struggle in an abundance of opportunity, we can rest assured that God is working in our hearts and using us even in those times. Even if you feel like you can’t serve God where you’re at, He promises that He is using you. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God using imperfect people to fulfill His mission. We can find comfort in knowing that He loves us, wants the very best for us, and is a perfect God capable of using our imperfect lives for His mission. So if you find yourself struggling, know you aren’t alone and the work you are doing is good: you are working to be closer to our Lord and share the good news! Yes, be careful what you “wish” for. Give care to your prayers and watch God work through them!
What Does Heaven Look Like?
Do you ever wonder what heaven will look like? Many people do. Will it be peaceful? Will we see angels? Lots of Fans When I travel, one of my favorite things is to go and visit sports stadiums. The second week of October I was in the Knoxville area and had an hour to kill so I went and visited the University of Tennessee Football Stadium. WOW! Just WOW! I was able to walk right in, and with the permission of the gatekeeper take some pictures.You can kind of get a feel for what I saw in the picture at the top of this blog, however it’s so much better in person. Did you know there are enough stadium seats for 102,455 people? I tried to imagine 102,455 people singing “Rocky Top” after a Tennessee touchdown. I almost extended my stay to see if I could get a ticket to check this out. This visual reminded me of a passage of the Bible where the apostle John is trying to describe Heaven. In Revelation 5:11 it says… Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Lots of Praise I did some quick math…10,000 X 10,000 = 100,000,000 (100 Million). Can you imagine 100,000,000 angels singing to Jesus in Heaven? What blew my mind with a 102,455 stadium is 1/1000th of the number of angels who will be singing to Jesus. Think about that. The University of Tennessee Football Stadium filled to capacity times 1000. Think about what that would sound like. Think about what that would look like. That’s something to look forward to! By the way…just a reminder that we have the opportunity every week in Minooka/Seneca/Online to worship God. The more the merrier! See you Sunday!
Share Your Story And Plant A Seed
Did you know there are people all around you that don’t know the truth about God, Jesus or the Bible? God put you right where you are so you can share your story with them and plant a seed for Him to water. Your story, who you were before God intervened and the way He changed you and made you new is unique and powerful. I would bet that sometime in your life, someone shared their story with you. Sharing your personal, real story with someone who doesn’t know God is one of the best ways to introduce them. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15 So, here is my story. The Lie For most of my life, I was told to be self-sufficient, I had to make it on my own, and that I was the only one who could change my circumstances. I always struggled, in a constant state of anxiety, stress and worry. I just couldn’t do everything on my own. So, I depended on my family and friends for help emotionally, physically and financially. The more I found myself dependent on others, the more I felt insufficient and worthless. I was miserable because I believed the lie that I should only rely on what I could do for myself. For those of you who don’t know me, I have had a very colorful past. I thought I was dealt a bad hand, that I wasn’t good enough and I beat myself up a lot. The Truth Eventually I learned God never wants that for his children. Thankfully, He put a beautifully insistent woman of grace literally right next to me! My neighbor encouraged and helped me seek my rightful relationship with God. Now I can honestly say the day I gave my worries and fears over to Him was the day my life started growing in joy. Understanding God sent His son to bear the weight of all our sins and faults and how Jesus brings us to the perfection God created us for has opened my heart fully. Suddenly, everything started falling into place in my life without stress, fear, or a sense of failure. Now I see the more I pray, the more I submit to His will and have faith in His longing to bring relief and happiness to myself and my loved ones. I am truly joyful, grateful, and wholly blessed! The Freedom Now, I have come to see the truth. I wasn’t made to be dependent on myself or any other person. I was created as a child of God, loved perfectly even with my imperfections. God created me with purpose. All I had to do ALL those years was believe that one thing. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” – Galatians 3:26 Ask God today who you can share your story with and watch Him change their life.
What Is The Bare Minimum I Need To Do?
When I started dating my wife, Rachelle, in college and wanted to get serious, I was willing to do whatever it took to show her how much I loved her. Can you imagine if rather than trying super hard, I instead asked her….Rachelle, what’s the bare minimum I need to do in this relationship for you to be interested? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the relationship would not have lasted very long! The Bible teaches us that when we enter a relationship with God, there are specific steps that we need to take. Step 1. Faith John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. We don’t just kind of believe or say a simple prayer. This is a heartfelt, I’m “All IN” for the rest of my life moment! Step 2. Repent Acts 3:19 – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. We don’t just sort a kinda walk away from our sins. We do a complete U Turn! And God meets us there and helps us continue to honor Him! Step 3. Confess Romans 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. We don’t just say words to get what we want. We publicly declare our love for Jesus because we love him. Just like we would our spouse and children. Step 4. Baptism 1 Peter 3:21 – And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. Baptism isn’t just getting wet. It’s the pledge of doing our best for God for all the days of our life. Step 5. Living the Christian Life Living the Christian Life (Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will) When we go through the first four steps, we don’t just stay infants in Christ. We grow daily by focusing on Him and in turn figure out His will for our lives. I began by sharing about my relationship with my wife, Rachelle. We began dating in February of 1992 in college. We were married in December 1996. At this writing, for 29 years I have been pursuing her. She is the love of my life. In the summer of 1984 I began my relationship with Jesus. I walked through each step, and for the past 35 years I have pursued Jesus. I’m ALL IN in my pursuit of him and will be for the rest of my life. How about you? Are you looking for the bare minimum….or are you looking to take every step and continue to take every step in pursuing a relationship with Jesus?
Is Spiritual Warfare Real?
Have you ever noticed that your challenges seem to grow the more you seek God? Have you ever wondered why things seem to get more difficult in your life even when you’re intentional about your time with God? Or perhaps you are new to having a relationship with God or working to renew it, but find yourself feeling defeated by seemingly worldly issues. It is during these times that it is important to remember God’s warning to us about spiritual warfare. When my husband and I began Rooted at The Village earlier this year, we were warned about spiritual warfare the first night. I remember doubting this warning entirely and thinking spiritual warfare wouldn’t happen to me even if it was real. Spoiler alert: my pride and arrogance proved wrong. As I continue to grow in my relationship with God, I realize how very real spiritual warfare is and its enormous impact on our lives. Why? 1 Peter 5: 8-9 warns us that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Hearing this, I guess that if you haven’t already started, you can easily recall moments in your own life when the enemy was seeking to destroy you. This is because Satan wants to keep us, including you, from God. He is the enemy, opposite to all of God’s love and plans for us, and he will try to ruin those working to advance God’s kingdom at all costs. As warriors for God, we can certainly expect his attacks. The closer we walk with God, the more Satan’s mission is at stake. You will feel him up the ante and begin to hit you harder, seeking to drive you away from God. This warfare may come packaged in many worldly forms, such as temptation. But we also know from 2 Thessalonians 3: 3, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” What Can We Do? Therefore, when we remain obedient and faithful to God, we have his strength and protection. God is more powerful than Satan; He can defeat him, He will defeat him! So during all times, including when we are under attack, we must not turn from our Father. We must seek to walk closer to our Father, keeping our eyes on Him for guidance. We must remain diligent and intentional in growing our relationship with Him through prayer and spending time with Him. Don’t ever forget we can call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us. God tells us to dawn the armor (Ephesians 6: 10-18) that He has provided us, which includes reading the Word. It is also important to surround ourselves with other believers, joining Lifegroups and attending church. Through these weapons, all rooted in the love and protection of Our God, we can overcome the enemy’s advances. And, as my church family warned me, remember that the enemy attacks in response to our work for God. How great your work for God must be for the enemy to attack you so viciously!
When Someone Rejects God
Did you know there is a worldview that rejects God? For example, a person may believe that science dispels the idea that miracles exist because it goes against scientific principles. If this is true, then a person is going to reject miracles that occur in the Bible. If you deny miracles, then you deny that Jesus rose from the dead. Although some may believe this rationale is ridiculous, some people do hold to views like this one. God Created The Heavens And The Earth Modern science assumes a non-Christian worldview. I cannot put God “under a microscope” so God cannot be real. Physical matter is all that is real for a person that holds a worldview that is not Biblical. I argue, however, that science and a Christian worldview are compatible. A person who rejects God (i.e., worldview) argues that God is restricted by the laws of the universe. To put it simply, God must follow laws like no energy is created nor destroyed in the universe. If this logic is true, then God cannot create anything out of nothing. However, the Bible tells us this… In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1 A warning is given from Scripture about identifying with a worldview that opposes the concept of God. Although people who identify with this worldview desire to pursue truth, God tells us there is one way to find truth and that is found in Jesus Christ. No other way exists to find truth in this world (John 3:16, ESV). The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only way to know God. Although people who reject God suggest that God is unknowable, the Bible tells us that all Scripture is “God-breathed…” (2 Tim. 3:16, ESV). God speaks to us continually through His Word and His creation. John the Disciple sharply points out that “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, ESV). As people desire to seek out their truth, God gives them over to the desires of their hearts (James 4:7, ESV). Believe to understand rather than attempting to understand so you can believe in Jesus Christ, St. Anselm of Canterbury suggested many decades ago. What To Do When Someone Rejects God I want to share with you practical ways to communicate with a friend, loved one, or a family member who may hold to a worldview that rejects God: Jesus builds relationships through us, not destroys them. Build a relationship first with someone before you suggest their worldview is not biblical. People know you care when you listen to understand them. Listening to listen is not listening to respond. Changing someone’s heart is Jesus’ job, not yours; be patient with those that do not hold the same worldview you do. Jesus saved you while you were yet still a sinner. Agree to disagree builds trust and respect in a relationship. People are more willing to hear about a Christian worldview when their worldview is respected. Simple statements that encourage ongoing discussion with your people who reject a worldview that believes in God. Here are some examples: “Thank you for spending some time with me to talk about this challenging topic.” “I appreciate the time you spent with me to share your story. Let’s catch up soon so we can talk more.” “I just want to hear your story about your belief in God; I am not here to judge it.” “We may not agree in the end, but I am glad we had this discussion. I enjoyed getting to know you.”
Judgments Based on Appearances
Have you ever looked at someone or something and made judgments based on appearance? It’s easy to do based on what we think something or someone should look like. Society, our friends, and our experiences may shape those judgments. You know, when I was a kid, I made judgments about bikers. I thought bikers were rough people; maybe even bad people. Most of society probably had an opinion that bikers weren’t the best people to hang out with. I mean, think about it. They usually had long hair, long beards, tattoos, wore leather jackets, and often smelled like smoke. And they all rode loud motorcycles that typically sounded pretty scary. Later in life, after I graduated from high school and went into the service, I purchased my first motorcycle overseas. I had the opportunity to hang out with some bikers and you know what I discovered? Surprisingly they were a lot like me in many ways. They had hopes and dreams, just like I had; they had families and bills and carried worries just like I did. I discovered my judgments based on appearances were wrong. What The Bible Says About Judgments Based On Appearances This reminds me of a story in the Bible when the Lord sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be King. Samuel was instructed to sacrifice a heifer and invite Jesse and his sons. When they arrived, Samuel saw Jesse’s firstborn son, Eliab, and thought “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” Why did Samuel think this? Probably because Eliab looked very “kingly”. We know he was tall and had fair features according to the Bible. He probably looked like a leader, like he wouldn’t have any problem convincing people to follow him. But the Lord said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord doesn’t judge us by our outward appearance, but by the condition of our heart? What Does The Condition Of Your Heart Look Like Today? I’m just a man myself and there is no way for me to know the condition of your heart. I can’t tell if you have a relationship with the Lord or you don’t. Only you and the Lord know that… But what I do know, is that God’s word tells us, no matter your appearance, no matter what baggage you carry from your past, no matter how much wrong you’ve done in your past, you can be saved and have the assurance of knowing that when you die, you will live for eternity with God. His word says it like this… “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9 Take some time to assess the condition of your own heart today and if you know you need Jesus, don’t delay!
Be A Warrior For God
Have you ever thought about being a warrior for God? Do you ever read your Bible and think about all the battles God fought and how He used people to do so? God’s strength and power won these battles. Today I want to share an example of that with you. Over the years, my husband Tim and I have had the privilege of serving at Roseland Community’s Good News Day Care, directed by Ms. Pearl Willis. She is literally fighting a battle for God in her community. Good News Day Care provides free Christ-centered care for children so moms can get an education, work, and provide for their families. This is in the Roseland community of Chicago, Il. on the south side of the city. Gangs, drugs, prostitution, murders, unemployment, and hopelessness are prevalent. Good News Day Care provides a nurturing environment giving encouragement and hope back to the community. Recently, we were able to take some volunteers from The Village Christian Church family for a 2-day serving opportunity at Good News Day Care. During the summer, Ms. Pearl offers a 6-week long day camp, serving approximately 55 children. They arrive in the morning and are fed breakfast, lunch, and a snack. Daily activities include worship, learning about God, and experiencing fun activities in their community. Impress Them On Your Children While I was serving there, I was reminded of something from the Bible that Moses stressed to the Israelites. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV The Bible says we are to be devoted to the ways of the Lord. Our life purpose is to share those ways. We are to pass on his vast mercy, love, and grace to those around us, particularly our children. This includes not only our biological children, but all children. Good News Day Care has written these commands everywhere. There are bookshelves full of Bibles and Christian books for the children to read. The children are taught to pray over all of their meals and snacks. The adults in their lives are learning the ways of the Lord. They are becoming mature in their faith, and attempting to guide this next generation to love God and to love others. On our second day at the day care, the Bible lesson was taken from Joshua 6 about the fall of Jericho. The Lord says to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and it’s fighting men.” Joshua 6:2 NIV Be A Warrior For God While we read these words to the children, they were lifted off the page and brought to life for me. God has delivered this land in Roseland to Ms. Pearl’s hands and she is a warrior for God. As our volunteers are serving, they are being warriors for God. Little by little, she has taken properties on that block and turned them into land used for good. These victories for the Lord are by His words, His power, and His glory. They are evident in the beauty of her buildings and the lives that are changing from hearing God’s word there. So, I urge you to become a warrior for God. When Jericho fell, there were many Israelites involved in the battle. Some walked, some blew a horn and some carried the ark, but all were used to tear down the walls of Jericho and turn it into a city that was used for the Lord. Your service in God’s kingdom does not have to be equivalent to Ms. Pearl’s or Joshua’s, but you can certainly stand alongside them in the missions they have started. The world needs followers of Christ who are willing to help their church, local organizations, or national organizations spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and to be unwavering in doing so.