out of sorts

We were away last weekend and did not go to a church service while traveling. I am always for it, but those I was traveling with not necessarily.

The Bible is clear that we should not forsake the assembling together as some are in the habit of doing (Hebrews 10.25) but, is it just referring to the local body we are in community with?

I think not! What about you?

When you are out of town, I think it is a good opportunity to experience a different perspective as you visit a different body of believers. It may solidify something God has been stirring in your heart or it may make you more appreciative of your local weekly connection.

For me, I am so looking forward to this week’s church service, but in the meantime, I plan to listen online to hear what I missed.

That is of course another option when away – listen to a podcast or sermon online. But, again don’t make it a habit to not meet with the local body for how can you…

be.the.church

if you don’t connect with others that together with you make up the church.

Something to think about for sure as you strive not to forsake the assembling together as some are in the habit of doing.

For me, it has me out of sorts this week. I am looking forward to getting back to service and am reminded how easy it can get to fall out of the habit of going. Don’t let this happen to you.

Go be faithful in church attendance so your flame doesn’t burn out.

The world needs to see your light burning bright.

rejection

I know someone who went to a local church for about a year often using taxis to get there or back. Their child loved children’s church and they were faithful attenders.

Fast forward less than a year later and they are now living in a different location so they tried attending a different church. Sadly, the congregation was not as welcoming and many turned their noses up at them accompanied with whispers behind their backs but loud enough for them to hear. Things like “Wow! They come here now?” and “Did you know that child was born addicted?” or “I am surprised to see them here – guess jail time is over.” and other hurtful things.

Shame on them!

Shame on that church for not being the church.

Shame on the rejection they gave instead of loving welcome they desired and deserved.

Maybe it was done without even realizing what they did and the damage they caused, but no excuse.

Shame on them!

That family no longer attends church as the original one they loved and attended is too far away to get to now. But, they tried others and because they were not welcomed, they stopped going.

So…

Mom has now gotten into rituals and castings not fully understanding engaging in the dark side for protection is rejecting the true protection from The One True God.

I am so sad that tarot card reading has replaced meditating and reading scripture and church going has been replaced by a home altar.

But, I believe it all began with rejection from a body of believers that should have known better.

Sure the scripture is clear that some seed does not take root and perhaps this is partly true with this family. But, again, shame on that church for not welcoming this seeking family. What a different story this may have been if they didn’t feel such rejection by others who call themselves the church.

Would you join with me in praying for this precious family. I know they are seeking, but it seems they have gotten off track from the right direction and importance of staying on the straight and narrow path because of that rejection.

May they one day re – “enter through the narrow gate” and stay connected to the truth.

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7.13+14)

And please, if you call yourself a Christian and consider yourself apart of God’s kingdom and church here on earth, take to heart how your words can cause another to fall away from the truth.

Don’t let that be you.

Don’t be responsible for someone else to delve into ungodly things because of how you treated them. This is so very sad to me and should be to you as well.

Remember: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.“ (Proverbs 18.21)

Let us be life-giving encouragers with our word choice.

It is a field day for the evil one for he comes to steal, kill, deceive, and destroy. (John 10.10)

Don’t let him with those in your circle of influence.

Be seed planters and life givers so you can truly…

be.the.church

“Consider, then, the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sownd along the path. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop – a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13.18-23. (see also Mark 4.1-9 or Luke 8.11-13)

diligent 2

Be diligent in thought and deed.

Be intentional with your time.

Yesterday’s post talked about not procrastinating and how we can add being diligent to every day life.

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/09/16/dont-put-off-tomorrow-what-you-can-do-today/

Today let’s look at what the scripture says about diligence.

Here is good verse to help remember to be diligent.

It says: “The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.” Proverbs 12:24 MSG

Here’s some other good ones: “Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.” Proverbs 14:35 MSG

“The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down a smooth aroad.” Proverbs 15:19 MSG

Keep diligence at the forefront of your mind and please do share how you will do it!

Perhaps, it is to be a more diligent worker or to be diligent at exercise, reading the word, or attending church.

Be faithful. After all that is the root of diligence.

Be consistent.

Don’t procrastinate.

Be earnest in all you do.

When you do, you will be a difference maker and…

be.the.church

Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Just do it.

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/09/04/just-do-it/

“So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].” 2 Peter 3:14 AMP

When we apply the above, we will…

be.the.church

don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today

Shh! Don’t tell anyone, but I am a procrastinator.

But, anyone who knows me personally would already know this so it in no big secret. But, my theme word this year is to most. I guess that’s why I picked the word diligent for my theme this year and it certainly is a good pick for a procrastinator. Not sure how great I kept it in mind daily, but it did help me to post each day so far this year, purge (which was so necessary even if I have a ways to go), and think about past things that I wanted to diligently live out by adding the word diligently to them.

Like:

speak life diligently,

love diligently,

choose joy diligently,

and surrender diligently.

Each of these themes are noble alone, but when coupled with the word diligently they become all the more earnest to achieve and a noble feat to try to apply.

What word/s do you want to live out diligently?

What has God pierced your spirit or mind with even now reading this?

Please do tell.

It may help us all be more diligent as we strive to…

be.the.church

Here’s some verses that could be coupled with the above themes:

Speak Life Diligently: “For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.” I Peter 3.10

Love Diligently: “Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13.8

Choose Joy Diligently: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!” Philippians 4.4 NLT

Surrender Diligently: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2.2

Just be diligent and…

be.the.church

My mother always said: “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” Let’s strive to do that diligently each day.

Stop procrastinating! Put down the phone or whatever is distracting you and

don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Work for the Lord and be happy in the work you do. Others will see you…

be.the.church

don’t forget (a love that forgives)

The time: a Sunday in 1963

The place: 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama

The act: white supremacy terrorism bombing

The who: four ku klux klan members

The what: at least 15 sticks of planter dynamite

The why: a senseless act of violence of death and destruction when those sticks exploded inside the church

The consequence: four young ladies ages 11 and 14 were killed and 22 others were injured

Don’t forget them!

I can’t believe those four perpetrators were not even prosecuted until much later!

One in 1977 was tried and convicted for the murder of 11-year-old Carol Denise McNair. One perpetrator died in 1994. Then, it was not until 2001 and 2002 that the two others were given life in prison for those four precious lives so senselessly taken. It angers me that they lived free for almost 40 years. But, God says: “Vengeance is mine.” (Romans 12.19) and that is where we should leave our angry with our Lord to vindicate.

The title of that day’s sermon was: A Love that Forgives!* And that is something else we need to do.

All but one of the church’s stained-glass windows were destroyed in the explosion. That sole window fittingly depicted Christ leading a group of young children.*

At the 11 year old‘s funeral, the minister said: “The greatest tribute you can pay to Carole is to be calm, be lovely, be kind, be innocent.”* Let’s do the same to…

be.the.church

Martin Luther King Jr. described Birmingham as “probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States”.* It also had been nicknamed ‘Boomingham’ as there was at least 21 other bombings in the years before this one with fatalities.

In this city, at that time, there were no black police officers or firefighters.

There was no justice for most of these senseless acts. But, again let us be reminded that: Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12.19)

Before Dr. King delivered the eulogy for the other three girls, to a crowd of three thousand+ mourners he said: “This tragic day may cause the white side to come to terms with its conscience. In spite of the darkness of this hour, we must not become bitter … We must not lose faith in our white brothers. Life is hard. At times as hard as crucible steel but, today, you do not walk alone.”*

We too must not become bitter in the face of senseless tragedy. We too must walk alongside our hurting fellow man.Just a few days ago on 9/11 we remembered another tragedy that ended in senseless loss of lives. Don’t forget. Ever!

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/09/11/choose-joy/

Here’s a link of a song of remembrance called: “Birmingham Sunday.” The song starts at 1:00 minute mark. At the beginning there is a moment of silence with some facts about that day:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ0y-vO9QLE

Take a moment of silence for the senseless loss of lives and to remind yourself of a love that forgives. So grateful our Lord sent His son to forgive and may we never forget the grace and mercy He extends.If you have never asked Christ to forgive you; do it now and you will become apart of the church. It is as easy as the mention of His name, have faith He rose again, and know one day we will meet in heaven. Amen and welcome to the family of believers. Enjoy your journey as a Christ follower and keep striving to…

be.the.church

*wikipedia 16th Street Baptist Church bombing

get out of self

Feeling down?

Get up and do something.

Cat got your tongue?

Play some worship music and sing out loudly.

Just want to hide away under covers?

Get outside and marvel at the beauty of creation.

The bottom line is to get out of self which includes self loathing, self criticizing, and self sabotaging.

Get into the Word and let it permeate your soul.

Remind yourself that God loves you.

And if need be, grab a brother or sister to help you get out of self.

One of the best ways to do this is to serve someone else. On a day that seems particularly hard on you, seek to help another lower than you feel.

Getting out of self even in the midst of your difficult or depressed moment, may just be the ticket to returning to happiness.

We have a choice.

Choose joy.

The Word even tells us to do so: “Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (‭‭1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18‬ ‭AMP‬)

God never promised an easy road so why should we expect one. He does expect us to shine through it. He did say: “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)

Did you catch that? It was not if or when, but you will have trouble! But, don’t forget what He offers – His peace!

Let us remind each other that God’s peace is there for the asking. That will truly help us get out of self.

And remember, we are made for community so when trouble comes let us: “…bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6.2)

They say a burden shared is a burden halved. Be a burden sharer and let others see you…

be.the.church

trigger versus obstacle

I was told using the word trigger can be a trigger for some in recovery. A better word choice to use is obstacle. Hm, I am not so sure. Trigger indicates something that initiates a reaction and an obstacle hinders progress.

Triggers spark and provoke you. Obstacles are hurdles or stumbling blocks that can hamper you from moving forward.

Obstacles are only obstacles until you move them out of the way. Don’t let the word trigger be an obstacle.

September is drug addiction and mental health awareness month. Don’t do something that might be an obstacle or trigger for another. Do your best to support those in need of help and let the stigma end.

“Carry each other’s burdens…” Galatians 6.2

Help others find their way to…

be.the.church

If you need help to overcome addiction, please seek it.

Ask God to give you strength to face each and every day sober.

choose joy

Don’t allow yourself (or your children) to be stuck with a sad, depressed, angry, moody, or difficult personality.

Pray out of it.

Negative emotions are habit forming if we don’t put a stop to them.

Joy doesn’t have anything to do with happy circumstances; it has to do with looking into the face of God and knowing He’s all we’ll ever need.*

Negative emotions should not be a way of life. Say instead: “This is the day that The Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118.24

I was first introduced to this book in college and highly recommend it. Read You Gotta Keep Dancin’ by Tim Hansel to learn more about joy knowing even ‘in the midst of life’s hurts, you can choose joy.’ There is a line in the book that goes something like this: your cup of joy can only be as deep as your cup of sorrow.

Yes, joy is a choice. And today, children without fathers, spouses without their better halves, mothers who grieve over the loss of their heroic sons and daughters all must choose joy. I can’t imagine the inner struggle of choosing joy in the face of such loss this day brought 18 years ago. Too many were and still are affected by the 9/11 senseless loss of lives, but that day also brought countless stories of Divine intervention from over sleeping to missing a train to the brave ones on flight 93 that saved that plane for its intended target of the White House. Read the account in the book Let’s Roll.

My prayer is all come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the fact that true joy can abound even in the face of trials, adversity, persecution, or imminent death. Know there is hope and it is found in Christ. Look to Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12.2).

In the meantime, let this verse ring true for you: “My soul shall be joyful in The Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation.” Psalm 35.9

Then, remember priorities by the acronym of joy:

J esus first then

O thers then

Y ou

for when you do, others will see you…

be.the.church

Amen!

Keeping a healthy balance of all three and knowing where your priorities lie makes life simpler and joy easier to come by.

Happy choosing joy the rest of this day and everyday going forward.

Even in the midst of sorrow, you can choose joy especially knowing God is not finished with your story just quite yet.

*some of the above are excerpts from The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

hands are tied

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and this entry is more of a PSA (Public Service Announcement) but you may just find some information and save a life so please read on…

I have been working with those in recovery for decades. I am subject to the same rules that full time staff have. One such rule is not being able to drive clients in personally owned vehicles so my hands are tied when someone asks for a ride.

One day I got a social media message that a former client needed a ride from one town to another. I had to say I was so sorry but I could not get her as my hands are tied with that rule. I did ask if all was okay and the reply stopped me in my tracks: “No, I am not ok. I wanna kill myself.” Yikes!

So, what was I to do?!?!

Protocol is to report.

I tried my best to be the voice of reason.

I sent some messages I hope were encouraging and then sent resource numbers unsure if they would be used.

Should I call the police and tell the location so someone could intervene?

I paused to pray and asked our Almighty Father to reach down and touch this person for people without hope do kill themselves. Hope is a key for suicide prevention.

As I said ‘amen’, the phone rang to give me the news all was indeed ok and the individual sought help. Thank you, Lord!

Click this link for a list of suicide crisis lines for different countries all over the world: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

For example in the United States, dialing 211, community information and referral services can be found. Also, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255

The emergency number 911, 211, or 999, depending on the nation one resides in, can connect an individual to more help or be there to counsel someone in dire straits. Keep these numbers programmed in your phone so they are handed ready to give out just in case. Hopefully, you will never have the need but good to be prepared just in case. Even just having a number like this, can be a way to…

be.the.church

Be the hope and the voice of reason. God’s Word can be instrumental for it is very clear and shows that God values life and desires us to choose it.

“You shall not murder” Exodus 20.13 (So, I believe that includes taking one’s own life.)
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30.19 (A great verse to offer hope especially if a parent is contemplating suicide.)
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 (Good words that just might persuade someone from not committing suicide.)
“No one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church.” Ephesians 5.29 (Yes, take care of the body you have been given.)

Be reminded that we are the church, to be the church, and God cares for us – His church.

If there is something you can do even if your hands are tied by rules and regulations, do what you can to offer hope to someone hurting. It might just be the key to saving that life.