Bible Studies

Bible Study: Knowing Vs. Doing

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

As presented at Crossroads Community Church

You know, there’s a difference when you KNOW something and when you ACT ON something.  Some are basic truths, like I know for a fact that if I exercised more I would lose weight and would feel healthier overall.  However, I hardly ever exercise and have a great many justifications as to why.  More complex is that I can be given some pretty strongs facts that bungie jumping with a licensed firm is very safe, but you will NOT catch me jumping off ANYTHING with a rubber band tied to my ankles.  This is very similar to me spiritually, because we’ve talked before that as a believer, I am a Child of God.  However, I don’t often walk in that truth in my day-to-day life.  My salvation?  No worries.  Today’s problem?  Ah…….

Let me step back and share some background with you – and maybe you can relate to this.  A little over a year and a half ago Deana and I were in dire straits.  My job at the time was bouncing payroll checks, was being investigated for IRS fraud, Deana was unemployed, and we were living in Southern California.  Fear often gripped me, not knowing if we would get through the next two weeks if my check bounced, let alone deal with all the stress that was consuming our lives.   During this time I was slowing thawing to the idea of going back to “organized church”, the establishment that I had ran from since coming out and being viciously treated.  Our family slowly began attending Glory Tabernacle and, in the midst of what I felt was the darkest point in our lives since coming out, we began to stop focusing on the horrible situation we found ourselves in and started welcoming back the Lord into our lives.

Long story short, through what has to be nothing but a miracle, I received a job offer in Dallas.  It included perfect timing, the pay I requested, the type of job I wanted – you name it, I WAS AMAZED and rejoiced at what the Lord had done.  And He also brought Deana, me, and the kids to Crossroads Community Church, where we have found forever spiritual family members and have grown so much in the Lord!  It was wonderful!

So, this is where I tell you that I learned to not stress, to live in the fact that I am  King’s Kid, and trust in the Lord.  But I can’t…….

You see, the honeymoon period of my new job wore off within 6 months, and before I could say “can I have a raise”, I was writing my practice resignation letter – full of vinegar, I might add – and sending out resumes.  It’s not really important WHY I was feeling that way, more that how I reacted to my situation.  I asked for prayers, I prayed, and everyday the anger inside of me grew, the fear in me grew, the feeling of dissatisfaction almost consumed me at times.

Oh, my faith was strong at this point – I KNEW I could pray to God and He would help.  I mean, he helped me find THIS job in the prefect timing, right?  And the Bible assures me of this as well, too.

1 John 5:14-15 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

So I would take this Truth – you all agree the Word is living and true, right? – and I prayed like this:

“Lord Jesus, I know You hear me!  If it is your will that I find a new job, then make it happen!”

And then the cycle would continue!  No new job, not even a NIBBLE on my resumes!  And the things that bothered me the most at work were growing – more people bothered me.  More issues that I felt were wrong appeared.  I would try harder to shine the light of Christ throughout my day, but inside bitterness was taking hold of me.

Now, I think it would have been good for me to remember at this point the following verse – turn to Proverbs 20:22 NIV

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”  Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

Some days I was interested in deliverance, I wanted revenge.  I wanted to file claims against my firm, contact the media, you name it – I WAS JUSTIFIED!  And I don’t know about you, but I was not walking in the Truth that I was a Child of God.  I was letting my frustration, my anger, and my impatience rule me.  Further, I don’t think I was even thinking about MOVING in the truth that I could truly expect Jesus to ANSWER my prayers.

Let’s check out Romans 5:1-5 NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

You see, I was out of whack.  I was not feeling the follow:

•    Peace
•    Faithful
•    Appreciation (or rejoicing)
•    Hope
•    I was NOT persevering
•    My character was NOT being improved!

Instead of was feeling:

•    Anger
•    Fear
•    Worry
•    Bitterness
•    Impatience
•    Apprehension
•    Vindication
•    The list goes on…..

I think you get the drift!

So let’s recap:

•    Gina and family in bad situation
•    God saves Gina and family miraculously
•    Gina and Family start walking in the Truth of who they are in Christ?  NO!
•    Gina and Family find themselves in the same mess, different city

While all this was going on, miracles were still happening in our lives by no power of our efforts;

•    Deana found an amazing job with the City of Dallas
•    We have learned to walk in faith in other areas of our lives, such as tithing
•    We built and moved into a brand new house, which is a story in itself!
•    We have watched our children grow in their own faith
•    I was continually receiving God’s favor at work, winning prizes, iPad, money, getting bigger and more important accounts…..

And yet this issue with my work remained for over a year!  I sincerely prayed, put my petitions in the prayer box, and TRIED with my own efforts to make this thing happen.  It now went like this:

“Lord, I know I have inherited everything you have as my own, I know I am your child with Your full authority on earth.  If your will says there is a new job for me out there, I believe it and received.  Please make it so.”

And then Pastor started a series and once again started proclaiming the truth as derived from 1 John Chapter 5 –

•    We KNOW we have salvation in Christ
•    We can trust Jesus to not fail us
•    We should be like Jesus and not worry about the details
•    If you have Jesus, you have HIS life and He will not flake on you!

And then Pastor challenged us –

•    BELIEVE IT
•    Live like it’s TRUE
•    Not as proof that we are Christians, but because it strengthens our relationship with Jesus.

Now, let me tell you, half of me is Type A – I like control.  Relying on Christ is not fleshly easy for me.  And I am not going to stand here and tell you I walked out of church and everything fell into place.  But I started “doing” what Pastor encouraged us with instead of just “ACCEPTING” or “KNOWING”.

•    I acknowledged that I still needed to learn something from the Lord – Hosea 4:6a – my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
•    I knew I needed to rely on my faith in Christ.  Romans 10:17 – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
•    I told myself, even when it was just words, that Jesus has got this

Jesus knew the desires of my heart, yet all along I never really believed that He would answer MY prayers.  Somehow, despite all that He had done for me and my family, I didn’t walk in the knowledge that He’d really provide me a new job.

Then, as I was preparing our home Bible Study, the following truths were revealed to us:

Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Hebrews 6:18 – God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.

“Jesus has got this, and I can trust Him”  God cannot lie.  It’s not that He won’t lie – He is not able to lie.  If He could, He would lose His identity as The God of Truth.  SATAN is a liar!  He wants us to believe we are powerless.  In Christ, we have the keys to walk in victory.  God has given us power through His Son, and Jesus’ death and resurrection has already defeated Satan.  This truth means that God has removed every hindrance.

Colossians 2:15 – And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

“Why was I focused on getting revenge, when it has already been dealt with?”

2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

“There is nothing else I need to MOVE IN THE TRUTH that I will have that new job I wanted”

Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

“It’s not too late for me to learn this lesson.”

I was determined that my attitude would change, but here’s another truth – often, the more you walk in the Truth, the more Satan stirs up trouble.  I left for Alice TX, a small town near Corpus Christie, for a client engagement that Monday.  While I was on site Tuesday and Wednesday, all of a sudden several co-workers became very belligerent with me, and in ways that had never happened before.  Some were outright lying, and others became so enraged that they were very hurtful.  I was out in the middle of nowhere, at first wondering what the heck was going on!

I ain’t gonna lie, there were moments when this was happening when I easily fell into my old habits, but the Holy Spirit in His loving-kindness reminded me to walk in His Glory, not the circumstances that surrounded me.  On Thursday, as things were building and it felt for the first time that my job might even be in jeopardy, I prayed then went to Monster.com because of my whole “you need to act in the truth” thing, which is a little different than “I’ll show you”.  I applied for the first two jobs in the list – one for an Accountant Position, the other a mix of accounting and software support similar to what I am doing now.  I could NOT tell you anything about either job as I just felt I needed to act and stop wallowing in my fear at that time.

So Thursday continued and Satan certainly was not letting up, but through the Power of Jesus I just kept saying to myself, “I will not be robbed of God’s Glory.  You have no power over me.”  And this is what happened next:

•    I got an email saying from a person named Melanie, “Gina, we received your resume and would really like to talk to you!”  I was at the client site, so couldn’t even check what job this was for, but still ……
•    I replied to the email and a 3pm phone interview was scheduled during my trip back to the airport.  At this time I found out it was the software position and I was able to research them a bit.  The call went VERY well, but was told the hiring manager would be going on vacation, so I might not hear more until after 8/8.
•    By the time my plane landed at 7pm that night, I had a new email saying the hiring manager wanted to talk to me the next day.  Now, Satan was in full force, because one of the owners of my current job had blown up right before my flight.  But as I replied to that email, I said “Jesus, you provided me a new job and I will NOT let Satan turn my face from you.  He can go to hell!”
•    The Friday call went VERY well and the hiring manager Johnny said he’d like to meet with me the day he returns from vacation on 8/8.  However, shortly afterward Melanie called and said the company didn’t want to wait that long, so one of the owners was flying out the following Wednesday to meet with me.  I was amazed!!!!!

Then low and behold, here come Shaw teaching on Sunday – last week –  and sharing her story about praying for her foot to be healed.  If you were here, I am sure you remember it.  But if you were NOT here, here is the gist of it:

•    At first she’d pray something like this: “Lord, if it’s in your will to heal my foot, I receive it” and then would later ask her foot, “How you feeling?”  Does that sound familiar?
•    But after realizing the TRUTH that we are ALREADY healed, she changed her stance to something more like this, “Jesus, I receive the healing you’ve already provided and thank you for healing my foot.”  Then, if her foot started giving her hints of trouble, she’d say “Foot, you need to align yourself with the Word!”  She went from a life-long foot problem to being HEALED.

So I began last week with a new attitude, and was often gently reminded by Deana, that I can and should LIVE IN the Truth and ACT ON the Truth of my position in Christ.  So I changed up my prayer:

“Lord, I no longer want to focus on my problems at work, but instead focus on You.  I will no longer fight my way through each day with myself and other people.  I will let You reign over every situation and not worry about getting revenge.  Most importantly, WHEN I receive the new job that you’ve already provided for me, I will share the miracle of who You are and all you’ve done.”

I walked into work Monday and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, there WAS a change!  Now, don’t forget the previous week had several issues that should have put me in a state of fear or at least encouraged me to come in fighting.  However, in areas where I disagreed with approaches or issue, I voiced my concern very diplomatically, but didn’t escalate to the previous arguments that were my norm.  This type of thing happened all day, to the point where several different co-workers asked me, “are you okay?”.  My reply was “Well, yes I am!”  And that reminded me of Pastor’s sermon last week from Mark where the people were afraid when the crazy person was no longer crazy.  ☺

Wednesday came and I met with Chuck, one of the owners, and I walked into that interview with several praying for me and with my cloak of the Truth surrounding me – THIS WAS A DIVINE APPOINTMENT AND JESUS HAS GOT THIS.  I was NOT nervous, I was NOT anxious.  Everything went well.  And, bottom line, I was offered the position the next morning at 8:05am – one week to the day I applied!

This job was 100% provided by my Lord, through no real effort on my part, and I truly believe all I really needed to do on my side is walk in the Truth of who I am in Christ.

I don’t know what you’re in the middle of, but I leave you these two verses:

Psalm 27:1 NIV

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
   whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid?

Phil 3:12-16 (The Message)

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

God’s Favor

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

I have heard and considered the whole “God’s Favor” flavor for years.  Truthfully, at first I considered this a smart marketing campaign of TV Evangelists to convince people to send money to God like a lottery in hopes of “hitting it big”.  And maybe that was true sometimes.  But, in all my candid writing, I will tell you I WAS NOT GOING TO PLAY THAT GAME!  I was not going to be pulled in by some snake oil pastor, who was going to try to turn my sacred relationship with Christ into some high yield investment plan.  Nor would I ignore scripture that showed riches were bad (the whole “eye of the needle” bit) and focus on my “other god” of money…….

And yet, in practice, MONEY was always my focus.  Either I spent too much (more than I had – thank you credit cards!), or I frantically and miserly saved every penny while ignoring the needs of others.  Looking back, the very thing I SAID I didn’t want to do, I was doing……and in a much harsher way than if I had given the money to ANYONE – even a snake oil pastor!

So my life consisted of working hard and long hours, swinging from spending way too much money or saving too much, and God sometimes was part of that.  Well, when it made me feel GOOD about giving, I did it anyway.  And, well, I have learned over the last few months that wasn’t very often, and especially not very substantial.  And yet, ironically, I was often behind the eight ball, always a day late and a dollar short.  And the cycle continued.

So, when my Pastor started preaching about God’s favor in relation to tithing, I easily reacted in my heart like a had all my life, “here we go again.”  And I ignored the words, felt self-righteous and all knowing internally, and went on my way.  I would hear others mention how there were tons of poor people in 3rd world countries…..were was God’s favor THERE and FOR THEM?  “God’s favor”, I heard them say, “is not about money and prosperity – that’s American’s bastardization of the Bible.”  And I’d internally nod and say, “Yes, God is not a stock broker”.  And I was comfortable with my lot in life and continued as I had for thousands of days.

But if you’ve read my blogs before, you know it didn’t stop there.  Because even though SO FAR I’ve talked about money (as, seriously, it has been the main focus of my life in many ways), God’s Favor is not JUST about money.

I mean, let’s review some basic principles:

  • We talk about the “Good News” all the time, but what does that MEAN????  Pastor has taught me for maybe the first time in my life that this means Jesus came to have a RELATIONSHIP with me!  Romans 8:33-39 says, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  • The relationship Jesus wants is with EVERYONE!  So stop thinking He is sitting there waiting for you to screw up so he can beat you or expel you or he’s waiting for you to get that suit or to clean up your life…..Jesus wants YOU because he LOVES you!  Not your money, not your good actions (“good intentions?), or anything you probably have envisioned today.
  • Pastor made me realize that God’s Favor is not just about money.  It’s about PEACE.  Jesus has been called the Prince of Peace.  And that Prince was sent to earth to DIE for us so that we could have salvations and HIS PEACE.  And who would say, “Hey, I don’t want God’s Favor if it means His Peace in my life!”  Because, logically, do you really think Jesus would go through all He went through – even through a very painful and agonizing death – just so you could wallow in the same place you lived before you met Him?  Doesn’t make much sense, huh?  And, when my LOGIC started allowing those thoughts to bounce inside my thick skull, something miraculous began……Jesus’ Peace started sneaking into my life……
  • And it’s funny, for me when that Peace started manifesting itself in small ways for me, other things started showing up, too.  Like I don’t know – faith, love, acceptance, praise for my Lord, empathy for others…….the list goes on.
  • TO BE CONTINUED…….

Being Whole vs Being Perfect, Part 4 & 5

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

This is a continuation of the sermon series recap taught by Pastor Bob Barker from Crossroads Community Church.  See previous posts from steps 1-3!

The 4th step in becoming a Whole Person and Christian, as modeled after the 12 step program many people who are addicted to substances go through, loosely states, “Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves”.  Pastor put it this way, “list your own faults.”

It makes sense that Pastor shared that, too often, people going through the 12 step recovery process leave programs at this step.  While we can often admit we’re powerless, that we need God to change, and that God is really the one who implements the needed changes in our lives…….going beyond that is more difficult.  Putting it down, in black and white….listing our FAULTS is another thing all together.  As Pastor shared – and as I fully acknowledged in my own life – many of us lie about ourselves or present a very fake/created front to survive.  And when you live like that, it usually involves so many lies that – when you begin to unravel them in this process – more lies come to light.  Pastor Bob likened it to the Wizard of Oz, who presented this omnipotent ruler and provider for a nation, but really was a little man that knew how to put on a good show.

I am that person on many levels.  SoI fully admit that breaking down the lies, then listing the faults associated with the lies (my very life) can be very intimidating!  And yet, even the Bible encourages this self-review!  Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.”

And it doesn’t stop there – you really need to WRITE THEM DOWN!  And once written down, sharing them with GOD and one other person is necessary- which is Step 5.  Loosely stated, this step says, “Admit to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”  Can you say OUCH?  Pastor added that it takes real discipline to be able to confess our wrongs!  But it is SO important to stop the cycle that got us there in the first place AND to break the chains that hold us back.  The things that harbored resentment in us, maybe even as children, turns into denial as we age.  What does that mean?  Well, as I mentioned earlier, when you begin to list your faults, you realize it begins the unraveling process as more and more faults come to mind.  And to consider SHARING those faults with God (who really, by the way, will NOT be surprised in hearing them!) and one other person will certainly open a “can of worms”.  So often, as adults caught in a horrible cycle, we prefer to deny that we have any issues and leave well enough alone.  So it’s important to realize that when we RESENT things or people (those who have turned their back on you, for those who attacked you……the list goes on.) it can create JUSTIFICATION in your poor behavior and adds to your faults.  And most importantly, resentment hurts YOU, not THEM!

Resentment breeds diseases in our lives (physical, mental).  In manifests itself in perceptions such as feeling injured, violated, left out.  So how can I really start to break those chains?  Think about the resentment you have in your life and how it affects your life.  Write down something like this:

I resent xxxxxx because xxxxxxx.  This affects my self esteem.

I seek approval from my friends to make me feel better about myself.  This affects my relationships with them.

I rescue others/please others to be loved.  This builds resentment when they don’t xxxxxxxx.

Try this yourself to help break the chains of faults and resentments in your life.  Stop the cycle of perfection (or whatever your “presentation” is) and move to being whole as God intended you to be!

Being Whole versus Being Perfect, Part 3

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

This is a continuation and final installment of the sermon I heard at Crossroads Community Church this week, given by Pastor Robert Barker.

In the first two installments of this sermon recap, I shared that my struggles with trying to be perfect creates the need to break this dysfunctional cycle in my life.  Based on most 12 step programs, there are several truths to making this change.

Step 1 – I am powerless

Step 2 – I need the faith that I can be changed by God’s Power

If you’ve ever attended a 12 step program or have access to most lists on the internet, it’s easy to see that Step 3 says something like, “Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God”.  Pastor Bob put it this way, “Let God be in charge”.  Wow, what a profound yet simple concept!  And yet, for years I said the words and did little to allow God to guide me (even though I really have no power to stop Him!).

As Pastor was sharing this concept, as well as his own struggle with the presentation of “perfection” that I so resonate with, I allowed my memory to scan the last 20 or so years of my life.  I quickly realize I DID have some growth I could smile about and that was a blessing.  Yet, I also have to admit there have been many more areas where I continue to hold onto the lame comfort of my own efforts at this thing I like to call perfection, but in truth is a very weak film of fakeness.  I’ve been over that in depth the last few days here on this blog.  🙂

And yet, before I could begin to feel dejected by my own shortcomings, Pastor began to preach the Word.  We turned to Romans 12:1-2, which says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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.”

Most of my Christian life has translated this verse like this – do not be like non-Christians.  Present yourself as holy, set a good example for non-believers, be a good picture as God’s Ambassador.

Given my struggle with presenting one thing……of being perfect and all that…….can you see where my translation of this verse was skewed by my dysfunction?  Can you see that it added to the perpetuation of the very thing I KNEW God was trying to break in my life?

But have no fear, Pastor Bob explained this verse to me and the others in attendance Sunday, and it broke so many mental chains for me that I have been shaking my head with joy and appreciation since!

Here is how Pastor explained it – don’t “fit in”.  Don’t conform to our cultures to present what we think we need to be to fit in.  Do not give people what they demand based on their OWN perception of things!  Instead, give all you are INSIDE – give the TRUE YOU – to God!  That’s all we need to do!  And before we know it, the authentic people inside (whether good, bad, or ugly) will begin to realize our powerlessness (step 1), will begin to trust God to take care of our shortcomings (step 2), and will give the reins to God (step 3).  And, I might add that He will NEVER shut His door on ANYONE!  “Come as your are” brings a whole new dimension to this amazing interaction that God is so excited to enter into with you and me!

Wow.  You mean, truly, that the INSIDE of my life can really REALLY match what others see on the OUTSIDE?  It’s not just a happy concept that everyone talks about but no one does?  I don’t have to hide, lie, present anymore? TRUE!

Yes, truly, that is what the Bible says.  That is what Pastor Bob was so wonderful to share with us, with ME.  And the Truth is more than a concept!  The Truth, as most admit, sets you free!

So today, think on the fact that this exodus of your spirit can happen – whatever it is in YOUR life that is holding you back can begin to change with these three steps.  I can’t speak to the amazing transformative areas of the next steps, because I haven’t learned them yet!  🙂  But already my life has changed alarmingly and gloriously in that last few days, and I pray that you can partake in this joy as well!

Being Whole versus Being Perfect, Step 2

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

This is a continuation of the sermon I heard at Crossroads Community Church this week, given by Pastor Robert Barker.

I posted yesterday that I struggle with attempting to be perfect, and in large part it started because I needed to create a presentation to the world to hide the struggle of my life from those around me.  Yet, Pastor reminded me that my cycle of dysfunction could begin to change once I admitted I couldn’t do it without God’s help.

Step 2 in the process builds on that – because knowing you NEED God is very different than accepting by faith that God can totally fix things!  Pastor said it this way, “Step 2 is the faith that we can change by God’s Power.”

As a began to realize that my dysfunction was being a perfectionist, the first thing I realized was that I don’t LIKE to rely on others!  I mean, part of being perfect is being able to take care of yourself, and I am sorry……..my solution needs to be BETTER than others!  So why would I ASK for help and why would I EXPECT that help to be better than what I could do on my own in the first place?  So, steps 1 (I am powerless) and step 2 (God can change me) are not concepts that I immediately, truly embraced.  Those concepts were truly – and often remain – in direct conflict with the image and personal ethos that I have carried with me for decades.  Oh, I could nod my head with the best of them, because remember “being perfect” in large part involves presenting an image to those around me.  So, I admit to you that FOR YEARS I said I couldn’t make it without God, and even said I believed He could fix me……..yet I didn’t accept that.  I didn’t WANT to accept that in many areas of my life.  I held onto my perfectionism, held onto my image, and was slowly dying inside because – really – I didn’t believe ANYONE could fix me…….even God!  Again, it was a two sided coin – I had begun to believe the image I presented to those around me (I am perfect and had everything under control) while deep down I loathed myself for the truth I didn’t want to face (you are so NOT perfect, and a fake to boot, and basically a hopeless case).

Maybe you have something in your life that you KNOW needs to change.  Maybe it’s a simple thing that’s gotten out of hand.  Maybe it’s a perpetuated image like mine that is 100% false but is 100% ingrained into who you ARE to everyone around you.  Maybe, in theory, you agree with me that you can’t change even though you may admit you need to.  You may even believe, in theory, that God’s Power can be the fuel to begin the change in your life.  But, then you start the implementation of the change and……….falter.  Stagnate.  And the dysfunctional cycle, so close to you and so a PART of you, continues to thrive.

Phil 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Today, I suggest you don’t look at the end and perhaps think, “Wow, I have such a long way to go to be healthy.  IT IS TOO MUCH!”  Instead, don’t look at anything but God.  Pray that HE gives you the faith that HE can change you!  Pray that HE wills and acts in you!  And not just for YOUR blessing (which, amazingly, He does care about in great detail!), but for HIS PURPOSE!  And as you begin to grow in faith and maybe stop looking at yourself so much, you begin to realize things ARE changing!  At least, that was my experience!

Being Whole versus Being Perfect, Step 1

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

This post was inspired heavily by the sermon I heard at my church, Crossroads Community Church, by Pastor Robert Barker.

Some of you may have heard my testimony before, many of you have not. I accepted Jesus when I was 16, an age that is often difficult for most people as you juggle youth, growing up, fitting in, varying responsibilities. You know what I am talking about because you lived it to some extent, too.

Even at the young age of 16, I had already put on the garments of trying to be perfect. I carried A LOT of responsibility at home (writing checks for bills, cooking dinner, listening to conversations with my mother that I never should have heard, etc.), I carried a lot of responsibility at school (lots of extra classes, always got the good grades, etc) I did side work here and there (cleaning houses, working at my mom’s real estate office) and so on and so forth. Looking back I know that I did that to some extent to cope with many dysfunctions in my life. But yesterday, at church, my Pastor’s sermon brought a whole new level of understanding of my actions.

For, you see, I was desperately trying to cope in a family that had issues – and let’s face it people, everyone reading this had some sort of issue in their family. It may have been parents that lived during the depressions that worked and worked and worked and never spent any money. It may have even been the garments of perfection to the outside world I am describing here!  You get the drill. My family was not BAD. Get it? Anyway, added to the family dynamic was the fact that I was realizing my own issues – attraction to girls. So the pressure to develop an image that people would notice instead of my huge flaw (as I saw it at the time) was subconscious but very real for me. So I worked hard at school, I tried to be the model daughter, I wanted to be perfect so that THIS would be the noticeable feature to all around me.

And, as anyone who has presented to the world a person that was very different from the one that existed INSIDE, you realize that at some point you can’t stop putting on that mask. At some point you may even forget its a mask at all…..you may even start believing the lie that you’ve worked so hard to present to the world. Then there are days where it takes SO MUCH energy to put that mask on, it costs so much emotionally and physically and spiritually, but you’re too far into the lie to turn back. And that’s a painful place to be. And on those days, the self loathing is so overwhelming, because the truth of the lie stares you in the face and you KNOW that there is not one good thing about you! Maybe because the truth makes it so, or maybe because the lie that has been so expertly perfected is so truly horrendous. And good liars/presenters – even necessitated to cope and survive – know that this presentation of the lie is a shame all to itself.

My Pastor reminded me of that.

So that’s where the 12 Step Program comes in. I have touched on this area before in my life, as I walked through one with a beloved family member who broke the chains of addiction over 15 years ago. I learned SO MUCH about myself, my family member, along with my brother who went through the process at that time as well. Yet, often when you think of these steps you think of drug or alcohol addicts needing it. But let’s again agree – EVERYONE can have cycles in their lives that are not healthy. And I am one of those people…….

Step 1 loosely translates for our purposes as “we admit we were powerless over our dysfunction—that our lives had become unmanageable.” I love the way my Pastor put it, “we are powerless.”

Romans 7:17-20 helps us to see the phenomenon. The Apostle Paul, revered by so many Christians for centuries, understood this as well. He writes, “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” We KNOW what we are doing is wrong, we even THINK about doing right, but yet we still do wrong.

There’s something freeing in admitting all my fake efforts, that really only work at perpetuating a lie that is hard to sustain, have been done before me by others!  And that there is a way to break this cycle!  And the first step in doing so is to say, I can’t break that cycle without God.  HE can help me, because even as I sit here and say I want to break it, I know I can’t.  And it’s hugely freeing to admit that!

So I urge you to take a look at your life today and ask, “Do I need the peace of the Lord in this area of my life?”  Is there a piece of your life that can be hugely replaced by the Peace of God, all by saying, “I can’t do this Lord, I need you”?  Maybe you’re not a perfectionist like I fight to be, but what is stopping you from knowing the wholeness God fully intended for you?  God can help!

Next, Step 2……………………..

Why Did Paul Write Romans?

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Here is a technical piece a wrote a bit ago.

Why Did Paul Write Romans?

For many, Romans represents the plan of salvation in such as way that they rely heavily on the book for reaching unbelievers in the world. Growing up, I remember hearing my mother sharing with non-believers what she referred to as “The Romans Road”. On the site GotQuestions.org, The Romans Road is described as “explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans. It is a simple yet powerful method of explaining why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation, and what are the results of salvation.” (GotQuestions, 2007) When I began the study of this amazing Pauline letter, therefore, this was my focus; how to become better acquainted with the message of Romans so that I can more easily describe the power of salvation to those I encounter that do not know Christ. However, it became evident very quickly that, while salvation is an important aspect of this letter, there are many other factors involved.

Karl P. Donfried, editor of The Romans Debate, compiled several academic essays that assess “the impact on subsequent scholarly discussions and also to assist the student of Romans in understanding the neuralgic issues in the current analyses of this Pauline letter.” (Donfried, 1991, p. xi) These essays covered several key categories regarding the letter; to whom the letter was written, what issues were being addressed, and whether Chapter 16 was originally part of the letter. The book presents essays spanning several decades and pulled information from published works dating back to 1832. The arguments presented in these essays will be the basis of this analysis and ultimately the explanation of why Paul wrote the book of Romans. However, the debates revolving around the reason and intent for Chapter 16 will not be part of the analysis for this paper.

The first category of review will be to whom the letter was written. The obvious answer to this question would be the Roman Church. However, several essays argued against this view and provided alternative scenarios, including that Paul was writing to Jerusalem, was focused on his own benefit, or did so to record his last will and testament. Jacob Jervell, for example, argued that Romans was a letter written more for his own benefit as he was seeking support from the Roman Church, which was needed for his impending trip to Jerusalem. He continues by stating there were no concrete issues to address in Rome, especially since Paul had never been there to learn of daily interactions. (p. 54) He further strengthens this stance by showing that Paul was not asking the church for support for his planned trip to Spain. (p. 57) Instead, Jervell shows that the letter was primarily directed to Jerusalem and subsequently to the Roman church for assistance. (p. 56) In contrast to this view, T.W. Manson stated that the letter summed up Paul’s convictions. He argued that Romans is “an elaborate and detailed statement of faith offered by Paul as evidence on which the Roman church might give him a friendly reception and set him forward on his Spanish missionary enterprise.” (p. 14) He also shows that Romans, being the successful church for the time and region, would distribute this message on a wide scale, thus marking the letter as Paul’s manifesto. (p. 15) Gunther Bornkamm, who shared that the letter represents Paul’s last will and testament, presented a similar view. He goes on by saying that Romans doesn’t offer specific issues as other letters by Paul had, but that it provides new and universal meaning to the theology that Paul had been developing. (p. 25) Finally, Robert J. Karris offered data that suggests Romans has no specific reference within the Roman community, but rather is part of a letter to sum up Paul’s missionary theology and to exhort his readers. (p. 83-84) All of these essays provided compelling references and arguments.

However, I believe Romans was written to the Romans, who were experiencing conflict between the Jewish and Gentile Christians that comprised the church – thus establishing the reason for writing the letter. This view was developed in great detail by many writers, who took great care in addressing the arguments offered by opponents to this view. For example, Wolfgang Wiefel shows, by referencing many historical records outside of the Bible, that there is strong evidence supporting the view that conflict between Jews and Gentiles, regardless of their faith, had existed in Rome for centuries. This included two expulsions of the Jews from Rome and ongoing animosity once they were allowed to return. Christianity initially had a strong reliance on Jewish synagogues, which supports Wiefel’s stance, as the synagogues were the main venues that were used to propagate the Christian message. New problems arose when the Jewish Christians returned to Rome, after the expulsion edict was lifted. They found that their churches had changed from the practices they had always known, for the synagogue and the tainted message it represented was no longer used. Paul wrote to both Jew and Gentile Christians to address the resulting issues. Paul writes to these specific issues and the overall view of Jewish people in Rome, hoping to break the anti-Jewish cycle that existed in the area. (pp. 100-101) Karl P. Donfried, for his part, pulled heavily from Marxsen, who argued, “the theology of Romans – especially the constant interplay between “Jew” and “Gentile” – reflects a concrete historical problem in the church of Rome.” (pp.46-47) These arguments, as well as my review of Romans itself, convinced me that this was the purpose of the letter.

However, there are some real tensions with this view that need to be addressed, especially Romans 15:20/NIV, which states, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” Many who argue that Romans was written universally or not for a specific Roman issue reference this verse, for it seems that if Paul were dealing specifically with the Romans, he would be in conflict with his own letter. Donfried asserts that, “Romans 15:20 must be understood as an apology as to why Paul has NOT YET been in Rome – his first responsibility was to preach Christ where he had not yet been preached.” (p. 45) Gunther Klein explained it by saying Romans 1:5, 11-15 and 15:15 seem to contradict the statement in 15:20 as Paul says he plans on preaching to the Romans and yet shares his principle of non-interference. Klein explains that the letter to Rome was a “demand of missionary politics” and a “basis of operation in his further work.” (pp.30-31) He goes on to say that Paul established the non-interference clause not for places where Christ had been preached, but where an apostolic foundation had been laid. Since no apostle had established his authority in Rome, Paul was not violating his clause. (pp.37-39) Therefore, the argument that Paul was writing to the Romans and the specific issues there seems credible despite this verse.

If we accept the argument that Romans being written for specific issues that existed, what does it mean for us today? Should we toss it aside as just another letter to issues that no longer affect us? I believe this is a dangerous stance to take, for the issues described in the letter can be at least symbolic for issues that exist today. Historically, Romans has had amazing effects on many recognizable names, including Martin Luther and James Wesley. J. David Hoke writes that Luther was struggling with his faith and the oppressive and impossible weight of being righteous, when he read Romans 1:17/NIV, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” He claims that this verse began Luther’s actions that formed the catalyst to launch the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. (Hoke, 1996) Hoke goes on to write, “Indeed, the entire book of Romans is an explanation of how this Gospel applies to every person. This Gospel is powerful because it has the ability to change our eternal destiny. It is powerful in that it has the capacity to impart the righteousness of God to us by faith. It is powerful in that it can produce a life worth living.” (Hoke, 1996) While many of Paul’s letters addressed specific issues to the recipients, as I believe Romans did, the themes and specifics continue to teach us today. Important concepts can help us in our walk with Christ, including God’s eternal plan, the work of the Holy Spirit, being delivered from the Law, the grace being offered through Christ, and the place of faith in our life. Rich Smith, in his study of Romans based on a study guide published by John MacArthur, says “In Romans 1:18-3:20, Paul talks about how the Law convicts us and ultimately does not offer anything but condemnation. There is not a provision for grace in the Law, as seen in the Old Testament. There is a short-term solution for transgressions under the Law – it is called a sacrifice. In this section of Romans Paul tells us that Christians are no longer under the Law.” (Smith, 2007) This concept, while immediately appropriate for the Romans – especially to the Jewish Christians – still offers amazing worth to us today. It is important, therefore, to study the letter as well as understand why the letter was written in the first place. Therefore, I am grateful that Paul addressed the issues found in Rome so that I can be blessed today.

Bibliography
Donfried, K.P. (Ed.). (1991). The romans debate. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc..
GotQuestions, (2007). What is the romans road to salvation?. Retrieved July 20, 2007, from GotQuestions Web site: http://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
Hoke, J. David (1996, February 25). To the church an introduction to romans. Retrieved July 20, 2007, from To the Church An Introduction to Romans Web site: http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/rom1.html
Smith, Rich (2007, March 22). Romans 7:1-25 delivery from the law. Retrieved July 21, 2007, from Romans 7:1-25 RichSmith.cc Web site: http://www.richsmith.cc/node/183

Loving Your Neighbor…….and Other Encouragements

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

This is the Bible Study I did for church this past week.  I took out some personal info but otherwise it is intact.  Let me know what you think!

Today, I am going to talk about two major concepts – LOVE and ENCOURAGMENT.  These are two amazingly powerful words, that become extraordinary items when, as Pastor has recently shared with us, they change from LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT to LOVING and ENCOURAGING!

But I have to admit, love when we humans get our hands on it, sometimes doesn’t always FEEL good.  We can all share stories where “the love” of others were really heavy yolks around our necks.  We’ve heard, for example, that OUR love is not sacred nor do we really know the love of God.  At times like that I want to shake my fist in the air and scream out these lyrics by U2 (because, after all, aren’t all things from the 80’s perfect in such occasions?):

You say love is a temple, love a higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can’t be holding on to what you got
When all you got is hurt!

But can’t we rejoice today that the TRUE meaning of love and all it encompasses is defined not by others around us, but by our Heavenly Father?  Today we are going to focus on one segment of this amazing area of our Lord as He has been teaching me a lesson recently.

If you’ve been a Christian more than 3 months, or even if you’ve attended church more then twice, you’ve probably heard about the whole “love your neighbor as yourself” story.  It’s pretty active in Christian-speak, at least in my circles.  And yet, as I mentioned earlier, it often is overlooked in practice.  There are many reasons for this; our definition of “neighbor”, or busy lives, our human natures that are SO powerful – this list goes on and on.  Yet, the Lord has been working on my heart really, and admittedly this is a topic that is very close to my view of myself and others.  Because of that, I’d like to share my journey with YOU!

Let’s begin with the Word – starting with Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV):

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Before I go too far, let’s analyze these verses together.

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’: Jesus, true to form, didn’t have His own agenda when dealing with the Pharisees – his response quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and had been read in the Temple for centuries and basically said “booya” to the expert who I believe had hoped to trip Jesus up.  Then Jesus, goes on to add the hierarchy to His response.

This is the first and greatest commandment. Jesus’ words set this as the greatest commandment, one that the Pharisees could not really argue against at all, although in practice some of the other 600+ laws they liked to follow often seemed to come before this one.  But Jesus didn’t stop there……..

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ This addition brought a whole new level of rules to the Pharisees, as they had already begun living a very regimented cast system that excluded Samaritans, Tax Collectors, women, or anyone they deemed as unworthy based on the whim of the moment.  This statement meant real trouble to the Pharisees!  It totally shattered the concept of how they really acted towards the majority of those around them.  And yet, Jesus still had another punch coming!

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. To me, this is the “nuke statement” Jesus made that day.  How can anyone hear or read these words and not understand the very clear hierarchy that Jesus established?  If you don’t love God and your neighbor, nothing else matters.  NOTHING!  When I realized this piece of information, I realized I had been going about my Christian walk all wrong!  Instead of focusing on acting a certain way or pulling away from the world, I became conscious of the fact that I needed to LOVE!  Love my God and love my neighbor.  JESUS defined the hierarchy and who am I to interject other laws or rules above these?

But I also believe that the love we have here can’t remain only within these doors – and neither do Pastor and I am sure you too.  So, I would be remiss if I didn’t also analyze the Biblical definition of “neighbor”.  Some suggest this means other Christians.  Many say the net includes your friends and family, maybe even your co-workers.  But what does the Bible say?

Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV) says:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Christ clearly states we need to love EVERYONE, even those who we view as enemies or whom we do not agree with. And perhaps I am wrong, but I see loving them is CARING about them, especially their eternal life. That means your physical neighbor who refuses to mow his lawn or take the trash cans in timely.  It means the homeless person begging on the corner.  It means the political person that you didn’t vote for and whose ideology you despise.  It means the person that cut you off on the freeway this morning.  Even those that spew hate at your and those you love!  Basically, it means EVERYONE, but ESPECIALLY those whom you would never ever give the time of day except that Jesus told you to love them.

I think you probably get that.  I really do!

But for me, it turned a corner when I thought of the ones that have so much power over me – power that I’ve given them.  I have a family member  who I know loves me but whom to this day refuses to even mention Deana’s name or ask how Zack and Sophia are.  To my former Christian employer, who fired me when they found out I am a lesbian.  In the past, I would want to pull out Matthew 22 and scream to them, “GOD TOLD YOU TO LOVE ME!  YOU HYPOCRITES!  YOU HATERS!  YOU CAN WEAR YOUR “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO” BRACELETS BUT YOU HAVE NO LOVE!”  And I would feel so righteous, knowing I was right!  But I hope you realize, as I have, that Matthew 22 AND 5 applies to me, too.  And while I don’t view my family member as my enemy per se, no matter how they react to me, I need to love them.  ESPECIALLY since they have judged me,  I need to love them!  I even need to love my old work, at least try to.  Because, love that is unfathomable is very Christian, don’t you think?  Because if someone DESERVES or EARNS your love, is it really so hard to love them?  So, let’s agree that “loving your neighbor” means “everyone – especially those who don’t deserve it”.

What about the definition of LOVE? Paul is very eloquent in describing what this is about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Jump down to verse 13:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I love that the Bible sets the hierarchy so clearly.  Jesus established the two most important commandments for us to follow in Matthew, and He further directed Paul here to tell us that LOVE is the greatest attribute we should manifest in our lives.    And He loves us so much that he clearly describes what love IS and IS NOT.  And, while I fully admit that I have failed in both loving my neighbor and putting love above all else, I can also testify that Jesus – through His Holy Spirit – is daily giving me a bigger dose of His love so that I can grow in these areas!  And so can you!

So, we now know the Biblical definition of NEIGHBOR and LOVE – what are we going to DO about it?  That has been the biggest area where I struggle – head or heart knowledge versus acting it out in my mind, heart, and actions.  So walk with me as I break out some of the “IS” statements we just read.

Love is patient.  First of all, I hope you all know not to pray for patience!  Take it from me, God is faithful and will give you opportunity after opportunity to grow your patience!  But I have learned over the last year that God knows me, he sees where laws and churches and people have worked to tell me that I am wrong.  And I may want to change every single mind I encounter today, it probably won’t happen.  But my focus has always been to point out how stupid people are, and let me tell you, that’s not very loving.  My impatience has skewed my ability to LOVE.  I have to love and no amount of shaking my fist in the face of my opposition will make things go faster.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.  Ouch!  You know, I appreciate and accept the give of Grace I received from Christ and I thank Him daily for loving me and saving me.  But even so, I had a long list of those who have wronged me, especially as their actions relate to my sexuality.  While I want them to accept me as I am, I sit with resentment, hurt, anger, and think these people need to get right with God.  But truly, MY heart needs the Holy Spirit to erase the list I hold onto!  And, as we’ve already discussed, this premise needs to extend to everyone I encounter everyday.

Love always protects. What does this mean to me?  To you?  A more obvious answer would be that we don’t hurt the ones we love, or even go so far as to defend them from hurts/danger/pain, etc.  I believe that view is true and noble.  But I also believe I am being called to take this a step further!  How about adding that, as a Christ follower, I will protect EVERYONE I encounter!  How about, if I come across someone that doesn’t align with my point of view or even believes something that is an affront to my religion, I PROTECT THEIR DIGNITY, THEIR VIEWS, AND THEIR LIFE?

Here is what I mean by that – so often I am focused on BEING RIGHT or GETTING MY VIEWS OUT THERE, that I lose track of love altogether!  This realization of my actions came crashing to the forefront on Facebook, of all places!  I took part in a glaring debating – although the details really don’t need to be shared today.  During the course of this debate, which had compelling points on both sides, some of us (and I do mean us) stepped it up a notch and began to add blood arrows.  By blood arrows, I mean insulting strings of words that basically attacked something, be it the other person’s intelligence, way of arguing, whether or not they were even a Christian…….instead of even focusing on the original debate!  With each arrow I became more arrogant, more zealous in my view, and began to FEED on the arrow’s line of attack rather than sharing why I held my views.  It only got worse as alliances were built on both sides of the debate and pretty soon we had nothing more than a blood bath!

That, my friends, was the first time I realized that I was a failure, for I had not loved ANYONE in the interchange.  I didn’t PROTECT my neighbor, but sacrificed them to my ideology and to my very pride in wanting to be right!  I didn’t even love my FRIEDS, because my angry and hurtful actions gave my enemies fodder to condemn us!  And I believe many of us repeat these actions over and over again and never even realize that – even if our ideology is a noble one – we are breaking the second most important commandment Jesus Himself taught us!  And it showed me very clearly that my raised fists against those that I know hate me or want to limit my rights has been wrong as well.

But realizing my weakness doesn’t make it easy to love those that, well let’s face it, that I don’t especially LIKE.  Logically, I can find reasons to not extend real love to them.  Even now I feel the need to tell you that I don’t believe what they believe, that I believe they aren’t right – but it’s more important that I tell you my actions have been totally wrong!

So what should I do?  What should WE do?

Maybe, instead of feeling paralyzed by our inability to love our enemies or at least those that we don’t like, we can start somewhere a bit more palatable.  Pastor has been talking for weeks about reaching out to our community, and what a great way to begin flexing our spiritual love muscles is there?  We can and should reach out to those that have bought the lie that God doesn’t love them.  Through our love we represent Jesus through Love instead of through anger – but maybe it’s less intimidating to start.  We no longer need to convince those that insist on fighting us that Love is the main goal, and instead throw out our nets of love to those who never, ever expect to receive it.
But you may be thinking – okay Gina, you’ve talked a lot about Loving, but what about encouraging others?  We know love needs to be an action, and what better way to manifest love than to ENCOURAGE other!

When you’re shown loved by someone, doesn’t that encourage you?  Maybe you are blessed to have family members who love you even though you’re flawed.  There are TONS of verses in the Bible that speak about encouraging others.  And there are many manifestations of encouragement; let’s go over just a few.

John 15:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

You know what?  I often limit God.  I define what I can and can’t do and live my life through that paradigm.  Yet, the Lord has been faithful despite how I act.  I need to tell you something – the Lord placed on my heart on July 13th that I needed to write this Bible study.  He placed on my heart the need to review my view of love and encouragement on that day so heavily that I began to sit down and pray, research, and meditate on the Word.  Deana asked what I was doing and I told her – she asked if I was asked to teach or something.  I said no.  And that was the truth.  So, to hear on Sunday the 18th Deana was asked if I was interested in doing Sunday School, I was blown away.  If you asked me two weeks ago, I would give you about 25 instant reasons why not only I was not QUALIFIED to be here, but I would tell you I would not know what to say.  But I am standing before you today because God loves me enough to use me, and as His ambassador I pray that He speaks to you today.

Is that encouragement?  Maybe it was meant just for me, for I am standing here feeling abundantly blessed and honored by my Lord!

Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

I mentioned earlier, the love you share with everyone who walks into this church is very encouraging.  That is a very important manifestation of love and encouragement that each one of us can do easily each week.  Walk up to someone you don’t know.  Smile to those across to room.  That’s encouragement.  And you will even begin to realize that your actions will encourage those that may not even been the recipient on the encouragement!  When Marvin Matthews was here a couple weeks ago, Jessica noticed a woman across the room who didn’t have a praise sheet; she worked that piece of paper across dozens of people so that the woman could sing along!  In doing so, I was encouraged that Jessica saw the need and met the need!

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Sometimes encouragement is financial in nature.  When you tithe or offer money to this church, it encourages this body and the work it does in this community.  Although your tithes or offerings may be smaller or larger than those being given next to you, it encourages Pastor and this body!

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Sometimes just being there for someone is more encouraging than you know.  Seven years ago my 20-year-old nephew was killed in a car accident.  When I finally arrived at my brother’s side, I really didn’t know what to say.  For over 10 hours he and I just sat next to each other as I prayed for him silently.  I felt so very inadequate during those hours, but do you know what?  To this day he said nothing encouraged him more than the fact that I was willing to sit next to him during the darkest hours of his life.  So, sometimes it feels like we aren’t helping, but God directs us and blesses others just by being near.  And it’s important to remember that we carry the Holy Spirit in us people!  And He can and does comfort those in pain better than we ever could.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Sometimes encouragement means doing nothing!  Yes, I said nothing!  Recently I was at a client site, a lovely Christian woman, and an owner of a neighbor business stopped by to shoot the breeze.  This man was very nice, but he used the most filthy language we no thought to me or the woman I was working with!
I went from being shocked to internally becoming angry and offended inside – I mean SERIOUSLY, how disrespectful!  After he left, I shared that I could not believe his language and couldn’t believe she had to deal with that several times a week.  She replied, with no judgment towards me I might add, that she didn’t like the language either but that it was more important for her to show love to him by accepting his as he was and maybe someday he would be receptive to the Word of the Lord.  Let me tell you, her actions not only showed me what encouragement looks like, but encouraged me to love others with my actions in real, if difficult ways!  And her actions are BIBLICAL – check out Can you imagine how the neighbor would have reacted if Melissa had said “hey man, your language is HORRIBLE!  If you’re going to cuss like that, you best not come here.”  I believe it wouldn’t change his language, but it sure would close the door of love!  Instead, she is leading his THROUGH LOVE to being loving.  Maybe a foul mouthed lover, but one that can love……..

But to me, the most amazing story is not one that you will find when doing the usual search in the Bible for the term “encouragement”.  In fact, the story really starts with a sad note.  It relates to the Apostle Peter, whom I personally related to a lot!  I mean, I can totally see myself jumping out on the water but taking my eyes of the Lord and falling into water.  I can see myself jumping to cut off the soldier’s ear, only to be chastised by the Lord.

Peter loved the Lord very much, but even though Jesus warned him ahead of time that Peter would deny Him, he incredulously denied the possibility.  We know, as Matthew 26 tells us, that Peter did, in fact, deny Christ three times.  I’ve always been blown away by this – I mean Peter lived with Jesus for THREE YEARS, spending time with Him, being taught by Him, see Jesus perform miracles over and over.  In Matthew 16, Peter is recorded as being the first to acknowledge that Jesus was the Christ!  And yet, even after being warned of his failings, Peter denied Christ three times, emphatically!

Can you imagine how Peter felt when that happened?  Matthew 26:75 tells us that Peter remembered Jesus’ words and wept bitterly.  I know I’ve had situations where I’ve failed the Lord and once I was done crying, I put on the clothes of my failure and limited my ability to be used by God.  I held onto those failures and defined myself through them.  And I suppose Peter probably did that to some extent too.  But I am encouraged by what Jesus did with Peter.

Now Jesus could have very easily said, “Peter, dude, I warned you and you still denied me.  After all we’ve been through!  How can I trust you?”  Yet, let’s go over what Jesus did:

John 21:15-17
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.“

In the NIV Bible, the section header states “Jesus reinstates Peter”.  I have been so blessed by the fact that Jesus PHYSICALLY asks Peter three times “do you love me” – to specifically cover the three times Peter denied him.  Jesus LOVED Peter, and he ENCOURAGED him.  But, true to form, Jesus didn’t stop there!  He EMPOWERED Peter to LOVE and ENCOURAGE the world – “the sheep” – and I believe that is the most important message Jesus wants you to hear today.  He will create ways and empower YOU to reach others in His name.  Don’t limit yourselves by your own view of yourself – as Pastor taught us, don’t look back and listen to the echo of who we were.  Romans chapter 3 tells us we are the righteousness of God through our faith in Jesus Christ, and we need to start living that way, not to boast but to LOVE and ENCOURAGE one another.  So if you ever start focusing on your failures and want to limit how you can be used by God, think of Peter and how Jesus himself took that bull by the horns.

So, in the coming days, think of small and big ways you can begin to see all situations and people – your neighbors – with love.  Think of small and big ways to encourage those around you, even yourselves!  And by doing so, be prepared to feel the blessings flow!

Love your God
Love your Neighbor
Find ways to encourage others, even yourself