Monday Morning Memo: Enduring Hardships Part 3

As you know, in July I had the opportunity to speak on Revelation 2:8-11, and I found it both inspiring and convicting.  These verses give us a glimpse into the church in Smyrna and how their members were willing to give their all for Christ.  If you haven’t read the previous couple of blog posts, I recommend you do that so this post will make more sense.

 

Today we are looking at verse 10 where it says, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.”

 

Do you think there is anyone who can honestly say that they don’t fear suffering?  None of us like to suffer and these people in Smyrna had already been through so much anguish and now the Lord is telling them not to fear what is to come, even though it is probably only going to get worse.  I’m sure that isn’t what they wanted to hear.

 

He refers here to suffering persecution for ten days and if you begin reading commentaries on what the ten days signifies…you are going to find several different ideas.  Some claim Jesus was talking about 10 – 24-hour days, which is probably what we would think of.  Some believe Jesus was prophetically referring to 10 Roman Emperors who would greatly persecute the church.  And there are others who believe the number 10 simply signifies intensity – kind of like when the doctor asks you on a scale of 1-10…how much does it hurt?  Doesn’t that drive you nuts?  I hate that pain scale.  If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked that question…I’d be a very wealthy woman.

 

But regardless of how well we understand the meaning wrapped up in the phrase “you will suffer persecution for ten days”, the fact that Jesus calls for the church at Smyrna to be faithful through them is clear.

In verse 11 then, Jesus says, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”  The first death is physical death.  That’s inevitable.  We are all going to die at some point.  The second death is eternal separation from God…spiritual death.  The people of Smyrna remained true and obedient to their God…so they were promised eternity with Him instead of being cast into the lake of fire in hell.      

So, what can we learn from these Christians in Smyrna?  Fortunately, at least at this point, we are not facing the horrendous suffering they endured as a result of their faith.  Oh, I think we often think we are persecuted…but if we were to sit and swap stories with these brothers and sisters in Christ…I think our examples wouldn’t hold much weight compared to theirs.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t have trials in our life.  All of us face different difficulties…what I am going through is probably entirely different than what you are facing…but that doesn’t diminish the pain and hurt that each of us experience.  But as I prepared for this sermon, I came across a statement that spoke volumes to me and has impacted me more than anything else I’ve ever read and I can’t wait to share it with you.  Make sure you come back next week when I will reveal this statement that has impacted me so much.

But for now…I am asking, “Are you ready for the first death?”  We know death is inevitable for all of us…are you ready?  Our final day on this earth is inescapable…but the second death…spiritual death…IS avoidable.  If we haven’t accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior before we die…we will be separated from Christ for eternity.  But if we have made Him Lord and Savior of our life before we take our last breath…we will be just like the Christ-followers of Smyrna and won’t be hurt at all by the second death. 

By accepting Christ, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Don’t delay.  Just pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, were resurrected and that you are alive and well today.  I believe you are the Son of God and that you deeply love me.  I confess that I am a sinner and I need you to forgive me and cleanse me from my sins.  I accept you as my Savior and want you to create a new and clean heart in me.  I now want to live every day for you, and I know that I will have eternal life with you because of what you did on Calvary’s cross for me.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer today, make sure and let me or a close friend know.   We want to celebrate your decision with you!

Until next time…

Monday Morning Memo: Enduring Hardships Part 2

I recently had the opportunity to speak on Revelation 2:8-11, and I found it both inspiring and convicting.  These verses give us a glimpse into the church in Smyrna and how their members were willing to give their all for Christ.

 

Last week we looked at how the Christ followers in the Smyrna church were being persecuted…but never complained.  They were willing to give their all for their Jesus.  What an amazing example for us to follow.

 

This week we look at what Christ tells them in verse 9, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!”  I love those first two words…I know.  He wants these followers to know that He sees them.  He sees their poverty.  He sees their intense suffering.  He knew how important it was for them to hear this from the One for whom they were giving their all.  

 

Let me ask you a question.  Do you always feel seen?  Are there times in your life where you are going through very difficult waters and you just wish someone would “see” you.  I’ve been there.  If I’m going to be honest with you…in the last couple years of my life I have had moments where I wondered if even the Lord was seeing what I was going through.  Deep down I knew He was…but it is so easy in our times of distress to feel overlooked or forgotten.  

 

That’s why it is so important that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, are intentional in “seeing” those around us.  I can’t tell you how many times in the past 2 years, when I have felt like I was going down for the third time…and a brother or sister in Christ has either called me, texted me, even came to see me to let me know that they have seen what I was going through and they cared.  Friends, we need to be Jesus with skin on for those around us.  We may be the only Jesus some will ever see…and if we are too busy to really see others…they may never know the One who has endured so much for them.

 

And in this letter, Christ tells them that He sees the hardships they are facing…and then reminds them that even so…they are still rich!  He points their eyes heavenward…reminding them that they will be rewarded for their faithfulness.  He was reminding them that treasure is not to be stored on earth but in heaven…they had not lost their spiritual wealth and it’s important that we encourage each other with these words also.  My friends have been great at helping me keep my eyes looking up…even during the darkest days.

 

Notice too in these verses that the Lord doesn’t sugarcoat their circumstances and tell them that He is going to remove them from their suffering.  In fact…he seems to allude to the fact that it’s only going to get worse.  Now that must have been encouraging!  

 

He tells them that He knows about the slander of those who say they are Jews…but are actually a synagogue of Satan.  The rest of verse 9 says, “I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan”.  The word used here in this context is BLASPHEMIA.  This word is usually associated with slander against God.  But in this setting, it refers to the slander that the ‘synagogue of Satan’ stirred against the Church.

 

The Emperor Nero had a follower by the name of Aliturus, whom he admired very much.  He also had another vile friendship with another man named Popaea.  Both of these men were Jews.  They used their contact with the Emperor to feed the slander against the early church.  It was because they were convicted of their sins that they fought and hated the early church so vigorously. 

 

The result was the Christian persecution the people were enduring.  But the Lord knew what they were going through, and he urged them to be faithful until death when they would be blessed with a crown.  The Greek word here is STEPHANOS, which describes the garland crown placed on the heads of athletes after winning a race.  (And, by the way, we won’t wear these crowns very long because we will lay them at the feet of Jesus in heaven).  Oh, what a day that will be!

 

This section of scripture made me ask myself, “How well am I “seeing” others?  As I go through my week, am I intentionally looking for those whom I can lift up…whom I can let know that they are being seen by me?  Or am I just too busy to be bothered?”  OUCH.

 

As we go throughout this coming week, let’s pay attention to those who God puts in our path. They may be feeling like they are going down for the third time…and are just praying that someone…anyone…cares.  Who knows what impact we can have by just “seeing” them and helping to lift their eyes heavenward.  Time is of the essence…and remember…if they don’t see Jesus in us…they may never see Him at all.

 

Until next week…

Monday Morning Memo: Enduring Hardships Part 1

As I shared last week, I recently had the opportunity to speak on Revelation 2:8-11, and I found it both inspiring and convicting.  These verses give us a glimpse into the church in Smyrna and how their members were willing to give their all for Christ.

 

Revelation 2 contains the letters that were written to four of the seven churches in Asia located in modern day Turkey.  The other three churches are addressed in Chapter 3.  John has some condemnation in his letters to five of those churches…telling them what would happen if they didn’t change some of their ways…but two of the churches received no criticism and those churches were in Smyrna and Philadelphia.

 

Verses 8-11 contain the Apostle John’s letter to the Smyrna church as he conveys what the Lord wants them to know.  I was curious as to what was happening at that time and why these Christ-followers weren’t criticized. Was it because everything was going swimmingly in their lives with no problems?  Hardly so. 

 

Revelation 2:8-11 says,

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

Smyrna was one of the most beautiful cities of its day.  Some historians even debate that Smyrna was the most elegant city that the Grecians ever built.  The city sloped down toward the sea and along the sides of the hill was a very large amphitheater where over twenty-thousand people could sit.  It was in this amphitheater that worship to Caesar took place. 

 

The problems began for the Christians who refused to worship Caesar.  They became marked men and were noted as traitors to the government.  To be a Christian during this time was to have your life in jeopardy every.single.day.  The tortures that were inflicted on Christians were almost unspeakable.  

 

Let me give you a peek into some of the things these Christians endured.  Some in the early church were placed in a rack which had chains.  Their hands and their feet were chained and every time the believer refused to deny the Lord, the chains were tightened to such an extent that they would be ripped from limb to limb.  Others were thrown to hungry lions. Some were covered with animal skins and tortured to death by wild dogs. Some would be covered with tar and set on fire as torches.   Others were literally cooked alive in boiling pots of hot oil.  Some would be burned at the stake.  

 

Not only were these Christians facing persecution, but they were also extremely poor.  Now, Smyrna was one of the richest cities in Ancient Rome, but these Christ followers had been reduced to being beggars.  Remember I said that they were marked people because they refused to worship Caesar, so as a result, they were deprived of the right to work.  No trade union would have them.  No business would hire them.  They were boycotted at every turn… so they lived in destitution.  

 

The pressure that this church was under was unimaginable.  However, it seems that they endured all of this without complaining.  How amazing is that?  It’s one thing to suffer because of our wrongful actions…but to suffer wrongfully and still have a good attitude…is an entirely different situation.  It takes it to a whole new level.  No wonder Jesus didn’t have condemnation for them in this letter.

 

This made me ask myself, “How am I at “suffering” for Christ?”  Fortunately, any suffering I might go through at this point, doesn’t hold a candle to what these brothers and sisters faced in Smyrna.  But regardless, when times arise when I endure pain because of my faith, do I go through it without complaining…or am I constantly whining and acting like a spoiled brat?

 

Another question that came to my mind was, “If I’m not going through suffering because of my faith in Christ…is that because no one can even tell I’m a follower of His?”   Because as long as I’m not looking any different than the unsaved…Satan has no reason to try and derail me.

 

I realize these are some “heavy” thoughts to start our week…but I believe that time is of the essence, and it is so important that we are giving everything we have to follow Christ.  Others are watching and if we aren’t showing them Jesus…who will?  

 

Let’s pay attention this week to see if we are prone to whine and complain on our journey with the Lord.  Can others even tell we are Christians…or do our actions and reactions look more like the world?  Others are watching and they need to see Jesus in us…or they may never see Him at all.

 

Until next week…

Monday Morning Memo: Only Because of God

It was a strange feeling.  I was having my quiet time with the Lord and He suddenly impressed a thought in my mind.  I sensed He was telling me that He was going to ask me to do something…and I shouldn’t immediately say “NO”.  I’ll be honest...that thought made me really nervous, because I wondered what He would ask of me, and would it be one of those “push me way out of my comfort zone” moments??  Time would tell.

 

But I didn’t have to wait long.  24 hours later I received a text from a pastor friend who wondered if I could preach for him on July 27th.  Of course, my first thought was “NO”…because as you know…my health has been a little shaky for quite some time…especially since I’ve struggled with coughing for 13 months.  So how in the world would I be able to preach?  It just wouldn’t be feasible and so I would have to text back and say “NO”.

 

Then…I remembered what the Lord impressed on me the day before.  Could this be what He was talking about?  Did He know me so well that He had to pre-warn me…because He knew what my immediate answer would be?  The timing seemed suspicious to me.  I decided I better not say “NO” right away, just in case, this was something I was to consider.

 

So, I asked the pastor if I could have 24 hours to give my answer and he was gracious and said that wouldn’t be a problem.  Over those hours…I prayed, prayed and prayed some more.  I asked a friend to pray with me.  When the time was up, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that my answer was to be “YES”.  I just had no clue how I would pull this off…unless the Lord intervened and healed me.

 

To complicate this situation, the pastor told me that they are doing a year-long series on the writings of John and so he needed me to preach on Revelation 2.  Revelation?  Seriously?  I can think of a lot more “fun” books in the Bible from which to write sermons.  So I, rather grudgingly, sat down and read through Revelation 2…and verses 8-11 jumped off the page at me.  The church of Smyrna was speaking to me…and I instantly knew why I had been asked to speak and why these particular verses were ones I was supposed to share.

 

Was I healed completely by July 27th?  No, I wasn’t.  In fact, as I attempted to sing along with the congregation during the time leading up to my sermon…I began to cough…which wasn’t a good sign.  I stopped singing and began praying what I had prayed since I had been asked.  I prayed that I would not cough at all and that I wouldn’t even get a “tickle” in my throat so my voice would be clear and strong.

 

The time came for me to share and as I stepped in front of the podium…a feeling of strength and power coursed through my body.  It’s hard to even explain.  It was as if something had been poured in and through me and when I began to speak, my voice was stronger than it had been in many, many months.  I was able to share what the Lord had laid on my heart…without any coughing at all and even without a “tickle” in my throat.  Only because of God.

 

Why am I sharing all of this with you?  Because I believe the Lord wants me to share with you, over the next few Mondays, what I learned these past weeks as I prepared for July 27th.  He spoke to me through the brothers and sisters from the Smyrna church.  How these amazing Christians endured hardships was inspiring and convicting…and maybe you need to learn from them too.

 

Has God asked you to do something and your immediate answer was “NO”?  If so, why not take this coming week and begin praying about your answer.  Ask someone to pray with you.  Make sure that your “NO”…wasn’t supposed to be a “YES”.  Because I’m here to tell you…if He calls you to a task you don’t think you can do…He is able to step in and take over and give whatever you need…exactly when you need it.  Yes, you can do it…only because of God.

 

By the way…to so many of my readers…thank you.  During these past six weeks, you have been amazing.  Many of you contacted me to check on me and to let me know that you were lifting me up in prayer.  Some of you sent scripture verses to encourage me and to help keep my focus on the Lord.  What an inspiration you were to me, and I just can’t thank you enough.  Overall, my health has improved some and we think we may have an idea for a diagnosis.  I will see a new specialist this month and see if he confirms it.

 

Again…should your “NO” be a “YES”?  Let’s pray about it this week and see where the Lord leads!

Monday Morning Memo: Another Life Detour

Warning:  today’s devotional…isn’t a devotional.  It’s another life update.  If you aren’t interested…that’s fine!  I just thought I would warn you before you get too far “in”…

 

A fact about me that some of you don’t know.  I’ve been coughing for over a year.  12 months. Over 365 days.  To say it has been frustrating…would be an understatement.

 

Last year I was diagnosed with various illnesses.  Sinus infection…bronchitis…different things which might explain why I was coughing…but after every round of antibiotics, the cough would return.  An x-ray was taken and it came back that my lungs were clear, which of course confused us.  So, my doctor decided in January to order a CT scan and lo and behold…double pneumonia was discovered.  

 

I then was given five rounds of antibiotics, with three of those rounds being double antibiotics, meaning two different drugs at the same time.  Each round helped, but within a week of ending it…the cough came back and once again…I felt miserable.

 

During this time, I also dealt with another symptom, which was times of having difficulty getting my breath.  Different positions of sitting or lying down on my back would make me struggle to open my airways, so I would have to find a position to open things up so I could take a full breath.  If you’ve ever had that happen, you know it isn’t a fun situation to be in.

 

Next, I was sent to a pulmonologist and he said we needed to do a bronchoscopy so samples could be taken to determine what exactly was in my lungs.  This procedure was done in March and we were shocked to find out that I didn’t just have pneumonia…I had MRSA pneumonia.  How I got this is still a mystery.  New medicines were prescribed which made me nauseous 24 hours a day.  It was brutal for two weeks, but if it worked, it would be worth it.  But once again…after I finished the medicine…symptoms returned.

 

A different medicine was then prescribed that again, made me feel better while I was taking it. Unfortunately, history repeated itself and the days of feeling better were short-lived.

 

A second CT scan was then taken and we were happy to receive the news that my left lung had finally cleared and we just had the right lung yet to treat.  I was then given another two rounds of the previous medicine…each round lasting two weeks.

 

A week ago today, while on that second round, I returned once again for another CT scan to see our progress.  Unfortunately, the results came back a few hours later saying that there was worsening of the mucus buildup in my airways.  At this point, I wasn’t sleeping well at all because I struggled to find a position where I could breathe easily.  Frustration was at an all-time high and I contacted the doctor to see what could be done.  He instructed me to get to the ER because I needed to be hospitalized to get to the bottom of my illness.

 

I sure hadn’t planned to be admitted to the hospital last week, but then again, life doesn’t always go as planned.  I returned home Thursday evening, and I wish I could say that all answers were found…but they weren’t.  Some things have been ruled out, they believe the MRSA is pretty much gone and we may have a possible working theory to explore concerning my airways…but we still feel like we are walking in the dark.  Our next step is pulmonary function testing which they hope will give us definitive answers and enable the doctor to put together a plan of action.

 

Oh, how I wish I could tell you that I have handled this life detour without complaining…but I can’t. I wish I could say that I haven’t gotten discouraged or frustrated…but my family will tell you that isn’t true.  There have been tears, anger and many days where my energy level has been pathetic.  Those who know me well, know that being slowed down isn’t something my personality accepts well…especially after just coming through the healing process of two Achilles tendon surgeries 

 

I’ve told friends that if God is trying to teach me something, I sure wish I would learn it!  What I do know is that He has been faithful.  He hasn’t left us…He isn’t wringing His hands wondering what is wrong in my body.  He already knows and in His timing…I’m sure we will find out.  In the meantime…we will work on trusting and depending on Him to walk with us every step of the way.

 

I’m not sharing all this with you today for sympathy, because I know that each of you also carry burdens which are heavy…so I am not alone.  I’m sharing this with you because I am very tired…mentally and physically.  As a result, I’ve decided to take a short break from writing my Monday Morning Memo.  At this point, my plan is to take off the rest of June and probably July and then will reevaluate at that time.  I just feel like I need some time to rest my mind and allow Him to refuel me.

 

Thank you all so much for your love and support.  I have received SO many encouraging words concerning my devotionals and each one has meant the world to me.  You all are such a blessing and I’ll be praying that the Lord will bless you with many warm, beautiful summer days to bask in His sunshine!

 

Until next time…remember…you are all LOVED!

Monday Morning Memo: Back to Basics 101

I happen to love the old hymns…AND the newer choruses.   I know this has been a “hot topic” in many churches over the years and unfortunately has split many congregations.  I believe they all have their place in our daily lives along with our time of corporate worship…and God can use both to speak to us as we worship Him.

 

One of my favorite hymns is “My Jesus I Love Thee”.  Let me share the words with you:

 

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

 

Reading through these words made me conclude that we often make discipleship training too difficult.  As a result, we have many Christians going through life not having a clue as to what a truly devoted follower of Christ should look like.   To me this is tragic and very disturbing.  We have Christians who look no different than those who do not profess to have a relationship with Him.   They are attending the same movies, watching the same television shows, telling the same jokes, cheating on their spouse and backstabbing at work to move up the ladder.  With their mouth they acknowledge their Savior, but their actions don’t back up their words.

 

What we need to emphasize to followers of Christ is that their responsibility is to concentrate on their relationship with Him.  If the relationship is not where it should be, then fruit will not be seen in their life.   Now at this point you may be thinking, “Well duh, LuAnn, everybody knows that!”  Do they?  Do you?

 

Let me explain.  If we really believe the words to the song I included, then our walk should prove it.  If we truly love our Jesus and desire to turn all our sin over to Him, then that should be our guide as to how we live.  When we get up in the morning, if we truly love our Jesus, then there should be no place for mistreating our spouse or our children.  If we truly love our Jesus, then we should never desire to step on other people in our workplace just to obtain a higher status.  If we truly love our Jesus, then we should never desire to attend a function where we know Jesus would not approve.  If we truly love our Jesus, then the thought of cheating on our spouse should never be an option.  If we truly love our Jesus, our priorities and our schedule should be an outgrowth of our love for Him.

 

What we fail to realize is that the choices we make each day make it obvious to others what condition our relationship with Him is in.  No one has to be a rocket scientist to see whether we truly love our Jesus or not, just by listening to our words and watching our actions.   Not only does it show others whether or not we love Him, it also refutes all the excuses we can muster.  No longer can we blame our parents, our children, or our friends for our behavior, because they are not responsible for our relationship with our Jesus; only we are. 

 

I’m wondering if maybe Discipleship 101 could just be:  Love Jesus.  If we truly love Him, then how we live every day should be an outpouring of that love.  It really is as simple as that.

 

How much do you love Jesus today?  Maybe a better question would be, “Do others know how much you love your Jesus?”  If they don’t, then maybe you need to re-think your priorities and make some changes in your schedule this week.  When the right choices are made, we can then sing without reservation, “If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis NOW.”

 

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:15

Monday Morning Memo: Being the Church

This blog post won’t win me a popularity contest.  In fact, there may be some of my readers who will decide that checking my latest ramblings each week will need to be erased from their to-do list.  That’s ok.  I don’t write to be popular or to make people like me.  I write what God lays on my heart to share and sometimes that is easy…and sometimes it is not. 

 

Some things I am seeing in the Christian community trouble me.  I’m sure they aren’t anything new and I’m sure others have witnessed it too.  But I’m troubled by the fact that very few are willing to address what they are seeing because, heaven forbid, we just might step on some toes and well, that just isn’t done.  I’ve had my toes stepped on so many times they are often black and blue and while it doesn’t feel good at the time, it has been that pain which has often steered me back on the path which God has intended for me.

 

There just seems to be an overwhelming number of Christians who are being very vocal on condemning the church.  Many of these people have been hurt in the church and are now rallying the troops with others who have been hurt and as a result, have given up on the church.  They’ve sworn off ever darkening the door of any building because their needs weren’t being met, and they were treated in an ungodly way.

 

Do I believe they have been hurt?  I’m sure they have been.  Is that right?  Of course not.  No one should ever be hurt by his or her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, but unfortunately it happens.  I’ve had it happen to me and the pain it caused was deep and agonizing.  And if I’m honest, I’m sure I have hurt others over the years and that is something of which I am not proud.

 

But does that give me the right to give up on the church?  I don’t think it does.  While it may cause me to leave a certain building and worship in another building, I don’t believe giving up on the church is an option.  For one thing, the four walls that may surround me and my brothers and sisters in Christ are not the church.  We are the church.  Each one of us who has accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior are the church and to give up on those who make up God’s family is a travesty. 

 

No church is perfect, and I am the first to admit that fact.  Why?  Because no one who is part of the “church” is perfect.  We all make mistakes and at times, we all act in ways which aren’t pleasing to God and that’s why we all need grace.  But again, that doesn’t give us the right to give up, throw our hands in the air and decide that the “church” isn’t for us.

 

Unfortunately, I think the pandemic was a contributing factor to this “condition” and it has continued ever since.  For one thing, I’m afraid many decided during that time that they could just watch church at home…whenever it was convenient…instead of going to the actual building.  Now please, I understand that some have legitimate reasons for not being able to attend in person.  But, I believe there are many others who have had no real reason why they couldn’t attend…they just made the decision that it was easier to stay in their comfortable chair.

 

What must those who haven’t accepted Christ as their Savior think of our decision to throw the “church” under the bus?  Will it make them ever want to have anything to do with becoming a member of Christ’s family?  I’m afraid not.  People are watching and since all of us make up the “church”, I think we need to begin doing everything we can to be the church.   And that means our overwhelming desire needs to be to become a fully devoted follower of Christ who strives to look more and more like Him.

 

If you have read this far, I think I owe you a thank you.  This has not been a feel-good post, but one that I think is timely.  Friends, please believe me when I say that I’m not trying to cause more hurt on those of you who are already hurting.  My heart grieves for you.  I have been in your shoes, and I am SO thankful that I didn’t give up in my search to find a place where, fortunately, the people aren’t perfect. That is a good thing, because if they were, they wouldn’t accept me with all my faults and failures.  

 

If you have given up on the “church”, I urge you to give us another try.  If you haven’t totally given up on the “church” but have found it easier to stay in your recliner…I urge you to get up and come worship with us in person.  I think you just might be surprised at how much better you will feel after you have worshipped in person alongside your brothers and sisters. 

 

Let’s strive to make sure our focus is not on how we have been treated or on the actions of others.  Instead, let’s focus on being the child of God He wants us to be.  Then, and only then, will the “church” be alive and well and reaching those who need to know our Jesus.

 

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:23-25