To Serve God

What does it mean to serve God? I suppose it takes many different forms, depending on your culture, religion or society in which you live in.

Romans 14:17-19(NIV)17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

There has been so much harm done in the name of serving God. Mass murders, "terrorist" attacks, and suicide bombings just to name a few. This is nothing new. In the Bible's Old Testament God had ordered His people to go and destroy those tribes that did not follow Him.

Deuteronomy 20:16-18(NIV)16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. 17 Completely destroy[a] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. 18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.

There are those today who do the same. We take it on faith that what the stories of old say to us and find it beyond understanding as to those who kill in this way today. We question them on if they are really hearing from God or not. I question this too, don't get me wrong. I believe in the New Covenant of Christ Jesus that of which the New Testament talks of in the Bible. This does not mean though, that Christians do not have blood on their hands, they do...we do. From the Crusades, to "conversion" in the "New World", so much killing done in the name of God.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6(NIV)5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Is this how we are suppose to serve the One True God? Honestly, if this is how one sees their service to God, I begin to wonder if we are knowing the same God, knowing of His TRUE character. Even those who hate in the name of Jesus...I wonder if we know the same Jesus. So again I ask, what does it mean to serve God?

Galatians 5:19-26(NIV)19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,provoking and envying each other.

I know that we are not all going to agree. I understand that. I know that we do not all share the same point of view. I get that too. What I don't get is how one can read the same Spirit filled scriptures as I do and still hate, destroy, and want to harm those who do know God the same way. To me this is contradictory to the teachings of Jesus.

Matthew 5:43-45(NIV)Love for Enemies43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children 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.

~Peace & Blessings~
 Jen

Power Play

The great debate is now in full swing. I have witnessed heated debates in regards to the change that is to come in the near future. My greatest fear is that people will go with the flow instead of going with what they know is right.

I often wonder what it must have been like in the days of Jesus. Politics were just as heated then as they are now. It was because of politics that God's plan was set in motion. God's plan prevailed despite the efforts of feeble men who were striving for some sort of power. I would encourage you to read any of the Gospels encounters about the betrayal, mock trail, and crucifixion of Jesus, but I want to share with you from the Gospel of Mark.

15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.“You have said so,” Jesus replied.3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate,10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.13 “Crucify him!” they shouted.14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Even with the power plays of man, God's plan prevailed, as it will today. We need to be mindful that no matter what happens, it's been set forth because God has called it to be. He has spoken and it is so. There is great comfort in that knowledge.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

National Day...

of Prayer is today. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to come together to pray as a nation. I do want to encourage you to not just pray today, but to pray everyday. Our God is I AM, God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So many times we come together to pray during crisis, special occasions, or in this case as a one day event. My heart cry is that you come to know The Lord in a very real and personal way. To spend time with Him each day in prayer.

May I encourage you today with some scripture? Maybe, just maybe you are unsure as to how to pray. I remember asking that question many years ago, and a very wise mentor told me, "Jennifer, if you are not sure what to pray, then pray through scripture." How comforting those words were to me! So with that wisdom, I say the same to you. Here are a few passages to pray if you are not sure where to begin.

James 5:16, Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

1 Timothy 2:1-4, 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Philippians 4:6-7, Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 15:29, The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous (the upright, in right standing with Him).

1 John1:9, If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

Matthew 6: 9-15, 9Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name.10Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven ([a]left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have [b]given up resentment against) our debtors. 13And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
14For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [c]reckless and willful sins, [d]leaving them, letting them go, and [e]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [f]reckless and willful sins, [g]leaving them, letting them go, and [h]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

I hope that these will help you as you continue to grow spiritually and closer to God.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

I wish I...

had learned more about computers when I was in school! My computer has a "Hidden File" somewhere that decided to mess up my Outlook yesterday afternoon. I am however, very thankful for people who know computers! I just hope that it does not take long to "fix" the problem. It is hard to be at work w/ no email ability. It sort of hinders my work performance!

On the upside...my computer works and is not in any danger of crashing -> Blessing!

This past week I have been seeking out where God is blessing people. Not just me, but others around me. I find it to be very important to actively look for blessings, because so many times they are in disguise of "everyday life". When something seems to be going all kinds of wrong, it's great to LOOK for the things that are going right! I know that many people would call this being optimistic, but I call it Looking for Blessings.

Luke 11:13 says,

If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!

So I am looking for the blessing that is coming from my computer not working right, and I pray that I will realize when I see it. So much does God give to us and do for us, I pray that you will look for the blessings too.

Psalm 98:4says,

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

When you ask...

Jesus to use you, be ready! I knew when I completely surrendered my life to Christ that it would be a challenge and not easy. (Romans 7:25)

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to the law of sin.

I honestly thought that I had no comfort zone, but it seems that every time I get "comfortable", God changes the direction in which I am going or He intercedes personally by allowing me to encounter a life that is going through a struggle, and it "interferes" with "my life". So I have come to the understanding I will never be comfortable, and I am becoming OK with that. I have also come to realize that if I am in a state of being comfortable, then I am not growing spiritually. (Psalm 119:2)

Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart

Last night during Bible study as we were going over the passage in Ephesians 4, I came to a deeper understanding of why we are gifted. The Word says, that He gifts us so that we can equip the saints, God's people. We are not to use the Gifts that He has given according to His Will and abuse them for selfish reasons, but to use them to help those in need, those who are seeking God, and to lift up those who are called the Children of God. (Ephesians 4: 11-13)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

I have so much to learn. The most important is to continue to be less of me so that more of Jesus comes through. It is a daily struggle and when I am put under the fire, so to speak, I want to run and say NOPE! Not me! It doesn't work that way because I freely gave my life up to serve, and that means to go where He leads, and do His Will even when I don't want to. It is a daily struggle, but one that is worth it all. (John 3:30)

He must become greater; I must become less

I hope that you are encouraged today, but if not, if you are discouraged, know that you are not alone & that you will get through this uncomfortable moment. Christ Jesus will work out what it is that you are going through, if you allow Him to do so and He will work out for His Glory & His Purpose. (Romans 8:28)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Romans 1

As I read and reread Romans 1 I was taken back by the later part of the chapter. Before coming to really know Christ and actually trying to follow him, I always knew there was a right and a wrong. I usually did what I wanted, and not really cared about what happen, but I still knew, and I often have been asked, "How do you know what is right and what is wrong?", well now I know and I will always direct the question to Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Now I have to say that the last part of the chapter is what has me all tied up in knots. Not because I don't agree with what is written, but because of the way "Christians" us this passage of scripture to pass their personal judgment and hate.
For me I want to show God's love, grace & forgiveness. John 3:16 says

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

WHOEVER...that means anyone who comes to Jesus and asks for forgiveness & I know that Jesus can change lives. I've seen it happen to many times to say otherwise or deny. I can't deny. So why do Christians deny "sinners" by judging instead of sharing. This is my own thoughts on this passage. God's word is clear, however, that we are all sinners and that all of us have to deal with many of the "sins" that are listed in the last part of Romans 1.

My prayer is to look only at myself and ask God to show me my faults and work only on my own faults & to have grace and mercy to give to others instead of looking for their faults. If you are at a place in your life where you know that "there's something out there", but you don't know what "it" is, may I encourage you to pick up a Bible and go to the New Testament and read Romans chapter 1.

Peace & Blessings
Jen

Reflecting on Psalms...

a lot as of late. I have always found comfort in reading from the Book of Pslams even when I was not what you would call being a Christian. King David had such a way of putting into words human soul goes through and often cannot convey. Most recently I was reading from Psalm 56.

1 Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words;
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not[c] let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8 Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll[d]—
are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

When David was on the run and was being threatened by his enemy he found peace in knowing God. What can I take away from this Psalm? What can you take from this Psalm? For me, it means that when the enemy attacks me, whether a physical attack or a spiritual attack, I know that I must call upon God in Jesus name. I must remember His promise to me, that He knows the path in which I am to take and that He is in complete control. There is true peace in knowing that I am being taken care of, and that my enemy cannot touch me.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

From the heart

Ephesians 2: 8-10: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

As I read this passage of scripture this morning I was reminded of just how much God loves us. He created us, to worship Him to be his greatest creation. As I read this again my heart broke. What did we do? To be separated from our Creator, from God is a pain that we don't realize is there until we come to Him.

I am still in awe at His act of Love. To Love us so much that He came and gave Himself up as a living sacrifice, just to show us that He wants us. I can never be good enough or love enough to "earn" my way to eternal life in the presence of God, but He loves you and me enough to allow that very opportunity, eternal life with Him.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen