Tag: pray Page 2 of 3

Motivational Monday

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On February 25, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  I hope you are all doing well.  If you have missed it, Pastor Scott has been preaching a series called, “Good Stories From The Good Shepherd”.  It’s REALLY good.  If you have missed a week or two, no big deal!  Just look on Facebook and all his sermons are there waiting on you to watch them!  I highly recommend them.

You are enough.  Love yourself.  You are perfect just the way you are!  Do these saying ring a bell to you?  In our world today, we hear these a lot.  You see them printed on notebooks, shirts, hats etc. mostly targeting young women.  Are these right?  Are we enough?  Are we perfect just the way we are?  Should we love ourselves?  Let’s talk about it.

This is the part of my motivation where I tell you a story about me.  But this week, I have been in a situation where I have sat back and watched someone spiral downward.  I’ll be honest, being someone on the outside looking in, it’s heartbreaking.  I want to grab them and yell, “Get it together! Stop this nonsense!”  And to me, it is nonsense.  Because I care about them.  This person’s family cares about them.  This person’s neighbors care about them!  We all love this person.  They just don’t love themself.  Because of this situation, I’ve really had a long hard look at myself.

While growing up as a christian, I was always told to love God and love others.  It was pretty clear cut.  But Matthew 22:37-39 states, “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Did you see that last part?  Love your neighbor as you love yourself. This got me to thinking.  The grace I show others is directly related to the grace I show myself. In the way I care for my mental, physical, and emotional needs will also be the way I invest in caring for the needs of those around me. The way I learn to have compassion on myself is the way that I would have love and compassion for others.

We all know the song, “Jesus Loves Me”.  And as a christian, we don’t doubt His love for us, right?  And the Bible clearly states we are to love others, right?  Well, if we are going to do what Jesus tells us to do (which is love others) don’t you think love has to come from within?  

Now, John MacArthur has a different take on the verse above.  He states in The MacArthur Bible Commentary, “Contrary to some contemporary interpretations, it does not mandate self-love. Rather, it contains in different words the very same idea as the Golden Rule. It prompts believers to measure their love for others by what they wish for themselves.”  Many believe self-love takes the focus off loving God and pursuing Him.  Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”  

Well, Jennifer…what is the right answer?

Well, after looking at all sides of the Bible, I think it’s a balance.  I do believe all the, “You are enough” sayings are silly.  Because, that’s false.  YOU are not enough without Him.  YOU are not perfect just the way you are.  YOU need to seek Him for…everything.  But do I believe God wants us to not love ourselves to the point mistreating our body?  Absolutely not and there is scripture to back that up.  I believe loving yourself enough to know YOU can’t do this alone is the balance.  

Love you all,

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

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On February 17, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  Thank you for letting me have an off week.  It was my birthday and Valentine’s week so it was a busy week.  One of the many reasons I love the month of February is because it is centered around love.  We talk about love a lot in these motivations but today I want to focus on christian love.  So, let’s talk about it.

Most of you know me in real life (unlike the internet one! 🙂).  In real life, I have (more than) a few tattoos.  I have the word “love” tattooed twice on me.  Once on my left ring finger (for my love, Jon) and the second is a bible verse.  1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.”  I got this verse for many reasons.  But the first and foremost reason was to be able to witness to nonbelievers.   This verse speaks to me.  If everyone did everything in love, this world would be a great place.  I think even nonbelievers would agree, right?

Now, I love my husband.  I do.  But the easiest love is my son.  Sure, he gets on my nerves but in my mom mind, the love you have for your child is the closest you will ever experience to pure love.  It’s the closest love we can experience as  how our Father loves us.  Every person on Earth is a child of God whether they are a believer or not.  Our God created everything you see.  Look around…everything.  And He did this for YOU.  He did it for me.  He did it for all of us. YES!  Even those who hate Him.  AND, He gave us HIS only son.  Can you imagine allowing your child to use his life to pay for our salvation when we could care less about it?  I can’t either.  This love is agape love.  

Agape love is the desire to do good for others, even enemies, and is not based on feelings. If you are anything like me, it is hard to separate feelings from doing good.  I can’t tell you how many times I have to walk away to just think.  In my younger days, I erroneously just reacted.  I am definitely not perfect but I can tell you I have mellowed as I have gotten older.  This more mellow Jennifer usually allows the opportunity to consult with God and ask questions.  There are times I listen and there are times I don’t because I allow emotions to get in the way.  I say this all the time, it’s because I’m human.  Let me be clear when I say, that is no excuse for bad behavior.  It’s just important to know that’s how God made us.  Why did He make it hard on us?  I don’t know exactly (I’ll ask when I get to heaven) but I feel certain it was a way to constantly seek Him.

Then, there is unconditional love.  I think unconditional love and agape love are very similar but different.  Unconditional love is what I believe is the closest most of us come to agape love.  Let me sum up unconditional love.  Jesus.  Jesus helped.  Jesus loved.  BUT, Jesus also held people accountable.  Unconditional love doesn’t mean allowing people to live a sinful life without you calling them out.  It is your duty as a christian to tell them what they’re doing is wrong.  This isn’t being judgemental.  This is love.  Remember, be careful of your delivery.  When Jesus called people out, He did this with love and not hate.

And then, there is forgiving those who need to be forgiven.  As a friend, I am going to tell you some bad news.  People will hurt your feelings.  They may do it intentionally or unintentionally.  But when you are on the receiving end of that hurt, intentional or not, it hurts all the same.  It will be up to you on how you deal with that hurt.  As a byproduct of that hurt, it will shape you.  Will you become bitter and angry?  Or will you let go?  What I can tell you is God is there to help you through it.  And once you DO forgive, that is love.  To just put it in perspective, can you truly love someone who hurt you bad enough to not forgive them?  I know I couldn’t.  

Love is hard and complicated because we have feelings.  Love is an emotion that is hard to control.  Love is the backbone of who we are or who we want to be.  I used to say God tests us but I think God stretches us like a muscle.  When a muscle is used and stretched for the first time in a long time, it hurts.  It might hurt to use that muscle after it’s been worked but you still do it because you have to go about your day.  Hopefully, you have used that muscle enough to where you don’t injure yourself too bad and need surgery.  But with a little ice or a little heat, you are usually just fine.  God wants to be our day to day life.  He is our ice and heat.  And if it’s too bad, He’s the only surgeon I want.

Love you all (and I promise I do!!),

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

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On February 3, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  I am so glad you are here reading Motivational Monday!  Today, I want to address something I wrote in last week’s motivation.  Something I wanted to delete but I knew I needed to address it this week…so, as painful as it is to leave it, I did.

Last week, when I signed off from my motivation I signed it as, “Love, Jennifer  AKA Just some girl trying to get into heaven”.  It was brought to my attention that it could be misleading to some of you reading these messages week after week.  You might think, “well if she’s unsure then I’m unsure.” Well, I’m here today to make sure that I clear the air as much as possible.  So let’s talk about it.

There are times when I am asked about a subject that I believe to be gossip.  As you all know, I am NOT perfect and there are many times I will engage.  But, I have tried to be better about being more intentional in my faith.  Therefore, if I am feeling uncomfortable and I don’t want to say anything negative, my go to answer is, “I don’t know.  I’m just some girl trying to get into heaven”. That’s my way of saying, “I prefer not to answer because it will be ugly and I need to do better.”  Do I think that if I had engaged in the question and was ugly, I wouldn’t get to heaven?  No.  Do I think I’m not going to heaven because I am a sinner?  No.  In fact, I KNOW I am a sinner and I KNOW I’m going to heaven.  

You see, our acceptance into heaven is not how good we have been.  It’s not how many times we attend church, how much we tithe, how kind we are people or how many people we turn to the faith.  Yes, God commands us to do certain things as christians.  And yes, we should 100% do them.  But, if you are like me, you realize the more you study the Bible the more you see how imperfect you are.  You have to understand that sin separates us from God.  Therefore, to get to His dwelling place, it won’t be on merit.  Look at Ecclesiastes 7:20, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”  By His own Word, He knows we are inherently sin.

In order to get to heaven, a person must first understand they are a sinner, and unable to justify themselves before God on their own. To be saved, all you need to do is believe that Jesus is Lord, that He died as the perfect sacrifice for their sins, and He was resurrected. Once someone has faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit secures that person’s salvation until Jesus returns. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13).  One of my daily prayers is, “Lord, please forgive my sins I have committed today and in the past.  Lord, please also forgive the sins I will commit in the future.”  I like to have all my t’s crossed and my i’s dotted. 🙂

Heaven is a magical place with pearly gates, and golden roads.  If it wasn’t God’s place, I would think there would be HIGH security but…He kinda knows EVERYTHING that is going on.  With that being said, you would think surely, there’s more to it to get in, right?  Nope.

Thankfully, it is NOT based on how kind we are or how much we give.  Want to know why?  For every good, there’s at least 2 sins that outweigh it.  I am so thankful that God knows us (because of course He does).  He wants us to be in His kingdom forever.  He’s our Father.  He knew there was no way we were getting to heaven on merit.  Hence, Jesus.  Jesus’s sole purpose was for us.  One man paid the price for ALL of us.  Incredible.

So, if I led you astray with my sign off last week, please know that was not my intention.  And please know that I am so far from perfect.  Maybe that was supposed to happen just for this motivation, right?

Love you all,

Jennifer

AKA Just a girl who is thankful she’s forgiven

 



Motivational Monday

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On January 27, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  As I was thinking about what to write today, I was hit in the face with a subject idea (thanks to my best friend 🙂).  Judgement.  Who is supposed to pass judgment?  So let’s talk about it.

When I was younger, I used to judge others pretty harshly.  I honestly don’t know why because I never thought of myself as better than anyone else (truly).  I guess, in my mind, right is right and wrong is wrong.  As I have aged, I see there is a lot of gray in that black and white.  Maybe this is easier for me to see because I have my own past.  And in this past, I needed people to see my gray and not judge me.  But, here’s the funny part, I DID need them to judge me.  What I needed was grace, love and accountability.  And to hold someone accountable that involves judgement.  And those closest to me did and they helped change me (which I am forever grateful). 

Following Jesus is simple, but not easy.

Matthew 7:1 simply states, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”  That’s pretty direct, right?  But let’s look at the verses after that, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:2-5.  

If you read Matthew 7:1 and nothing else, it seems pretty clear.  But when you keep reading, you realize Jesus tells listeners how to approach someone who is behaving poorly.  If you skip down to Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus says that we can discern the true character of people by observing the fruit they bear.  So, can we judge or not?  Because, as a Christian, I feel like I am in a trap.  If I judge someone, I’m a hypocrite but if I don’t then I am not spreading the true gospel.  Personal opinion here, but this feels like the devil is doing his work perfectly.  We are doubting ourselves and we are allowing Jesus’s own words to stop us.

Judging is looking at another person’s action in such a way that you are pronouncing guilt on them. But what if that person has told you they were guilty?  They are coming to you needing guidance. During his time on Earth, Jesus lived what he taught, and he regularly (and rather assertively) addressed people’s harmful choices. So it wouldn’t make sense for him to prohibit us from using discernment in our relationships or the world at large.  I believe when Jesus used the word “judge” he referred to condemning others or treating them with judgemental contempt.

Let’s go back to Matthew 7:3-5 above.  Jesus’ words suggest there is a time and place to speak up when you see a problem.  Like Jesus, we can call out wrongdoing in ways that do not condemn or diminish anyone else.  But notice that it isn’t until the final line of his metaphor that Jesus says anything about assessing another person’s behavior. The majority of his instruction is about the important first step of self-reflection.  This is where I used to fall off the wagon on the whole “judging others” thing.  My self reflection was TERRIBLE!!

Recognizing, acknowledging and addressing our own failures is a very humbling experience.  And if you have ever been in a situation where you are lost (mentally and spiritually) but you emerged on the other side…then you know.  You were humbled to your core.  From this place of honest humility, we are less likely ro judgmentally condemn or think less of others.

This week, as you are watching the news or listening to a friend/family, pay attention to your thoughts or words. Notice when judgement escapes.  Where is this coming from?  This is where self reflection comes into play.  Likewise, if a friend is telling you something that is wrong, then stand up and say something!  If they are your friend, they will appreciate you (maybe not right then but later 😂). It IS ok to hold people accountable for their sins.  Mine did.  They listened, loved me and showed me grace.  And because of this accountability and love, I chose to come out the other side.

Love you all,

Jennifer

aka just some girl trying to get in heaven

 



Motivational Monday

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On January 20, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!!  Well, today was a big day for our country as we have a new president. I know some of you reading this might be happy and some might be apprehensive. And for the record, no matter how you feel, it’s ok. I love that I live in a country where I can disagree with someone’s politics (and religion!) and not worry about persecution. We are VERY blessed to live in the United States no matter how your cookie crumbles.  

In the past, we have talked about presidents and world leaders. Growing up, I was always taught to respect those in leadership positions. Remember, respect and agreeing with them on all topics are two very different things. So today, I wanted to talk about leadership roles. From the President to a CEO to your church.  What does God say about it?  Let’s talk about it.

Years ago, I was an Executive Assistant to the President of a large company. It was my job to KNOW this man….and I did. I knew what foods he liked, when his wife’s birthday was, his kids names, and even how he liked his coffee. One day, I was sitting in his office discussing work items when he asked me if I liked my job. I was stunned. By him asking me this question, I felt like he thought I wasn’t good at my job. I frantically started telling him all the things I knew about him.  He stopped me.  “Jennifer, do you feel like this job is a waste of your talents? Do you like your job?” I had never thought I was smart enough to do anything else until he asked me this question.

All throughout the Bible, we see a series of leaders who submit to God’s authority and those who don’t.  People prospered under leaders who honored God and sought after Him, but were oppressed by leaders who did not. The first two commandments God gave His people were to have no other gods before Him and we should not make any image that we worship before Him (Exodus 20:3-4). As we have talked about in previous Mondays, the idols we worship today are more likely to be people than statues. We value and honor those in leadership roles sometimes more than we value and honor the Lord. With leadership often comes recognition. And with recognition comes the temptation to put ourselves or our positions before God. If we’re not careful, we can worship the position instead of the One who promoted us to that position. 

True leaders roll up their sleeves and get in the trenches when times call for it. In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus tells His disciples that leaders should not exercise authority over people. Instead, whoever wants to become great must lower himself to be a servant. Leaders realize that serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart, free of pride and arrogance.  

Leaders know you.  They come up and ask you about the wife and kids. That’s the kind of leader Peter, one of Jesus’ followers, describes in 1 Peter 5:1-5. Peter reminds us that leaders should be like shepherds, caring for and watching over the group of people they’ve been entrusted with. You see, back in the day, shepherds KNEW their sheep. They named them, cared for them, and trained them to respond to their voice. If the sheep wandered away, the shepherd went and found it and brought it back to the flock. This is the type of leader God calls us to be.

Lastly, a leader is someone you want to follow. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”  Like today, there are many people who are excited and ready to see what is in store for the US. Others are reluctant.  No matter what side of the fence you are on, you understand these emotions. We’ve all had a new boss we weren’t sure about!

Whether you are excited or reluctant, our country needs your prayers.  In 1 Timothy 2, Paul tells us to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Paul wrote these words under one of the harshest rulers in history, Nero, who was much worse than any leader the United States has ever had in power. 

This week, pray for our leaders to have wisdom, to be able to discern what is best for the people they are leading, and for unity. Don’t use your words to tear down or degrade your leader, but lift them up to the only One who can help the situation. Pray for a leader who asks you questions to help you become a better person and see your talents. I am thankful there have been a few on earth who have helped shape me but there is only ONE who made me who I am today.

Love you and see you soon,

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

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On January 6, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  Listen…LISTEN!!  I live in Alabama because I don’t do cold.  Honestly, I don’t love hot weather but I’ll take it over cold.  It.is.cold!  Have y’all been outside today??!  What in the world?!  As my teeth were chattering in the car, I started thinking about what the weather would be like in heaven (because this is NOT heaven to me 🙂).  Once I started going down that path, I thought of a million other questions!  So let’s talk about it.

Every week with these Motivational Mondays, we always talk about praying, doing the right thing, loving the Lord, etc.  We do all of this to keep our eyes on the prize and that’s eternity in heaven.  Heaven isn’t the only prize in all of this but we are promised eternity with our Lord and Savior.  But have you ever thought about heaven?  Sure you have…we ALL have.  Now, I have never been but I hear the accommodations are phenomenal!  Like you never want to leave phenomenal, which is good because well, you are there to stay.  So today, I wanted to address a few common questions about heaven.

Before I start, I’ll be the first to admit that I DON’T have all the answers (and this applies to ALL Motivational Mondays).  I try to put personal feelings aside and look at things from a Biblical stance.  If I do state a personal feeling, I try to explain why I personally feel that way.  Because I have never been to heaven or have spoken to anyone personally who has been and came back, I am not sure I have all the accurate answers to questions but we can try.

Will we have bodies and live human lives?  When I envision heaven, I appear (in my head) as my physical appearance.  I envision seeing my loved ones and even my previous pets there.  I have always thought that we might look different (maybe we are our younger selves) but we know who each other are.  I think heaven is a place of pure beauty with lush green fields, waterfalls and produce galore (I don’t know if we will need to eat but maybe…?).  We will laugh with joy and be merry all the time.  And I believe this will involve all of those in heaven we love.  Why? We were/are created in God’s image.  God is creative (I mean, look out your window) and intelligent.  I would imagine heaven is a place that fulfills God’s original plan.

Will we still be ourselves with our memories of this life?  When Jesus died on the cross and he arose from the dead, Luke 24:36-40 says, “As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”  Jesus didn’t turn into anyone else.  He was Jesus.  And Jesus remembered what happened to him because he showed his hands and feet.  To be fair, when he arose and spoke, he wasn’t in heaven.  Isaiah 65:17 says, “‘For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.’”

I genuinely hope I am me when I get heaven and I hope I remember the good in this life.  I am sure I will be the best version of me which is sinless.  Based on the above scriptures, I am inclined to believe we will be ourselves with possibly some memory.

Will there be animals and will past pets be there?  Okay friends, if you know ANYTHING about me at all, it’s that I am a HUGE animal lover.  I love all animals.  I am sure that one day when I die, I will be trying to pet something that will eat me.  I pray for animals almost as much as I pray for humans.  So before answering this question, I felt the need to be 100%transparent.

As you know from reading scripture, the Bible is full of references of animals.  The Bible is clear about how important animals are to us.  God didn’t put them on earth because they are cute (but they are cute!)  Animals are the second most important inhabitants on the planet.  So what about heaven?  Isaiah 65:25 says, “‘The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox,and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,’says the Lord.”  When the Lord said this he was referring to the new heavens and a new earth.  I think this shows that we will cohabitate with animals.  Maybe in heaven, I can pet all the animals without fear of being eaten!

So for our past pets to be there…I don’t know.  There is nothing I can point to in the Bible to say, “This!  This is it right here!”  What I can say (personal feeling here), is God knew all my animals would be my pet.  He knows the great joy they bring me and because he is mighty and loving God, it would be just like him to have our animals waiting on us.  At least, that is my hope.  But again, I am biased when it comes to animals.

As stated earlier, I don’t have all the answers about heaven.  But I can’t imagine a heaven where love isn’t first and foremost.  I mean the Lord is there for us to love.  He will be right.there.  So, if we love things here on earth that were created by him and were “good”, I can’t imagine it not being a part of heaven.  That’s our love for each other, our love to help one another, our love for beautiful natural things, and our love (and/or appreciation) of animals.  I don’t want to leave this earth until my service here is done.  But, BUT!  I can’t wait to see heaven!  I can’t wait to see what is in store for me.  And I can’t wait to see all of you there where we can worship the Lord together, eternally.

Love you all,

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

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On December 30, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  So here we sit…7 days after Christmas and just like that!  It’s New Year’s.  Every year about this time, I always like to sit and ponder what my personal goals are for the upcoming year.  Of course, I know myself better than anyone.  So my goals have to be realistic or they will never stick.  I try very hard to listen to the Lord and determine what I need to focus on for the upcoming year.  So far, I am struggling!  So, is it necessary to set goals as a christian?  Let’s talk about it!

I know a lot of people talk about “resolutions”.  Listen, I let that term leave my vocabulary (in regards to me personally) years ago.  You see, a resolution is a “firm decision to do or not to do something”.  I can’t make a firm decision on dinner and you want me to decide for the year??!  This is why I had to go BACK to college because I couldn’t decide firmly on what I wanted to be when I grew up!  But a goal…I can work with a goal.  My goal is to cook dinner for my family and eat.  Bam!  I got that.  See the difference in my brain.  🙂  It’s what works for me.

My goals have become more and more Christ centered over the years.  I know!  It should ALWAYS be Christ centered.  But again, as I grow in my faith, my goals change to be Christ centered.  But as a christian, do I need to make a goal for the upcoming year?

Yes and no.  To be very black and white, the Scripture doesn’t say anything about goals at the end of one year and the beginning of another.  But what Scripture does say is: contemplate our lives and commit them to the Lord (Prov 16:9). We are told to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2) and to put our immoralities to death (Col. 3:5) while pursuing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12).  I like there is  no specific date because it goes to show you can do these at ANY time.  Not just this time of year.  

You know I like to keep these real, right?  80% of us who set well intended goals, will not see them past Valentine’s Day.  I would love to tell you why this is but for me, I overestimate what I can accomplish.  Of course, we have different levels of busyness.  So, I try to create a focus for the year.  Of course, my eyes are always set on the Lord.  But I try to reflect on what I accomplished in 2024 and then decide what I need to work on for 2025.  This year, for me, is being more intent with my time with the Lord.  I need to set aside a set time for Him and not be all willy nilly with my time with/for Him.

When you set this goal, understand that you don’t need to know what the future holds.  These goals help us face the future. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.  These two verses tell us to trust Him, acknowledge Him and follow His plans.  When you break it down like that it sounds easy doesn’t it?  I know, I know!  It’s not quite that easy but that’s why we set spiritual goals.  To get better in areas we need to work on!

I am not going to assign you homework or give you a takeaway this week. I think that is on you.  I pray that your walk with the Lord will grow this year.  

Love you all and see you next year,

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

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On December 23, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  A few more days until Christmas is here!!  By now, HOPEFULLY your stress level is down and you are pumped to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I know I am.  I can’t wait to sit back, drink my coffee and watch the fam open their gifts.

Yesterday, we spent Christmas with Jon’s side of the family for the first time since COVID.  There are a lot of reasons why we haven’t seen each other, but at the end of the day, it was easier to not get together at this time of year (we all have to drive to a central location to see each other).  This year, Jon said, “Nope.  We are getting together!”  So we did.  And it was so nice!  It was low key, easy, full of laughter and love.  Jon, Logan and I realized how much we missed them and just how much we love them!  We always loved them but you know the saying…absence makes the heart grow fonder.

This got me thinking about the season.  For most of us, this season is about love.  But what about those who are hurting?  I can see where some find this time of year as the most loveless time of year.  Where do you find love in the middle of this season where everyone is happy?  Let’s talk about it.

No matter how you feel about the Christmas season, God’s Word gives us reason to rejoice when we consider the meaning behind this holiday.  Scripture tells us that God loved ALL of us (yes, He loves those who don’t love Him) so much that he sent His only Son to save us.  Clearly this was the plan all throughout history because it was prophesied MANY times throughout the Old Testament.  When Jesus was born, the path was always to the cross where He would die to save us.  If that doesn’t define love, let me give you a few other reasons.  🙂

God is love.  If you are not familiar with God defining love, this statement might be confusing.  The Bible tells us that God is perfect.  He is patient, good and righteous.  He is not loving…he is love.  The miracle of Christmas is from the great love He has for us.  “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”  1 John 4:16.  

To show us, Jesus came to show us God’s love.  We all are separated from God by sin because only He is perfect.  We couldn’t fix our relationship with Him because it wasn’t possible and He knew it.  He knew He had to intervene by sending Jesus.  This was the only way we could receive salvation.  Christmas is the time of year we remember Jesus’s arrival.  “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Because of Jesus, we can show God’s love to others.  As we have talked in previous weeks, it’s easy to get caught up in the gift giving aspect.  But what this time of year should tell us is to love others as God has loved us.  We need to be ready to love those who feel alone or discouraged.  It’s the time of year where we encourage others to experience the gift we all received from God.  “We love because he first loved us.”1 John 4:19

Lastly, God’s love is eternal.  This season, if you are hurting, it is most likely over rejection, bitterness or heartbreak.  God will never let you down.  He will never break a promise, lessen His love or let you go.  God gave us Jesus which is HUGE.  Do you think if someone gave you their only Son would revoke their love from you?  Nope.  THIS is something we can all rejoice in this Christmas and all throughout the year!  “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

So friends, this holiday season, remember those who need extra love.  I know some say they don’t want or need love, but you know they are hurting.  If you feel like you can’t show them love by inviting them over or giving them a meal, then just pray for them.  You don’t have to tell them OR maybe you do want to tell them.  If you are someone who is hurting this season and you need/want to feel God’s love, please come to our service tomorrow night at 6pm.  It’s always short and we don’t care what you wear!  What I can promise you is people will be smiling and happy.  We will introduce ourselves but we won’t be annoying, I promise!  If you want to sit next to me, I always sit on the right side as you walk in.  I am a little more than halfway up and I sit on the vent.  🙂  It’s my unofficial assigned seat.  No matter what, please come and feel His love this season.  

Merry Christmas,

Jennifer



Motivational Monday

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On December 16, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Well friends, we only have one more Monday before Christmas.  Are you ready?  I’m ready to see my family and watch everyone open presents.  That is my favorite part of Christmas.  Sitting back, sipping coffee, watching those I love and smiling.  Seriously.  It brings me an abundant amount of joy.  Which just so happens to be TODAY’s topic!  Shocker, I know.  So, let’s talk about it.

In the beginning, the God of joy made a world full of joys.  I like to call these normal joys.  Now, let me be clear for a second, none of these joys are exactly “normal”.  I mean, I can’t create animals or vegetation.  But, that is what I call a normal joy and not a “great joy”.  I know most of you here are thinking, “Umm Jennifer…if creation is just a normal joy what is a great joy?”  I am so glad you asked!  But hold that thought a second.

The word “joy” appears in the Bible over 200 times.  Just like your parents when they repeat something over and over, it’s important.  Apparently God wanted us to know and experience joy which is why it’s repeated.  But did you know there is great joy?  Seriously!  And great joy is only referenced in the Bible single digit times.  I feel like if God could have circled certain things in the Bible as important, I feel like “great joy” would be circled because those things are pretty important.  Let me give you some examples of great joy: the anointing of David’s own son as his successor, at the height of Israel’s kingdom — “great joy” (1 Kings 1:40). At the restoration of the Passover after generations of neglect — “great joy” (2 Chronicles 30:26). At the dedication of Nehemiah’s rebuilt walls after the return from exile — “great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). Matthew and Luke celebrate “great joy” at his resurrection and ascension (Matthew 28:8; Luke 24:52).  There’s a few more but I think you get the point on the importance level.  Except I left one out…

Christmas is a great joy.

God created the world to just remake it again.  God gave us our first covenant to just give us a second.  God gave us a garden so we could have a garden city later.  God gave us all these normal joys because He knew it would be surpassed with Jesus.  He gave us these “normal” joys just so we know deep, great joy.  Just like everything else, you have to know good before you can know better.

From Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion death, this Joy aka Jesus was born of insignificance.  Meaning, He was born in a stable and laid on a manager where animals ate.  He was rejected by His own people, betrayed by His friend and killed.  And it was a “normal” death.  He was beaten and made to carry the cross He was to die on through the streets while wearing a crown of thorns shoved on His head.  He was spat on, cursed and hated.  He was NAILED to that cross where He hung there in the heat.  Yet he was still witnessing to the thief next to him.  Then, THEN He died.  But guess what?  Even in death, He could not be extinguished.  It was too deep..it was great.

Every Christmas, we talk about Christmas joy.  I think most of us get caught up in the season.  We know it’s Jesus’s birth.  But like everything else, we treat it as just a “normal” joy.  Friends, it is so much more than that.  We can’t love Him and appreciate Him enough for what He has done for us because we aren’t perfect.  And He knows that!!  Yet, He still takes care of us.

So this week, as things get pretty hectic, remember Christmas Joy.  And a lack of presents, decorations, food, or family can never take that joy from you.  Ever.

Love you all,

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

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On December 2, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey Friends!  IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!  December!  Christmas!  THE CANTATA!!!  WOOHOO!  Seriously, the Cantata is THIS SUNDAY.  Listen, we might be a small church but the Cantata sure is mighty.  Amy, the choir, those playing instruments, and guys in the sound booth do such a great job every.single.year.  Please go if you have never been.  Please go if you have been!

When I first mentioned December and Christmas, what was your response?  Were you happy, sad, or stressed?  I want to go down the stressed road today.  Why are you stressed?  I am going to go out on a limb and say it’s finances.  Am I right?  Let’s talk about it.

When Jon and I got married, we were broke.  And when I say broke, we were broke.  And then BAM!  I got pregnant with Logan.  God planned him perfectly but Jon and I were not prepared.  So after a year of daycare, diapers, formula and all of our other bills that we couldn’t afford, we were bankrupt.  Literally.  The house was in foreclosure.  The cars were getting repo’d.  It was bad.  We had no choice but to declare bankruptcy.  

We wanted to keep everything we had (because we couldn’t afford NOT to).  So we filed a chapter 13 which means we had to pay it all back within 5 years.  And guess what?  We paid it back in 3 years!  But there were a million tears shed.  Lots of hours worked.  And we became a connoisseur of hotdogs.  😏  

When Christmas rolled around during those years, my stomach would hurt because of stress.  I wasn’t worried about Jon and I.  I mean we knew our situation and we just dealt with it.  But Logan.  We loved that little boy more than ANYTHING and we wanted to give him the world (still do).  We never wanted him to know we were struggling.  So it was a facade.  I was so thankful for our families picking up any pieces we fell short on when it came to gift giving.  We got through it.  Logan was not impacted negatively.  And we are better financial stewards because of this time.  So I wouldn’t change it.

So why do we give gifts at Christmas?  I mean hello!  It’s not our birthday, it’s Jesus’s birthday.  And the last I checked, I don’t get gifts on my husband’s birthday.  

I think what is important to remember when giving gifts is the meaning behind it.  2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”  he wasn’t talking about that Bath and Body Works set you were eyeing.  He’s talking about His son.  The very essence of Christmas is about generosity, kindness, grace and giving.  God gives God for the enjoyment of his people, whom he saves by giving his Son to suffer. That’s beautiful. It is the heart of Christmas.

Second, we give to Christ.  Now, I want to be clear here.  God does not want you to buy anything.  I mean, he has zero use for a Lowes gift card.  He’s not interested in you trading anything with Him.  Seriously, He gave you His son.  You can’t compete with that (and He doesn’t want you to!).  But what He does want…your time.  Commitment from you.  Yes, I know it’s hard and there are a million reasons why “you can’t today”.  But stop and think about what gift would be equal to what He did for you.  I’ll wait.  Spoiler alert!  There’s not one.  You can make time for Him.

Lastly, we need to give in the right mindset.  2 Corinthians 8:2, “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”  One more…Hebrews 13:16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”  When giving gifts, you need to do it in the mindset of giving back to Christ.  That is the gift of trust, hope, admiration, joy and affection.  

So, if you are worried about gift giving at Christmas, please hear me when I say, STOP.  I promise God did not give you His son for you to worry about gifts.  Christmas is truly not about financial hardship.  Your children will love you if you can’t afford that XBox.  And if you can’t afford it, that doesn’t make you less of a parent.  And it sure doesn’t mean you love them less.  

So, if you are someone feeling this stress, please pray.  I would pray specifically for peace, love and joy in your life and for your family.  If you are someone who is more fortunate, remember you are blessed.  Your generosity can positively impact someone’s life forever.  Can you remember a time someone was generous to you?  You have never forgotten it or how it made you feel.  That feeling needs to be shared because it gushes love, joy, trust, and hope…like God.  Like what Christmas should be.

Love you all, 

Jennifer



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