I was raised Catholic and in my family, everyone tried so hard to make everything "look" right.
Drove me crazy. I've often said that most people have a great picture and a terrible story or a terrible picture and a great story. Meaning that their lives either look perfect and aren't or they don't look perfect but the love is BIG! I think I have a terrible picture but a great story (for the record) because I'm always failing. I'm thankful for my story that has been redeemed by God.
We had an issue at our church a little while back. I'll just say that a couple (I mean less than a handful) were doing some things they shouldn't. We've got some kids who really really REALLY need Jesus. And let me just say that we ALL need Jesus, we all fall short of the glory of God.
Our little incident got out into the world. And someone made a comment to me. I don't really know what they expected me to say. My heart is burdened by teenagers. It's burdened by their problems, and often I don't even get to help them through it, but I know my gift is in other places. But here was my thought. It was horrible, I'll make no mistake about it. but you know what... it means we're reaching the kids we need to reach. Will there be consequences? yes. but will we still love them, even when it's hard? yes.
Jesus Himself said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (It's in Matthew, Mark, Luke)
There may have been a time in my life when I would have thought differently, I might have even gasped, but now the gasp has been replaced by the sound of my heart breaking. My heart has been changed by God.
I have said before "fake it until you make it". Let me tell you that God has really moved in my heart about that saying. It's HORRIBLE. It does not make me wonder why people think Christians are hypocrites. It's sayings like that that just proves it. I'm pretty sure Jesus never said "fake it until you make it". At least I can't find it!
So, I'm praying that God brings us those kids who need Jesus. I smiled with joy when I saw today's scripture “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
I want those kids, I want ALL kids to know the death of sin in their lives and the life that only Jesus can bring and all it's VICTORY!!!
And just a little note... in case, in anyway, even the smallest of ways that you believe the lies that satan is telling you... he's a liar! And God has His victory in all things... especially YOU!
Drove me crazy. I've often said that most people have a great picture and a terrible story or a terrible picture and a great story. Meaning that their lives either look perfect and aren't or they don't look perfect but the love is BIG! I think I have a terrible picture but a great story (for the record) because I'm always failing. I'm thankful for my story that has been redeemed by God.
We had an issue at our church a little while back. I'll just say that a couple (I mean less than a handful) were doing some things they shouldn't. We've got some kids who really really REALLY need Jesus. And let me just say that we ALL need Jesus, we all fall short of the glory of God.
Our little incident got out into the world. And someone made a comment to me. I don't really know what they expected me to say. My heart is burdened by teenagers. It's burdened by their problems, and often I don't even get to help them through it, but I know my gift is in other places. But here was my thought. It was horrible, I'll make no mistake about it. but you know what... it means we're reaching the kids we need to reach. Will there be consequences? yes. but will we still love them, even when it's hard? yes.
Jesus Himself said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (It's in Matthew, Mark, Luke)
There may have been a time in my life when I would have thought differently, I might have even gasped, but now the gasp has been replaced by the sound of my heart breaking. My heart has been changed by God.
I have said before "fake it until you make it". Let me tell you that God has really moved in my heart about that saying. It's HORRIBLE. It does not make me wonder why people think Christians are hypocrites. It's sayings like that that just proves it. I'm pretty sure Jesus never said "fake it until you make it". At least I can't find it!
So, I'm praying that God brings us those kids who need Jesus. I smiled with joy when I saw today's scripture “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
I want those kids, I want ALL kids to know the death of sin in their lives and the life that only Jesus can bring and all it's VICTORY!!!
And just a little note... in case, in anyway, even the smallest of ways that you believe the lies that satan is telling you... he's a liar! And God has His victory in all things... especially YOU!
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