Menu

Contributor

Parallel_1920x1080

Love Paralleled

,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Parallel_Insta.jpg” title_text=”Parallel_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

Can’t you feel it? Love is in the air and you have officially entered into the great month of February 2021! I absolutely adore February because, as an elementary school teacher, it is a time not only to teach of the importance of being kind and loving towards one another, but also to educate and celebrate Black History Month. I recently came across one of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sermons entitled, “Love in Action.” I thought the title of this to be particularly fitting as we approach Valentine’s Day and are in the midst of celebrating Black History, and if you haven’t read this phenomenal piece of literary art, I highly recommend it. One of the most striking quotes from this sermon would have to be in correlation to Dr. King’s affirmations of the type of love that Jesus expressed while hanging on the cross:

“Jesus eloquently affirmed from the cross a higher law. He knew that the old eye-for-eye philosophy would leave everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.”

Jesus’ love for all was indeed (and is still) aggressive, unimaginable, and magnificently radical. It is a type of love that lives on. Love is weaved into the very foundation of our faith; it is what our faith is built from and it never ceases (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Jesus’ love for all was indeed (and is still) aggressive, unimaginable, and magnificently radical.

 

During Jesus’ ministry on Earth, He taught us to love God and love one another (Matthew 22:36-40). Not only did He instruct us to live in this way, but He lived by example – displaying love in abundant action. This theme of love was perfectly shown and expressed in all areas of His life. And this love was shown, perhaps at its’ most raw and selflessly compassionate form, when He hung in excruciating pain on the cross. Jesus had His sight on the will of God, and He knew that love would be His most powerful weapon. He fought with love, for love – all to make a way for His bride, the Church, to be united with Him. He died for His Church, for you, for me – and I cannot think of a better love story than this to humbly reminisce on during this season.

As followers of Christ, the seemingly undeserving love and forgiveness that Jesus put into action on the cross is the very same love that we are called to exude in our everyday lives. So, how do we accurately do this? Especially when it can be so difficult to do so in this broken and inconsistent world. Thankfully, we can confidently address our questions and collect wholesome guidance from the living word of God. The Apostle Peter, with much wisdom, encourages followers of Christ, in 1 Peter 3:8, how to live a God honoring life by doing good and choosing what is right. The characteristics in this chapter help us understand how to be Christians. “Be like-minded, sympathetic, compassionate, and humble” – step in someone else’s shoes, genuinely listen to one another, carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and live a life of humility and grace. This is how we should live as the bride of Christ, brothers and sisters – uniquely and intentionally made in the image of God, beautifully detailed and diverse. Love has no limits, and it is not exclusive. “Love one another”; love all, without limitations, without qualifications, inclusively, and divinely unified under the blood of Jesus. Simply put: love like Jesus.

His law is love and His gospel is peace. As we put an additional emphasis on love this month, let us be reminded of where love originates. And let our actions deeply parallel with the horizontal and vertical beams of the cross.

“Every time I look at that cross, I am reminded of the greatness of God and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I am reminded of the beauty of sacrificial love and the majesty of unswerving devotion to truth.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Kayleigh-scaled.jpg” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

I Just Work Here

I Just Work Here

,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JustWork_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium” sticky_enabled=”0″]

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is the way my students see me. Although they can sometimes be brutally honest, they truly believe I know the answer to everything simply because I’m a teacher. This is especially true when it comes to matters of our school. They tend to think that I know the reasoning behind every decision that has been passed through our administration just because I work there. Problem is, I don’t have that level of clearance; I’m not an administrator. It’s hard for them to understand, so usually I answer using a phrase I stole from my coworker: “I don’t know; I just work here.”

As seemingly dismissive as it may be, it’s actually really revolutionized my outlook on how much control I actually have in my workplace which has really decreased my stress level. So much so that I use it in virtually every arena of my life. In fact, I have to remind myself of this quite frequently when I wonder about what God is up to in my life.

See, control is a mirage. It’s something we think we have and looks attainable, but when we get close enough to grasp it, we realize it was really an illusion the whole time; we really don’t have control over all the things we think we do especially when they involve things outside of ourselves. But the thing about being a Christian is that this is both a great thing for us and a really inconvenient thing for us all at the same time.

On one hand, we can rest in knowing that God has control over our lives, and this is good because He’s omniscient which is basically just a fancy way of saying that He is actually what my students think I am: all knowing. So, if anyone’s qualified for control, it’s Him.

Simply put, God says, “Relax. I know that you are worried about that thing, but your job is to choose to trust me, my job is to come through.”

The problem is, just because we know God has control doesn’t make us magically “ok” with the fact that we can’t change the things in our world that we would so desperately like to change. In other words, if your world is falling apart you can know that God is in control and still struggle with doing everything you can to anxiously try to right what’s wrong. Congrats, that would make you a normal human being. But can I encourage you today with a simple thought? A lot of times, the outcome really isn’t up to you.

Pastor Josh says a version of this so often that it reverberates in my subconscious from time to time (thanks, Pastor), “Obedience is up to you, outcome is up to God.” My favorite part about this is that it is simple, but it reminds me of what is actually within my control: myself.

Psalms 25:3a says, “No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced…” and it’s a concept that we see echoed throughout the entire Bible; the people of God who trust in Him and are obedient to what He is asking of them are not put to shame. That’s a promise.

Simply put, God says, “Relax. I know that you are worried about that thing, but your job is to choose to trust me, my job is to come through.”

So, when God calls us to do hard things like tithe even though we are already living paycheck to paycheck, sacrifice our time for other people when we feel like we don’t have any to give, love and pray for the person who is doing everything in their power to push us away, or God forbid, hold our tongue on Facebook, we can rest in the knowledge that we have control over that. We have control over our choices. We have control in whether or not we choose to give, choose to love, or choose self-control. As far as what happens as a result of that choice? Remind yourself of your role in the workplace of God’s Kingdom, “I don’t know; I just work here.”

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MeganPic.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Day 22

Day 22

, , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Day22_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

As we close out the 21 Days of Prayer, I want to encourage you to keep praying, keep trusting, and keep believing. Let these 21 days propel you into a new level of faith in your prayer life. Don’t let this be merely an event that you took part in to start the year. Let it become your new normal.

One of the most low-key, but powerful prayer verses in all of the Bible is found in Daniel chapter 10. At this point in the story, Daniel has been fasting and praying for 21 days. On the 22nd day (yes, after his 21 Days of Prayer had concluded) he had a vision. In this vision, an angelic being sent by God visits Daniel. He is terrified at first, but once he gathers himself, he begins to listen to the words that were being spoken. In Daniel 10:12, Daniel says, “Then he said to me, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel! For from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come because of your words. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for 21 days, but behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I had been detained there with the kings of Persia,” (emphasis added).

Here is what you need to know today: your prayer was heard the first day you prayed it.

Did you catch that? Daniel prayed on day 1 for something that didn’t seem to come to pass during the entire 21 days. But here on day 22, God comes to tell him that his prayer from day 1 had been heard. And although Daniel might not have seen anything happening, there was heavenly activity happening the whole time. In other words, God was working even when Daniel couldn’t see it.

Here is what you need to know today: your prayer was heard the first day you prayed it. There is much activity in heaven as a result of your prayers. God is working. God is moving. God is directing. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean He isn’t doing it. God is doing more than you can see. Your prayers are working more than you know. So, don’t stop believing now. Don’t give up. You don’t know which day is going to be your “day 22”. Our job is to pray and then keep showing up. It’s God’s job to answer.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

The Power in Persistence

The Power in Persistence

, , , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PowerBlog_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

Like many of us, I like to use the dawn of a New Year as an opportunity for some self-reflection and goal setting. Some of us do New Year Resolutions, some prefer setting goals for the year, some of us just know of a couple of areas that we’d like to see get better in 2021. The trouble is that the math isn’t on our side. A recent report in Forbes Magazine article found that 80% of New Year Resolutions don’t make it to February, and only 8% of people achieve their New Year Resolutions. That’s stunning.

And yet somehow it makes perfect sense. Because anyone can start, it’s the finishing that’s the challenge. This is why it’s so difficult for us to unlock the blessing of God. Because the key to accessing God’s best for us is found in making a proactive decision to continually place God first in every area of our lives starting with the habit of prayer.

The key to accessing God’s best for us is found in making a proactive decision to continually place God first in every area of our lives starting with the habit of prayer.

The trouble with this is, of course, the word continually.

We have to place Him first over and over again or else we will begin to drift. And we never seem to drift towards healthy decisions. When it comes to our diet for instance, no one drifts towards a kale salad, we drift towards Krispy Kreme! The same is true for us spiritually. There is power in persistence.

But the process of developing the habit is where too many of us get frustrated with prayer. Because let’s be real: prayer is not amazing all the time.

Prayer is never bad, but sometimes those moments seem ordinary. Maybe we find it hard to concentrate, we don’t hear an audible voice from heaven, or we grow tired of praying for the same things over and over again. We want to experience the power of God, but we chafe under the mundanity and discipline required to cultivate a life of prayer. And too often we simply settle for rote platitudes and a half-engaged mind when we pray because we know prayer is something we’re supposed to do, if we even stick with the process at all.

This is common frustration, but it stems from a skewed perspective many of us have about what prayer actually is. Prayer is a conversation with God. It is a foundational element of our relationship with the Creator of the universe specifically because it is a relational interaction. The theologian Edmond Clowney says of prayer, “The Bible does not present an art of prayer, it presents the God of prayer.” Prayer is primarily about developing our relationship with God.

Where did we develop this notion that prayer was different than any other relationship? Is every interaction you have with your spouse, your children, or your friends mind-blowing? Of course not. But it is the consistency and regularity of your investment into those relationships that makes them meaningful. That’s why prayer is so powerful. It is not the answer that makes prayer great, it is the presence of the God who answers that makes prayer great.

The true value of persistent prayer comes from the health that develops in our souls when we connect with the glorious God of the universe and grow in our relationship with him. And just like any other intimate relationship, growing requires intentionality, consistency and persistence.

The true value of persistent prayer comes from the health that develops in our souls when we connect with the glorious God of the universe and grow in our relationship with him.

 

No one knew this more than Jesus, who believed so completely in this idea that He decided to model it for those of us who take the call to follow Him seriously. One of the most astounding verses to me in the entire Bible is Luke 22:39, “Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives,” (emphasis added). And at the Mount of Olives, Jesus did what He usually did there, He prayed. God incarnate modeling to His followers the power of persistent prayer on the night before He would go to the cross to pay for humanity’s sins.

Too many of us want the power without the patterns. We want to see God do the supernatural, but we are not willing to invest in growing our relationship with the God of the supernatural. But Jesus knows that your life will chase your usual. So, as you lean into prayer during 2021, when developing the habit of prayer becomes challenging, frustrating, or just mundane, remember that your persistence is laying the foundation of your intimacy with your Heavenly Father. And the rewards found in intimacy are so much greater than simply an answered prayer.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/TonyLutyk2.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Directing Our Spiritual Hunger

Directing Our Spiritual Hunger

, , , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DirectionBlog_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]Every January, our church joins many others across the globe to pray and fast for 21 days. It’s an intentional time where right at the beginning of a new year, we are deliberate about seeking God and refreshing our hearts and minds. We call it 21 of days of prayer because prayer is the aspect of these 21 days that the majority of people participate in, but I want to share a little bit about the other aspect of these 21 days, and one that can completely transform your spiritual life. Fasting.

Fasting is simply a Biblical principle where one abstains from food in order to draw closer to God. There are many misconceptions about fasting that have unfortunately turned into wrong motivations for doing it, so let me clear some of those up right off the bat. Fasting is not dieting. Fasting is not something you do so that other people will think you are more spiritual (Matthew 6:18). Fasting is not something you do so that God will justify you (Luke 18:9-14). You do not fast in order to be commended to God (1 Corinthians 8:8). Fasting does not allow you to earn anything at all from God.

When any of these misconceptions become the motivations for fasting, nothing at all is gained spiritually, and one can be left wondering how fasting is even relevant to their Christian life today. It is entirely possible to do a whole fast and not do it for the right reasons, so let me share some right motivations for fasting so that you can see just how relevant fasting can be to your spiritual health and walk with God.

Fasting in its essence, is a discipline of the Christian to direct their spiritual hunger.

Right motivations for fasting: You fast to demonstrate your love and desire for God above everything else. You fast to get clarity from God. You fast to receive specific direction from God for your life. You fast to gain spiritual strength against the enemy’s attacks on your life. You fast to show and express an ache for the return of Jesus. You fast in order to position yourself to be more receptive to what God wants to speak to you and do through you. Fasting in its essence, is a discipline of the Christian to direct their spiritual hunger.

Hunger is a crazy thing. Everyone has it. No one has to try and become hungry and no one has to remind themselves when they are hungry. You don’t need to set an alarm or a reminder to tell yourself that you need to eat, and you don’t need anyone else to come tell you either; it just happens. Our bodies let us know when it’s time to consume. There is this hormone in our bodies called ghrelin. It’s basically known as the “hunger hormone.” You know when your stomach growls (sometimes in embarrassing settings) and you have no control over it? You have ghrelin to thank for that; it’s saying “feed me!”

Can I tell you that as a follower of Jesus, you have a spiritual hunger inside of you, and it is so critical that in seasons, through fasting, you direct your spiritual hunger.

In 2 Kings 6, the Bible tells us that there was a great famine in the city of Samaria as the result of being sieged by the King of Aram. The siege lasted so long that the people of Samaria become starving. They were so starving and desperate that a donkey’s head ended up selling for eighty pieces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for five pieces of silver. They would eat these things. So gross. The people were paying a high price to eat things that they would have never imagined consuming before because they were so hungry. Can I tell you that as a follower of Jesus, you have a spiritual hunger inside of you, and it is so critical that in seasons, through fasting, you direct your spiritual hunger. If you do not discipline your spiritual hunger, substitutions can take place and you may end up consuming things that you never imagined consuming before and paying a high price for it. By fasting, you are not letting your hunger direct you, but you are directing your hunger to a complete dependence on God.

Psalm 69:10 says, “I wept and chastened my soul with fasting.” Fasting is a chastening of your soul so that your hunger drives you to Him and Him alone. The hunger pains, the ghrelin, and the stomach growls remind you that HE is whom you need to seek. And when you seek Him in those moments, in your desperation and with distractions and substitutions gone, He is clearer. He is more in focus. He becomes what you cling to.

There are many different types of fasts that people do today that do not involve abstaining food such as a social media fast, fasting TV, fasting of sweets, etc. Only you can decide for yourself what would truly cause you to be “hungry” if you did not have it, but whether you are one that chooses to fast food for a period of time, or something else that has your attention in your life, I encourage you to try fasting as a spiritual discipline and watch God’s voice become clearer and more focused in your life.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Baird-30-scaled-e1608747732288.jpg” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Praying in an “Us v. Them” Society

Praying in an “Us v. Them” Society

, , , , , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/OrangeSociety_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

One of the most important ways we can show others love is by praying for them. At Love Church we know that prayer is not our last resort, but our first response. Prayer is an invitation to partner with God and pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We are called to pray in agreement with God’s Word which has authority over every situation we face.

If we face illness, we pray in agreement with God’s word that, “By his wounds you have been healed.” (I Peter 2:24) If we face financial lack, we pray in agreement with God’s word that, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). Praying God’s Word aligns our heart with God’s will and positions us for His blessing.

As a nation we have experienced polarizing perspectives this past year. The divide has fractured communities and most grievously splintered believers and even families, creating an “us v. them” mentality in so many areas of life. We have instant access to everyone’s micro-opinions on social media and quickly decide if they are an “us” or “them”. We feel the need to quickly post our support or opposition to the crisis of the day and we’re reaping the fruit of untamed lips (and fingers) – a divided nation and divided hearts.

We have this in common: we are offended… we are fearful… we are in pain. What can we do about this? We can pray. We can gather up our offenses, fear, pain and bring them to Jesus. We can pour our heart out to God and search His word so we can align ourselves with His heart.

We have this in common: we are offended… we are fearful… we are in pain. What can we do about this? We can pray.
 

In a season where I was wrestling with a deep personal offense, I found it nearly impossible to forgive. I would choose forgiveness, but every time I had to interact with the person who had offended me, I knew in my heart I had not forgiven. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus gives us this command, “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” When I tried to pray for my “enemy” my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and I had no idea what to pray. Honestly, I wanted to pray disaster on them, but that is Old Testament and not what Jesus was talking about.

As I sought God’s help, I read this passage in 1 Peter 3:8-9 and felt the Holy Spirit give me some practical ways to pray. This approach softened my heart and allowed me to find release from the offense that gripped me and move into forgiveness step by step. I’m sharing it in the Amplified version because that is where I read it. I love how that translation of the Bible parenthetically expands the some of the meanings of the original language.

“Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble). Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God–that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].” I Peter 3:8-9 AMP

We are called to pray for our “enemy’s” welfare, happiness and protection and then the promise is that we will experience God’s blessing bringing our own welfare, happiness and protection. What if we obeyed this Scripture and prayed for God’s blessing for those we most oppose and who most oppose us? What if we approached our enemy with tenderhearted sympathy instead of hardhearted wrath?

“For know that to this you have been called.” (I peter 3:9) 

Peter finishes that thought by quoting Psalms 34. “For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good–whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]” I Peter 3:10-11 AMP

I share this today in prayerful expectation that as followers of Jesus we will lead the way in our home, church, community, and ultimately nation. That we will be united not in our experiences and offense, but in our love for one another because we have first been loved by God. Let’s guard our hearts, our lips and our fingertips. Let’s prayerfully pursue peace with God, our neighbors and ourselves.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Jenny.jpeg” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Are You Really Looking?

Are You Really Looking?

, , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AreYouBlog_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” custom_padding=”||25px|||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

As a mom, there have been many occasions where I told my children to go find something.

“Please go find your shoes.”

“Where did you put your coat? Please go find it.”

“You can’t find your favorite toy? Where did you play with it last? Go and look for it there.”

Almost every time, I would see my child aimlessly wandering around the house, half-heartedly looking. After a little while, I would hear, “Mom, I can’t find it.”

To which I would reply, “Are you REALLY looking?”

As we lean in for this 21 Days of Prayer, we commit to seek God. We seek God for answers, we seek Him for wisdom, we seek Him for healing, for understanding, for peace, for direction, etc. As we seek Him, let us ask ourselves the question, are we REALLY looking? Or are we aimlessly wandering around with half-hearted prayers? We tend to be impatient beings with our instant gratification ways, and it is sometimes easy for us to give up and throw our hands in the air and say, “God, I can’t find you. You must not be here.”

God’s response to us is found in Jeremiah 29:11-13 where he says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Basically, God is asking us, “ARE YOU REALLY LOOKING?”

He has the answers we seek, the comfort we crave, the peace we desire, and the hope we long for.
 

I find so much comfort is this promise from God. He calms us by assuring us that He has plans for us, and the plans are good and full of hope. After this year, I am so ready to receive this promise. I am ready for some good and some hope. Bring it on!

God then goes on to remind us that He hears us when we pray. He says, “I’m listening.” Think about the enormity of that! He hears me! Little ol’ me, down here in Gainesville, Virginia, as I work in my home office…He hears ME. No matter where you are, no matter what your circumstance, no matter what is going on: God is listening. He hears YOU!

So, we know that God has a plan for us. We know that He is listening. Now God is reminding us that He’s here; we just have to really look. Open our eyes, take off the blinders and LOOK! No half-heartedly aimless looking…REALLY LOOK! When we look WHOLEHEARTEDLY, we will find him! It’s not like He’s hiding; we just have to look. However, we are sometimes like the child who can’t find their shoes that are sitting right by the door.

My friend, I challenge all of us to REALLY LOOK for God during these 21 Days of Prayer. He has the answers we seek, the comfort we crave, the peace we desire, and the hope we long for. May we all find Him.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Debbie72dpi.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

The Not-So-Secret Power of Prayer

The Not-So-Secret Power of Prayer

, , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NotSoBlog_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

 

Growing up, I loved “spy” related movies, tv shows, video games, etc.  I loved everything about the fantastical world of intrigue, stealth, and action.  From James Bond to Jason Bourne, I loved it all.  One of the main aspects of any good spy story is the concept of secret codes or passwords.  The hero would often find him/herself in a scenario where they had to discover some hidden information; perhaps a code to unlock a safe or a password to access a computer terminal.  It was incredibly important for the hero to gain the right information, in the right sequence, in order for the mission to be achieved and lives to be saved.

Fortunately for us, unlocking the power of prayer isn’t at all like a spy cracking a code.  There is no right “way” to talk to your Heavenly Father.  There is no advantage to praying in King James English.  I remember growing up thinking that in order for my prayers to be heard by God, I had to pray like some of the more eloquent (and possibly long-winded! lol) people in my home church.  I had the impression that wordiness equated to spirituality.  Boy, was I wrong.  Jesus even said so himself.  Right before giving His disciples the prayer that we know as “The Lord’s Prayer”, he said this in Matthew 6:7-8 NLT,

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

Don’t get caught up in how eloquent your prayers need to be, but rather, talk to your Heavenly Father plainly and as you are.
 

Jesus was instructing us to pray, not in a manner that resembled some sort of secret code that had to include the right elements in the right order, but in a manner that resembles how a son or daughter might have a plain, yet intimate conversation with their loving earthly father.  One benefit that plain prayers have over verbose prayers is that while I’m praying, I can focus on the reality of both my situation and God’s love and guidance for me.  If I’m having to try to decode a secret combination of religious jargon, I can easily spend so much energy and focus on figuring out what to say that I miss what He may be wanting to say back to me.

As we get going during this 21 Days of Prayer season, my prayer for you is that you will continue to seek God each day.  Don’t get caught up in how eloquent your prayers need to be, but rather, talk to your Heavenly Father plainly and as you are.  I promise that your prayer times will be more enjoyable and productive as a result.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ShawnBaird2.png” image_last_edited=”off|tablet” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”ShawnBaird2″]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

The Year of Redemption

The Year of Redemption

,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PJBblog_Insta.jpg” title_text=”PJBblog_Insta” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost…” – Joel 2:25 NLT

We stand here, at the beginning of a new year, quite different than the one we were at one year ago. I think it is safe to say that every year brings some level of change, but this past year was a once in a lifetime type of year. One of those years you wish to forget, but likely never will.  I see many people that have less this January than they had last January. Less optimism. Less patience. Less passion. Less friendships. Less finances. Less faith. In many ways, last year was a thief. It stole so much from so many. 

But, I’m grateful that last year was not the last chapter of the story. As the year turns, so does the page, and God has so much more to write! Why? Because He gives you back what has been stolen. If it was taken from you, it’s coming back to you in His timing because that is who He is. It is what He does. There are 149 instances in the Old Testament of God being a “Redeemer” of His people. And if He is a Redeemer, then we can surely expect Him to redeem the things we have lost. If it is His will for you to have it, then He will give it back to you bigger and better than it was before. That’s not just positive thinking, that’s Biblical thinking. I believe 2021 will be the year of redemption for you and your family. 

The prophet Joel writes in his book, which is a prophecy to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, about a locust plague that has ravaged the people of Judah. It has destroyed everything. It has stolen their grain and crops, which was not only their sustenance, but their livelihood as well. It was a devastating plague that left them hopeless. And in chapter 1 as Joel is describing this plague, he begins to transition his message from describing an actual plague, to a metaphorical one that has even bigger consequences: the plague of sin that was bringing the wrath of God to His people. Joel is saying, the destruction that you are experiencing physically is a parallel to the destruction you are about to experience spiritually, and all of it is a result of the sin in your life. And his solution for this problem is repentance.

As the year turns, so does the page, and God has so much more to write! Why? Because He gives you back what has been stolen.
 

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is still time. Give me your hearts.” – Joel 2:12 NLT 

He says if you turn your heart towards God, He will have mercy on you and restore what you’ve lost. God says through Joel that if they will turn to Him, He will restore all the years of harvest that the locusts have stolen.

I believe this message is a “now” message for us at the beginning of this year. I believe God is saying, “I am the God who restores the years that have been stolen, but I’m asking for one thing: turn your hearts to me.” We must realize that every bad thing that happens to us is not necessarily a direct result of a particular sin in our lives. But all bad things that happen are an overarching result of our sin, which has fractured humanity since the first sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. So, what is the solution? Repentance. Turn to Him. Turn every part of your heart to Him. Give everything over to Him. Surrender. What is His response? Restoration and redemption. He restores. He redeems. 

His job is redemption. Our job is repentance.

As we embark on a new year, let’s not try to fix everything. Don’t carry the weight of making everything better or making up for seemingly lost time. You don’t have the power to do that anyway. What you do have the power to do is surrender. What have you hidden from God? What have you held back from God? Why have you been calloused towards God or the things of God? What has caused you to pull back or turn away? As we turn the page on a year, let’s turn around in our hearts. Face Him. Run to Him. Come back to Him. He will do the rest. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_phone=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/joshbairdblog.png” image_last_edited=”on|desktop” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”joshbairdblog”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

WhyLocusts1920x1080

Why Locusts?

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-82px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||12px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WhyLocusts.jpg” title_text=”WhyLocusts” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” inline_fonts=”Ogg Medium”]Why Locusts?

I hate bugs. They always seem to strike a particular annoyance with me. Those little creatures seem to pop up at the most inopportune times. My first response is always to kill what annoys me, especially when the fate of its life is dependent upon my jolted emotional state. And if you’ve ever been bitten/stung by a bug, the bite stays for much longer than desired.

Ironic right?! that something God created can be so annoying? Why would God do that? Doesn’t He care how I feel about bugs? Doesn’t He know that when they bite, sting, or are just present that their effects carry long lasting impressions? Clearly he knows. He has to know.

I can think of three instances in the Bible where bugs, locusts in particular, were certainly necessary.

God will use whatever is necessary, whenever necessary to acquire and retain our attention.

In Exodus, locusts were used as a weapon against Pharaoh and the Egyptians. God used the stubbornness of Pharaoh to show His miraculous power on behalf of the Israelite slaves and through the command of Moses the swarm of locusts ate everything that grew from the ground.

In Joel, we receive word through the prophet that God will restore what the locust has eaten. The words of the prophet are incredibly specific to how it was lost and the fact that it will be restored.

“The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts…’” Joel 2:25 NLT

Lastly, in the Book of John, we find the Prophet John who lives in the wilderness eating wild locusts and honey. They were provided as a form of sustenance, as abnormal as it may be.

Here’s the epiphany. God will use whatever is necessary, whenever necessary to acquire and retain our attention.

In all three instances we see the character of God being reveled: as divine protector and deliverer, as a restorer, and as a keen provider. The small things in your life are merely signals that God is there with you. Prayer helps us navigate our emotions to find God in every situation.

According to Genesis, God created every living creature. His purpose and intention for each of them is divine and harmonious. The same goes for you. No matter what may annoyingly insert itself into your ecosystem, God is the sovereign sustainer of life and remains in complete control. My warning is this; don’t kill what God is using to protect, provide and restore you.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”51px|60px|51px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”40px|20px|40px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.3″][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@” image=”https://welovechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bryantbiophoto2020.png” image_max_width=”150px” content_max_width=”860px” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”” image_last_edited=”on|desktop” image_max_width_tablet=”150px” image_max_width_phone=”150px” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”New Montreal Medium|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#333333″ header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_font=”Neue Montreal||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_font_size_phone=”17px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”15px” body_font_size_phone=”17px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”10px” box_shadow_blur_image=”20px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Load More