Betrayal

Such a nasty word; such an ugly connotation. What an image BETRAYAL portrays!! Whenever we hear the word, most of us can immediately think of a time in our lives when we were betrayed by someone we trusted. Perhaps it was a co-worker, a friend, or even a relative. Regardless of who hurt us, the pain runs deep. No one likes to be betrayed. Certainly no one ever asks for it. Yet undoubtedly, we have all experienced this pain in one form or another.

As you relive the emotional roller coaster (or perhaps you may even be in the thrusts of the situation now), anger and bitterness, hurt and humiliation, raw physical pain sweep over you. If you have never dealt with the betrayal – never completely turned it over entirely to the Lord – your heart still hurts from the pain inflicted upon you.

Yet as we look to Jesus for our example of how to live out every situation, we find a very unique perspective of betrayal. You see, the one that ultimately betrayed Jesus – arguably more than anyone else – was Judas. Judas turned Jesus over to be crucified for thirty pieces of silver. And yet, Jesus knew in advance not only that He would be betrayed, but by whom…and He chose him anyway.

When Jesus chose His twelve (12) disciples, He knew exactly who they were, and more importantly, what their hearts were like. He knew exactly what He was doing when He made His choices, yet He still chose the specific twelve for a purpose. He knew that Judas would betray Him, yet He still chose to walk with Him everyday. They shared meals together, laughed and cried together, lived life together. And when the time came for Judas to carry out the betrayal, Jesus chose not only to continue loving him, but ultimately to forgive.

So I wonder who in your life you need to forgive today. Who has betrayed you? Who has hurt you so deeply that you have chosen to walk away and cut them out of your life forever? Although I most definitely an advocate of setting healthy boundaries for ourselves, I also see the need for forgiveness. You see, forgiveness doesn't say that what the person that hurt you did was right or even okay, but it does release you from the pain and bitterness that ultimately turns your heart black and cold. Forgiveness is what Christ asks of us. It was the choice He made, and He is our perfect example.

Jesus loves unconditionally – while even knowing in advance all of the sins that we will commit. Yet He chooses to forgive us and continue in relationship with us. He wants to walk with us daily, even when we betray Him again and again with our words and our actions. If He can forgive us of so much, who are we to stand in such judgment of someone else? I urge you today, brothers and sisters, choose forgiveness. Choose to walk in the freedom that true forgiveness brings. You will be amazed at how good it feels!!

Equipping Center

Recently, as I was on my way back home for a funeral, I had a few hours to spend with the Lord while I was driving. He and I began a dialogue regarding the church in which my husband and I were installed as Senior Pastors only two weeks ago today. As I was asking Him how we could best care for His children and do the most good, He began to give me a fresh revelation on how we should view the church today.

In the past, I have often viewed the church as a Spiritual Hospital. To me it was a place to go when you were spiritually sick or dying. The church was there to pray with you and to point out the areas in your life that were causing your sickness, resulting in trials and tribulations that most often overwhelmed you and kept you from walking in the abundant life which God promised us in His Word (John 10:10). Although I still believe that the church is a resource for those that are spiritually sick or dying, God began to show me that it is so much more!!

He told me to start looking at the church as an Equipping Center for both the lost and the believers. As such, we come together to receive the tools, teaching and training necessary to combat our enemy and to fulfill the Great Commission as laid out before us in Matthew 28:19-20, when Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age". 

In a hospital, you find those who are treated for their illness, and as soon as they are feeling better they are sent home and told to rest and take it easy for awhile. In an Equipping Center, you find those who are eager to learn and receive hands-on training ~ practical application for your daily walk. When you leave an Equipping Center, you are not told to go home and rest. On the contrary, you are told to go out and put what you have learned into action!!

I am so excited for this fresh revelation and for what it means for our church. I know that it will definitely change the way I approach both ministry and teaching. I am excited to see what new lessons the Lord will reveal and how He will best be glorified. Everything that we do is to bring glory and honor to His name. 

Do you know Jesus? Have you asked Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life? As we are approaching the Easter holiday, we are reminded not only of Christ's sacrifice on the cross to save us from our sins, but His glorious resurrection as well!! We do serve a risen Savior who is very much alive today. He sits at the right hand of His Father, and one day He will return for His children. Will you be one of them? If you are not sure, I would love the opportunity to visit with you. Please contact me or your local pastor and make sure you know without a doubt that if you were to die today, you would go to Heaven. God Bless!!

Present Awareness

How aware are we of God's presence in our lives? Do we only acknowledge Him when we need Him? Is He simply an accessory we use to make ourselves look good to fellow believers? Are we just using God to get what we want?

Whoa! I'm sure that last question made some take offense. Perhaps you were with me right up until the end. But if we were truly honest with ourselves, how many of us would admit that our awareness of who God is and where God is affects our daily walk with Him?Just for fun, let's take a little test...

How was our attitude in just the past hour?

When was the last time you gossiped about someone?

What kind of television shows did you watch in the last 24 hours?

What was the last movie you saw?

When was the last time you sat down to read your Bible - outside of church?

When was the last time you prayed - for someone other than yourself?

What were your last 3 Facebook posts about?

This is in no means meant to criticize or judge anyone. Trust me when I tell you I am the first one that needs to work on my attitude and relationship. But I do want to be more aware. I want to be the one that non-believers make fun of because I am so in love with my Savior. I want to be the one that is not ashamed to stand up for truth, no matter what the cost. I want the world to see Jesus when they look at me. But I know that in order to make that happen, I need to reprioritize some things in my life. I need to put my selfish desires and my pride aside and allow the Holy Spirit to completely change me. I need to constantly be aware of God's Hand at work in my life. I need to recognize when He does something - no matter how seemingly small - not just the obvious. I need to be more diligent in seeking Him out. Above all, I need - and want - to be so aware of His presence that I always know I am not alone. I am a continual work in progress, and someday I will be perfected in Him. But until that day comes, Lord Jesus, make Your presence in my life known!!

Free to Dance

Recently, my 4 year old daughter Hannah and I were at Wal-Mart, standing in line at the Customer Service Desk. This particular day the line was rather long, and as we waited, Hannah began to dance. Completely unaware of those around her, oblivious as to whether or not they were even paying her any attention, she just lived out what was in her heart. As I continued watching her, I pondered in my heart her uninhibited will to do exactly what she desires, regardless of what anyone else might think.

Since that day I have relived that moment in my mind quite often. At four years old, Hannah is completely innocent. She has not yet lived long enough to allow the world and its judgmental tones to affect the decisions she makes or to cloud her judgment. I think back to my younger days and try to remember when it was that I stopped acting in my innocence and began living in my carnal understanding and prejudiced realities.

I challenge you to start living out whatever it is that God has placed inside of your heart. Regardless of what others might think – good or bad – choose to be obedient to His calling on your life. You will be amazed at how freeing obedience really is!!