Tag: encouragement

devotion

What is Church?

by eavangroll6 Comments on What is Church?
Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

Written By: Guest Author Jen Schmalz

Can I just tell you what a LOADED question this is?! It sounds so simple, right? But once you start chasing this rabbit, let me tell you… you will end up down the street in the neighbors yard!

Pursuing this question came after some really deep hurt from my own home church. As I sat in grief, I wondered how on earth we were going to move on. I grew up in this church, I believed in this church, I fought for this church, I loved this church! Someday I may share the whole story, but for now I will share that I believe the leadership of this church became so deceived by the enemy that they followed his lead in taking down one of their own. It was the most disheartening thing to watch unfold. We were on our knees praying for truth to reign, praying against the work of the enemy, praying that the eyes of leadership would be opened. After several conversations and letters to leadership, pleading for them to change course, the damage was done. Following God’s lead for our family, we knew we couldn’t stay. We stood confidently in the truth of knowing who our ultimate spiritual authority was. We knew the truth. And we had to walk away from a church that we could no longer submit ourselves to. The spiritual authority of their leadership was compromised. It was absolutely gut wrenching and left our heads spinning and our hearts broken!

As we processed our grief, we began trying to figure out some of the “practical” implications of no longer having a home church:

  • ·       What do we do on Sunday mornings?
  • ·       Do we start looking for another church?
  • ·       Virtual church?
  • ·       Home church?
  • ·       How do you “church shop”?
  • ·       What do we look for in a spiritually healthy church?
  • ·       Big church, small church?
  • ·       How do we trust leadership in a church again?
  • ·       What about our kids? How would they find Christian connection?

But the bigger question that really started burning in my heart, and perhaps laced with a bit of cynicism, was, “Well, what is Church anyway”?! It may seem like a ridiculous question. Especially for someone who was raised in the church, surrounded by other Christians for most of their life, and even worked on staff of a church for 21 years. But the question left me wanting more of an answer than what I truthfully knew how to answer at this point. So I did what I know as a believer is the only way to pursue real truth, I opened my Bible.

You can probably guess where I went. I went right to Acts and the start of the early church.  Acts 2 begins with the day of Pentecost, the filling of God’s people with the Holy Spirit following the death and resurrection of Jesus. Peter steps up in leadership to address a crowd that had gathered in Jerusalem and clearly shared the gospel in vs.38. Verse 41 then indicates that “their numbers were growing”… the very start of the church!

I read on, Acts 2:42-47 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

When you read through scripture, do you pray for understanding? I’ve read those verses before, I’ve heard countless teachings on this passage, but it was almost as if God reorganized these verses in my mind so that I could see His direct answer to me. Boy, do I feel loved when He does that! Here’s what He showed me:

Content – They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. There were some in spiritual authority here, teaching, chosen by God, and filled with the Holy Spirit. The group was devoted to prayer. And they praised God together. That’s Content! Right? It’s what they did together, how they were structured! I think this is WHAT church was (and is)!

Connection – Then, there’s the element of WHO they were. The church was (and is) the people! They fellowshipped together (they were believers who gathered together). They had things in common, sold their possessions, gave to anyone among them in need. That’s Connection! They knew one another so well that they knew each other’s needs. Do you know what the definition of “connect” is? It’s a verb, an action word, meaning, “to join, link or fasten together; unite or bind” (Dictionary.com). OK! Lord, I can see what you did here! You bound them together IN you!

Community – Could this be the HOW?! How they “did church”… they did it together. They broke bread (communion). They ate together. They met together every day! I’ve always loved the beauty of community that happens around the table and informal gatherings! Thank you Jesus for modeling this with your Disciples when you were on earth! You did life WITH your disciples, not apart from them.

Do you see it? Do you see what He was showing me? These 5 verses give us a pretty good picture of what and who the Church is, don’t they? I mean, it’s actually a really beautiful picture of what the church was created to be. A group of believers, filled with His Spirit, created for community with a unifying connection in Christ! That’s absolutely beautiful! This! This is the church!

There is certainly A LOT more scripture to consider if you’re pursuing this BIG question. I mean, a lot! But for the purpose of this blog post, I’m giving you the “simplified version” of what I found😊 Incidentally, there’s also A LOT I found in scripture about what the church is NOT. But we’re not chasing that rabbit today! But someday maybe!

Now that God gave me perspective on what and who He created the church to be, I wondered if I should still seek that answer on Where, When and Why? After all, He did seem to be answering me with those 5W’s!

There were some hints in the passage in Acts regarding the where, but I felt like God wanted me to pursue that one a bit more. Do you want to know where he brought me? Ephesians 2:19-22, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” God’s house is where His spirit is! And … as believers, His spirit dwells IN us! Matthew 18:20 says, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”. The “where” is simply where His people are… gathered together! There are clear examples throughout the New Testament of different types of churches, big churches meeting in temples … and small churches meeting in homes (1 Corinthians 16:19). His church though… is much BIGGER than your local church. We have brothers and sisters in Christ in other churches in our own city, across the States, in other countries. God’s people TOGETHER make up His church!

I will be honest in saying I didn’t spend time seeking out the “when” and the “why”.  Some of that has already been answered, some of that detail I just didn’t feel I needed to pursue for me to feel like I had an answer to my initial question. But one thing I do know, His Church is important! It’s important for us to be in community with other believers and we’re important to Him! Ephesians 5:22-23 tells us the church is His bride! He loves His people! He created us for community!

Take note friends… what God loves, the enemy hates. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith”. The enemy would like nothing more than to destroy what God has created! The first place he will go is your church leadership. I am a Pastor’s daughter, I know this to be true. I beg you to pray for your church, pray for your leaders and elders… and stay alert!

Church looks different for me now. I don’t go to the same building that I used to. It still hurts. I’m still working through a lot of grief. But I do have hope in trusting that God can take even this, something the enemy meant for evil, and use it for His good and His glory. Let us be a community of believers, filled with His Spirit, living in community with a unifying connection in Christ! Friends, let’s be HIS church!!

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” – Ephesians 1:18-21

Hey friends, Ellen here:) I want to express my gratitude to my sister and guest author, Jen for the time, study and prayer she has put into this blog post. We’ve had many conversations surrounding this question as a family. I asked Jen to write this post because she has had so much insight to offer us and because I knew the conversations we were having, would be valuable to you as well. May the wisdom Jen has learned in her pain and healing be transferred to you all. There are many churches that are doing wonderful things for the glory of God, we hope you are there. And cannot urge you enough to pray for the leaders of your church. Also, if you’ve experienced hurt from in the walls of your church, we know and feel your pain. May you know, that was not God’s intent for church and we pray for your healing as well. May this hope for His church that Jen has shared, go with you. “Let us be a community of believers, filled with His Spirit, living in community with a unifying connection in Christ! Friends, let’s be HIS church!!” There is SO much more in the Bible that could be included here, another rabbit trail so to say;) I think Jen did a wonderful job for the sake of a blog post. But, let us know if you’d like to hear more!

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Steadfast Love

Featuredby eavangroll4 Comments on Steadfast Love
Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

It was a gorgeous spring day, no jacket needed for one of the first times since the long hard Wisconsin winter. Age doesn’t matter on a day like this because the sunshine, birds and comfortable temperatures were calling everyone to enjoy the life it was offering. I was in my early twenties, working at a middle school. I had planned on taking full advantage of lunch time outside with the students. My kid at heart appeared with the sound of the bell and I headed to the playground with the 7th and 8th graders. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved the swings. Not to brag but if there is such thing as an expert swinger, then I’m that. You know what they say, practice makes perfect! And I had practiced that long stretch of my legs, envisioning my toes in the clouds and at the same time my pull on the chains, mustering all my strength repeatedly. I have many memories of laughing with the friend next to me, we would either be in competition or married. (Is it just a hometown thing, or does everyone say you’re married if you’re matching your swing partner perfectly?) Thankfully, by the time I got out to the playground there was one swing left for me. I confidently sat down on that swing and challenged the boy next to me. “I bet I can get higher than you!” What 7th grade boy is going to turn that dare down? And we were off! My swing crept higher and higher with each stretch and pull. The wind felt cool on my face, but the sun was blanketing my body. My only care was to make sure I could back up my confidence with success. I’d look toward the sky and then I’d look over at my swing partner. I was in the sweet spot, when your body keeps going just long enough to come off the swing until it realizes it got too far ahead and plops back down to make the descent. I was there a few times until the last time. That’s when my body landed on the seat with just enough force to go right through the worn rubber. It happened all too quickly to process. In a split second my hands grasped the chains like never before, with no seat to hold the weight of my body, my feet eventually met the dry mud underneath me. I held on until I simply couldn’t anymore, and then I dropped onto the hard ground. Sitting up in a cloud of dust, I slowly realized what had just happened. I looked down and that’s when I saw my right pinky finger, completely bent at a 90-degree angle turning away from my hand. I had held on so tight; my finger had gotten stuck inside a chain link and broke from the impact. 

So often in life, swings give way from beneath us. With all confidence we position ourselves just so, never questioning if the rubber will deceive us. And although it shouldn’t be, in this life, we will have trouble. Fathers leave, friends are disloyal, bodies fail, children dishonor, churches hurt, leaders lose focus, and the list goes on and on and on. This shouldn’t be! This was not God’s design. Because of sin we live in a fallen world and the clever enemy uses schemes to confuse us. Let me just say, I’m sorry for the hurt and the pain that you experience. You don’t deserve it. It shouldn’t be. 

A few days ago, my six-year-old son asked, “if God knew Adam and Eve were going to sin, then why did he create the earth in the first place?” My husband’s wise answer? “Because he had you on His mind.” To which my son replied, “Dad, that was a long long time ago!” And, he responded with, “I know! God had you on His mind way back then!” And of course, I had to add my two cents. “God said life on earth will be like a vapor. He wanted you in eternity with Him.”  

Friends, there are so many things in life I find myself shaking my head at in disbelief with the words on my mouth, “this shouldn’t be.” Recently, my family has been experiencing just this kind of hurt. The kind of hurt that we never saw coming. And it hurts because we feel abandoned and left to the wolves so to say. The truth is, I shouldn’t have had to question myself before I sat on that swing. I don’t see many people walking up to a swing and inspecting it before they decide whether they will trust it. (Although, I’m sure there are some.) As Moses spoke words of the Lord to Israel, he said, “Be Strong and Courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) Let those words be your hope and assurance of the goodness of God. He is near. He will never leave you nor forsake you. I want to say it again, because I want these words to be on my lips more than the words, “this shouldn’t be.” Your father in heaven will never leave you nor forsake you. Never. He is our one true constant. He is our sustainer and our keeper. There is absolutely nothing that can take Him away from you. People pass away, our jobs are not guaranteed, our homes can be destroyed. We can’t control other people, what they say or how they feel about us, and we certainly can’t control the cultural norms. But, our heavenly father, He will never leave us, no matter what.

Now, imagine yourself on a swing. Your toes are in the clouds and the strength you use to pull against the chains is not your own. You can rely on His strength no matter what may come your way. Keep your eyes, your focus on Jesus. Psalm 123:1 says, “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.” And Psalm 121:1 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”  Hold onto these words with all your might and you’re going to be ok.

Isaiah 54:10 says, “Though the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord who has compassion on you.” In Hebrew, the word hesed means steadfast love. It’s a firm and unwavering kind of love. Ann Voskamp describes it beautifully in her book Waymaker. She writes, “Hesed is an entirely singular kind of love that says: You are chosen because God simply and forever chooses to perfectly hesed-attach himself to you. You are not merely endured, you are not hardly tolerated, you are not barely accepted-but you- your very being, your actual presence, your whole soul, all of the miracle that is you is wanted – picked, chosen, delighted in, special- simply because your lungs expand to take in His love and exhale with love, the kiss of existence. God wants to inhale you, move with you, curl like kindness around your every thought. Believing this is to be really living.” Our God is greater than any injustice you have faced, and He will never leave you. He hesed loves you. May these words sink deep down into your soul and may you believe in the blessed assurance of Our Father’s Hesed love. 

devotion, Uncategorized

Protection in the Storm

by eavangrollLeave a Comment on Protection in the Storm
Photo by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.com

2 Samuel 22:2 He sang, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.”

It had been a beautiful, clear July day. My three kids and I were visiting old friends two hours away from home. The clear skies kept us comfortable the first hour of the drive back but that changed with the dark, angry clouds up ahead. They were a true indication for what we would be in for. The rain started and the wind picked up. At this point, Scott, my husband, called to report about the weather we could be driving into. Soon after, the rain turned to a torrential downpour and the wind became fierce, his report was accurate. * That was problem number one. * My hands gripped the steering wheel, my face was as close to the windshield as possible, and my heart was pounding in panic. I said a silent prayer hoping the kids couldn’t see how scared I was. No longer able to see the road, I followed the cars ahead of me and pulled off to the side of the highway. Who was I kidding? There was no hiding my fear at this point, I couldn’t even find the big red triangle button for the flashers! * Problem number 2. * With a shaky hand I eventually found it and pressed it. Whimpers from the backseat forced me to look back. I knew my kids needed me to keep it together, to be their calm. “It’s going to be okay; Jesus will take care of us.” I assured them and myself. If only what I knew, would connect with my heart, then I could calm my internal anxieties. Instead, I felt the same as my car at that moment, in the 70 mph winds, barely enough to be considered a safe place. I wanted to be comfortable again, I wanted to be back where I was, cruising down the highway on a beautiful day. Comfortable. I wanted my kids and myself to be comfortable.  Rrrrr, rrrrr, rrrrr, tornado warnings blasted on the radio, * problem number 3. * We were everything BUT comfortable. We were uncomfortable and trapped. Whimpers turned into cries of fear. I shut my eyes, took a deep breath and prayed out loud for what seemed like, well, foooreeever. Soon after, I noticed a slight let up in the rain. I took my chances and very cautiously made my escape from the side of the road. About 15 miles of snail speed with flashers flashing and hands gripping, and we were in the clear. 30 more minutes and we’d be home. The rest of the way home, our conversation was centered on how God protects us. That He is always with us and will never leave us. We talked about the fact that He was in the car with us and as we prayed and called out to Him, we found comfort knowing He was there and that we could trust Him.

I wonder how often we focus on the discomfort of our situations rather than trusting. We focus on the problem rather than the protection. I couldn’t see a foot in front of me due to the torrential downpour, but I also couldn’t see His protection due to my discomfort. It’s like our comfortability blinds us of the protection that is at hand. This is a human reaction though, we all do it. I later learned about about King David and a song he wrote about God’s protection. I’m sure it’s no surprise I couldn’t fall asleep that night. My adrenaline and anxiety were ready to party. So, I did what I often do when my mind doesn’t cooperate, and I can’t sleep. I shuffled my way out to the living room, plopped my body into the chair and opened up my Bible to a random page.

2 Samuel 22:2 He sang, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.”

Why do we face storms in life that feel so crazy uncomfortable?! As I read about David I started to gain some clarity. David was weak too. In fact, He had been in near death situations, he had been hiding in a cave. And I realized that through the experiences of calling out to God. When we feel like we are stuck and there is nothing we can do. The times when we are on our knees in desperation, it is in those times that God strengthens us in our humility. When our fortress becomes God and we put our trust in Him, that is when the storm is around us but not in us. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is Good.” Taste? The word taste here means perceive or understand. I don’t know about you, but for me, if I really want to understand something, if I really want to grasp the concept, I need to experience it. When I experience the storm, then I can see that the Lord is good. Now that I’ve been through the storm, I’ve learned, I’ve grown. I’m sure I won’t struggle to find those darn flashers the next time I need them:) In the moment we feel desperate for it to end. We feel anxious to be relieved but God knows so much more than we do. As God takes us through the storm or allows the storm to happen, He protects us in it and He also protects us from the unforeseeable future. While God is protecting us, He is also strengthening us. It’s ok if you don’t see it while you’re in it. David didn’t, Jonah didn’t, Joseph didn’t, I most certainly didn’t. You don’t see the rainbow until after the storm. you don’t see the bud until after the fight through the hard ground and you don’t see the baby until after the birth. First you taste and then you see that the Lord is good. Trust in His mighty protection.

I can’t tell you how many times in my life I look back and then see His protection in it. In His timing, the people he placed in my path, the unanswered prayers. I’m learning to see the protection rather than the problem even when I’m in the storm. Learning was the key word. I’ll admit, I’m not entirely there. But, I do know that I have a safe place in the storm. I have a fortress to run to and a Savior to look to. His protection is greater than my problems.

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Oh the Freedom

by eavangroll2 Comments on Oh the Freedom
Photo by: Kali Marie Photography

By: Guest Author, Sarah Vander Sanden

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62: 5-7

This verse is often read during times of trouble. It reminds us of the infinite hope that we can find in knowing and trusting the goodness of our creator. It is a proclamation of the strength that we possess as vessels of the Holy Spirit. It is undeniably powerful. As our God is alive, so is His word….recently I read this verse and something different stood out to me. The words, “my honor depends on God,” resounded in my head. Those five words are transformational! My honor depends on God. In my greatest effort-on my very best day-I am not worthy of honor without the blood of my Jesus cleansing me free from my sin. 

About a month ago, one of my sons (there are 4;), was caught in a lie. Initially, he tried to hide it. Cover it up as a miscommunication or unintentional. As The Spirit prompted me to push in for the truth, he eventually confessed to his motives and the lies that were tangled up within. At first, I was heartbroken that he had lied to me. Lies are so dangerous. I just want so much better for him. After we sorted through the truth and he apologized in tears multiple times, he said these words to me, “Mom, this is one of the best days of my life”. “What do you mean?” I questioned. “Well, he said, now I’m free…I don’t have anything to hide. I don’t even care what my consequences are”. Mind blown! Instead of being fearful of a future life of lies, I was now standing face to face with the shimmering beauty of a repented heart. A heart that not only brought his failures to the Lord but allowed God to then refill him with grace and HONOR. He didn’t wallow in how inadequate he was. He didn’t try to tell me or God how unworthy he was. He opened his hands and heart to the one he knows can do what he can’t….he accepted forgiveness for falling short and then got right back up and ran in the honor that was bestowed on him the day he allowed Jesus to become his savior. He walked with the honor of knowing he was God’s son and nothing he could do could change that. His honor had not been stolen or lost that day. For me, it was such an example of what to do when we fall down and how our identity and honor can’t be shaken if they are rooted in Christ. To receive so readily…..to trust that He can and will fulfill His promises….my mom heart can’t express the gratitude I felt in that moment that He knew exactly what to do when he fell down and who could fix it. When Jesus tells us to become like children, (Matthew 18:1-5) I think it has much less to do with being “care free and wild” and much more to do with our choice to receive His promises…to get up and walk in them…. to allow our honor to be tied to His worthiness and not our own. To simply receive what he has given. What immense rest can be found here… Oh the freedom!!!!