Fighting to encourage - Part 2 - THE VICTORY!

Ok...so if you haven't read my last blog, scroll down and read it before this one! :D

This is part 2 - the victory!!

Today the lady mentioned in the previous blog met with my Senior Pastor to let him know that she was feeling really bad and extremely remorseful for the situation on Sunday morning. WOW!! God did some healing work ALL ROUND since then :D...a change in heart from this lady...and also total encouragement for the team last night!! DOUBLE VICTORY!!

So...you see, this is what happens when you don't let the enemy get the better of you...you beat him so he doesn't beat you!! You turn it around and smack the enemy down!! WOOHOO!! PRAISE GOD!! Keep up the encouragement guys...it won't only be you and the others you encourage that will receive the blessing, but behind the scenes God will work on the hearts of those who may have first got you down...He will build you AND them up...what a gracious God we serve :D

(Short and sweet Dave :D That deserves another comment I say! lol)

Fighting to encourage!

Well...what a week it's been! On Sunday morning we had some conflict at church when the ensemble were practising and someone wasn't enjoying it too much and said some really hurtful things that shook the team up a bit! It was a horrible experience! BUT...I'm all about turning things on their head at the moment! And satan...WATCH OUT!!

So, tonight I cancelled practice and asked everyone to come without their instruments. I bought everyone a little wooden frame and in it I made up a little card that had a pic of praying hands and the quote "I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about you...it's all about you Jesus!" Then I shared devotions with the team. I based it around 1 Peter 5:10...
1. Be humble: (v6) Rather than focusing on what's wrong with the person in question, ask yourself, How can I best handle this situation? How can I show grace in this situation? and What would Jesus do?
2. Cast your cares on Him: (v7) The road is hard and the journey is tough, but Jesus is there to hold our hand. Just give Him your cares...and leave them with Him because only He can handle them!
3. Don't let satan win! (v8-9) The enemy wants nothing more than to win this battle! We can't let him! If you feel discouraged, turn it around, focus on the positive things. If you feel inadequate, turn it around, focus on the gifts and talents God gave you! If you feel bitter towards someone, turn it around, pray for the heart to love them and show them grace, and pray for what might be troubling that person. Don't let satan have the victory!
4. A life that reflects a heart of worship: Worship is a lifestyle not a music style! As Darlene Zscech says in her book "Extravagant Worship", Worship is neither a ritualistic activity nor a musical emotion. It embodies and reflects the selfless generosity of Christ. Worship is a movement of our hearts, our thoughts, and our wills toward God's heart, thoughts and will."

After I shared devos we went around the circle and one by one the team encouraged each person individually. Then we prayed for that person. It was so uplifting and such a great opportunity to turn this situation around and sock it to the enemy!! I asked a good friend to sit at a table while the encouragement etc was happening and write down everything so that I can type everyones encouragement up and send it to them in the mail...just so no one forgets :D

Our team is an all aged group. So we have people in their 40's and up and we also had a few 15 yr olds and a couple of 10 yr olds even. Not one person missed out on being encouraged, being prayed for, or being an encourager to someone else! It was so great! So I want to encourage you...take the time every now and then to encourage someone. Make every effort to spur one another on! (Hebrews 10)

Fighting to be with Him

Ok...it's been WAY too long since I blogged...and Dave you better comment on this because in a record breaking post this is going to be SHORT!! :D lol

I have my home page set on the Daily Bread So everytime I turn my computer on at work and open an internet page it comes up. The other day God gave me a real kick in the pants when I read the devotion for the morning. Basically the writer (David C. McCasland) spoke about being real. He referred to the passage in Revelation 3 where the Lord confronts the First Church of Sardis. He says this in verses 1-2

"I know your works, that you have a name, that you are alive...but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God."

Wow...what a kick up the bum that was. I need to tell you that lately I have been feeling a little discouraged by alot of things in ministry. Actually, at times, A LOT discouraged! As a result of that I've often gone home tired and worn out and sat in front of the TV or sat on the internet and not spent real quality time with God. At times I've even heard God's still and quiet voice whispering in my ear 'Jodi, turn it off and spend time with me!' And so often I've ignored that whisper with an excuse...'I'm too tired Lord!'

When I read the Daily Bread I really felt God saying to me 'You're a Youth Pastor...and I know the things you're doing...I know you have a name...I know you're still doing good works...but are they my works? Are you giving them to me? Are you really alive...or are you dying?' I don't think I'm dead but what I do know is that I need to be watchful and strengthen the things that remain before they die...before I get so consumed in the discouraging things that I forget the encouraging things!

What a challenge...are you alive? Really alive...!?