disconnected

Something I've really had stirring in me is how important it is to stay "connect" not just to people, but to how things in our world are changing. Something I feel that many of us fundamentalist have lost in our endeavor to stay pure, holy, and separate is the ability to connect with our world and be connected with the way in which modern life functions. Anyone who knows me well can attest that I am a stickler for not compromising the Word and not becoming "relevant" at the sake of losing our power and truth. So, I am NOT bashing traditionalism and fundamentalism, but what I am dealing with is something that can be crippling to ministries as a whole and to families.

I consider myself pretty blessed to have grown up in the 80s and 90s and into the early 2000s. I remember life before wireless phones, and even before cellphones (gasp!). I remeber the days of dial-up internet and thinking it was the coolest thing even. We had a clunky beige desktop, that was a top of the line machine back then, that sat in the corner of our breakfast nook....Oh the sound of dial-up kicking in. I remember when we got our first bag phone in the car back in the day.... you could make a phone call from your car! Those were the days! Fast-forward a few years, and i get my first little cellphone with a blue back-lit screen. A text message was a luxury and something you only used to tell mom and dad your sports team was delayed getting home or that you forgot lunch and that was about it. Senior year of high school everyone awaited getting registered at the college they would attend so they could get their .edu email address and sign up for this brand new thing called, Facebook (back then it was only for college students and had launched less than a year before I signed up). This was the start of social media and having parents who were in tune with changing technology, I was on the cutting edge of it all!

Today, social media has flooded our society. In many cases it has replaced truly being "social" with an imitation idea that we call social media. It is tempting to get irritated and just shut it all down or even refuse to get into any of the other social media platforms. With the ever evolving and growing world of social media, it can be frustrating, it can be overwhelming, and it can be a distraction. In everything there will always be negative feelings and ideas and there will always be benefits. You can curse social media all you want, but there are many GOOD things about it. It has opened a HUGE door for spreading the gospel, connecting to believers and friends around the world, and an avenue through which to minister to someone half way around the world that you may have otherwise been unable to reach 15 years ago.

While I see all the benefits the beast of social media has brought us, I am not blind to the way it has also helped to spread the work of the enemy. Pornography and porn related addictions are at an all time high and the average age a young man is first exposed to is 8 years old! Yes, these are terrible and horrible things being accelerated by social media and the internet at large. and we have a choice, we can  say we want nothing to do with it, completely reject the society and separate ourselves like the Amish OR we can tackle it head-on and deal with the real issue, people's hearts and minds. Sadly, I'm seeing many peers and those older than myself rejecting it and refusing to have anything to do with the modern technologies. Arguments cover anything from conspiracy theories and "big brother" to "I'm just not tech-savvy" to "be ye separate." While, the world is having a blast using social media to spread their garbage.

What's really heart-breaking is that when parents refuse to stay current with the world we live in, they have, by default, set their kids up for failure. Many christian adults are refusing to connect with where the world has gone in technology, and all the while our young people are out there fully aware and current with the modern times and free to get exposed to all sorts of debauchery. I personally believe that a wise parent is one who takes every measure possible to guard their children and teenagers' hearts and minds from the wiles of the evil one. And, in our day and time, that means in the area of technology! In our effort to be disconnected with the evils of the world, we have become disconnected with the temptations and stumbling blocks our children face. As parents,God has given you a duty to guard and protect your children, to be fully equipped for their upbringing and development. If we are ignorant of the latest technology trends or social media platforms, we are unequipped for the job in today's culture.

Over the past year, God has been stirring this on my heart as my husband and I transitioned into being full-time Youth Pastors. I had come to a place where I was tired of social media, felt like it was nothing more than a hub of drama, debauchery, and just something not worth my time. As I started really delving into current issues teens face and connecting with our teens, I realized that I needed to step up my game as a youth pastor to be wiser and so when parenthood comes into play, I'm not left on the sidelines in the battle against the enemy for the hearts and minds of my children. It's time for parents to step up their game, I'm blessed that may parents were fully aware of what was happening in the ever changing technology and were very CONNECTED to us kids to prevent the enemy from having easy access to us. As I see now the things teens in general are facing, I see now more than ever that parents need to step up their game, need to be vigilant more than in decades past.  There's a job to be done, we can't be disconnected any longer, we must be connected, alert, and aware of what our children have access to and have a knowledge on how to use and operate those things!

"so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes" - 2 Cor. 2:11 NLT

"Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 ISV

Parents, Youth Pastors, Pastors.... the time to be disconnected is not now, we live in a time where we need to be more connected than ever before to protect our children, teens, and flock!

~ Jessica

If you would like more information on this issue and others like it, please email Jessica  for materials and resources to help you as a parent or minister be better equipped for the issues teens and young people face in today's culture. 

QUALIFIED: series introduction

Too young. Too old. Too immature. Too mature. Too shy. Too bold. Too quiet. Too loud. Too reserved. Too talkative. Too poor. Too rich. Too colloquial. Too sophisticated. Too uncultured. Too cultured. Too spiritual. Too worldly. Too diplomatic. Too blunt. Too weak. Too strong. Too cold. Too warm. Too polite. Too rude. Too lax. Too strict. Too hopeful. Too realistic. Too unqualified. Too qualified. Too sheltered. Too exposed. Too complaisant. Too argumentative.

Too this. Too that....

Do these words strike something in you? Do they sound too familiar?

In my lifetime I've probably heard almost every single one used to describe myself at one time or another. While there have been times where some were accurate, there have also been many more times where they were so far from the truth. Where they were nothing more that the enemy's attempt to use someone's word to cause me to feel unqualified for the place I was was in.

No matter what field or career you find yourself in, these words can be terribly crippling if you allow them a place in your heart. In ministry ESPECIALLY, these words seem to all linger around anyone who's served in ministry for any considerable amount of time. For me, I can't count the times I've heard these words personally, or the number of times I've heard them about my parents and even my pastor. My parents served in the local church when I came into this world, and then before I turned one, they had moved away from their hometown and became senior pastors of a church in North Carolina. I had no choice in the matter, I was born into a pastor's home to grow up a pastor's kid regardless of what I may or may not have wanted. I was thrown into one of the most amazing and most horrible positions in life, a PK. A pastor's kid is just like any other child, except people take out their anger and frustration with the pastor on his family and kids. Its a low-blow, an evil device, but used quiet regularly none the less. As you grow up and start maturing, you're entrusted with responsibilities. These responsibilities are never given to you because you could actually be qualified,  or even remotely good at them, they're simply a fringe benefit of being the pastor's kid and he's just too blind to see your shortcomings, or so they say. Then you come of age, where you could choose a different path, a majority of PK's and Minister's Kids do. Despite all the negative experiences, despite all the hurtful ways "Christians" and congregants treat you. Despite all the stereotypes. Despite all the bad.... I decided to follow the call I knew was on my life. Even though many in my life saw me, and sometimes still do, as nothing more than a kid who benefited from her parents' position of authority, my Heavenly Father saw me as the person He called, the person He set apart, the person He positioned, the person He trained, the person He QUALIFIED.

It has taken me some time to get to a place where I fully realize that people and their opinions are simply that, people. They are imperfect human beings who can be rude, hurtful, and unkind just as much as they can be compassionate, loving, and kind. People will disappoint you and if you purely seek their approval and acceptance, you may have a season of popularity. A season of success. But it can all go away as quickly as it came, and you will be a disappointment to yourself. BUT, when you choose to only be concerned with the approval and acceptance of God, then you will find perfect peace in everything life throws at you. And in that, in realizing who HE qualified you to be, you will find staying power. You will find yourself qualified to stand through all the tests, storms, and battles that life brings. You will find that in spite of it all, you can pray for those who "despitefully use you." (Luke 6:28) That you can stand in the place or the pulpit He's called you to, free from all fear! And in that you become truly qualified to run your race!

When you find the criticism of others weighs more on your feeling qualified or not for the place you're standing, open up your Bible and reflect on the person you see in the perfect mirror of the Word!

Called. Qualified. Anointed. Appointed. Chosen. Sought out. Planted. Raised up. Equipped. Accepted. Righteous. Wise. New. Heir. Joint Heir. Blessed. Free. Bold as a Lion. Strong, Courageous. Full of Love. Holy. Blameless. Predestined. Preordained. Promised.  Alive. Joy. Confident. Complete. Fully Supplied. Loved. 

THAT is who you are and so much MORE!

"For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror. Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is. But he who looks closely into the perfect Law—the Law of freedom—and continues looking, he, being not a hearer who forgets, but an obedient doer, will as the result of his obedience be blessed."

James 1:23-25, WEY

Culture Doesn't Win

No matter what culture or judges may say, the bible will always be our moral compass of what is right and what is wrong. Sin will always be sin, but thank God that we have an answer for the world, not a compromise, it's the cleansing power of God's love and Grace! hod's love wins over sin! We have a job to do. Stand firm, don't be moved by culture.

Romans 1:18-32
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.... Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people-none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NLT)

1 Timothy 1:8-10
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine ... (ESV)
#lovewins #truelovewins #Godislove #Godistheanswer #Godlovesthesinnerhatesthesin #thegospel

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Unbiblical View of Love

When you read Paul's writings, by today's "Christian" standards and OPINIONS of "just love each other" he was one of the most judgmental and arrogant Christians out there..... He was calling believers "Dear Idiots of Galatia." he was turning people over "for the destruction of their flesh that their soul may be saved." He was pretty harsh in his judging the fruits and lifestyles of congregants and leaders who were giving themselves over to false doctrine, walking out of love, exploring and living in abased sexual perversion (the society of that time was just, if not more, sexually perverse as our culture), living "drunk with wine wherein is excess", and much much more! And he even judged Peter. All that to say, the modern church has adopted a warped unbiblical view of love. Love has become an excuse for not speaking out against injustice and sin. Love has become a crutch and a handicap to be comfortable and just live our simple life and call ourselves Christians but denying the power of the Gospel. Biblical love is one of the topics I have done much studying on, and I'm a huge believer in the importance of love in our lives as believers! But what modern Christians are claiming love is, have thoroughly missed the mark on true biblical love. It's important that we become scholars of the Word in these days, more than ever before. And that we don't interpret the truths in it in light of our flesh driven  or unsaved friends, family, leaders. The love of God brings men unto repentance, NOT the tolerance and acceptance of God.

hatred

Its amazing how hate can completely change the way a person sees the world and others. Hatred is such a powerful thing that it can and will alter your memory, emotions, and opinions without you even noticing it.

"Anyone who claims to live in God’s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It’s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God’s light and doesn’t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn’t know which end is up, blinded by the darkness." ~ 1 John 2:9-11 MSG


Short thought for today.... I have a felling there is more to come on this topic. Stay tuned.

FORGIVENESS: is it simply saying 'I'm sorry.'?

Forgiveness. This seems to be one of the most misinterpreted subjects in today's society. It's misinterpretation is right up there with love, which make sense considering how connected the two subjects are. Forgiveness is something I've thought on, meditated on, studied out, failed at, learned about through failure, and lived out. Forgiveness is a growing and maturing process. It is something that will be difficult at times, but to neglect it will cause you an even more difficult time. To some, forgiveness is merely saying, "I'm sorry." As a way of bringing peace, but really lacking any heart or true change to either parties involved. To others, it's a difficult process of laying everything out on the table and getting it off your chest. But, what is TRUE forgiveness? Is it as easy as saying, "I'm sorry." or is it difficult, tasking work? 

For those who may not know, I've grown up in ministry. I was born into a minister's home and for nearly 30 years I have been around the most wonderful situations and the most trying situations. I've seen Christians play church, I've seen others rise to the challenges of life and become a story of victory and success, I've seen others fall into the same patterns as sinners and often fall out of church or off their purpose and course God had laid before them. None of these people started out any different, but they all faced the same choice, forgiveness. Nine times out of ten, when someone falls out of the church and out of fellowship with the body of Christ, offense was the root of it all. This happens when something is done to a person or when they perceive that something is done to them and refuse to let it go. "But Jessica, you have no clue what they did to me!" No, that may be true, but I can say from experience that no matter what they've done to you it is not worth allowing bitterness, offense, and strife, the fruit of unforgiveness, to enter in to your heart. No matter what someone has done to you, you have a choice to live free of the wrongs and hurts caused or to live bound by them daily. The choice is always yours. 

How I learned what true forgiveness is.

As I stated previously, my personal background has shown me many things in the realm of Christian living. It has also afforded me many opportunities to be enslaved to hatred and bitterness towards the church and towards people who call themselves Christians. The temptations have been great in times past. How did I choose to stay in ministry, let alone in the church? Because I learned a valuable lesson many years ago about forgiveness. I was in my late teens and someone who had been very close to me and and integral part of my family's life,  left. They abandoned us. I won't go into the details as I feel it's not profitable, but there was much hurt, pain, and tears caused. At the time I was in college, surrounded by people who bashed Christians and the church as unloving, and having been a loud advocate against such accusations, I was experiencing an unloving situation and now found myself questioning. As the fruit of what this person did was becoming more and more evident, I became angry and bitter towards them. I allowed unforgiveness to grip my heart. At the time, I couldn't even see it. It happened so slow and before I knew it, I wasn't the Jessica I used to be. I was becoming more loose in my beliefs, seeking out advice from worldly people and making horrible decisions. I was so far from who I used to be, why? I didn't know at the time, I couldn't pinpoint it, but I just knew I was dissatisfied. I didn't like who I saw in the mirror, but I didn't know why. While hanging out one evening with some unsaved friends who were sharing their sadness, their troubles, all the things I had the answers to but didn't feel I was good enough to share the answer with them, I mean I was a hypocrite because I was walking in unforgiveness. In the midst of this I heard a voice I knew all to well from my youth, a voice I had muted because of shame and bitterness, but a voice I knew was always there. The voice said, "Jessica, I didn't call you to be like them, I called you to make them like you, spotless in my sight." There was something that ignited in me. But still the question remained, how did I get to this point? I began seeking God's face and seeking answers. Some time later I was in conversation with my mom(she may not even remember this conversation, but I do so very clearly), and the answer came. She said, "Jessi, I feel like you're spiraling out of control and I feel it's because you haven't forgiven so-and-so." And in my heart I knew my mom just gave me the key to being free from the bitterness in my heart. When I acted on this forgiveness, I felt liberated and felt more myself than I had been in a long time, and for the first time I saw how bound I had truly been. Things began to change drastically in my life and the relationship with that person was restored. I didn't lay everything out, nor did I simply leave it at "I'm sorry." I made a decision to forgive, ask their forgiveness for my anger and bitterness, and moved on as if things had never happened. It was that simple. Is this biblical forgiveness? I believe so and I'm going to show you what I found in scriptures that shows me this is the pattern to follow. 

What the Bible says about true forgiveness.

We find that Proverbs 17:9 in the Amplified Bible says, "He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends." And the NLT says it like this, "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." True forgiveness forgets the matter completely! This verse tells us that when you cover (hide from sight) an offense and forgive it that you are seeking love. But when we continually try to push our ideas or hurts through and talk or gossip about them, we become separated from even our closest friend. The number one relationship killer is offense. It killed countless marriages, countless pastoral relationships, countless businesses, and the like. 

In Proverbs 10:12 we find that, "Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions." When you have allowed unforgiveness and hatred to grip you heart, you will seek out and find faults with the other person to stir up and talk about. But when you allow love to reign in your heart, you will cover any transgressions the other person may do. And finally Peter tells us, "Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]." (1 Peter 4:8 AMP)

This last one has to be my absolute favorite in dealing with this subject. But there's a very important word each of these verses contains that I want to discuss: COVERS. We see the word "covers" referring to how love handles offenses and wrongs done to us. What does it mean? Does in mean you know it's there, but you just throw a sheet over it? It may be "covered," but you still have the knowledge of what was done to you, right? I had these same questions and had my beliefs of forgiveness challenged many times, but here's the liberating truth I found. The word "covers" used in these verses comes from the Greek word, kalyptō (Pronunciation: kä-lü'p-tō). The word kalyptō is a verb and it means to hide, veil, and to hinder the knowledge of a thing. To hinder the knowledge of a thing! So when we choose to forgive, we choose for the knowledge of all of offenses, hurts, pains, wrongs, violence in word or deed, anything done towards us that has caused us harm will be stripped from our thought life! We really will forgive and forget! We really can live free of those hurts and pains! We really can rise above the criticisms and hateful words of others. And, we really can live free of offense, bitterness, and strife, the fruits of unforgiveness! 

Finally I will leave you with, "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]." (Colossians 3:13 AMP)

Remember, no matter what is done to you,  Forgiveness is "readily pardoning" those who have hurt or caused you offense! You CAN quickly forget and move on. True forgiveness is that which lives free of any thoughts of the past. 

Choose to LIVE FREE today! 

Forgiven, 

Jessica

Thought of the Day: Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)

God's promises ALWAYS bring joy, peace, hope, and ignite our faith! When you hear the promises of God concerning your future, it brings you joy today, it brings you peace today, it brings you hope today, and it stirs your faith today! This is one of my many favorite verses, but this is a promise from my Heavenly Father that I've always pulled out in the midst of circumstances that would try to steal my joy and defer my hope. Why? Because when you have a goal or a dream for your future, it gives you the fuel to work towards it, to be propelled towards it and to grow each day into all that HE has for us in our future! You are never finished growing in Him, so there is always more to look forward to and grow into! And, there's always bigger dreams to dream and greater plans for the future to be made. When you've stopped looking into the future with joy and hope, you have stopped living.

LIGHT

"We are called to be light! So many in the church are dropping their light and walking away... That means it's time for our light to get brighter to make up for those that have walked away!"

JRT

Light Shines from Journey Box Media on Vimeo.

Why do people fight so hard to remain in bondage?

Why do people fight so hard to remain in bondage? This is a question I heard recently from a peer in a discussion. It propelled me into thought and searching for an answer. Why do people fight so hard to remain in spiritual bondage, when Jesus fought so hard to set them free? 

In thinking on this question two historical examples came to mind. First, I reflected on the plight of the African slaves in the U.S. They had lived generation after generation in slavery, in bondage. Then, one man set them free with the emancipation proclamation. The freedom was theirs to walk in, to reach out and take a life they had dreamed of, but what happened? Many remained to continue in the same routine they always existed in. Housework, fieldwork, picking cotton, and so forth. They were scared of the unknown, embracing their freedom meant living a life they were ignorant of, a life that headed in a direction that was unknown. Remaining in a state of moderate bondage, continuing the same tasks and life as always was familiar, known, and comfortable. 

Second, I reflected on the children of Israel. For centuries they were bound in slavery in Egypt, generation after generation knowing nothing other than bondage. They dreamed of a promised deliverer, but when he came and proclaimed God's plan to deliver them they murmured because in working towards bringing freedom, he was making their life in slavery "worse."   Then when freedom was granted, even after the miraculous ways God delivered them from that terrible bondage, they looked back fondly remembering how "easy" things were in Egypt. How much better things were. Why? Because it was familiar, comfortable, and known. Following the path of freedom was full of unknowns, "will we have grilled manna today or roasted quail? Water from the rock or ground? Will we face giant or armies of men?" and so forth. They desired to return to the bondage of Egypt simply because it was comfortable. 

Today, amidst their exodus from the bondage and the weight of sin and the world, we find Christians  longing to return to the bondage that they were delivered from. Albeit, "moderate" bondage, compared to their days before Christ, but bondage still the same. Failing to embrace the emancipation proclaimation spoken by the shed blood of Jesus. There is a longing to return to what is easy, familiar, and comfortable. Why? Because it's what they know. It's "safe." It's their comfort zone, and bondage or not they find it to be easy and familiar. And, living a life that is holy and according to the Word isn't popular or cool with people in the world. I know, our acquaintances in the world may say they respect our views, beliefs, and lifestyle choices... But we all know, we are usually the brunt of jokes and are viewed as really not all that cool, prudish, holy-rollers, etc. While we may say that it doesn't matter, many of us want to be "cool" and "not-your-run-of-the-mill-Christian." Because, somewhere along the line we crossed up who we're supposed to want to be like, who we should desire to please first and foremost. 

Why are we fighting so hard to stay in bodage? I've heard so many arguments for why it's ok to do this and that and why that isn't really a sin, it's just viewed as such because of some religious traditions and opinions, it's ok in moderation. But, let me ask you something..... Was that thing something that was a big part of your life in bondage to sin? Was it something you did when you were in spiritual slavery crying out for deliverance? For something real? Then why are you fighting so hard to continue to do it? To keep your "right" to do a habitual activity of your days before your freedom was given? Before you were delivered? What is so important about lighting up a blunt, smoking a cig, drinking a cocktail or brew? Just so you can enjoy a moderated reminder of the darkness you were delivered from? Aren't those the activities of a person bound to sin? Aren't those the equivalent of picking cotton and working hard in the fields as a slave? They scar your body, cause pain, and in the depths of them you long for deliverance? They are the things we've been delivered from regardless of personal views. They're not the traits of redemption, they're the shackles of the past trying to keep a hold on us to pull us back into the bondage. 

God is calling out for a people, a holy people, to step out. To be separate. To be untainted. To live above reproach. To be holy as He is holy.

So I ask you, 

Why are you fighting so hard to remain in bondage?

Stepping up and stepping out, 

JRT 

A few scriptures for further study:

This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him. If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. (1 John 1:5-10 MSG)

MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father--[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action]. And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world. And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments). Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him. But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him: Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. (1 John 2:1-6 AMP)

[Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:14-16 AMP)

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]-- [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, (Ephesians 1:4-7 AMP)

one. the journey begins....

Unity?

As sad as it may be, we live in a society which seems to have lost the true key to success. We've lost the art of being unified. 

A society where divorce has become the norm and longevity something rare. Where living together is taking the next step in the relationship and true commitment and covenant are a thing of the past. In all this, we have lost how to be committed in every aspect of life. And sadly, these mentalities have trickled into the church. 

Where we once found people on bended knee, we now find empty space collecting dust. Where we once found seats full of people hungry for revival, we now find people browsing their social media feed. Where we once found true reverence and respect for the man of God, we now find familiarity breeding contempt. 

ONE. Is a journey I began, in order to seek the face of God on these issues, to deal with the root of the problem, and to address a heart check each of us should make. 

I ask you to join me on a journey to return to being of one heart and one mind as we embrace our calling to be one body.  

- jessica              

Thought of the Day:

Rich is the man who cultivates love in his family and passes it on to the generations that follow. Poor is the man who cultivates hate and strife in his family to be carried on for generations. Will you leave a legacy of hate or a legacy of love? 

LEADERSHIP PROBLEMS: He's not doing his job.

LEADERSHIP PROBLEMS: He's not doing his job.

Even the best of leaders can't do it all on their own. Yes, many of us expect them to, and why not? That's all they have to do anyway, right? Its often easy to put the blame up the chain of command. In thinking on this common "leadership problem" that I've seen in churches I've traveled to and served in, i am reminded of Exodus 17:12. Moses, the leader of Israel who had been used by God to perform the most amazing miracles in Egypt, used to split the Sea, and countless other events, reached a point where he was unable to carry the weight of his duties. What happened? Rather than seeing it as a Leadership Problem, Aaron and Hur saw it as their problem. They found a stone to sit Moses on and held his hands up till victory was in hand. The lesson of this story? We have no idea the weight or burden our leaders face to help us live in victory when the battle comes. So, rather than blaming them for things not happening in the time frame we see fit or happening how we think it should happen, lets take the initiative and support them when their strength is waning and take hold of the victory together! How much more rewarding it is to have had a part to play in acquiring the victory along side your leader, than the condemnation in your heart of wishing you had done more to prevent failure!

"Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle." - Exodus 17:10-13 MSG

Do you see only leadership problems OR do you see leadership support opportunities?

Choose to be an Aaron or Hur and not a grumbler! :)

Supporting my leaders.
JRT

What Type of Wake are You Leaving?

In our lives we cross paths with all types of people. There are the ones that leave you with nothing but pleasant memories, inspiration to be a better person, and those who help you in pursuing your dreams. Then, there are those who leave you in pain, desolate of dreams and hope, and nothing but bitter memories of your time within their sphere of influence.

Upon thinking on this subject and a conversation I had with someone I admire and respect, I was reminded of boating. When you go to a lake, you often encounter different types of boats and water sports around you. You have the people relaxing as they softly row along in their canoe, which seems to leave little evidence of its path as it glides along on its course. To some it may go completely unnoticed, although its presence is there. Then, on the other extreme, you have the speed boats. They (recklessly, in some cases) fly across the surface of the lake. They leave an enormous wake that rocks boats, even ones rather far away that they didn't even pass by. They have left their wake and have rocked all the boats around causing issues to others attempting to follow their course.



Peoples lives are much like this example of boating. You have the "canoes," the ones who are following the course set before them and leave nothing but smooth water for those who cross their wake, even the little ducklings are safe from harm in their wake. These are the ones who love God and love people. They are the individuals who truly exhibit the heart of God. They leave a wake of peace. They haven't overturned lives and haven't even rocked babies in the Lord. But, most importantly, they have left a smooth wake that others can follow behind, the true mark of a true leader and person who exemplifies God's love.

Then, we have the "speed boats," the ones who are going along leaving a negative ripple effect. These are the people that blow through life, knocking others out of the way for their own personal fulfillment. Creating a wake of destruction wherever they go. A "little duckling," wouldn't be safe in the wake of such a passing. These are the people that overturn lives and cause harm wherever they go, because they have failed to realize the importance of the "wake" you leave in the stream life.

In life, the path we leave behind us is as critically important as the path we follow. If we leave nothing but inflicted hurt and destruction to others' lives behind us, have we really succeeded in following God's purpose for our life? I tend to think that is not the mark of success in God's eyes. Many accumulate wealth, use their wealth to fund the church and ministries, but what is their purpose behind it? Is their purpose truly to aid in winning the lost and helping fulfill the purpose of the church OR is it to manipulate the pastor/leader for their own purposes? Church hopping has become customary and acceptable to many. You feel that you stop growing or the church isn't going the direction you deemed appropriate for it to go, so you pack up, pull your money, and go down the road. Yet, you don't realize the devastation you've left behind by your immaturity to see things the way God sees them, and to submit where agreement ends. This behavior not only hurts the pastor and his family, but the ripple affect greatly impacts others in the body, even the baby christians and can overturn those caught in the wake of your destructive behavior.

We are called to live a life of love. A life of GOD's love working in and through us, not just loving the way we "think" is acceptable, but loving in accordance with God's commands in His Word. We are to grow up, to move past spiritual "bottles and diapers" and develop into someone who can contribute FULLY to the work of the church. Someone who can get their hands dirty, so to speak, in helping feed and "change the diapers" of the baby christians. Someone who by their wake, is leaving a course for others to follow as they grow and develop.

So, my challenge to you is..... What type of wake will you leave?

Will you leave a wake of destruction?
Or, will you leave a wake of peace and love?

The choice is yours, but the choice should be simple.

Loving people, regardless of title, social standing, economic situations, spiritual maturity or lack of, is our greatest calling and purpose.

1 Timothy 3
1 Cor. 10:23
1 Cor. 13

Loving God. Loving People.
JRT

Psuedo Faith vs. Real Faith

Pseudo-Faith = telling everyone you're believing God while you tell them specifics of all the things you need and all your circumstances.
Real Faith = telling God about your needs and circumstances. And going from that point with thanksgiving that the need is already met.

The first puts trust in others being moved with compassion, the later puts trust in God moving with His power to prove Himself faithful to His Word! Are you a manipulator of Psuedo-Faith or a Activator of REAL Faith?

I often notice in social media and in person, some people will tell you every single burden in their life and every single thing they are believing for, usually material and/or financial. I believe some of these people have a misconception of what real faith is. It's almost as if "faith" and "believing God" and "making good confessions" are used to manipulate others into being your provider. I've never felt comfortable with such behavior. Perhaps it's the way I was brought up and the ministers I was brought up under. Raised on Kenneth E. Hagin, Kenneth W. Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Scott Webb, Jesse Duplantis, and many other leaders in the faith movement some of who have gone on to be with The Lord, I had many years of the Word of Faith being planted deeply in my heart. I never heard these ministers instruct people to speak their problems to others, in fact I heard them talk against such behavior. And most importantly, in the Word I have never seen examples of such behavior. What I have seen is encouragement to speak, with your mouth, to the circumstances and to thank God for His Word and Promises and faithfulness to perform His Word! To tell people all your circumstances and problems, will cause well meaning people to "feel led" to give to you, because compassion rises at hearing your need. And then, if you have a conscious, you have the guilt of feeling like you manipulated a "blessing" out of them. I speak from personal experience, I have been in a place where I was pressured and pressured because someone wanted me to do something with them that I didn't have the finances for. However, I knew this person's heart and giving personality and didn't want to take advantage of it. I kept making excuses and finally got pressured into telling them I didn't have the finances to do it, and of course they said they were providing and wouldn't take no for an answer. Even in that instance I felt so guilty. Felt like a manipulator. We never want to live life like that, and we never want to go through life questioning whether we manipulated the "blessing" into working for us, and begin to question faith. That's when we enter into works and get to a place where it's me making faith work and it's my power, and forget why faith works.

When we get unbalanced in reference to the gospel, we find our selves doing things in our own strength, using cute "Christianese" and "faith-lingo" to sound like faith warriors when really we are carpetbaggers riding on the coattails of victory, using and manipulating it for our own personal advancement and material gain. True faith works in an entirely different manner. The believer that truly understand faith and how it works appears to be facing no serious battles. Often a true warrior of faith is understated by those around them. They appear to have a carefree life never facing serious issues like WE face, by the casual onlooker. But the truth of the matter is, they wage spiritual warfare on the true battlefield. They know who their source is, and it is not people. They understand people may be a vessel, but the vessel only transfers what is needed from the source to the receiver. They understand God is their source and that He is the one who takes care of them. They may be facing battles you can't even fathom, but you'd never know it. Because they know the victory has already been won, they've taken hold of it and seized it by faith in the midnight hours and they have joy and peace because they know God will bring it to pass!

It is truly wonderful to see God bring about answers to the deepest desires of your heart, to prayers and needs you've told no one but Him about. When these things happen, faith explodes and grows. Your vision and capacity to believe increases enormously. I've experienced such events in my life as well. Once small example, my sister and I were struggling financially during our time at bible school. I had no money and was waiting on a paycheck that got delayed. We had boxed Mac and cheese, some butter, and soured milk that was gross to smell. We made Mac and cheese and ate it, feeling reminiscent of the widow woman who said to the prophet, "I have enough to make a meal for my son and I, and then we will die." perhaps our situation wasn't that drastic, but at the time it felt like it as we had no idea where our next meal was coming from, BUT GOD. We told no one, not even our parents. As we ate, we prayed over our food and prayed that our storehouses were full, even though in the natural our cupboards and fridge were empty, we chose to believe God's Word works. The next day, bags of fresh groceries were on our door. And it was all really nice, organic and top of the line! We ate like queens! We cried and knew it was ALL God! Our faith in Him and Him alone had activated the blessing in our life. Like manna from heaven, groceries we needed to survive until the finances turned around were provided, and we ate even better than we had been eating off of our own finances. When you put your trust in God and His word, it is an unexplainable feeling of joy that HE,not another person, BUT HE heard the cries of your heart and your greatest needs and HE was faithful to perform His Word in your life!

When God meets your needs, it's always bigger and better!

That is truly living by faith and in God's prosperity!

Who is your source?

JRT

"Poster Child" Parenting

Parents - when you make one of your children the "poster child" standard for the rest to attempt to live up to, you have doomed your children for a life of continually failing to live up to your "standards." Every child has a path unique to them, that only they can walk! Smart is the parent that realizes this early on and cultivates the passion unique to each child. #yourinfluencematters

Speaking about my Rhema Experience and the Spirit of Faith STILL being taught!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=rBhtjsyPyuA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DrBhtjsyPyuA

Faith for Your Future Beloved

Faith for Your Future Beloved

Today, as many are receiving balloons, chocolates, flowers, teddy bears, and various romantic gifts from their Valentine's, there are those who may not have someone. For many years, in my trying to be "cute," I referred to today as SAD, Single Awareness Day. I would joke about it and kind of drown my sorrows and loneliness and longing for romance by joking. It was a year ago today, that I changed that "tradition."

A year ago, as I was working at Hallmark and being faced on a daily basis with straightening LOVE cards, hearts, and romance, romance, romance.... I found a bitterness trying to seize my heart and thoughts. I found myself questioning God about His timing, "You promised me I wouldn't be alone in this journey, but when am I not going to be alone? I sure feel alone..... EVERYONE else has someone to share their life with...." I will never forget hearing, "Well, you can have what you say." I remember thinking, "I know that.... But I'm still single..." And then clearly I heard, "What are you saying on Valentine's Day?" Then it hit me.... What a horrible stance I had been taking! Instead of using the season of "love" to stand in faith for a future mate, I was allowing myself to get in a rut of NOT standing in faith and NOT trusting God. So, a year ago today, I changed my stance. I made a change in my heart and declared Valentine's Day no longer Single Awareness Day, but rather Faith for My Future Beloved Day! I took the time to pray for my future mate ... To pray for him to know the direction he needed to go at the right time and for me to be able to love him freely and unconditionally the way God loves me. There are many other things I prayed along these lines and I felt such peace, not bitterness, in the midst of romance being around me.
In just a years time, I've seen the fruit of some of those prayers, and I am hopeful for the full harvest that will come in my future as I remain in faith for the things I prayed out regarding my future beloved.

So, my dear single friends.... When you approach Valentine's Day (or any day, for that matter) and still find yourself in a season of being single, don't get caught in the rut of "Single Awareness Day" as I did, rejoice in the opportunity to stand in faith for your future beloved..... And don't dare compromise your dreams, standards, and desires just for the sake of having someone to fill the loneliness, because it is far better to hold out for the RIGHT one and wait patiently for God's PERFECT timing... Trust God that He has a perfect plan and a mate that fits perfectly into the plan He has designed for your life. When God writes your love story, it is the greatest story of all time... So trust Him and do your part to remain prayerful and in faith for your future mate!

How to pray for your future beloved:

Father God,

I thank You that in this season you are surrounding my husband/wife with peace as they face whatever circumstances may come their way.
Father, I thank You Your provision goes before them, that they are becoming more and more aware of just how generous You are.
I thank You that each day they grow in the experiential knowledge of Your pure, unconditional love for them and that in that experience they are prepared for having a healthy, loving marriage.
I thank You that they never lack wisdom, that when they are faced with decisions to make, they know which way to go and don't veer off the path, but stay fully in tune with the call and when the time is right, our paths will merge the way You ordained.
And Father, help prepare me to be the best spouse possible for my future beloved. Teach me how to love as You love. Grant me wisdom on how to help them be the best they can be by encouragement, support, and love.

I pray all these things in the precious name of Jesus, Amen!


"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--" (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)

Happy Valentine's Day!
JRT

Stinking Thinking: "This disease is my burden to bear... It's a gift!"

Many in the church embrace the belief that sickness and disease are a way in which God works out patience in us, or that it's a special burden that only they could bare and so God entrusted them with it.... What prideful, unbiblical thinking! Such thinking is full of a false humility that, "little ol' me was the only one God could give this burden to to bear and I will humbly take on this burden ..." Such thinking is steeped with pride.... But, often you'll find those same people go to doctors trying to get rid of the very burden "God gave" them... Funny, if you really, really had the "grace" and "strength" to endure this amazing "gift" God gave you..... Why on earth would you seek medical help to rid yourself of it?????

The truth: Sickness and disease is no more a gift from God than I am a monkey's uncle! Anything that brings even the scent of death or destruction is of the enemy John 10:10), and NOT orchestrated by God! God only orchestrates and gives what bring life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).
Sickness and disease is not something to embrace, it's something to be cast off! We don't embrace defeat in the world of sports, do we?? Embracing sickness and disease is the same as a runner who finished last embracing his failure as some wonderful gift to rejoice in.... What silly thinking! NO, sickness and disease are to be cast off..... And health and healing are to be embraced! Health and healing are the victory we embrace! We glory in the GOODNESS of God that he ONLY brings us a song of victory, that satan tried His best to kill, still, and destroy from us..... But Jesus conquered hell and the grave, we have a covenant with Jehovah Rafa (The lord that Healeth Thee), and He gave us a shout of victory because He brought us abundant life and all the benefits that entails!

Get your thinking away from stupid traditions and doctrines and get it in line with the WORD of God.... TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!

1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5

You are the HEALED of The Lord!

Get rid of stinking thinking,
JRT

Men Need Honor!

"A man's number one need is honor, you honor him and you can watch him just rise up! Wise is the woman that knows how to honor a man!" ~ Karen Jensen

So many young women have failed to realize this. Our society bombards us with the "normalcy" of the buffoon, idiotic husband and the intelligent wife.

This unbiblical mentality has infiltrated the christian world, but it is time for godly women to rise up.... To be the helpmates they're called to be and honor their husbands as the BIBLE admonishes them to and then watch the MIGHTY men of God rise to their ordained calling and place! Why havent men been walking in such a place? I believe it is because women haven't been fulfilling their purpose and calling as wives! It is time for women who will honor their husbands and will be the kindling that will catch these mighty logs on fire to rise up!!!!!!

Where are such young women???

Women of God, you want to see a change in the men of our generation? Then YOU rise up to you ordained place!!!!!

Rising up,
JRT