I wasn't always baptist.

I had a bad habit a few years ago where I would only write these posts out of frustration and use them as a way to vent {my sister may have called me out on that one! ha}. I really think I've gotten better at that over the past year, but unfortunately this morning I'm writing about something that could very well come across as venting, but I promise I will do my best to channel my frustration to only share with you what God has made heavy on my heart... here we go.

Currently, Tyler and I attend Willow Creek Baptist Church in Midhurst. We absolutely love it, sure we've had our small things here and there - but overall, I LOVE my church. I've been going there now for over 2 years and let me tell you, it took a long time to feel at home when it comes to the social side of things, but right off the bat I loved what this church was about. Not only do I love Sunday morning services, hearing our pastor preach the word of God, but it goes beyond 'church attendance'. We are able to be actively involved in the church, using our gifts and abilities to serve the Lord and further HIS kingdom. We've built {and continue to build} amazing friendships and relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ AND we continue to be challenged every week by the messages that God lays upon our Pastor's heart. We are seeing the Spirit move in our church and we are blessed to call Willow Creek our home.

But, I wasn't always baptist.

Thats right, for those of you who know me well enough to know that I grew up in the Reformed Church, you may be shocked to read that - maybe not. If I had to define my denomination - I am Baptist. But what does that even matter?

Will you really define me, my family or my friends based off of the 'denomination' of the church they attend? Ultimately, isn't it about Jesus and whether or not we have given our lives to his mission? I understand if you know someone who attends a church that is way out in left field - not even close to following the biblical layout of a church, but thats NOT the case for me, for Tyler or for many that I know. The point is not whether or not I am Reformed or Baptist or Pentecostal, the real question should be: has she been captivated by the grace and mercy and love of our Heavenly Father and does the compel her to live a life that is worthy of the calling she has received? {Ephesians 4:1 "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."}

Here is some background information. I grew up in the Reformed Church, it was only when I was about the age of 16 that my parents gave me (and my siblings) the freedom to taste other churches. Some of you may read that and cringe, wondering why my parents would ever allow for their children to leave their church. "If they truly believe in the practices and theology of their church, why would they let their children go elsewhere"... if you are thinking that right now, please hear me out. I have the utmost respect for my parents. In fact, through their allowing me to attend a Pentecostal youth group and eventually attend a Baptist church I learned very quickly that it is not your church denomination that defines you. It is your faith in the one and only God that defines you, and how you allow that to change your life. I met MANY amazing Christians who were evidently living for Jesus in all three churches, the Reformed church, my Pentecostal youth group AND in the Baptist Churches. My parents did not make me feel like 'less of a Christian' just because I was learning from other believers and churches that had some different theology from their own. Yes, my parents did stay on top of it; they would be sure to challenge me in what I was learning, making sure that all that I was taught was biblical, teaching me discernment etc.  I am THANKFUL that I was able to experience a taste of different denominations. My parents were NOT wrong in allowing me that freedom, and I am no less of a Christian as a result... in fact I am stronger now than ever before because of my journey.

Sometimes I find that it can be so easy for believers to get caught up in a 'denomination-battle'. This is silly and so very pointless because it never goes anywhere. To argue as a Reformed person that you are a 'better Christian' because you think your theology is more biblical' then the Baptist IS indeed wrong, AND vice-versa. The reason I keep throwing 'reformed' and 'baptist' out there is because both of these have greatly impacted MY life. Should we really spend so much time arguing over our differences? I understand, if something is biblically wrong, then yes we should approach that issue with Grace and with a gentle Spirit and pray that God would correct the wrong, but when it comes to church traditions and preferences... how about we just get over it?

Don't pick on the Christian who appreciates the Hymns and the Organ. Don't pick on the Christian who appreciates the worship band. Don't pick on the Christian who raises their hands of dances during musical worship, or shout's AMEN in the middle of a church sermon. Don't pick on the Christian who appreciates repeating the Lord's prayer every week. Just because YOU don't prefer it, doesn't mean its wrong for others to do it. For those of you who think its biblically wrong and border-line sinful to do any of the things I just mentioned (and those are just a few popular examples I hear often) I think you need to brush up on learning the context of the verses you're reading. If you ruin relationships with friends or family {this one hits home for me} because they attend a church that does things differently from you - how sad is that. Let me tell you, it TRULY hurts on a deep level. If you know someone who has been led astray by false teachings or strange beliefs they call 'truth', be in prayer for them, talk with them, be an example for them - don't shun them. If you know someone who attends a God-Fearing Church,  but it is indeed different from yours, praise the Lord that they are saved and living a life that shows fruits of the Spirit. Don't get caught up in shallow, meaning-less differences. If you know someone who attends a church faithfully, but doesn't actually show any fruits of the Spirit, and doesn't actually 'live a life worthy of their calling', but yet they call themselves 'Christian', pray for them, encourage them, work with them. In any of those situations, ruining a relationship IS the wrong thing to do.

Finally, I want to mention something that is actually quite hard for me to say {although a lot easier to do through writing}, so please read this with an open mind and heart. If you have ever found yourself in a similar situation to me, you will understand this.

To grow up in the Reformed Church and then years later find yourself in a Baptist Church is NOT easy. It is not easy to have God teaching you things that completely change your mindset and change your thoughts. When God reveals to us truth in Scripture, it WILL change your life. It was the hardest thing for me to finally say, "not only do I attend a Baptist Church, but I AGREE with their theology". It  was challenging to admit to myself, and it is continually challenging to talk about with others. I believe it takes a TON of courage and faith to say, "God, my whole life I believed this, I was taught to be this way and think this way. I believed the bible was telling me this and that... but now, you have opened my eyes to see and you have revealed to me things that have made me fall flat on my face. I know you are asking me to in a sense 'let go' of my previous way of things and start fresh."

It . Is. So. Hard.

I have many close friends, and most of my family who have different views on things. Things like Baptism, Church Structure, Communion, Worship etc. To stand up and say, I know I used to think like you, but now God has changed my heart and I feel that he has revealed to me truth in Scripture which has made it possible for me to have the views I have now - is extremely difficult. For me, to tell my parents - who baptized me as a baby - that I am going to choose to be baptized as an adult - was one of the hardest things I've faced yet. They may not fully understand, but you know what?! They support me and love me in it and I pray that God will reveal to them WHY I am doing this. If this is news to you, yes I DO plan to be baptized. Why? I don't want to go into all the specifics {aka. I don't want to debate}... so let me just put it this way: I want to live a life that follows in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. HE is the PERFECT example by which I will live my life and I will follow HIM to the water. This does not mean that I have not been a true Christian up to this point, no! It does not mean that I don't respect my parents and their reasoning for baptizing me as a baby. When my parents baptized me as an infant, they were publicly stating that they would do their best to raise me in the faith and teach me all that God has taught them. This is amazing and actually very similar to what we call a baby dedication in the baptist church. I look on that now and am blessed that my parents did that. I am not throwing it away by getting baptized now. I am not over-looking it or taking away from its value. I promise you that! I am choosing to say that I believe that God intended for Jesus to be dedicated as a baby at the temple (Luke 2) and baptized as an adult and I want to follow in that as a faithful servant of OUR Lord.

There are people in my life who will look down on me, maybe even look down on my parents for this choice that I make. and this burdens my heart more then you will ever know. So in closing, I just want to encourage you to remember that we are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ. We are ALL sinful and ALL saved by grace alone. We may go to different buildings on Sunday mornings, we may have different preferences and opinions... but please do not let this become a war between you and other Christians.

Romans 14:13-23 {"let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way... let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification... so whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God..."}

Amen? Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. If it is not a faith issue {eternity issue} and is more about preference and taste, do what you believe to be true for yourself. Do not show contempt towards someone because you have differences. For Jesus showed love to all... "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28} 

We are all one in Christ Jesus.

To God Be the Glory.

A merciful, purposeful, costly, rewarding invitation of Jesus

A Merciful Invitation...

We have to remember that we have nothing in us to draw Jesus to us. When Jesus called the first disciples long ago it had nothing to do with who they were or what they had to offer. So it is with us, we are saved solely by Gods Grace and Mercy. We are disciples because Christ first pursued us, that IS the gospel - it is what Christ has done. Jesus chose the disciples {and us today} because of Mercy In Him, not because of Merit In Us.

I think most of us learn this early-on in our walk of faith, but how often do we remind ourselves of it? How often do we begin to think that God saved us because we are strong enough, good enough, or 'christian enough'? When we think this way, even in the most subtle ways, we steal the significance from Christ's death on the cross... we lose the entire meaning of the gospel. Why? Because Christ's death was for those who could not save themselves, it was for those who were AND are completely hopeless. It was for those who had nothing to give to earn this redemption for themselves, it was for those who had nothing to offer to claim salvation. If you are saved, it is not because you are worthy or because you deserve it. If you are saved, it is because Jesus Christ paid the price for you and for your imperfection. 

A Purposeful Invitation...

If you have accepted Christ's merciful invitation to follow him and be a disciple {true Christian}, than there is always a purpose behind your following. This is where I feel MANY 'Christians' miss the point. You were shown Mercy for a Mission. You cannot accept God's Mercy and leave it there... that would be wasteful and selfish. To be called by Christ includes being commissioned; to BE a disciple means to MAKE disciples. 

We get so caught up in this world and in this earthly life. Get a career, own a big house, work work work, start a family, buy new things, look better, feel better, make your life secure and safe... PLEASE! Don't WASTE YOUR LIFE. Everything in this life is meaningless. King Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived learned this the hard way. He fell away from God, got so caught up in riches, in sexuality, in false teachings, in power and control and status... in the end he realized it was all a waste. It was ALL for NOTHING. Why do Christians put so much effort and energy into building for themselves a nice, peaceful, comfortable, secure, safe life here on this earth. Do we not know that this world WILL pass away? You cannot take anything from this life with you after death - only your heart for serving the Lord will remain. The things that we think are important and crucial to life are not - unless our true hearts desire is Jesus Christ and spreading the gospel.

How many of us have shared the gospel and seen someone come to Christ in the past year?

In the past 2 years?

In the past 10 years?

How many of us have EVER shared the gospel?

We need to be INTENTIONAL. This mission is crucial.

Think about the people in your life right now: 

family, friends, acquaintances. even strangers on a day-to-day basis.

I think all of us can think of someone in our reach that either does not know Jesus, or has fallen away, OR is deceived into thinking that they are saved when they are not.

I know MANY.

Why are we not intentionally pursuing these people and trying to allow God to reach them through our words and our actions. 

There are millions of people {a handful of which have been placed in OUR lives} that are headed for an eternity of separation from God... does that HIT you?!?! Do you understand?!?!?

To be a disciple means to MAKE disciples. No excuses. Its just what you do.

So if you don't do it, you are wasting time... or maybe you aren't truly FOR Christ...

A Costly Invitation...

It's not about safety and its not about comfort. Like I mentioned earlier, why do we spend SO much time and energy in trying to build ourselves a nice little life here on earth {store up treasures on earth} when we are called to pay the cost of following - which means giving it all up...? God blesses us materially and financially and with nice things, of course, but have you been consumed by these things?  Are they the things that make your life 'joyful' 'comfortable' 'safe' or 'secure'.? If so, be careful. Have we TRULY counted the cost of following Christ? If you accept his merciful invitation and start living a purposeful life {as we are SUPPOSED to} than comfort and certainty are no longer your concern {you have paid the cost}, your possessions are no longer your own. In fact, it is more dangerous to be safe than to be reckless. Sometimes people look at those who sell everything they have and move their lives and families to countries where there is war and suffering, they say that it is unwise and reckless. Is it? Reckless people are what we NEED to reach those who are in darkness. If you are 'safe', you are in danger of missing the entire point of WHY you have been saved. If you are 'comfortable' then you are finding your joy and satisfaction in meaningless and temporary earthly things. 

He is sending us out like sheep among wolves. That picture is clear and brutal. There WILL be persecution if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. Maybe not to the point of death for all of us, maybe not even to the point of physical harm for some, but there WILL be persecution. Pick up your cross and follow him. Follow Him no matter the cost.

A Rewarding Invitation...

Always remember that when Jesus is calling us to sacrifice, he is calling us to satisfaction. He tells us that when we LOSE our life, we will FIND our life {eternal life}. Jesus tells us a story in the bible of a man who finds a hidden treasure in a field, so he goes and sells all of that which he has {literally - all of it!} and he uses the money to buy that field. People see this and because they do not know about the hidden treasure, they cannot imagine how he could do something like this. It would seem reckless to them, wouldn't it? Yet he knows that the hidden treasure is far more valuable than all that he currently had - and he did everything he could to get a hold of that treasure... 

Are we willing to give up everything for the hidden treasure Christ has shown us? Is an eternity in  heaven, together with Jesus himself worth all that we currently have? Please know that is TRULY is. If you have accepted Christ's merciful invitation and you are living a purposeful life making disciples and allowing God to work through you in order to save others, if you are willing to sacrifice everything and pay the cost of following Jesus and living the life that he has called you to, then you WILL be rewarded - and it will be far better than what you can even imagine now. It is worth far more than all the treasures you can build up on this earth. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, "The cost of discipleship is great, but the cost of non-discipleship is far greater..."

Do we believe that Jesus satisfies? Do we believe that he is Worth it all?

Then GIVE YOURSELF to the PURPOSE of which you have been CALLED.

Our Priority MUST be the gospel.

Pray like Jesus

Currently Studying Jesus' Example of Prayer. Some thoughts from Today's devotion... 

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our prayers are to be "TO the father, THROUGH the son, BY the Spirit." 

Something I've really been noticing as of late is how much my prayer life has changed since I was younger. A few years back, when I was between ten and probably sixteen, 

I was under a mis-conception that prayer has to always be SO formal. 

I didn't understand the meaning of "approaching the throne of grace boldly!" 

Don't get me wrong, I know what it means to be respectful and to be reverent...

... but reverence doesn't mean heartless. 

And reverence doesn't mean boring.

Our Prayers are to be TO the father. Always remember who you are talking to.

Remember to be respectful, remember the character of God and his attributes.

Don't be lazy, don't be half-hearted, don't be careless.

But PLEASE do not be heart-less and impersonal.

When we Pray, we depend on GOD's love and grace, we can be confident in knowing 

God HEARS me, God LOVES me and God IS good! 

Be bold!

Don't get caught up in ritualistic rules.

God wants us to be personal, to show emotion, to spend time with him sharing the depths of our hearts.

How can we do that if our prayer life is so... boring?...

Some people pray the same prayer every day, with out any heart in it.

Some people pray before their meals because they 'should'. 

Some people only pray in church.

Some churches only pray pre-planned, written out, formal and ritualistic prayers.

Leave room for the SPIRIT to move. 

Most of the time, prayer is not to move the hand of God (although prayer can definitely do that)

but rather prayer is used to change our hearts. 

Trust God. Learn from Him and Obey Him. 

This builds a stronger and more personal relationship with Him. 

But this can only happen when we pray with hearts and souls, rather than with empty words

and heart-less phrases. 

Pray Without Ceasing.

Prayer is to be woven into our lives; Into everything we do and in every moment of every day,

acknowledge God and involve him in your thoughts, actions, words, plans etc.

Jesus didn't teach one basic outline of prayer. 

Prayer was woven into all of his teachings, into his life example through -out all of the gospels. 

If communicating is part of a relationship, 

and prayer is communicating to God,

then prayer MUST be essential in order to have a relationship with God.

Pray Scripture. 

Prayer and the Word go hand in hand.

In prayer, we speak to God and in reading the Word, God speaks to us.

Pray before you read, pray while you read, pray after while you reflect.

Pray PAINFUL prayers.

Jesus didn't just prayer about his victories. 

He was betrayed, beaten, mocked - and yet He prayed in his anguish.

Tell God how hard it is. Be real.

With the cross on the horizon, Jesus didn't pray, "Father, get me OUT of this!"

No! Rather he prayed, "Father, get me THROUGH this!"

He prayed so he could remain faithful,

so he could glorify God, so he could honour God,

and so he could worship God!

Sometimes it can't be about our comfort,

rather it is about God's purpose. 

Pray that God would reveal his purpose to you, 

and until then, whether he does it in this life or the next,

take faith and TRUST him. 

the secret to being content

Contentment is only found in God

This is another devotional writing of mine from last week. I've been wanting to share it on here, but haven't had the chance to write it out until now. Although Sunday's service at Willow Creek Baptist Church (midhurst, ontario - share us a visit!!) was a total confirmation that God has really been putting this on my heart for a reason - so I'm glad I got to taste that before sharing this with you. Anyways, here we go...

- - - - - - - - - 

During a time of high stress and frustration, I'm reminded today to:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances..." 
 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I was reflecting on this passage, I kept coming back to one of my favourite passages that has a very similar idea behind it; Paul's teaching to be content in any & every circumstance. Paul says:

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 
whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 
I can do everything through him who gives me strength." 
Philippians 4:11-13

So what is the secret to being truly content?
Contentment is only found in God.

Some may think they are content, they may feel at ease, but their contentment only comes from money and material things. If they lose all of that, they are lost. They are no longer able to be productive for the Lord because their focus becomes exactly what they were dependant upon: worldly things. We must remember that if we are dependant on the Lord and if we are content with only Jesus, then when troubles come we will focus all the more on what we believe will get us through: God. Jeremiah 17:5-7 says, "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his own strength... blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

*In some way, not being rich; not having an abundance of materials things { the things that are SO easy to crave and long for} - is a blessing in disguise (in disguise because it is so hard to have this lifestyle in this money-run world, it goes against the pull of society) BUT it may actually make it easier to not love the world or find our contentment in the world, but rather in God*

What makes Paul able to say He knows how to remain content when in plenty AND when in need? He "can do all things through Christ who gives {him} strength".

Only Christ can bring contentment. A lot of the time people miss the actual context of this verse, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". We apply it to almost every situation you can think of, which isn't wrong - but the verse is actually specifically referring to how is Paul able to be content and remain content through the ups and downs. Being content has nothing to do with what you have, or what you own. Rely on Christ for everything. It may even be better translated, "I have strength for all circumstances through him who strengthens me."

Without Christ, we don't truly have the ability to enjoy life to its fullest. Our joy will be taken from us with every hardship, every trial, every failure, every disappointment etc. And I think we can all agree that these things happen all the time. We may have days where we don't feel happy {but thats just an emotion, and the bible tells us that emotions are fleeting}, our JOY however, will remain because we know that Jesus always remains. 

Obstacles to contentment:
1. Greed {Hebrews 13:5-6}
2. Envy
3. unhealthy sense of entitlement {1 Timothy 6:6-8}

Learn contentment:
1. Give. Giving will adjust your priorities and remind you of your blessings.
2. Be thankful and SHOW your appreciation constantly.

Contentment ultimately is an outworking of our faith, it is actually not something to be over-looked, it is key to our relationship with Christ. The closer our personal relationship to God is, the more we trust Him and the less we will be bothered by the circumstances of life. We can rest easy because we are resting in his power and sufficiency, not our own. 

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After hearing a missionary from Japan speak on Sunday, sharing of the major challenges they faced after the earthquakes and tsunami's in Japan, I was reminded of Paul's crucial message of contentment, {Ironically enough, this specific missionary's name was also Paul}.
Despite life's challenges, big or small, we can do ALL things with CHRIST's STRENGTH
IF we learn to find our contentment in Christ Alone. He will steady our feet when the path before us is rough, He will hold us up when the waters rise, He will be our light through the ever increasing darkness. We will trust in Him to provide our every need and we believe that he makes beautiful things out of dust.