Having an Affair

"Jack and Grace met through a mutual friend. From day one they seemed to be the perfect match. Grace was everything Jack had always wanted. She was beautiful, outgoing, and caring—always there when Jack needed her.

For the first five months they were inseparable. Jack could hardly think of anything but Grace. He didn’t need to look further, he told friends. “She’s the one.”

Now almost three years have passed. Jack still enjoys the comfort and familiarity of being with Grace, but the spark is gone. Grace’s flaws seem more obvious. He’s not sure he finds her as attractive as he once did. And he’s beginning to resent all the time she wants to spend with him.

One night, when she asks if they can define the nature of their relationship, Jack blows up. “We’re together, aren’t we?” he asks angrily. “Why isn’t that enough for you?”
Obviously, Jack isn’t ready for commitment. And it’s unclear if he ever will be…
.
Have you ever been in a relationship like this? You need to know something about this couple. There are millions of Jacks walking around today. And Grace isn’t a girl.
Grace is THE Church!"

Recent conversations have fired me up about people's commitment to the local church. There seems to be a movement of some Christians who believe that the local church is no longer necessary for a successful walk with God. It seems to me that some people simply are having an affair with church rather than marrying her!

In an affair there is no comitment required at all. Its all about fulfilling selfish desires of one's flesh. Its the attitude "what can you do for me?". An affair usually doesn't last too long; the people having the affair get tired or bored and move on to the next big thrill or challenge that they see.

A marriage on the other hand is full of 100% committment. Through good days and bad days, when you feel like it or not, when you are attracted to them or not, when you appreciate them and when you don't; a marriage still lasts and the ones in the marriage are still committed to each other.

I believe that too many "Chirstians" are having an affair with the local church. Too many are afraid of being committed to a local church. There is a definite sense of entitlement in my generation. My generation asks questions and makes statements like:

What can this church do for me?
Why is the sound/lights/stage/etc like that?
I don't like the way the pastor is dressed.
The pastor didn't smile at me or shake my hand today.
Why are they always talking about money?

Blah, Blah, Blah
Etc, Etc, Etc.

People like that will leave you the first chance they think they see something better. They will leave the first time they are offended, the first time things didn't go like they thought they should, the first time the pastor or leadership team had to correct them, the first time their seat was taken by someone else, etc!

I THINK SOME OF US HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT........JESUS AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS!

When you realize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for you it changes everything. Christianity is the only religion that is not for the selfish. Thank God for his grace and what He did for me, but once I get saved it doesn't stop there. I am supposed to, and should want to tell others about my savior and what He did for me on the cross.

I want to encourage you to get planted in the local church! Be committed, sacrifice, volunteer, give it everything you got, invite people to church, watch friends and family members get saved, honor your pastor and treat him like the Man of God that he is!

The Bible gives us a little secret about getting planted in the local church in Psalms 92:13 "Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God." (NKJV)

I just want to encourage you to stop having an affair with the local church and marry her. The local church needs strong people like YOU! Be committed, volunteer, be faithful, give your money, time, energy, ideas, and resources. Bless your pastor and don't hinder his calling. Don't cause strife or make the "church experience" all about yourself...because it isn't. It's all about JESUS and its our job as Christians to lay down our pride or fear of commitment and tell as many people as we can about HIM!

Today, take a look at your levels of commitment with your local church, examine your heart, and then YOU SHOULD PUT A RING ON IT!

Get Planted Today!



(Exerpt at time taken from: Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris.)
Also, shout out to Pastor Carl Lentz for also inspiring this...

Get Real by Gina Gennaro

Get Real

Someone would be foolish to say that Satan was stupid and didn’t know what he was doing. He has studied mankind since the beginning of time and also has watched our own individual lives since we were born. Besides God and the angels, the devil knows us best. He can see our past and the areas that we struggle with or have had habitual sin in. He does not play fair and is not looking out for your best interest.

This is like in football when the coaches and team get together before a big game to watch the opposing team’s game film. They study it, take notes, strategize, and most of all they look for their opponent’s weaknesses. Is their protection of the quarterback slacking because all their good linemen graduated last year? Have any of the receivers been injured lately? What is the best way to cripple their team to a crushing defeat that can be bragged about for years to come? The devil does this same thing in the lives of saints. He tries to find your weaknesses so that he can use them against you. The devil has one agenda and one agenda only. John 10:10 puts it this way: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (NKJV).

            So as a believer how do you succeed and conquer the trials and schemes of the enemy? I believe a great answer can be found in Prov. 4:23 which says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Christ knows the schemes of the enemy and knows where sin originates. Guarding your heart starts with guarding your mind. This is often the place that more mature Christians struggle in the most. It is an area that is not obvious and nobody else can see. Entertaining thoughts of temptation is playing with fire and prideful thinking says you are too mature and strong to get burned. It’s strange when I hear people say “Oh I can watch this movie, listen to this music, etc. because I am a strong Christian and it doesn’t really affect me because I can handle it.” Shouldn’t it be the opposite? Shouldn’t consciences be more awakened to the deceitfulness of the devil and try to stay as far away as possible?

            I have heard many people question how big time, famous preachers can get caught in sexual sin, stealing money from their own ministry, and other big scandals. The devil takes great joy in mocking God’s people and he loves to attack people in ministry through their family, friends, or even themselves so he can try invalidate God’s power and Word. He knows these things have to start subtly though depositing ideas, whispering thoughts, and slowly dulling consciences to blur the line between right and wrong. Nobody intends to mess up or bring shame to God, their ministry, and their name. These things often times take years to happen and years for reconciliation, but by that point although God forgives, many times people don’t because they can’t forget the sin that has been committed.

            Being in a leadership position is a HUGE responsibility before God and people. People put their trust in you to lead them in the right direction closer to God. God is entrusting to you his flock and their lives are to some degree in your care. So many people are fame-hungry. They want recognition and to be noticed. Luke 17:1-3 says though, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to the person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a milestone tied around his neck tan for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.”

I think it is important as a believer of the gospel of Jesus Christ to not be oblivious to what the devil is trying to do. We, as Christians, must understand that there is a devil, he is real, and he will do whatever he can to cause pain, shame, and ultimately destruction in someone’s life. The enemy will find your weaknesses and hit you when you least expect it, when your guard is down, and as hard as he can.

So what can you do about it?

Here are three (3) practical steps I believe you can take to guard your heart and stay living a victorious, abundant life:

1.    Get Real with YOURSELF- No one is perfect, no, not even you. The sooner you can get real with yourself and be honest about YOUR weaknesses, the sooner you can begin to protect yourself against the enemy. Admitting weaknesses does not mean you are weak, it means you are human!

2.    Get Real with OTHERS- Once you realize what your weaknesses are you can now share them with someone else. This person is what the Christian community has labeled an “accountability partner”. It is simply someone that you trust, that you can come to no matter what and be honest with them without fear of judgment or condemnation. This person has the ability to speak life into your situation and hold you accountable for when you start to show regression back into areas of your weaknesses.

3.    Get Real with GOD- Be honest with God, He knows anyways. Do not try to hide your weaknesses or sin from Him. Anything that remains hidden gains more and more power over you, but anything that is brought to the light (GOD) loses its power over you. God is not some mythical being out in the middle of outer space. He is a father; He is a friend, talk to Him like He is. Be real and honest with God, always seeking him for help and wisdom. He wants what’s best for you and will help you over-come your weaknesses and what the devil is trying to throw at you.

The Good news is that you have JESUS on your side and that the devil has already been defeated. When Christ died and rose again He defeated death, hell, and the grave for you and for me. We have already won the war, now we just have to continue to win the battles. You have what it takes to succeed in your battles already inside of you. The devil is a punk; he doesn’t come up with anything new. If you just get real with yourself, get real with others, and get real with God I guarantee you will live a victorious, abundant life in spite of your weaknesses.