The Battle Ground and Sitting Among Friends Blog Party #20

Jaime Wiebel — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 06:17:00 +0000

Do you feel like going to church is a fighting battle? Then read on and find hope in the victory!

Last week, I wrote to you, 3 Tips to Finding a Church You Can Call Home. Since I have had great conversations regarding the topic of the church. Some good and some not so good. I love that so many of you have engaged in the comments section because that is where this story ends and our real life journey begins.

The Resounding Gong

What I have found in the many conversations this week is a resounding gong. People, in some way or fashion, have been hurt, disappointed, deceived or let down by a church or by the people of the church.

This has left them with several decisions. Realizing the church is full of sinful people, some found it necessary to leave their church and find a new church family. Some have left the church and have not been back for years. While others have been so deeply hurt or confused by “Christians” they have not even graced the doors. Still, others have come to the decision to leave the church completely and find it unnecessary.

No matter where you are today in your journey, I want to encourage you to seek God, seek the truth because it will set you free.

First and foremost, I would like to say, I am sorry. I am sorry you were hurt, broken-hearted, embarrassed, let down, deceived, belittled, felt you were unworthy or disgraced in any way.

Last week, I gave a disclaimer in our conversation. The disclaimer was to remind us when we walk into the church how important it is to remember it is full of human beings. Humans are flawed.

The imperfect church

It should not surprise us that church-goers are not perfect but sometimes that is what trips us up. That is what catches us off guard. We can make the mistake of elevating the people there higher than God and then are surprised when they let us down.

We are expecting something that only God can give us from people who are sinners just like we are.

I am not saying this an error on our part. The church is supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ. We have to remember those hands and feet were intended for good but have sometimes, sadly, been used to hurt and destroy churches for generations from the inside out.

Friends, we have a true battle on our hands. This is not just a battle against Sally what’s-her-name and Bob I-make-the-rules. The battle was never intended to be against one another.

There is a spiritual battle going on and it is for your heart and for mine. It is for the lives of those in the business of doing Christ’s work, building His kingdom, and seeking to live a life honoring to Him. Satan is in the business of tearing churches apart.

Hold Your Head Up High!

As believers, together we are Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12:27). We are to arm ourselves in the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Friends, we are not alone, we are to remain steadfast in our faith and we have hope because we have been given the Holy Spirit to lead us into battle.

John gears us up for the battle when he reminds us: But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

Did you hear that battle cry? You have already won the victory! The Spirit that lives in you is GREATER than the one who is in this world! The Spirit comes with Power!

We are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Life-giving, Life-altering power.

So, if you are reading this today and you have felt conquered or defeated by the church. Don’t give up! Get on your knees and seek the heart of God and let Him guide you to the next step.

Please come back next week. I am going to expand on the topic of the church even more. I want to encourage you and challenge you to think this through and add to this conversation in the comments.

While you’re here, sit down with some of my friends.

Wow! Last week had 112 posts. I am so glad you all are here. Please remember to visit other friends while you are posting.

They are amazing writers with so many great stories to share with you. Just clink on a link below and you will go directly to their site where you can get to know them more.

Please, linkup (up to 3) of your family-friendly inspiring stories, recipes, DIY, homeschool, giveaways, or share your life’s greatest passions.

Friends are here to encourage and challenge us in our walk of life, so enjoy!

Thank you for posting and linking up. I try to read and comment on as many of these wonderful posts as I can and as time allows. I just want to say you are all doing wonderful work and praise the Lord that I have had the opportunity to come across the path of so many of you.

This party has been fantastic and it is thanks to all of you who stop by and Share this party with your friends. Together we can make this our great place. There are easy share buttons to your left or at the bottom of each post (mobile) and after you linkup.

Thanks! From all of us at #SittingAmongFriends

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The post The Battle Ground and Sitting Among Friends Blog Party #20 appeared first on Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel.

Your Encouraging Words

Jaime Wiebel — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 07:12:00 +0000

Thank you Lord
Jesus for all of your blessings. May I use them to bless the lives of others
just as they have blessed me.

Here are a
few reasons that I love writing. I can go back and look at how God has been
blessing my life.

For
instance, earlier this month I was really struggling with some things in my heart.
I wrote about them in a post titled, Time Alone. My
struggles were, I believe, the result of some unconfessed feelings I may have
been harboring.

The thing was
I wasn’t even able to recognize the feelings. I finally asked God to just forgive
this attitude in my heart and in that He helped me identify what those feelings
were and I gave them to Him.

First
blessing, what an Awesome God that we have that He is able to help us identify
our feelings and heal us from any that are not pleasing to Him.

Second
blessing, among many, I was able to reach out to a reader and suggest t her that journal
her feelings or struggles, pray over them, and in doing that she could look back and see how
God has blessed her through certain situations.

I was excited
to help someone with their journey in walking with Christ. I am a teacher at heart and any time I can help
someone it feels great. The blessing came through her words to me.

Her
gratitude and her encouraging words to me were such inspiration to my heart at
this late hour. I just praise God for those moments. May we look for His
blessings in every situation.

I recently wrote
a post called Nothing Holding Me Back. You see, I sometimes feel like the
things in my life may be distracting me or pulling me away from God’s heart.

The truth is
God put us where He wants us to be. We need to give Him our whole heart in
those moments or in those places. When our heart begins to fade we need to call
on the Great Healer to strengthen us and refresh our souls.

One reader
commented about this post and I have thought about what she was saying for a
long time but God put her words straight to my heart. I realized what a
blessing God is giving me in allowing me to write and share with other people
and what a blessing others have been to me.

I hope that
you are enjoying reading this blog. I absolutely enjoy writing it. It means a
lot of late nights so you will have to excuse my dark circles but what a
blessing it has been.

I would just
like to encourage anyone that is reading this to please share in the comments below.
1 Corinthians 12:27 says were are many individuals but one body of Christ. I know it takes a little extra time out of your day but what you may not realize is the blessing your encouraging words and your stories are to not only to me
but to everyone who is reading. Together we can build up the body of Christ.

You have an
amazing week and please keep Sharing the Love of Jesus in your life.