Junk in, Junk out

So many times we hear people talking about horrifying current events and what may have been the cause of those events, or what may have led that person to do such a deplorable act. There has been a lot of talk about all the violence on TV and in various high tech games on the market. Some people argue that those things can be contributing factors in acts of violence. They say that people are becoming "desensitized" to violent acts against human beings because they are bombarded with images of violence so often.

I believe there is no question that we are all INFLUENCED by our environments and the events and people surrounding us. How could we NOT be?

As Christians I do not believe it is practical to think we can or should isolate ourselves from the whole outside world, but I do believe it is critical to our faith to surround ourselves with other believers and spend time in prayer and in studying God's word. I believe the act of going to church is important- even vital in helping keep us on the right path, because going to church is in itself an act of worship and I see it as respite from the world- a safe place where you can "fill your spiritual tank", take in God's true and good word, and hopefully leave behind some of the "junk" you may have been exposed to through the week- replace the "junk" with "God's good news". That way we have "good stuff' foremost in our hearts and minds as we go throughout our daily lives. I believe it is then important to continue acts of worship outside of church so that all that good is not replaced with the junk of the world.

When I look at the lives of many churchgoers I know, I do not see perfect people of course, but I do see a trend of people whose lives are more likely to be outwardly focused on doing good. I see people who are adopting children who desperately need homes, I see people who are helping build Habitat for humanity houses, I see people who are going to Russia on mission trips. I see people who are doing good in the world, in our community, encouraging others. I believe this is because these people are Christians surrounding themselves by other Christians, being encouraged by other Christians, practicing what Jesus preached, attending a church where they can learn about what Jesus preached, and being encouraged by their church to make a difference in their world.

I am not here to debate whether or not you have to go to church to be a Christian. I am not here to debate whether or not you can go to church weekly and still NOT be a Christian. I am just saying that for me, I would find it very difficult to try to live as a practicing Christian if I did not have the support and encouragement of other Christians and a great church where you can always receive encouragement in your walk with God. We are fortunate to have the freedom to attend any church we want to here in the United States. I cannot imagine how my life might be different if that were not the case. I can't imagine my world if I did not have the good news about Jesus. To me, the news that we have a sovereign God makes it much easier to live my life. I know I really only need answer to Him for the actions in my life. I know that He is a kind and forgiving God. He has clearly set forth His expectations for my life and I can go forth with confidence in my life knowing there is truly only One I need to please. I know I will fall short many times, but I also know that I have the assurance that he will be there every time to pick me back up and dust me off.

I do not know if I am strong enough to walk the path Jesus has set forth for me without the support of other Christians and a supportive church. I do not think I could isolate myself from my church and fellow Christians and still live the life Jesus desires for me. I am thankful I do not have to test myself on this. I am fortunate enough to have the solid foundation of Christian friends and family, a great church and most of all, a loving Savior, Jesus Christ. The great news is He is available to all of us. Anyone who desires a relationship with Him can have it.

Psalm 37:23-24 If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.