Are you being intentional?

It was the morning from Hell, but I will hand it to them, they loved Jesus. I couldn't wait to get out of the car, not for the sake of walking through those heavy, glass doors, but because I needed to get out so I wouldn't have to listen to my stupid parents argue over who spent what when. I don't care! I'm in 10th grade!

Slamming the car door, I remembered my mom yelling something about picking me up, but I didn't care what she had to say. Soon my anger faded into fear as I peered into a crowd with a size I never thought possible. How did all these kids know each other? How long have these kids gone here? I gave a fake smile to some older people who walked by...what are they doing here? I thought this was for students. I thought maybe I will meet the youth pastor or someone I know, but that wasn't the case. I wish I knew at least one person who went here.

The music started about then, and it offered a slight reprieve. But I just opted to stand in the back. I thought about sitting, but where would I sit? Who would I sit by? I'm glad I stood in the back, it would have been weird to sit by someone I didn't know.

The songs were neat; I've never heard so many people sing about Jesus. I really liked listening, I mean, I didn't understand all the songs, but they were my favorite part. The guy that spoke was funny, not what I expected from a preacher guy. I didn't really understand a lot of it, but I was constantly wondering if I was going to get in trouble for standing in the back.

"This sucks. I wish I was back in the car listening to my parents argue," I muttered to myself, and that's when I realized this was truly the worst place I’ve ever been. That guy talked a lot about Jesus and he even said some encouraging things, but why do these people show up here every Sunday? I know I won't be.

I was relieved to have my parents pull up as I stood amongst a crowd of people all alone. Never have I been around so many people and felt so alone. Not one person ever said "hi" to me today. No one stopped to ask me my name, or what school I went to. I came here scared that people wouldn't leave me alone, but I'm pretty sure this is worse. I hate this place. These people already have their friends and cliques; why would they want to talk to me? I guess I don't blame them much.

Leaving that place, I realized I really wanted what those people had, but I had no idea how to get it. It would have been nice to meet one of them, or maybe for one of those older people to say hi to me. I wonder what we would have talked about? Would they have asked me about my parents? I wonder if they would have asked me my name? I guess even if they did, they wouldn't really remember me next time I showed up. They probably would have avoided me, even though I won't go back. But like I said, I know they loved Jesus, but why didn't they love me?

Some of this story is fictitious, but unfortunately some of it is true. Please note, this is not meant to rebuke anyone, rather this is meant to encourage us all to be intentional with students while we are at DBSM. This means sometimes we have to say “later” to our friends and chat with them at lunch. Sometimes it means we have to sit with kids we’ve never met. Sometimes it means we play pool the entire time. Sometimes it means we get a little “uncomfortable” ourselves for the sake of others.

Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:1 that “our coming to you was not in vain”. Paul was INTENTIONAL in his ministry and we should be to. He did not show up with no purpose and neither should we. Think about it, the greatest sacrifice we make is that of our time. So, why not use the time we’ve already committed to be INTENTIONAL? Tonight, be INTENTIONAL with each student you see, whether you know them or not. On Sunday, be INTENTIONAL with this kid who is standing in the back with her arms crossed waiting to leave. With your group, be INTENTIONAL with the questions you ask. We must be faithful and let God be good.

A Re-Post on Lamentations 3

Lamentations finds it’s “fame” in our hearts because of Chapter 3 where the author would say “his mercies are new every day”.

This book is made up of 5 poems showing grief and sorrow over the fall of Jerusalem. These poems morn the loss of the great nation, however this book gives us great hope in the person and the plan of our King. The author of the book is not identified, but is thought to be the prophet Jeremiah because of 2 Chronicles 35:25 where he was said to have “uttered a lament for Josiah”.

In my mind, chapter 3 can be broken up as follows: v. 1-20: Turmoil; v. 21: Pivot; v. 22-40: Hope; v. 41-66: Plea. The gems I will refer to are found in verses 22-40.

The Gems:

1. The steadfast love of the Lord NEVER ceases (v.22)

• If we believe this statement then why do we sometimes question God “why are you doing this to me? Where did you go? Why haven’t you heard me?”
• If we believe this statement why do we base our worth or value on what others think of us?
• If we believe this statement then why do we sometimes feel like we are “unloved” by people or even by God?

2. His mercies NEVER come to an end (v. 22)

• God is quick to forgive, slow to anger. Through the blood lens of His Son we are seen as holy, blameless and above reproach (Col 1:22)

3. His mercies are new EVERY morning (v. 23)

• This idea is similar to God providing manna to the Israelites daily. He only gave them enough for the day, it wasn’t suppose to last longer than that. It showed a complete and daily dependence on the Father.
• His mercy is the same to us today. It is enough for today.
• If this statement is true, why to we lay in bed at night with the weight of the world on our chests? Do we not believe that his mercies will be new the very next day? Will manna truly show up to sustain us or not?

4. He is good to those who wait for Him and to the soul who seeks Him (v. 25)

• To wait on Him through pain, through fear, through uncertainty, through confusion, through sin, through doubt, through insecurities, through failure… through life.
• “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” -Psalm 46:10

5. He does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men (v. 33)

• This verse is not to say that he doesn’t do it, rather that he does not do it willingly. In other words, God takes no pleasure in it, but sin would force a mighty and holy God to be just. Edward Welch would say it this way: “Holiness is not one of the many attributes of God. It is his essential nature and seen in all his qualities.”

6. Things the Lord does not approve: (vv. 34-36)

a. To crush underfoot all prisoners of the earth

b. To deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High

c. To subvert a man in his lawsuit

• So God disapproves of injustice in all forms and of brutal oppression of prisoners… which again points towards the unjust.

Notes on Lamentations from Dr. Constable:

I thought about stealing this, but I’d better give Dr. Constable the creditJ. I thought this was a great breakdown of the faithfulness of God shown in this book:

"Jeremiah wrote seven principles about the nature of Israel's affliction:

(1) Affliction should be endured with hope in God's salvation, that is, ultimate restoration (Lam. 3:25-30).

(2) Affliction is only temporary and is tempered by God's compassion and love (vv. 31-32).

(3) God does not delight in affliction (v. 33).

(4) If affliction comes because of injustice, God sees it and does not approve of it (vv. 34-36).

(5) Affliction is always in relationship to God's sovereignty (vv. 37-38; cf. Job 2:10).

(6) Affliction ultimately came because of Judah's sins (Lam. 3:39).

(7) Affliction should accomplish the greater good of turning God's people back to Him (v. 40)." –From Dr. Constable, DTS.