Family Life Church, Waukegan, IL » Featured Articles

Character Assassination of God

Beth Jones — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:03:43 +0000

We are accustomed to character assassination. The media loves to jump on a rising star (particularly a conservative who aspires to public office) and find serious flaws in their character or life.

In this world, there is NO ONE who has their character assassinated more than God. He is accused of delighting in causing suffering of every kind, as though He delights in human suffering. How often have you heard someone blame God for tragedy? How often have you been tempted to blame God when something bad happens to you?

If you believe the Word as I do, then you know that God is good, ALL THE TIME. He loves His children and does not wish or will suffering upon them. Certainly suffering comes, but it is from “the world, the flesh and the devil,” not from our loving Heavenly Father.

Take a look at this description of God: “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them” (Ps 145:16-19 NIV).

–Beth Jones

In Fearful Times, God is Still Faithful

Beth Jones — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:17:46 +0000

Today we remember a terrorist attack ten years ago, on U.S. soil, which culminated in the death of 2,996 persons. Though the sights and sounds and emotions are still vivid in our memory, these are not so different from the memories of countless generations before us.

Eighty years ago this week, a baby girl was born in the Philippines. It was only two days later that Japan invaded Manchuria, China (marking the start of World War II to many). By the time this little girl was ten, Germany was trying to overtake the world and Japan had not only attacked the U.S. at Pearl Harbor but had also overtaken her beloved homeland – The Philippine Islands.

We know this girl as Nanay Lorenza Ofong, mother and grandmother to the Rosales family — the little lady in our church whose lips are always filled with “praise for God’s faithfulness.” Nanay has an unshakeable confidence in God because she has seen His faithfulness through the storms, even when her whole world was in turmoil. Though she has lived through fearful times, she knows God’s supernatural protection and intervention in her life.

We are wise to learn from her. When we put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ it opens the door to discovering who God really is and what He’s like. Then — no memory of the past or fear for the future will be able to hinder us. No matter how fearful the times may be, our lips will only be filled with praise for God’s faithfulness!

–Beth Jones

Six Thousand and Thirteen Fallen

Beth Jones — Sat, 28 May 2011 15:05:22 +0000

SIX THOUSAND THIRTEEN FALLEN
(as of 5/26/11)

These are not just numbers but individuals who had families and friends; individuals who had bodies that were healthy and strong and brave. These are souls who Jesus died for, and who are now in eternity. These are our American military casualties of the past ten years, from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom — the newest ones whom we remember this Memorial Day.

May we never take their sacrifice (or all those who have gone before them) for granted. May we, also, remember to appreciate “the living” — who now serve or once served in our military.

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:16-17 NIV)

“Mothers”

Beth Jones — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:29:48 +0000

Finally {mothers} “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV)

The Apostle Paul wrote this (not just to “mothers” but to all the church) at Philippi. Paul understood the challenge of living a Godly life in an ungodly culture. He is saying that “what we think about” matters because it reveals what is in our hearts. Out of the abundance of our hearts come our words, our actions, and the influence (for good or not so good) we have upon others.

Is it time you used this Philippians 4:8-9 Thought-Analyzer? Plug in a thought then ask God what it reveals about your heart. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, My Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 NIV).

Rethinking our Cell Phones

Beth Jones — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:32:11 +0000

Are you old enough to remember the days before cell phones? Contrary to popular belief, life was survivable. I’ve had to remind myself of this the past month, since Waukegan instituted its Cell Phone Ban for Drivers. I’m certainly re-thinking, before I flip open my phone while driving, lest I be ticketed and fined. Maybe it’s time we all did some “re-thinking” about our cell phones.

I wonder… what if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? … If we never left home without it? … If we flipped through it to check for messages several times a day? … If we grabbed it first, in an emergency? … If we went back to get it, when we left it behind? … If we used it to send encouraging texts? … If we gave it as a gift to our kids? … If we made sure each family member always carried theirs? … If we utilized all the plan benefits to the fullest.

If we lost our Bible (or had it taken away) would all our vital information be gone, or would it be backed up on the memory of our hearts?

What is My Part, Lord?

Beth Jones — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 21:09:19 +0000

Once upon a time there were four brothers who attended the same church — Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. When the Pastor announced a “special project to help their sister church in the Philippines” Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. Moral of this story: Everybody ought to ask, “WHAT IS MY PART, LORD?” and then do it.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 to build a new house for the pastor in TRES CRUSES, PHILIPPINES, where our church has started a church. A new house is much needed, as the current one is very “sub-standard” and dilapidated. This will serve as a great encouragement to Pastor Gil & Nora Barcello, who diligently minister there. As always, we do not take away from our “tithes.” Our missions giving (and any other special needs monies) should be over and above the giving of our tithes! [We have already raised $4,589 – we hope to reach $7,500 by this summer. It would be ideal to be able to build in spring of 2012.]

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38 (NASB)

Spring is Here!

Beth Jones — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:43:23 +0000

Whew – we officially made it through another winter in the Midwest. From this point on, even if we have more snow, we watch the buds start forming on the trees and we get excited. We know the end is in sight — warmer weather is coming!

Jesus describes a fig tree’s twigs getting tender and its leaves coming out in the spring. He says, “Even so, when you see these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33 NIV). Jesus is not talking about springtime but about His coming again to the earth. He previously describes earthquakes, famines, wars, persecution of believers, false prophets, increased wickedness, etc. as evidence of this. When we wake up in the morning and learn the latest devastation in the world, we ask, “How much longer can this go on?” God doesn’t tell us how long but He does say that it won’t be much longer. These signs tell us the end is in sight – Jesus is coming again!

Church of Jesus Christ – It is springtime! It’s time for us to GET EXCITED as well as TIME TO GET BUSY! People around us are asking important questions about, “What’s going on in the world and why?” Let’s be busy planting the seeds of the Gospel (the good news about Jesus Christ) in hearts that are being made tender.

–Beth Jones

What is the Message of Lent?

Beth Jones — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:22:51 +0000

“Mardi Gras” and “Fat Tuesday” are “celebrated” by some just before the start of Lent. Some view them as a last chance to “be really bad” before repenting of one’s sins (on Ash Wednesday) and then with renewed devotion and discipline “being good again” for Lent. Sadly, the Christian tradition of Lent has become polluted. The message the culture has gotten is, “You can live like you want as long as you do your yearly religious requirement at Lent. Just appease God with sacrifices and He’s happy.” Sadly, many think this is what it means to be a Christian.

God’s Word paints a different picture, however. God is not interested in religious duty but in relationship with us! “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness,” God says in Jeremiah 31:3. The reality is that our sin keeps us from an intimate relationship with God. The only solution is to honestly and humbly come to God and confess our sin. We must trust Jesus’ death on the cross as the payment for our sin. If it wasn’t for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, none of us could know forgiveness of sins. None of us could enjoy a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. That is the simple message of Lent, and it is the message our culture desperately needs to get. So, let’s get the message out—okay?

My True Valentine

Nathan — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:52:42 +0000

My True Valentine

“He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, and became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth — even those long ago dead and buried — will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.”

Giving Gifts Out of Obligation?

Beth Jones — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:52:13 +0000

For some of us at this time of year, every time we pass it, we “toss a coin into the kettle.” We feel a pang of guilt if we don’t (especially if our carts or arms happen to be overflowing with shopping bags). We “toss our coin” out of a sense of obligation. I wonder–do we do the same with some people on our “gift list?” Whether loved ones or friends, do we sometimes find ourselves giving, only out of a sense of obligation (they always get us something; so we have to get them something too)?

Jesus said, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). This text is definitely in reference to our giving to God; however, doesn’t the same principle apply as we give gifts to one another? Isn’t it better not to give at all than to give grudgingly?

This is radical but . . . would it be the end of the world if we stopped giving gifts out of obligation? What if we asked God who He wants on our “Gift List”? Maybe we would find that He simply wants to change our attitude, so that we can begin to give willingly, with a cheerful heart. Or maybe we would find that certain people do not need to be on our “gift list.” Or perhaps we would find that God wants to write a brand new name on our list, someone who needs us to “be Jesus” to them. Rather than doing the same thing, giving gifts merely because it’s the thing to do–ask God what He thinks. The result might be radically remarkable!

–Beth Jones