THE BLOG

07
Jul

3 Rebukes that Shaped My Life

rebukes

one

Are You Sorry or Are You Sorry You Got Caught?

I blew it… I knew I did. I was asking my father for forgiveness. I won’t go into all the details of the story but after I apologized to my dad, he asked a very HEAVY question. “Son, of course I forgive you but are you really sorry or just sorry you got caught? If you’re sorry you got caught, you will do it again. If you’re really sorry, you will never do it again.”

That day I learned that what I do and say matters and that my life affects MANY PEOPLE. No more games. We gotta live right and repent when we fail.

two

It’s Time to be a Man. 

I was 21 and overseeing the worship department at one of the fastest growing churches in America. I WAS IN OVER MY HEAD! I had ZERO people skills and was losing team members. Pastor Benny sat me down and opened up the Bible to 1st Corinthians 13 where Paul talks about growing up and leaving childish ways. He then looked into my tear filled eyes and said, “Jabin, it’s time to be a man and lead this team.”  That day changed EVERYTHING.

No more excuses, no more complaints, just be a man and do the job.

three

At What Point Is Over Exaggerating Lying? 

In a church culture where pastors buy Twitter and Instagram followers, lie about church attendance, and claim that every event “was the best ever!!!!!!!!!” It’s very easy to get caught in a trap of over exaggerating to fit in. This third rebuke came from my momma. She was basically saying that all of this exaggerating or stretching the truth is simply lying and that I cannot get caught up in it. She reminded me  to humble myself and let God promote me and while I’m waiting, don’t lie!

07
Jul

Lessons From The Road

lessons

Well, it’s been one year. Wow! One year ago, Shanen and I left our two full-time jobs and stepped out on the water to follow God’s plan for our lives. We were scared, had very little money and didn’t know what would happen next. Would churches invite us? Would our friends stick with us? Would we be seen as rebellious? We had more questions then answers but knew we heard God. Today as I look back over one year of ministry, my heart is full and I am very grateful. Here are just a few of the things we have learned so far.

1

 

 

Not connections, not the right person tweeting about you, not the right church inviting you to speak but FRIENDS! People who love you, care about you, check up on you and pray for you. People who understand that you can have a bad day and you’re still SAVED! People who seriously care about you but don’t take you too seriously. Friends.

friends

2

“Promotion comes from the Lord.” Simple huh? But not always easy to remember. Honor people, love people, and work hard to be relational but in all of that don’t become political! Keep your faith in the right PERSON: JESUS.

He elevates, He opens the doors, He is on your side.

3

 

 

I’ve taught for years that we cannot define or determine the harvest God has for us when we sow the right seed. However, we can trust his GRACE and that when we obey and walk according to his Word, He will supply for our every need. This has been nothing short of an Ephesians 3:20 year. It has not gone exactly the way I thought it would go (I don’t think it ever does). Some things have been harder than expected, some easier. As Judah Smith says, trust Jesus and ALWAYS choose what is behind “door number God.” That is the place with the greatest reward!

 lakewood