Tag: Millennial

Millennial Life, October 2018

Be Angry and Sin Not, Millennial Life

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Be Angry.. sin not

On the topic of anger, I think we should first establish there are two different types. One is good. One is bad. Righteous anger, or as the King James version of the Bible puts it, ‘righteous indignation’, is something that all believers should have. When it comes to the evil that we see in the world today, we should get angry about that. Whatever God gets angry about, we should get angry about the same thing.

However, the other kind of anger is not of God. That kind of anger is a sin. The kind of anger I’m talking about is when someone cuts you off in traffic and you’re tempted to yell or make an obscene gesture; the kind of anger that makes you rude, disrespectful, or harsh to others; the kind of anger that won’t allow you to forgive offenses committed against you; the kind of anger you’ve held onto for years just because it feels like an old familiar friend and you don’t want to let it go, whatever it is. Also, the kind of anger that makes you bitter toward others because they sin differently than you.

The Bible says to be angry and sin not (Ephesians 4:26). What does that mean? I believe it means to be angry at the unrighteousness and injustices we see in the world today. For example, if you are a Christian, it should anger you that innocent children are being abused and killed. It should anger you that people are being gunned down simply because of the color of their skin or because they’re not deemed worthy to live by their murderer. It should anger you that Christians are being persecuted around the world because they’re sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and fulfilling the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

You may say that you have the anger part down. How do you work on the ‘and sin not’ part?

We must be careful to not let the Devil get a foothold into our hearts and plant seeds of sin that breed misdirected anger. Ephesians 4:29, 31 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

To be angry that people hurt other people doesn’t mean that we are to hate them or be unforgiving. Jesus loves them and so should we. Those people who shoot down other human beings because they don’t look like them — they need prayer too. They need to know that if they repent, God is there to forgive them. We’re supposed to pray for people who are outside of God’s will because we can be that person at any moment. Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we must entrust every situation to God because vengeance is His and He will repay. God is pure and just and He will right every wrong that has been done. Nothing escapes the watchful and, loving, but just, eyes of The Most High God.

Before coming to Christ, we once were those people. We may not have committed those particular sins, but we were sinners nonetheless and we all have to come to Christ the same way … on our knees in repentance. That’s where mercy and grace come in. I believe to be angry and sin not means to be angry at the sin, but to love the sinner just as Jesus so graciously does with us. God meets each of us where we are. We only need to reach out to Him and ask.

My prayer for you is that you seek God for yourself and ask Him to reveal any hidden parts of your heart where you may be harboring anger and to replace it with righteous anger and love for others.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Jessica LeBlanc is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist who was named on of the top student television news reporters in the country by College Broadcasters in 2011. While in college, she traveled to Europe and wrote political and human interest stories for UPIU.com (at an extension of United Press International). Upon graduation fro Southeastern Louisiana University, she began working at WBRZ News 2 in Baton Rouge as a multimedia journalist and later as an anchor. Originally from New Orleans, she spends her free time working on her blog Moments with Jesse, reading, taking various speaking engagements, and spending time with her family.

September 2018

Transformation, Graceful and Beautiful as the Butterfly

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Transformation

graceful and beautiful as the butterfly

by Jessica LeBlanc

When I think of transformation, so many things come to mind. The change in seasons is definitely one of them because as we’re getting ready to enter the autumn months, we’ll actually get the chance to see and feel the changes. Leaves begin falling, the air gets cooler and crisper and the sun sets earlier.

However, the first thing that comes to mind is the butterfly. It’s remarkable to me how it goes through four different stages before it becomes fully developed. I think more than any other animal, this one truly captures what can happen to us sometimes, as human beings, when we’re going through a transformative process. I decided to do a little research on this colorful creation and I was able to draw some major connections.

Stages of the butterfly

Egg: This obviously is the beginning stage of its life. Fresh, new and nowhere near fully developed; a blank canvas with a lot to experience. This can represent the first part of becoming a Christian. In order to be in Christ, we must be born again to begin our transformation from being dead in our sins to being alive in Jesus. This can only happen through repentance of any and all sin in our lives and a belief and devotion to God. (See Romans 6:23, Romans 5:17) As a babe in Christ and often times as millennials, we have a feeling of trying to keep up. In a world that’s constantly changing, there’s always something to keep up with. Things can get overwhelming quick when we feel like we always have to start over. But we must stay encouraged and keep pressing forward.

Caterpillar: Sometimes called the “feeding stage,” this is the time when the butterfly is growing and eating as much as it can to store food in its body that it will need later on. It’s not very pretty at this stage in life and some may even say it’s downright ugly and a little scary looking. But the caterpillar isn’t concerned about what things look like on the outside so much as it’s determined to build its inside to what it’s supposed to be. Its main goal during this time is to eat, part of the process of becoming something beautiful down the road.

For us, this can be a tough time, the beginning stages of becoming who we are meant to be. But it starts in our minds and hearts. The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This requires separation from the world and feeding on the Word of God in order to “live godly in Christ Jesus.”

Pupa: At this point, sometimes called the “transition stage,” the butterfly has separated itself and retreats inside of its cocoon. It can be found tucked away in the silky confines of the safe space, preparing for its grand debut. Things may look dead and quiet on the outside, but a lot is happening. Cells are expanding and other body parts are developing. For us, times when we have to separate ourselves and retreat might make us feel that we’re never going to get that job, travel to that city, marry that person. But just know that during your cocoon process, God is preparing you to re-emerge and be the beautiful person He has created you to be just like He does with the butterfly.

Adult: Finally, the butterfly is here in all its glory. Gracefully fluttering around, showing off colorful intricately designed wings, it is one of God’s many masterpieces. But even at this stage, it has a purpose — to mate and prepare for the next line of butterflies that will come after it is gone. In Matthew 5:16, the Bible says to let our “light shine before men … that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.”

We are God’s creation and we are made to glorify, praise and worship Him. And we should always be thinking of the generation coming up behind us, ready to offer an encouraging and guiding word to them when they need it. I hope as you go through the month of September, that you remember life is a transformative process and as long as you’re in the center of God’s will for you, you will always re-emerge as graceful and beautiful as the butterfly.

Jessica Leblanc is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist who was named one of the top student television n news reporters in the country by college broadcasters in 2011. While in college, she traveled to Europe and wrote political and human interest stroies for UPIU.com. Upon graduation from Southeastern Louisiana University, she began working at WBRZ New 2 in Baton Rouge as a multimedia journalist and later as an anchor. Originally from NOLA, she spends her free time working on blog Moments with Jess, reading, taking on various speaking engagements and spending time with her family

July 2018, Millennial Life

Millennial Life, What Does Service Look Like to You?

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What does service look like to you?

When I think of service, the first thought that comes to mind is Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. What a humbling act. I mean, the Savior of the world, the God of the universe, the Prince of Peace, the Rose of Sharon, stooping down to wash and make clean the filthy feet of human sinners. How awesome.

Of course, Jesus’ acts of service go far beyond that, but I believe this particular act embodies what we as believers should be doing every day. Each of our lives should be an act of service. We should always ask the question: What can I do to help my fellow man? I encourage you to read John 13 and take note of the entire scenario, before and after, that surrounded the Lord washing the feet of His servants. John 13:14-15 says, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” The way we are to live our lives is already laid out for us in the Bible.

There are many lessons to be learned in this chapter alone. For instance, when we serve, it’s not just to our friends or to people we know love us. We are to serve our enemies as well, if they are in need. This is extremely difficult to do, but God never requires something of us without giving us the ability to carry it out.

Jesus washed the feet of Peter, knowing that Peter was going to deny Him not once but three times! Wow! He’s so amazing! Can you imagine washing the feet of someone who lied about you, treated you poorly, or denied they even knew you when you spent quality time with this person?

During my days in television, I had countless opportunities to serve others and shine the light of Christ. Whether it was praying for a mother who just found out her son had been shot and killed, or showing compassion to family members burying a child , those people were in need of serving and God used me to do just that. I knew that God placed me on certain stories just so I could share His love and offer up a prayer for those in some trying situations; situations that the average person would never experience.

Service can be as simple as a smile to a sad soul. I’m so grateful for the privileges I had to experience those moments where I could offer encouragement. Sometimes that’s all it takes to plant a seed of righteousness in someone’s heart. We affect each other and you never know how your words will help someone. Sometimes people will let you know you made a positive impact on their life and sometimes they won’t. But just know that God is always watching and if you are showing love, compassion and exhibiting any of the fruits of the Spirit, He is pleased.

As believers, we are constantly being watched. Our lives are living epistles to be read by all men (2 Corinthians 3:2). What are people reading when they look at you? What do they see? Are you willing to serve others even if it’s at the expense of your feelings? I hope so because not only will you be helping someone else, but you will reap the benefits of God’s blessings and His pleasure.

Jessica  Leblanc is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist who was named one of the top student television n news reporters in the country by college broadcasters in 2011. While in college, she traveled to Europe and wrote political and human interest stroies for UPIU.com. Upon graduation from Southeastern Louisiana University, she began working at WBRZ New 2 in Baton Rouge as a multimedia journalist and later as an anchor. Originally from NOLA, she spends her free time working on blog Moments with Jess, reading, taking on various speaking engagements and spending time with her family

June 2018, Millennial Life

Millennial Life with Jessica LeBlanc, What does the Trinity mean to you?

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The Trinity, What does it mean to you?

by: jessica leblanc

The Trinity is at the very foundation of the Christian religion. Personally, I don’t like to classify my beliefs as a religion because I believe that it’s a relationship with the Creator more than anything. However, for the sake of clarity, I will use the term “religion.”

For centuries, scholars have debated the meaning and the very existence of a Triune God. In my opinion, there is no debate. The scriptures in the Bible are very clear about what the Trinity is and who is a part of it. The Trinity is God in three persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In the book of John, passage 1:14 says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Here we see that “the Word” is referring to Jesus (God in the flesh/the Son person of the Trinity). Also, John 10:30 says, “I and My Father are one.” In other scriptures, we find that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity. In John 14:6, Jesus declares that He is the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father except through Him. Skipping ahead several verses, we see in John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of truth which is what Jesus referred to Himself as earlier in the chapter. So, we can clearly see that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are connected.

Belief in the Trinity is imperative to a full life in God. It’s the very foundation of my belief system in God. Without the Trinity, there would be no Christianity because you cannot have one of the persons of the Godhead without the other. Each person of the Trinity serves a purpose in our lives. God (the Father) loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). The Son makes daily intercessions for us on earth as He sits next to the Father (Romans 8:34b). The Bible says the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) was sent as a teacher and a comforter to us on Earth. Three persons, but One God.

Although scripture backs up my thoughts on the Trinity, it’s not something that can be fully understood or fully explained. This is one of the many things that is so beautiful about God. He cannot be understood or explained. His very essence and existence transcends our mere, mortal minds. We can acknowledge His wonders and talk about His mighty acts, but no one can ever capture who He is.

Imagine the prettiest flower or thing you can think of. God is even more beautiful and wondrous than that. He is th



“I don’t praise them, serve them or worship them like they’re separate. I treat them all as one. So, if I’m praying to God, I’m praying to the Spirit, I’m praying to Jesus. I don’t treat them any differently.”

— Sarah Farlough, 24, Gonzales

“There are three unique parts of the Trinity, but they all function as one … because they all are sort of living by the precepts set out in the Bible.”

— Stephanie Katz, 27, Mandeville

“The Trinity means to me, unity. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. When I think of the Trinity, I think of how blessed I am. A Father who loves me enough to send His Son and the Holy Spirit to guide me, to protect me, to be there for me.”

— Terrence Thomas, 27, Hammond

Jessica LeBlanc is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist who was named one of the top student television news reporters in the country by College Broadcasters in 2011. While in college, she traveled abroad to Europe and wrote political and human interests stories for UPIU.com (an extension of United Press International). Upon graduation from Southeastern Louisiana University, she began working at WBRZ News 2 in Baton Rouge as a multimedia journalist and later an as anchor. Originally from New Orleans, she spends her free time working on her blog Moments with Jess, reading, taking on various speaking engagements and spending time with her family.