Be a Friend

Today is Bring a Friend to Church Sunday. Thousands of churches across the United States will be welcoming visitors. Many people like their churches just the way they are. Why would someone want to invite another to church? In order to be obedient to the Great Commission we must. We are told that we should share the love of God even with our enemies and those in sin.

Let’s look at John 1:12–13, Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

 People who have been touched by God are so moved by him that they want to introduce everyone to him, including their enemies. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Let's remember that when we are considering who to ask to church - not just today but every Sunday.

Amen?

Important Invitation

Tomorrow is Bring a Friend to church Sunday! I think it's a pretty big deal. When I was growing up we had a special "high attendance" Sunday every Spring and Fall. It was always exciting to see what we were going to do to encourage our community to come to church.

These special Sundays have kind of fallen to the wayside in recent years. Every Lord's day is special for sure, but there is nothing wrong in getting excited and having one special day together. Thousands of churches across the US are participating. Just think, maybe this could be the start of a national revival!

So regardless if your church is "participating" or not take time right now and pray. Ask God to lay on your heart who you can talk to today about joining you in church tomorrow. It could be a life changing experience for both of you.

Invite someone to church today! See you in church tomorrow. Amen?

In Life

Most people allow tragedy and hardships shape who they are in life. It doesn't have to be that way. God has a much better way. In Jeremiah 29 we see a nation of people who are despondent and hopeless because of where they were in life and what had been done to them. But God!

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Wherever you are today in life know that God loves you and has a better plan for you. He wants to restore your heart, mind, body, and soul. The Lord promises, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 You can change your life today. Strive for the faith, belief system, and healthy life God desires for you to have. That way you can love Him fully. 

Keep Praying

To Have Hope We Must Keep On Praying. That’s called being Persistent. Why be persistent?  Let’s be honest sometimes we ask ourselves the following questions. How come my answers sometimes don't come immediately?  Why should I keep on asking when God doesn’t seem to be answer?"  

On this National Day of Prayer consider  these seven things on why we must keep on praying:

1. Keep praying because it will help you focus on God. God wants you to remember that He alone is the source of your answers to prayer. The Bible says in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

2. Keep praying because God wants you to see Him alone as the source of your needs. When we have to pray about something over and over, who do we look to?  We look to the Lord.  Persistent prayer focuses our attention.  Have you discovered that we like to look to everybody else to solve our problem except the Lord?  We look to our friends, we look to our family, we look to counselors, we look to the government, we look to anybody -- except the Lord. God often delays an answer to force you to focus on Him. 

3. Keep praying because it clarifies your requests. A delayed answer a lot of times gives me time to clarify what I really want (or need). Time separates deep longings from mere whims.

3. Keep praying because God might delay the answer to test you. It's not that He doesn't want to give it to you; He wants to know if you really want it.  Do you want it enough to keep praying? Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart."  Nothing worthwhile is accomplished with half-hearted prayers. 

4. Keep praying because it will prepare you for the answer. God usually wants to do more than you are praying for. Surprise! God wants to do it greater and He needs time to get you ready for it. There are changes God wants to make in you. Ephesians 3:20 "Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us, is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." 

5. Keep praying because, "Prayer changes things."  It is God who does the changing, but prayer changes you.  God is more interested in you than He is in circumstances. Often as soon as you've made the change in your life the doors of heaven open and the answer comes.  Expect a miracle.

6. Keep praying because it will strengthen and develop your faith. A mark of maturity is how long can you wait.  Galatians 6:9"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  God’s saying, "Hang on! Be patient!  Don't give up!  Look up!"

7. Keep praying because God wants to stay in an ongoing dialogue with you.  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be encourage to take time daily focusing on God, reading His word and talking to Him.  Spend time with God daily to know Him better. 

Be persistent in your relationship, conversation, and application with God and His Word. Share His hope with the world around you, and keep praying!

The Plan

Growing in the Lord will take patience, but remember "Faith is never giving up". God's Word tells us: “Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.” Psalm 31:24 (MSG) Life style changes will require a lot of strength. You are not alone. Jesus is with you.

“My life hangs in the balance, but I will not give up obedience to Your Word.” Psalm 119:109 (LB) Stay focused on the truth.

“Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up.” Proverbs 24:16 (CEV) Perseverance and the Lord's strength will get you through the tough times.

  “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” Galatians 6:9 (LB) Keep your eyes on God's prize.
  Be encouraged and obedient to the Bible's wisdom. Are you ready to give God 100% and let Him oversee the results? It’s the best plan.

Control

A major part of following Jesus is giving up control, and that involves change. There is a change that must happen in your mind to make a lasting difference. I pray that has happened to you already. Jesus knew that His life was about to change, but He kept His eyes on God. Control over His life was given over to the Father.

 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.  “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.  Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12:23-28

He was willing. Are you? Wherever you are today in life know that God loves you and has a better plan for you. Give Him control. Amen?

The Source

Many ask how can I grow in my faith? Start by asking God – “Help me grow. Help me with my unbelief.” You start reading His Word. You get into the Bible.
There is a great story in the Bible about a man who came to Jesus, his child was sick. He had faith but it was weak.

The man brought the child to Jesus, Jesus said, “Do you believe I can heal her?” He said, “Lord, I do believe! Help me with my unbelief!” Jesus said, “that’s good enough!” And He heals the child.
 Let’s say to God right now… Let me know your power - help my faith grow.

God’s promises are real, But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 Believe and apply God’s awesome plan to your life starting right now. Change your life today. Strive for the faith, belief system, and healthy life God desires for you to have.