Vision Communicated

The church needs to know where they’re going and where the leaders are trying to take them, or they will have a hard time making the journey.

That’s why God tells us:

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Proverbs 29:18 (NIV) “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.”

A clear vision communicates three things:

1. Why we’re here: our purpose. A clear purpose provides direction. To GATHER as God's people. To GROW in faith, love and service And to GO into the world as disciples.

2. Where we’re going: a picture of the future. A clear picture provides motivation. Be the active Church with Inreach, Outreach, Community activities, and partner with other churches.

3. What guides us along the way: what we value. Values protect and provide guardrails. Use the Word, listen to the Spirit, and always be in Prayer.

Without clear vision, we’ll never end up where we want to be, much less where we need to be; and neither will anyone else!

What commitment do you need to make today?

Body Parts

A believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (the body).

1 Corinthians 12:21-26teaches us, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

Going to church and being around other believers doesn’t make you a Christian. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you will want to go to church and have a desire to be around other believers on a regular basis.

What is your part in "the body"? Are you active or atrophied?

Clear Vision

Clear Vision communicates God’s plan for you, your family, and the Church. It answers questions like: Why should we go to church?

Why should we keep going to church?

“Without the God-given habit of corporate worship and the God-given mandate of corporate accountability, we will not prove faithful over the long haul.” – Kevin DeYoung

Do Not Forsake the Assembly

- This is a commandment in Scripture. Hebrews 10:23-25

-  Christian fellowship is one of the signs of a true believer.

- 1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

The Bible tells us we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers. Acts 2:42 - They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The Bible tells us we need to be taught His Word for our spiritual growth. Hebrews 10:25 – Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Church is the place where believers can:

love one another (1 John 4:12),

encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13),

“spur” one another (Hebrews 10:24),

serve one another (Galatians 5:13),

instruct one another (Romans 15:14),

honor one another (Romans 12:10),

be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

Seek God's clarity for your life. It will be the greatest discovery of your life!

Free Indeed

Happy birthday America! As we celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we enjoy let us not forget that true freedom only comes through Christ. Consider what Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 5.

In verse 1 he says, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. It is up to each believer to stand firm on the truth and show our love by being obedient to Christ. He gives us the power to stand firm in His freedom. We see that if we take our focus from His truth we will be led astray in verses 7-8,  You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?  That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. We can be led from freedom in to sin's bondage.

Jesus should be the only focus of our lives (not ourselves or anything else.). In verse 13, You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Just like Christ.

Accept God's truth, grace and wisdom today and always realize where true freedom comes from. (hint - look up)

No Greater Love

I've heard this quote recently and have thought a lot about it. “Life without purpose is empty, futile, and hopeless.”

What do you think was the most painful part of Jesus’ suffering?

Christ forgave even as he was tortured and killed. That’s the ultimate example of love.

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” Luke 18:31-33

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Jesus has told us to pick our cross and die to self. What part of that mandate do you need to work on today?

Vision Focus

The question is one we all ask: How can I know God's plan or vision for my life? I heard someone once say on this topic; You seize only what you can see! The problem with that mentality is where does faith come in to the equation? Jesus told us that we are blessed by believing and not seeing. 

Vision without the ability to achieve it makes it only a hallucination! But with God all things are possible and He will give you the ability if it His will, plan, and vision for your life. Here are some ideas on the subject.

Finding your Vision 

1. Vision starts from within - what is your heart

2. Vision draws on your history - past pains and victories

3.  Vision meets others needs - no one lives in a vacuum

4. Vision helps you gather resources - God will make a way

Focus on Listening

1. The inner voice - the Holy Spirit

2. The unhappy voice - God never wastes a hurt

3. The successful voice - where has God successfully used you

4. The higher voice - God's direction through His Spirit and Word

Think about what you would liked changed in this world, and be willing to do something about it.

Start today!

God Is

Do you feel like you've had enough, and you just cannot stand one more piece of bad news or drama in your lie? I've felt that way for a while, but you know what I've found ou? It's true you cannot take on one more thing, but with God you can! Remember when it's hardest to pray - pray your hardest. Think about this quote from an article in Higher Calling recently.
"God sometimes keeps us in seemingly impossible situations, providing just enough daily bread to strengthen us for the task ahead. When the work of our hands feels inadequate, he multiplies it like loaves and fishes. Where we lack, he is enough." Kimberly Coyle
Sounds to me like God is able, and He is. Where you can't - He can. Jesus said, Trust in me. Do you believe? Then accept and cash in this Godly promise - He is faithful. Believe that with God you can make it. Ask Jesus to help you with your unbelief. He will make a way where you see a dead end. Praise and magnify God through your storm. The storm isn't worthy of it!

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8