Taken Up

For years when anyone asked me, "What's up?", I responded, "God's up!". You know what after all these years I still believe that. If God isn't up then where would we be? The Bible tells us to keep looking up. That is where our help comes from - every time!

By the way, I also still believe, "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good."

Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 3:16: "Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory."

I am so glad that I serve a good God. That helps me look up. Amen?

Grace Happens

Learning about and growing in grace is a life long process. Doing it God’s way every time is always best. The greater our understanding and application of God’s grace the more we’ll be able to receive. If our understanding of grace is small then our acceptance of grace will be small. It’s all about focus.

Many times we try to be “people pleasers” instead of desiring to make God smile. Do you care more about worldly appearances than Godly integrity? If so ask God right now to change your heart.

As you live a grace-shaped life, commit each day to investing grace into your decisions, words, relationships, and everything else you do. Allow grace to happen here, there, and everywhere you go

Praise God for His fabulous gift called grace. Amen?

Core Values

I was recently encouraged by a post on a church volunteer website about a Christian's Core Value.

Churches that have a higher percentage of people involved in serving live out these six values found in 1 Corinthians 1:2-9. ² To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: ³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.⁴ I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵ For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— ⁶ God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. ⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁸ He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYER- The Church needs to rely on this to see God in all aspects of their ministry.

The PRIESTHOOD of All Believers - The church seeks to equip people for ministry in the family, the church, the community, and the world.

SERVANT Leadership - Demonstrates genuine humility, authenticity, accountability, and genuine care of people.

TEAM Ministry - Willingness of people to work for the good of the greater body.

INTENTIONALITY - Through the intentional implementation of systems to prepare, connect, and equip people for ministry inside and outside the walls of the church.

Proactive Toward CHANGE - The church continually changes its methods, but maintains the consistent message of God’s Word.

Let's continually work on the values we need for serving God’s Kingdom. Amen?

Pray Jesus

Prayer isn't the least thing you can do in a crisis, it's the most important thing you can do! The question for a Christ follower is not should we pray, but what are we praying for? People ask, and we should pray for healing and comfort. But I would like to offer to you a startlingly alternative- pray Jesus! Complete healing and true restoration can only come from Him.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

The world needs Jesus more than we need gun control, mediation, new laws, or anything else. Pray that Christ would come in to the hearts and lives of those who are embittered, angry, hurt, or full of hate. Only Jesus can offer love, hope, mercy, forgiveness, and a peace that passes human understanding. We all need Jesus.

Amen?

Invited

We used to get invitations to life's big events in the mail that contained something called a RSVP. It meant we needed to respond Yes or No by calling or returning a small card to the one planning the event. Now, most of my invites come through social media. I noticed a change to the old RSVP system. We can now respond to the invite - Yes, No, or Maybe!

I don’t like maybe. Either you are in or out, but our culture feels we need this third alternative. Do we ever treat God this way? Well... You Are Invited! God wants us to participate in His kingdom’s work. He has called us to be obedient in living life a certain way. What is your response?

 In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word. Psalm 119:88

As a Christ follower value the things that God values – say Yes. Amen?

All Your Ways

I once offered a camp scholarship to anyone in my Youth group if they memorized this passage.

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

They did - all 50 of them did!

It was the best money I ever spent. They were able to quote it, remember it, and made it part of their lives. Even today many years later some will still say it to me when I run in to them.

Apply Proverbs 3:5-6 to your life journey and see where it takes you.

Memorize and live it today. Amen?

Be Well

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. Amen?