Real Community

Community is God’s answer to having healthy relationships. We all need positive Christ following people in our lives. The Bible is clear on how this can be beneficial to our health.

“When you gather, each one of you be prepared with something useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight… Take your turn, with no one person taking over. That way… you all learn from each other.” 1 Corinthians 14:26, 30-31(Message)

We learn from each other. Make wise choices on from whom and what you are learning. “As each part does its work, it helps the other parts grow, so Christ’s whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 There is an interconnectedness in the body of Christ (believers). When one person hurts we should share in their pain. When one rejoices we can all rejoice with them.

The big problem in our culture is that we do not want to commit time to relationships. A huge factor there is that we are too busy and overextend ourselves. Then there is nothing left to give. Another problem is we develop hard or complaining hearts. Life becomes “all about me”, and everyone else needs to get in line - behind me! The Bible teaches that we should, “Open your homes to each other without complaining.” Peter 4:9 (TEV) That means making others a priority and not an afterthought. Open your hearts and life to others who can journey and grow with you. It is a much better plan. Amen?

With You

Did you know that over 25% of Genesis is about Joseph? There is one thing that he was told over in over - God was with him.

 Is God with you?

Four Steps to know God is with you:

1. Trust Him as Savior – The kingdom of God is not of talk, but of power! -1 Corinthians 4:20 – Do not be ashamed of the Gospel.

2. Trust Him with your life Accept the life gives you. He will not leave you!

3. Trusted Him with your dream for life - God is the main actor not you in your life. Do not be afraid I am with you! -Genesis 50:20

4. Trust Him for doing the hard things in your life. God will be with you - Acts 7:9

Where are you men and women of courage?

Always – Stand, Step, and Speak Up for God! Amen?

What Others See

While it is important what others think about us it is more important how God views us. In a world full of "people pleasers" the Bible is clear on where our focus should be.

 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ”. - Galatians 1:10

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.…” - Philippians 3:13-15

Today focus on pleasing and serving God. It is the best gift you could give to the world around you. Amen?

Mightier

Years ago when I was a kid my parents took my brother and I to Niagara Falls. It is a magnificent example of the Creator's majesty and power. The raw power of the Falls and the millions of gallons flowing over it is awesome. I was shocked to hear that a boy (my age at the time) had survived going over the Falls. How is that possible? At the bottom lay boulders and jagged shards of rocks. 

“The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters.” – Psalm 93:4

The truth is it would be impossible without God. The same God who created it's might is powerful enough to catapult a child beyond the base and in to a pool of water to be rescued.

Maybe today you feel like you are headed over a falls in your life. Maybe you think that there is no humanly way to escape. Then cry out to Jesus! He is an expert of making a way where none exists - all things are possible for Christ our Lord. 

He is mightier than all the noise in your life. He can bring peace in to your world. Amen?

What's Important

Ten things God won't ask:

1...God won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2...God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4...God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you

compromised your character to obtain it.

5...God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6...God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8...God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the

content of your character.

9...God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll

lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10...God won't ask how many people you asked to church, He’ll ask if you were ashamed to talk about Him to your friends.

Never be ashamed to live out or tell of the Gospel. Amen?

Instructed

Today let's look at the different Bible versions from Proverb 29:18. As you consider each one ask yourself these questions:

What is the problem in each version?

What is the result of the problem?

How does “But God” change the outcome?

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. (NIV)

If people can’t see what God is doing, They stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (Message)

Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep his laws.(LB)

Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,  but those who obey what they have been taught are happy. (NCV)

Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law. (NRSV)

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (KJV)

Vision is vital to Christian living. Those who grew up memorizing KJV remember this translation. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (KJV)

The word vision (revelation) means “to mentally perceive or to contemplate”. The word translated perish (restraint) is used in the OT as “to go back”.  In Numbers 14:3 God’s wandering people wanted to “go back” to Egypt. Those who have no vision, no perception of what they could be, seem to have no clear direction in their Christian journey.

Before every great undertaking in life there is someone who has a vision for the task ahead. Every Christ follower needs to discover God’s vision for their life.

Amen?

Follow Instructions

God's Vision (Life Instructions) will bring five things in to your life.

1. Vision brings definition. Vision defines our decisions on life. Can you form a one-sentence vision statement for your life?

2. Vision brings design. Just like the steps in life: conception, gestation, birth, growth, maturity, and finally reproduction. Previous visions are reproduced into newer and expanded visions – the dream goes on.

3. Vision brings about doing. Nothing happened in the rebuilding of Jerusalem until Nehemiah’s vision took on definition and design. This brought about the motivation to rebuild. Doing the vision serves as a witness to other believers and to the world who is watching

4. Vision brings direction. Where are you headed? Personal vision guides your life.

5. Vision brings dependence. Visions should be God-sized so there is no way for them to be accomplished without Him. The Lord sees our potential.

God wants us to be and do His thing! (if not we’ll go back to a visionless life). The Lord says, See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19

Allow this vision to be birthed and grow in your life.

Seek the Lord – you will find Him. Amen?