Too many people shy away from what God has called them to do…
They run because of:
I’ve learned, however, that the sweetest days of life are when you are found within the center of God’s will for your life...
Even as scary, unknown, and risky as living that will may appear…
So…let me ask you…
Are you doing what God has burdened your heart to do?
If not, what’s your next move?
I hope you are continuing to memorize these verses. Â About this time, gyms empty out because many with a resolution to exercise have fallen out of the habit…or never gained a habit…as the case may be. The same is true here. Now is not the time to give up, but to press forward until a habit fully forms.
Here is this week’s memory verse:
I hope you and I will like by this verse this week and always…
When your “Gospel” is the risen Christ…you can face anything that comes your way.
We have had an incredible journey these last five years as a new church. God continues to amaze us. I am consistently asked the story of starting Grace Community Church. Specifically other planters want to know what we did prior to launch. I’ve been asked enough that I thought it was worth sharing here.
The vision for Grace was placed on my heart 10 years before this process began. There were three of us sharing the vision, but the other two moved, I wasn’t in full-time ministry at the time, so the dream basically died…at least to me.
That’s when our timeline begins in May of 2004:
There is often a difference in…
Knowing…
And…
Doing…
When it comes to right things…things we should know and do…
You can know the right things to do…and never do the right things…
In my experience, not doing is often a bigger problem than not knowing…
Many people who know never do…
Yet…
The margin between knowing and doing may determine the degree of success you attain…
What is the current margin between your knowing and your doing?
But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. Philippians 2:17 NLT
Would you be willing to die for another person’s spiritual growth? I’m not sure I’m with Paul on this one yet, because as much as I like to see people growing spiritually, I don’t know if sacrificing my life for their growth is yet an option.
Paul, though, was seeing life through an eternal perspective. Remember he said earlier in the same letter, “for me to live is Christ and to die is great gain.†He recognized that the purpose of his life was to encourage others in Christ.
I’m reminded of an old song. Perhaps you’ve heard it. I don’t think it is copyrighted, but here goes:
In our series called Modern Family, I opened with a message on the purpose of marriage. I’m not certain most couples fully understand why God created marriage…and I’m especially not sure we often live according to those purposes.
Feel free to dialogue with me after the message:
Did you know Compassion International connects with the local church? Through their child development program and child sponsorship program, Compassion runs its ministry through a local, Bible-believing, Christian church. Â I never knew that.
This week I’ve been with a group of pastors learning more about Compassion International in Ecuador. With every project we visited we went to a local church, met the pastor, and saw firsthand the impact the church and Compassion are having on the community. We saw adults who were children in the program, who now are reinvesting into other Compassion children…through the local church.
As a local church pastor, I love that vision! Â Did you know that? ]
Learn more about Compassion International HERE.
Okay, I admit, this week is a tough one…
Here is this weeks Bible verse to memorize:
What if we all lived by that verse this week? What difference would it make in the world around us?
Are you naturally a complainer…or do you just tend to comply?
If you’ve been following my blog this week, I’m in Ecuador with a group of pastors on behalf of Compassion International.
We were blown away today as we entered a village in the mountains of Ecuador. It took an hour to drive the curvy dirt road, our bus got stuck, and we walked a short distance to the village. Upon rounding a corner, we saw a crowd waiting for us. Hundreds of children from the village had formed a receiving line where they gave us a rose (Ecuador is famous for their roses) and a homemade card welcoming us to their village. It was slightly overwhelming.
Have you ever received an overwhelming undeserved show of affection?
I can’t help but share this picture. This little boy warmed my heart (as did many others). I’m not sure he knew how cute he is!
It’s Friday discussion time!
Let’s discuss spiritual growth…specifically yours.
I’m always interested in spiritual growth, because…well…that’s kind of what I do!
Help me by telling me some of your spiritual growth process.
To help you think, consider answering some or all of these questions:
Are you closer to God today than you were a year ago?
If not, what changed?
Is yes, what did you do differently?
What helps you most to grow spiritually?
Was there a time in your life where you felt the closest to God?
Who is mostly responsible, in your opinion, for your spiritual growth?
Do you practice any spiritual disciplines, such as Bible reading, prayer, fasting, tithing, etc.? If so, what do you do?
What changes would you need to make to grow more spiritually?
Help me out…tell me about your spiritual growth…
Discuss…engage…Go!
