ir a principal |
Ir a lateral
One of the things I am most grateful for is the opportunity to live in a free country. We are truly blessed and I am thankful for each of the liberties we have and appreciative of every person who has fought to defend them for me as well as future generations. But I have a concern. I am concerned that more and more people regard the privileges we have as rights they are entitled to which takes us from sincere gratitude to selfish demands.
As we've been talking about paying off the debt tab for the past few weeks in service, I think this idea has filtered into our thinking about material things & wants. We've stopped looking at things like cell phones, cable TV, internet, eating out, boat/cabin/cars as privileges and instead begun to look at them as a right. A right we are willing to demand even when we cannot afford it. We are willing to put them on credit when we can't afford them and ultimately we leverage ourselves years into the future. We justify debt because we look around and see everyone else doing it, so if they are doing it then it must be our right to have those things as well.
We serve a gracious and giving God. We are tremendously blessed to live in the USA with it's many practical freedoms, including the freedom to worship God. But God doesn't guarantee in scripture that you have a the right to a large house, overflowing bank accounts, or anything else. Is it OK to have those things? Yes! But they aren't rights, they are privileges God blesses us with. Our rights died on the cross when we gave our lives to Christ. Does God want to bless us? Yes! But we can't develop an attitude where we believe it's our rights or that someone or God owes us.
When we recognize that God is the giver of each blessing and that it's His privileged blessing that pours out in our lives, we will become content in his plan and thankful for everything both big & small.
The marching orders have always been clear; GO & preach the gospel and make disciples. That's not simply the mantra for missionaries in countries like Uganda or Uruguay, that's the call for every born-again Christian worldwide.
We've been give the mandate to reach our world. That's not just some other country, that's most importantly our world that we live in on a daily basis. Maybe the best definition of world in this context is simply this; your world includes your regular sphere of influence. That would be your neighborhood, workplace, friends, and family at the least. Program this thought into the normative of your thinking; I AM A MISSIONARY! Until you truly believe that, your life won't reflect the Great Commission of Christ.
How we walk that out regularly can be summarized into two actions, give & go. The work of missions, both locally & nationally, requires a financial investment to advance forward. As you read this blog on your computer, in your heated house/apt., wearing one of many sets of clothes, realize that you are tremendously blessed and able to support the work of missions that reach out to those who need Christ. Consider this, are you willing to give 1 hours worth of pay per month for missions to advance locally, nationally, and internationally? In most cases, for every dollar you give it is multiplied in effectiveness.
Are you willing to go? Are you willing to invite a friend to church? Willing to reach out to them when they experience a death in the family? Are you willing to love them even when they act unlovable? Most people are willing to come to church, they just need someone to invite them; multiple times!
Help us Reach Our World right here in Green Bay!
Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (nlt)Such a simple principle, but such a hard application. It just isn't our natural reaction to think of others first. For example, if we walk up to the doughnut box our first thought isn't, "I don't want to take this just in case someone didn't get one." Our first thought is usually, "A doughnut for me!!! Didn't get one? Sorry Charlie!!!" We naturally take care of ourselves.
But Paul reminds us of Jesus words by reciting the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself." It clearly means, consider others first and treat them the way you would want to be treated. Scripture is clear (1 Corinthians 12) that God has positioned each of us to serve one another. It's what makes God's church work. It's when you bring your gift/talent/ability together with others that the church becomes whole. And when each person serves others ultimately we are being served as well. As we strive to meet the needs of others, our needs will be met in return. We simply can't out give God.
One part of the DNA at Central is serving others. I challenge you to find a place to serve on a regular basis. I promise you, you will find that your life is far more fulfilled in doing so than it would ever be just sitting around thinking of only yourself.
Get connected, start growing, and commit to serving others!
On Sunday we celebrated 13 baptisms during our morning service. What a blast watching people whose lives have been changed by God. It's simply priceless. They are proof that when we CONNECT with God personally, purposefully, & passionately our lives can make a tremendous impact.
One great way we can grow in our faith journey is to connect with others on a regular basis. There is something special about doing life together with others who are going through the same or similar circumstances that we are. The launch of our new LifeGroups on Sunday, February 12 offers new groups & opportunities to connect. Check out the LifeGroups page on our website for all the details about the times & locations for each group.
Have a GREAT week!
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Weeds pop up. It's the nature of weeds. It's what they do! They don't wait for a convenient time or place, they just pop up at the most inopportune times.
Matthew 13 tells us that in the seasons of life there are also weeds that pop up and the source of those weeds is our enemy, the devil. His agenda is clear (John 10:10); it's to steal, kill, and destroy every good thing in our lives. He does that by planting weeds of problems, frustrations, lies, etc in our lives on a daily basis. If we are to overcome, and we can, we must weed & feed. Uproot the weeds the enemy is placing in our lives. But it's also time to feed our souls and grow closer to God through his Word and by talking to him in prayer.
How often should we weed? DAILY! In our flower beds we'll wait several weeks before weeding, but that's not how we should approach it in life. Don't let the devils lies & tricks grow in your life for weeks before dealing with them; pull the weeds daily. Start your day by taking 2 or 3 minutes to ask God for his help today and then give warning to your enemy that you aren't putting up with his junk today. Then end the day by looking at your day and inspecting for weeds that may have sprouted up (anger, lust, envy, bitterness, frustration, depression, etc.). Then pull those weeds.
Make today the start of regular weed pulling in your life. I promise, you will notices a difference.
If you do a quick search on the topic of pruning on the internet you'll find a lot of different descriptions, options, and strategies for pruning. Wikipedia described the reasons for pruning this way, "Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits."
I find that to be an interesting understanding or pruning, especially as it relates to our seasons of life. Sometimes it's just time to remove the dead stuff in our lives. Dead relationships, wastes of time, etc. I like how it describes pruning as a way of shaping our lives by controlling or directing growth. How we prune will determine the appearance of our lives. By pruning we are directing resource, energy, and passion to those places where growth is most needed. By pruning our lives we also are improving or maintaining a healthy life. If we never prune, it's unhealthy! And as the statement goes on to say, by pruning we're positioning our lives to be of greater quality.
Is it painful? Usually! Is it beneficial? ALWAYS!!! Start with your time, resources, & relationships. What do you need to prune today so that tomorrow's can be much better?
If your religion is football then today begins the Monday letdown. I've always considered myself a football (sports) fan, but never really a fanatic. I've never stood in a stadium in 2 degree weather, shirtless and chest painted. I didn't name my son Brett or Aaron and I'm not superstitious about he numbers 4 or 12. While hundreds of thousands of fans lament the demise of their favorite team, the players have already booked their tickets to a warm vacation spot for the the next few weeks. If there is one thing players know it's that Seasons Change. They don't let one circumstance get them down, they know that as long as they get back up and never quit, they will live to play another game, another day!
As it relates to the seasons of your life, they also change. And as long as you don't give up or quit there is another season waiting for you on the other side. As you journey through your current season, embrace it. Accept that God has you exactly where you are for a purpose. Guard your attitude by choosing to focus on the positive instead of the negative. Both are always present, but which one you choose to focus on is up to you. Make wise decisions that will help move your forward. And every day be very intentional about getting some SON; reading the Bible, simple prayer conversation, and connection with others.
Regardless of what happens in sports, I know I will live to fight another day and with God's help I WILL win!
One of the things I am most grateful for is the opportunity to live in a free country. We are truly blessed and I am thankful for each of the liberties we have and appreciative of every person who has fought to defend them for me as well as future generations. But I have a concern. I am concerned that more and more people regard the privileges we have as rights they are entitled to which takes us from sincere gratitude to selfish demands.
