Day 43: 50 Days of Passion

If you want passion in your spiritual life and your church what are you doing to encourage growth? Do you go to your local church to get what you need out of it? Or do you go to worship and build other believers up, by giving of your time, resources and yourself? Are you more encouraging or critical?

 

 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 NLT

 

 

People over the years have come to believe that the “grass is greener on the other side” when it comes to problems in their church. They feel that if things aren’t going their way or they don’t like what’s happening well the church across town does things better and will welcome them with open arms.

 

We all know the truth that it isn’t always greener, yet we have convinced ourselves that what we have is so damaged that nothing can be done to fix it. The grass may be greener on the other side, yet it may be artificial grass. No roots and what you see is what you get. Once you get there you may feel fine, but then pull back a seam and realize that under the turf they were no different then the church you left.

 

All churches are filled with imperfect people with imperfect problems. Every church has people quick to anger, bad decisions being made (in your opinion or otherwise), slow to forgive and broken. No church in itself can meet all you needs as they are imperfect. The one we serve is perfect. The one we go to church to worship is perfect. If he is the focus and driving forces behind your church, then that’s what matters.

 

Grass grows where it is watered. The grass is greenest when it is maintained. If members of the church (not visitors but regulars) are working to maintain the grass then the other side won’t look invite anymore. Invest in your church? Don’t like something pray about it, support it anyways, ask God to use it despite your view on it.

A church that is growing in Jesus, will show its fruit by having new people coming and people giving their hearts to Jesus.

 

Are you watering your grass? Or are you complaining about it? Let’s do something.

 

Jesus, so many of us find it easy to complain. I pray that we start to turn our complaints into action. Let us start build up, maintaining, working and watering our church so that it becomes vibrant and alive. Let us be effective in reaching others for you. The people who are lost matter to you, so they matter to me. Amen

 

 

Day 4: 50 Days of Impact

Making time to talk to someone about Jesus should feel like some thing we need to squeeze into our schedule. Yet we make it a chore, something we should make time for and get around to if we have time. Our priorities may need to be updated, when was the last time you honestly stepped back and took a good look at your priorities? What is important to you here and now compared to eternity?

 

“A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.”

Proverbs 25:26 NKJV

 

 

I honestly not sure the last real time I had a deep conversation about Jesus with someone who needed to hear it. I have, but lately I feel it has been to long. Why? Am I too busy? Probably not. Am I worried about people’s view of me? Maybe. 

 

It’s time to shed our pride. It us time to share to love a Jesus and his sacrifice for us. So many missed opportunities, we can’t afford not to share his grace with those around us. Jesus is returning soon and if we don’t start doing something now it will be to late. 

 

On our own we are not righteous. With Jesus and the Holy Spirit living in us we have the power to be great witnesses to those around us. Trust him for words and insight. Let’s start sharing stories of the lost being found. Encourage on another that Jesus is still redeeming people. If the angels rejoice over one sinner repenting, should we not rejoice as well. Should we not be excited to share the love that flows in us?

 

Dear Jesus, move in our lives, Holy Spirit, we need your power to move us past just talking the weather and the game to sharing Jesus with our friends, families and coworkers. Give us the words to speak, show us exactly what the person we are talking to needs to hear. You love them and want them to repent and return to you, give us a heart for the same. Jesus, we want to see people as you do. Amen

 

Day 39: 50 Day of Change

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have and still receive an abundance of love from God. We don’t always see the blesssing he bestows on us but they are there, it just may not always feel like it. God in his vast love for humanity sent his son Jesus to take our place on the cross that we deserve. His sacrifice put on display the completeness of his love for us. That love is not just for believers in Jesus, it is for all humanity, he took away all the sins for all humanity. Open to all who would humble themselves and come to Jesus asking for his forgiveness. This kickstarts the relationship with God that we were created for. This relationship is for all, there is no other way for humanity to have this close connection, no other god, no right living, no secret formula. Jesus prepared the way for humanity to return to the connection they had with God in the Garden as he intended. 

So do you know Jesus? Do you have a Relationship with God? What about those around you? Do they even know that Jesus died for them, maybe they do but they don’t see any point in ‘religion’. How are you showing them that God loves them and desires to have a relationship with them? Is your faith your best kept secret? It should be your worst kept secret, overflowing your life.

Father, today I ask that believers everywhere wil step up in sharing your love, telling other about the love you have for them. This world today is so full of alternative ideas on who you are and suggested pathways to eternity that confusion is rampant. Help us to create a clear picture of your love and salvation message. Holy Spirit give us words to speak and wisdom in every situation. Pour out your love through us so others can see Jesus in us. They matter to you God, so they matter to me and I am ready to push past my hesitations and do something. Amen