Don't undermine your worth by comparing
Yourself with others,
It is because we are different that each
Of us is special.
Don't set your goals by what other people
Deem important,
Only you know what is best for you.
Don't take for granted the things closest
To your heart
Cling to that as you would your life, for without
Them life is meaningless.
Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living
In the past or the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the
Days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give
Nothing is really over … until the moment
You stop trying.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less
Than perfect,
It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks,
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's
Impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly,
And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Don't dismiss your Dreams. To be without
Dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don't run through life so fast that you forget
Where you've been,
But also know where you're going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored
Every step of the way.

This afternoon some of our team, as well as some CRU students from RSU, banded together to agressively tackle our main street of Claremore.  The high school homecoming parade was today, so we followed it up with trash bags and rubber gloves.  It amazed me that seven people in just over an hour cleaned up the sidewalks!  It didn't take long at all and it was an honor to love our community with no strings attached.  I didn't mind doing it because I'm madly in love with Claremore Oklahoma!  One guy asked us if we were the parade cleaning crew?  I said heck yeah!  It makes me wander if we shouldn't volunteer to serve after each parade that our community has in the future.  We celebrated buy eating pizza at Napoli's.

On October 19th Twin Oaks Church where I attend is moving our service out into the street by participating in the Silicon Valley AIDS Walk. I am so humbled to know and work with the elders and pastor of our church, a wonderful group of servers who are not afraid to "Walk" the talk.

It asks the question, how can I create a context for people to realize their dreams? It ultimately asks the question, how can I serve this person? It is selfless.

True love does not forget self, but it is not worried about its own self promotion. What do I mean?

I have a unique identity. My name is Autumn, and no one else has the same body, soul and spirit as me. Within my heart are dreams, desires, and talents that when combined form a person who has never been and who will never be again. That's pretty amazing, and I am just one person of an estimated 6 billion on the planet!

Yet my greatest achievement in life will not be to do all that I want to do and dream big dreams, climbing the social ladder, the career ladder or any other ladder we might devise within culture! My greatest achievement will come in loving other people. But what about people loving me you might argue?!

True love is not concerned with unrequited love, nor intimidated by hostility. True love is not flippant or prejiduce. So, when I say my greatest achievement is to love people I am not worried of being alone, or forgotten or overlooked; because the true nature of love is found in sharing in the joy of other peoples lives being knit with their own. True love will never be alone BECAUSE it loves. And the peace that that brings is a bond most secure, ensuring both my influence and joy.

What's all this talk about serving and loving? This is so contrary to our tendencies that it seems preposterous to even think it possible. Who really lives like that? Who REALLY cares more about other people than themselves? Isn't it a dog eat dog world out there and you have to push your way to the top? You have to make sure to get your piece of the pie first or in the end there won't be anything left for yourself?  You have to do only your little bit and everyone else needs to fend for themselves! And the examples of those who live like what I'm suggesting; appear to be walked on and taken advantage of and are basically push-overs with no backbone.That doesn't sound like a very promising picture to me either!

But that is not the way the story truly ends. True love doesn't get walked on in the end. True love actually requires a tremendous amount of strength. There isn't a force on the planet, in all of our lives that is stronger than Love; not even death. And so if a person commits their life to learning how to love as love is to truly be expressed a most amazing thing will happen. They will seemingly lose their life only to find it as it was always intended to be, with purpose and satisfaction beyond what was imagined.

This seems like an absolutely critical distinction to me. If God actually doesn't act on behalf of those whom he is in relationship with or meet the needs of the people he loves so much then he is nothing more than a collection of ideals, the projection of the best humans can imagine about the world and themselves, and a catch-all afterlife solution. But if he is active, a God who is alive, then he is more than a theology or set of moral or philosophical beliefs - he is a person, a real and active force in the world with separate and distinct intentional power who has character and intentionality that affects my life in real ways.

I'm not talking here either about an inductive view of causality, simply looking around at the needs of humans and of me personally that are already being met on a regular basis, the fact that there is air to breathe and food to eat and those sorts of things, and calling those the extent of God's "serving" me. Then I'm just tagging what already is with my God-pen and calling it supernatural - though I wouldn't necessarily call these things merely chance or fate either.

If this is true, if the universe really is at its core relational, and at the heart of it is a person who transcends the chaos of humanity's limitations and hurtful choices and who wants not only to be known to exist, but to show us humans how to navigate our madness and meaninglessness and emerge into a truly happy life (if not necessarily successful or tragedy-free, though that is another post) - if these things could be real then I have to think this God is somehow making himself known in my life on a regular basis, that he is acting and speaking however God acts and speaks (I'm going on the assumption that there's more to it than natural disasters and conflagrant foliage), and that more than that he wants me to notice. He couldn't be this sort of God if he didn't want me to know it.

I think perhaps I am starting to look for him again.

• Jesus rested in God's sovereignty. "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper" (vv. 3-4).  Obviously, we are not sovereign, however, we can extrapolate some application questions from this: "Do I trust that God is sovereign in my life?   Do I believe that my reward and inheritance is in eternity, so that I am able to humbly serve in this life?"  We must believe that our service here on earth will bring great reward in heaven.  That only comes if we understand our humble position before Almighty God.
• Jesus was vulnerable before his disciples.  "He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist...and began to wash the disciples' feet" (vv. 4-5).  God doesn't take risks, but from our vantage point as humans reading this narrative, it was risky for Jesus to bend low, strip his clothes, and do a task that was reserved for the lowest person in the household.  We can ask ourselves, "Do I put myself in vulnerable situations and risk my reputation in order to be a servant?
• Rank and privilege aren't occasions for arrogance, but are cause for greater service. "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand" (v. 7).  Peter didn't understand Christ's role as Messiah.  Even though Jesus appeared to be the lowly one in the room, there was absolutely no doubt who the leader was.  Simply ask yourself, "Do I use my leadership positions or skills to boast and dominate or to be humble and serve?"
  
• Jesus needs to sanctify us because we are still in an imperfect state.  "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.  And you are clean, but not every one of you" (v. 10).  Peter and the disciples didn't understand this.  Jesus here speaks of justification and sanctification.  Peter didn't need to be washed all over -- he was already saved.  But there were parts of Peter's life that needed to be cleansed.  And Jesus also points to the fact that Judas was never fully washed in the first place by saying, "Not all of you are clean" (v. 11b).  Judas didn't fall away from God; he was never with God.  For the Christian, we must ask, "Do I ever not allow Jesus to do what he wants and needs to do in my life?  Do I ever resist his sanctifying work?"
• Jesus is first Savior and Lord before example. "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master" (vv. 15-16b).  The key is in verse 16b.  Jesus says, "You aren't greater than me, if I am your master."  Jesus cannot, nor will not, be our example if he is not first our master.  Following him as an example will be pointless if he doesn't rule your heart.  The most important question we can ask ourselves in light of this passage is, "What parts of my life is Christ merely an example and not Savior and Master?"  Let Jesus rule over your life as the great King and General he is, that you might do as he did. 

May we seek to know these things with our heart, and not just our mind.  May we seek to do them out of joy and delight and not duty and religion.  May we remember that Christ is our Savior, Master, and Cleanser before he is our Example.

Jesus was an amazing leader. He was able to the hold attention of thousands as He taught about God. Jesus’ message was so powerful that people left their homes and families behind to follow Him. He was hands on with His ministry, healing the sick, giving the blind their sight, blessing the children and widows, leading the first small groups, challenging religious leaders, and rebuking the leaders under Him when they did not have enough faith. Jesus was an amazing leader, so much so that 2000 years later people who never got to see Him preach are still following Him.

I hope you realize that you are a leader to someone. Even if you walk this earth telling people that you were not given the spiritual gift of leadership you are misinforming them and delusional yourself. We are to reflect the love and walk of Jesus. When you throw off that kind of light it is going to hit someone. Please don’t think that because you are not teaching a class or leading a small group that you are not leading. Fortunately, and unfortunately, you are watched by everyone around you and you will eventually influence someone by your faith walk and behaviors. You may not cause people to leave their homes and walk hundreds of miles just to hear you speak but you could, in one moment, change someone’s life by steering them toward the person that can give them eternal life….or by pushing them away.

Jesus gave His children salvation but that comes with the responsibility and privilege (yes! It’s an honor) to love others the way He loved us, teach others the way He teaches us, guide others the way He guides us, and forgive others the way He forgives us. We are called to lead. What kind of leaders do you have and what kind of leader are you?

“You are the light of the world---like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same ay, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Hebrews 6:10
“For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.”
[Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE
Being involved in ministry as a volunteer for many years, I know first hand how sometimes the weight of tasks and responsibilities can easily distort our focus and dampen our desire to give more to God.

“Why should I give more?” “Why should I sacrifice my own personal time?” “Why should I leave my comfort zone?” “Who will remember my work?”

All these questions can easily become active thoughts that discourage us from doing what God has called us to do.And just one answer explains it all: <<God sees and knows>>.  And as today's verses clearly state, God willl **never** forget what we did for Him. As long as our motive is right and our intentions pure and genuine, God will **never** overlook our sacrifice. **Never, ever!**

Has God proved faithful to you in the past? Have you experienced His grace, love and power sometime in your life? Have you been blessed beyond measure? If so, then there's no reason to doubt God. As you've seen Him do in the past, He will do again and again. For our awesome God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And He will always remember.

TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a faithful and just God --Who has already loved me and accepted me in The Beloved Jesus. Thank You for the privilege to serve and make a difference in other people's lives. I commit to continue giving my best to You in the many ways You allow me to serve, and not doubting Your faithfulness. In Jesus' precious name, amen.

Most of these students are very much hardened to the world and to the Lord. It was a challenge to say the least. I was astonished when the two oldest boys, who had been in the program for years and were the leading "atheists" on campus each went to counselors after the service the first night and said, "I am tired of fighting God. It is too hard to not believe." The next night one of them got up and read an essay he had written about stepping out to trust God. It sent shock waves through the students. By the end of the week, a third to half of the students had given their lives to the Lord. I ended up spending four days doing back to back counseling with students. There was no hype, it was just an awesome, spontaneous move of God!

One day I got to speak to just the staff. I stressed tot hem that, by no means was I under the illusion that what was going on hod anything to do with me. I was just some guy passing through and getting to do some harvesting. None of it would have been possible if they had not been there day after day, month after month, year after year planting and watering the seeds of God's word and love. Some of these people had gone round and round with these young men for up to four years, then suddenly, everything broke loose. I would describe myself as a migrant farm working coming through for the harvest season. The teachers, counselors, and house parents are the farmers. They have loved, prayed, and shed tears over the students. They have sacrificed by living in the Dominican Republic (a beautiful place but without the comforts of home like reliable electricity and water). They are the true heroes!

The problem is that there aren't too many of us who want to be the planter or the waterers. It is great fun to be the harvester. It was an incredible experience. But it isn't always so much fun being the one to love on kids who reject you and your Lord. I run a youth center and after school program that doesn't always seem to be bearing fruit. But I am called to plow up the ground. I may never be the harvester in these kids' lives. I may never even get to see the harvest. Am I still willing to plow and plant and water? Many times I get frustrated and want to quit. But there is no harvest without the guys doing the dirty work all year long. So keep plowing and thank God for the times you get to swoop in and harvest where someone else has been faithful to prepare the ground for you!

You can click here to read a recap of our gathering recap

This has been in place for a few months, but it is becoming more and more of our culture.  Basically we want people to spend their time doing 3 things:

• Come on the weekend (make it a priority to attend and worship every weekend)
• Be part of a group (get connected in some sort of community made up of 8-10 people)
• Serve others (at Eagle Brook, but also beyond)

Now, we know that there are other good ways to grow in ones faith, but as a whole we feel that if people would commit to these 3 things, transformation will happen.  If people put themselves in these 3 environments, there is a good chance the 5G's (Grace, Growth, Groups, Gifts, Generosity) will be live out in their lives.

This weekend was amazing in that we helped people get connected to and experience each of these 3 in a HUGE way.  We had hundreds and hundreds of people at each of our campuses get connected into a serving role for the first time.  Also, just last night we saw over 300 people get connected into a small group for the first time, and are anticipating another couple hundred tonight at Grouplink.  What an amazing thing God is doing!

So, are you doing the "Big 3?"  If you are, how has each been a value to you?

I'm convinced the food doesn't matter
how bland or spicey
if I reflected the day

it would be grayish white
windy wetness.

Anything with syrup
is good for my daughter!

the meat is french toast
and it's flesh fills the house
with butter spirits,

I serve milk to go
back tothe basics.

5 Oct 08,
dlb
Serving Family

So I waited on a total wench this evening at work...and she proceeded to treat me like a piece of crap, for literally no apparent reason and did unmentionable things which almost made me quit a week early in a blaze of serving glory.  The details of which are too long and drawn out to go through (not to mention incriminating-and let's face it, I'm not THAT stupid), and most of you who are reading this already know anyway-if you need to know more, you know how to find me.  The end result of the whole situation ended with me getting held back by two employees/friends with the sole reminder that I still needed money for the big move next week...however I was still victorious, haha....

As I explained in an earlier post, the cardinal rule of dining out..."don't fuck with someone who handles your food"

All I have to say is the bitch should have been a little nicer to me....

Lauren-1 , Evil Wench-0

So much for sexism

in thinking about john the baptist, check out these excerpts:

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  1:6-8

Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.  He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ. " They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"  He said, "I am not."  "Are you the Prophet?"  He answered, "No... in the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'I am the voice of one calling in the desert, `Make straight the way for the Lord.' "  1:19-23

Now some Pharisees who had been sent  questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."  1:24-27

To this John replied...He must become greater; I must become less.  3:30

enjoy!

His disciples asked Him privately, ’Why could we not cast it out?’ " ( Mark 9:28 ). The answer lies in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. "This kind can come out by nothing but" concentrating on Him, and then doubling and redoubling that concentration on Him. We can remain powerless forever, as the disciples were in this situation, by trying to do God’s work without concentrating on His power, and by following instead the ideas that we draw from our own nature. We actually slander and dishonor God by our very eagerness to serve Him without knowing Him.

When you are brought face to face with a difficult situation and nothing happens externally, you can still know that freedom and release will be given because of your continued concentration on Jesus Christ. Your duty in service and ministry is to see that there is nothing between Jesus and yourself. Is there anything between you and Jesus even now? If there is, you must get through it, not by ignoring it as an irritation, or by going up and over it, but by facing it and getting through it into the presence of Jesus Christ. Then that very problem itself, and all that you have been through in connection with it, will glorify Jesus Christ in a way that you will never know until you see Him face to face.

We must be able to "mount up with wings like eagles" ( Isaiah 40:31 ), but we must also know how to come down. The power of the saint lies in the coming down and in the living that is done in the valley. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ( Philippians 4:13 ) and what he was referring to were mostly humiliating things. And yet it is in our power to refuse to be humiliated and to say, "No, thank you, I much prefer to be on the mountaintop with God." Can I face things as they actually are in the light of the reality of Jesus Christ, or do things as they really are destroy my faith in Him, and put me into a panic?

Just some links that i want to keep to remind me that God doesn't abandon me on my journey... that he foresaw what was to come and yet he didn't remove the obstacles - He made me go through the narrow way, the tight hoop with goo on it (private joke), the big stretch...

These links remind me why i'm doing what i'm doing and why I can stop doing the things i don't wanna do and do the things He has set me to do. (Yes quite a mouthful)

It's been awhile since i've been to Sean's blog. Funny, I went to his ancient LJ blog instead of his multiply site. It seems like i had an epiphany, I woke up from my short lunch time nap and i suddenly decided to read the ol' uncle muthu blog, only God knows how to transcend depression and stubborness and go straight to my heart. And he brought me back to this particular post Sean wrote about EJ camp, this one i loved alot because it contains the background of how 'Fall Afresh on Me' was written.

2001. Sean was serving the Nation. I just entered secondary school.

2008. I'm the one serving the nation, and the story of how Fall afresh on me was written encourages me.

it's been 8 good years since the song was written.

And i quote: "It was 2001, in the wee hours of the morning in Pulau Tekong, SISPEC G coy barracks. Sean was sitting down at the coy line staircase with his guitar and plucking random notes out of it.

It was the "silent years" where he simply just did nothing except be a soldier. Not serving in ministry because of his "stay in" vocation, just on the island for 6 days a week, serving a sometimes strenuous duty to the nation. "

I remember Sean once wrote about enjoying the sheep years.. (don't ask me how i remember his posts, i just do, blessed memory...'Uncle Muthu' was my secondary school favourite blog-bite)

And those 'silent years' perfectly describes the sheep years... The following of the shepherd, eating, sleeping and repeating the process tomorrow.

Sean wrote a beautiful song as a sheep, with a shepherd's heart of course, but still as a baa baa sheep... He wasn't serving in a ministry... but in service to His nation, through doubt and quietness... He wrote his prayer down, and that heartfelt prayer has been heard by twelve thousand people today.

imm, have you prayed lately? have you come to the end of yourself and cry out to God?
I'm not speaking in a religious sense, i'm not asking whether you've done your meditations and rites, i'm not even asking whether you've done your quiet time...

imm, have you prayed like Jabez lately? Have you prayed a selfish prayer?

Jabez asked God to bless Him, deliver him from himself - pain. He asked everything pertaining to his own good, things in our context like, make me rich (bless me), give me a bigger house (Enlarge my tents), comfort me and make me look good (may your hand be with me), keep flu away from me and keep me healthy (keep me from harm), keep depression away from me (free me from pain).

Jesus you're my Lord was written by Pastor Dan a long time ago (it wasn't a recent thing)... I remember him last singing it when i was in the first EJ Camp, my final camp as a mighty man.

and this song that ministers, just like Fall afresh on me wasn't written to impress, they weren't written to fill a space in the church album.. and gosh, they weren't even written to minister to thousands. They were written to God himself, the new song, the sound of melodies...

Sean reminds me why I'm serving God... why there's a season to rest and a season to labour abundantly...

Just as he didn't want to lose his voice during the five day camp... so did i wanted to excel in my ministry...

I quote him once more.. this time paraphrased to how i interpet it...

Just like how a guitar or a keyboardist won't hurt their fingers or their strings and keys while playing, excellence doesn't mean to overwork your instrument till it breaks... Excellence is honoring the instrument and gift God has given you... Protect it, feed it, practice it, but don't damage it... you won't damage what you love would you... I know i will NEVER break my guitar...

As much as I want to be excellent,  as brave and gungho as it seems, i should not dishonour my 'instrument' by the sterness of duty and the blindness of religous service...

daddyGod loves for me to serve in his house, but he does not want me to burn out... what is service when you serve to burn out? To properly take care of my instrument is to love it, but even my love is not enough, I must bring in God's love into the picture... and what is the instrument or rather who is the instrument?

I am! and to take care of me is to let God love me.

Service to God is letting God serve you.

Only THE beloved can give it all out. Because the beloved first takes it all. He takes all of God's love. Only the beloved has the priviledge to recieve and to bless...

I am at rest now. (:

After eating dinner with my fam, it was a blast playing hide n go seek with Cambo and teaching him how to pitch - ahh that one day he would represent Christ to the Boston Red Sox pitching staff!  Which by the way, gotta love how the Angels own us during the season, but in October they are ours!  Besides that highlight, my other one came from attending the Citizen's Academy.  I got to change a 30,000 watt electrical cord tonight, as well as fulfill a boyhood dream.  I get to lay my head down feeling like a real man - got to operate a back hoe!  I could have stayed in that thing for hours!

hello you, can you hear me...
are you free for coffee tonight...

hello you, can you see me...
can you come down for a chat...

hello you, i just called just to say...
i love you.

hello you... and goodbye.

hello daddy? speak to me... let me hear your gentle whispers... tell me that things will get better, that things will be alright...

i wanna run away, be a brat and hide... but leaving's not option... i've decided against it a long time ago...

but why dad, why the thought again?

anyway, enough with the 'woe is me' speeches...

i'm through with it... dad, you settle this, i may not see circumstances and people change... but you change me... do your heart transformation and do your thing, make all things new...

I wish I had what I need
To be on my own
'Cause I feel so defeated
And I'm feeling alone

And it all seems so helpless
And I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset
With nowhere to land

And all I see
It could never make me happy And all my sand castles
Spend their time collapsing

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough

And I feel stuck
Watching history repeating
Yeah, who am I?
Just a kid who knows he's needy

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough

Let that be enough - Switchfoot

And i know you are more than enough for me...

Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.

First, Establish a Daily Prayer Time

Psalm 57:2 - I will cry to God Most High, who will fulfill His purposes for me.

Commit to two things, how long and when.  Example: “I will pray for 15 minutes a day every morning.”  Let me say this, all of these are goals to help us to stretch ourselves and grow.  There’s no condemnation, no legalism…use these goals as guides.  If you prayed five days and missed one, don’t get all upset.  Say “I prayed for five days.  Awesome.  Let’s start again.”  Now if you look at your prayer time and you’ve missed three days in a row well, either your passion for God has slipped or your life is out of balance.

Second, Have a Regular Bible Study

Psalm 119:104-105 - Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Having daily Bible reading is very important but we should all have a weekly study time also.  In our study time we’re not just reading but spending time in a passage, looking up the meaning of words, studying what was happening during that time, looking up related passages etc.  In general going deeper on one section of scripture or studying one idea throughout the whole Bible.

Example: “I will spend fifteen minutes a day reading the word at lunch and One hour a week in study on Sundays.  This week I’m studying all the Bible references to gossip.”

Next Create Personal Accountability

Proverbs 15:32-33 - If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.  Fear of the Lord teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor.

Someone once told me “You’re only as accountable as you want to be.”  That’s a true statement.  No one can force you to open up and share your struggles or ask another person to encourage you pursue your calling. This really is the place where people either soar or crash.  We are all human and left to ourselves we will take the easy road.  We need godly input from people we respect.

Example: “I will make myself accountable by joining a Connect Group and opening up to the leader about my struggles.  I will choose one brother or sister who is strong in an area I am weak, to keep me accountable.”

Keep Church Attendance a Priority

Hebrews 10:24-25 - Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

How can anyone think of personal growth apart from the local church?  A huge part of growing spiritually is the selflessness that comes from being part of a larger vision.  It’s no longer about me and my life but about what God is doing with our church and in our city.

The poor priorities we have where we choose kids sporting events, overtime and leisure activities over obeying scripture to gather together is one of the main things that causes us to stagnate.  We must seek firs the kingdom of God.

Example: “I commit to never miss church unless ill or on vacation.”  “No Molly you can’t play soccer Sunday at 11am because we have church.”

Work at Positioning Yourself

1 Corinthians 14:3 - One who prophesies is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them.

Whatever your gift is use it to build the body up.  Don’t wait to be asked!  If you’re not skilled yet in the gift or if someone has told you that you have a gift, seek out mentoring.  Get around other people who are already succeeding in that area.  Study the word on the specific gift.  Etc.

Example: If you feel called to teach and there’s no opportunity to teach adults, position yourself by using my gift of teaching in the children’s church or in a Small Group.

2 Peter 3:17 - But grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Give Generously

Mal 3:8-10 - Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you ask, In what way did we ever rob you? In tithes and offerings You are under a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. ¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Hosts, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!

The tithe is the minimum to call yourself a believer.  Please don’t put comments out about how it’s Old Testament.  Abraham tithed 700 years before the law was written (Hebrews 7:4-10) and Jesus said you should tithe in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23).

We should all be giving above and beyond the tithe because it’s a supernatural thing that increases our faith!  What makes me laugh is when people say, “Well, I pray and just give what God tells me to.  I’m not obligated to tithe.  It’s legalism.” Because they always are people who give less than 10%!!  Do you mean the same God who raised all the standards for those under grace (not just don’t commit adultery but don’t even look at a woman with lust) is going to lower the standard for giving?  Ha!

Example: “I commit to tithe (10%) and to prayerfully give 3% to hunger relief.”

Serve God by Serving People

1 Peter. 4:10 - Each one should use whatever gift he’s received to serve others. (niv)

Serving is everyone’s responsibility.  There should be no spectators in the kingdom of God.  I was blessed by a dear sister who showed up for the back pack give away and said, “I want to help but I can’t stand long because of physical limitations.  What can I do?”  I had her sit at the table and stuff the back packs with the pencil cases.  Her attitude was she wanted to serve in any way she could.  Wonderful!

Example: “I will serve in the Lord by ushering and coming to the church work day.”

Obey the Sabbath Principle

Ex 16:28-29 - How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?” the Lord asked Moses. “Do they not realize that I have given them the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest?

Mar 2:27 - The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath.

I wrote on the Sabbath in Personal Growth Part 2 so I won’t say anymore here.

Example: I will rest one day a week from my work (including phone calls) and take one week vacation a year with my family.

++++

Plan to Grow.  If you’re the same Christian you are next year as you are this year…If you don’t look a little more like Jesus, than you’re out of God’s will! Anything God blesses grows!