7 Days away from a Godly Character

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:5-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/2pe.1.5-9.niv

Jesus sacrifice demands that we constantly grow and build on our character! Work on adding to your character a little each day.

Starts with having faith. We must have faith in Jesus and faith is a given and has to be your foundation!

Follow these 7 steps to growing in your character. 1 step a day for seven days. Take it one day at a time.

1. GOODNESS! Simply choosing what is right. Being good natured in all that you do.
2. KNOWLEDGE! Knowledge about God and who He is. Also knowledge about who you are before God. Exposing your sin and true self.
3. SELF CONTROL! Fasting and praying. Giving up something for God. Saying no to temptation.
4. PERSEVERANCE! Standing firm. Not running away from your problems. Facing them. Being comfortable in where God has you for the moment. Not giving up on your marriage/kids. Continuing to fight for what is right.
5. GODLINESS! (Def. conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devout; pious) deepening your convictions. Less talk and more action in doing what God commands. WWJD.
6. BROTHERLY KINDNESS! Spiritual Bond. Unity. Strengthening your spiritual family. Deepening your relationships in the church. Carrying each other's burdens.
7. LOVE! Unconditional. Self sacrifice. Giving to everyone. Concerned for the lost. Concerned spiritually for each other. Outward focused.

Increasing in these qualities will help you know Jesus and strengthen your relationship with God.

What do they all have in common? They are all decisions. You chose to be good, to want to know, to have self control, to persevere, to be Godly, to show brotherly kindness and to Love.

Without developing and growing in these character traits you become nearsighted and blind spiritually and you will forget (fall out of) the grace and mercy that God has shown you!

Are you willing to take the challenge? Today starts with goodness!

Numbers 11:4-15; 18; 25-30

Numbers 11:4-15; 18; 25-30

Moses is obviously in a hard spot as a leader and has developed an unhealthy view of leadership. God sees Moses need and instructs him to raise up new leaders. Two other mean who had not concentrated themselves received Gods spirit and Moses unlike Joshua, welcomed everyone to receive the Lords spirit.

Jeremiah 31:31 This prophesy has been revealed and we all have the spirit as disciples of Christ. Moses wished he was leading Israel and they all had the same spirit he had.

Today every disciple of Christ is called to be a prophet, a preacher, a leader...etc. To lead Gods church today is to simply call my brothers and sisters to act on the decision to make Jesus Lord that they have already made!

How can engage every member of my group working towards one common goal? As a disciple they have already decided to make Jesus Lord. As a leader it should be my goal to help every member for fill that decision that they have made.





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James Son of Joseph Brother Of Jesus

James Son of Joseph Brother Of Jesus

Who was James the brother of Jesus? As Jesus brother James would have known stuff about Jesus that no one else in the world knew. James would have known Jesus the carpenter. James knew his work ethic. James knew Jesus at his most intimate moments.

Matthew 12:48-50 Jesus family new there was something special about him but they thought he was crazy. So much so that they thought it was important to intervene and rescue Jesus from himself. As God as our father that makes us all brothers and sisters in Christ. James learned what it meant to be a physical brother from Jesus and also a spiritual brother from Jesus as well!

The book of James use the term brother/s more than almost any other book in the New Testament. James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. James would have been able to deny that Jesus was without sin.

Let's look at each of the references to "brother/s" in the book of James.

James 1:2 Brothers persevere. Thank God for the hard times and the chance to persevere.

James 1:16 Don't be deceived. Good gifts come from God and the word of truth is the resurrection.

James 1:19 Where did James get the Godly advice he is giving us in vs 19? Jesus was the perfect example of this, slow to anger, quick to listen to people...etc.

James 2:1;5 Jesus preached this same message in the sermon on the mount. Jesus lived out this in his life and died with out any possessions. Do we give most to those who give back to us or do we give more to people who are not even capable of giving back to us?

James 2:14-24 What good is non saving faith? Because of this passage many people thought the history of Christianity people have argued to remove the book of James from the bible. Why? Faith without action is dead. This teaching goes against what certain denominations want to believe. Faith without deeds is not faith in Jesus. Jesus calls us to repent as we have faith in Him.

James 3:9; 4:11 I wonder if this conviction came to James from the way he initially judged and treated Jesus?

James 5:10-12; 19 We are obligated to help each other and when I help my brother or sister repent from sin it honors and glorifies God.




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How to: Teens

BELIEVING IN THEM

Prodigal son.
Father new he was making a wrong decision but fully believed in his son that he would come back

Share about walking away from God. Share about Shadae as well.

Loving them where they are ....(unconditional love)

Not being critical. Holding high standards but also being understanding. Diana reminding me of the things that I use to do as a teen.

WALKING WITH THEM

Not controlling. Allowing them to make mistakes. Not sheltering them from everything.

Feel what they feel. Sympathize with what they are going through. Teen years, high school is tough, especially to be a Christian.

Being open with them about your life. Your struggles and your sin

Date your daughters monthly with the same passion as you would with your wife.

Helping them through the bad choices they have made by guiding them back to God.






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7 keys to a teens heart!

7 keys to a teens heart!

1.) Believe in them

Proverbs 3:5

Teens have a better chance in turning to God when we believe in them. Believing in them also gives them more security. When your teen is giving you their heart then they are on their way to giving God their heart.

Some times we have to painfully watch our kids go through tough things. They need to be exposed to the world on some level to see their need for God.

Recommended books. "Strong fathers, strong daughters". We have to lift our teens up and encourage them daily!

Romans 1:8-9 Paul encouraged the Roman church and in all his letters he starts off in this way.

Sandwich approach in talking about tough issues...bun(encouragement), meat(tough issue, correction), bun(encouragement).

2.) Understand them.

Understanding is about listening! Mark 4:3,9; 24-25, Mark 7 Ask if they want you to just listen or if they want input! We all need someone to listen!

Romans 12:2 what brings about good transformation and change? It's renewing their mind.


3.) Walking with them.

John 3:22








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Short view and the long view

Short view and the long view

Genesis 50:14-21

Joseph took the long view. It was easy for him to take the short view and say "I'm in power now" and treated his brothers harshly! He took the long term view that he is not God and God is the judge and does not judge in the hear and now but provides mercy and grace!

God perspective is so different from ours! He is always looking at the long view. God is so smart, big, eternal, and omnipotent that even our mistakes are used to for fill his will!

We cannot always understand what God is doing but we can always take the long view by trusting in Him! Joseph looked beyond his immediate needs and looked forward to what his actions would mean long term!

Trusting in God starts with setting aside your needs!

The long view allows me to be righteous in the moment. When there is no accountability and I am tempted with sin if I have the long view I won't chose to hurt God. Falling into sin and giving into temptation is taking the short view. Living in the moment!

Genesis 50:22-26

Joseph took the really really long view.

The long view is looking forward years, decades...ect. The really long view looks at what happens after death. The really long view is concerned with eternity! Hebrews 11:22 Joseph cared about what would happen after he died!

Hebrews 11:22;39 Joseph new it mattered after he died but he did not know why. He trusted God with blind faith. How much more should take the really long view knowing the gift of salvation that I have!

Think about heaven. It is beyond thought and comprehension but we need to still try! Dream of the long view! What do you look forward too the most in heaven?

We have to live our life in this world with the long view that helps us resist temptation. Live looking forward to the next left.


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Purity in marriage

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/heb.13.4.niv

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/2ti.2.22.niv

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:18-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/1co.6.18-20.niv


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What Love Is Not.

What Love Is Not.

As we get older love gets complicated. You grow up as a child and love means so many different things. As you get older love becomes even more complicated. What does love mean. The world defines it differently that God does. What is normal for love? Dis functional families and broken relationships and love means so many different things for different people. God created love and wrote the definition of love!

1 John 4:7-9;19

Love comes from God. Do we search for love through God today? Many of us search for love in all the wrong places! God is the only one who can provide true love! Love is an action! Not just an emotion or feeling! With God love is never complete! Love should always be growing!

To learn about love you have to go to God. You have to spend time with God. You have to get to know him and his character. If you really know God then you will love!

Jesus became who he intended to be by going through suffering. Am I using the tough things in my life to help me draw closer to God?

Who was your fist love and who broke your heart? We hesitate sometimes in pursuing another person with love because we are afraid of getting hurt. God initiated the love with us first. God acted on his love for us! When we chose to turn away from Gods love we are breaking his heart. Our love for God is a reaction but an action none the less!

Biblical is not normal or natural. True love the way God intended it is supernatural! We want to love people that love us. To love someone that doesn't love you back is Gods love!

Love is not complete without God and without action! The decision to love is a huge decision and is only complete when we chose to act on it! Who has ever impressed God with what they know? Who has ever impressed God with talent? Who has ever impressed God with anything other than love?














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True Marriage

True Marriage

Marriage in the world today is a complete disaster! 78% of marriages in Southern California end in divorce! Nationally the divorce rate is also staggering! In our church the trend is increasing every year towards divorce. Divorce is becoming an epidemic
In our churches.

A Godly marriage is not about a perfect marriage. With only God can we have the marriage that God intended. God only said one time in the bible that things were not "good" and that was in Genesis when God said it is not "good" for man to be alone!

Matthew 7:13-14 To have the marriage that God intended you have to take the road less traveled. Am I willing to take the hard road that leads to paradise or do I want to take it easy and end up in destruction?!

Put first things first. Mark 12:28-31 My relationship with God is the single most important thing in my marriage. First love God and then I can love my wife! My power has to come from God. I have to take personal responsibility for where my marriage is at.

Genesis 3:1-7 from the very beginning even with being able to walk with God man was deceived. From the beginning Man looked for someone to blame! I have to take responsibility for my life. Vs.s 16 God basically says you get what you ate for. My choices are my choices and I need to take responsibility for my own actions and reactions.

Jesus went through the same temptations as Adam and Eve in the desert but yet he fought back with Gods word! The 4 "D's" of the devil...Deceive, distract, divide, and destroy!

1 John 1:5-10 walking in darkness is not acknowledging the truth. The truth about who I am and about where my marriage is at. I have to chose to live by the truth. To walk in the light. To be real about where you are.

Three keys:

1.) get open.
2.) stop blaming everyone else for your choices.
3.) No one can help you and unless your real and open.

Questions to ask your spouse: How can we take the road less traveled? What do we need to do to strengthen our marriage? How can we build our marriage more around God? What do we need to bring into the light?




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How to handle tough circumstances.

How to handle tough circumstances.

Matthew 5,6,7

Humility is not just an option but a necessity!

Romans 2:1; James 2:12; Joshua 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; Luke 13:24; Matthew 24:12; John 14:30; Titus 2




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Marriage

God uses our marriages to help us learn how we should worship God. There should be passion in both. Worshipping God will improve your marriage. To hear the word of God and then do nothing to follow it is self destructive.

Philippians 2:1 "if any encouragement". Can't we find some encouragement in being with Christ? Regardless of what the circumstances.

Philippians 3:1-14

I cannot rely on my own strength or accomplishments. My confidence has to come from my relationship with Jesus. What is my confidence in? Paul is saying remember what is important. Rejoice in the Lord! Paul considered every worldly thing a loss compared to the great riches he had in Christ. Paul is writing all of this in PRISON!

Philippians 3:15-21; 4:12-13


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Train!

Train!

1 Timothy 4:7-8 The idea of being trained and training your self is a huge part of our lives and culture. We train for school, work, athletics, personal fitness, competition...etc. We train out body's but what about our hearts, what about our minds, and what about our spirituality? Godly training should be of more value than any other!

Who is your trainer? Why, because you need one!

Luke 6:40 I need to understand my role and the student. I need to allow as many people in my life that are willing to teach and train me.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

What am I prepared to do? It takes action on my part. How hard I train an how willing I am to be trained is up to me!

1 Timothy 4:7 -- gymnazo in the Greek -- to exercise vigorously, in any way either the body or the mind! How has the last year for you spiritually? If you are training vigorously for the lord then there should be growth!

1 Corinthians 9:25 -- egkrateuomai -- to exhibit self-government, conduct, one's self temper Eagles in a figure drawn from athletes, who in preparing themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine and sexual a indulgence.

Am I training my self to abstain from everything that is keeping me from being the follower of Christ that God wants me to be?

I need to follow my trainer's direction. When you sign up with a personal trainer you don't start telling the trainer how you would like to be trained! I need to humble my self and surrender to the trainers instructions.

Hebrews 12:10-12 -- "Later on however..." W don't know how long that will be but God says that if we accept Gods discipline then it will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace!

In every chapter of the bible there is Faith, Hope, and Love! In our lives when God turns the chapter in our lives no matter what happens there is always "Faith, Hope, and Love"!




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Come GROW with Us

Come GROW with Us

Joseph had a real relationship with a real God

• Genesis 39:1-20. 

• When temptation came, he's in a land where no one else knew God, nor worshiped Him, he Knew God was real. He spent time with Him not only when he needed God but also when he didn't. 
• He knew it pleased the Lord to love Him and worship Him. 
• We need to live our lives with God being real! Make the Lord known in the way you live your life and you'll talk about Him to others. 

Joseph was happy in the hands of that real God

• Joseph is grateful for all the blessings. When temptation came around, he mentioned all he was grateful for. 
• Pride can kill gratitude; it's easy to see all the thing you've done and therefore "deserve". But we don't see that from Joseph. Gratitude is the opposite. Joseph didn't blame the Lord for his misfortune. 
• Perspective makes it hard to trust the outcome. When we are enslaved, in jail, or hardships, it's difficult to trust and be happy with The Lord's purpose. Later he was able to see the bigger picture and why the Lord allowed him to go through hardships. 
• Joseph didn't need to know the promise but The Promiser. Trust God's plan when He calls us to go through hard times, when he asks more of me than I'm prepared to give. 

• CAN WE TRUST GOD'S PLAN WHEN HE TAKES US PLACES WE DON'T WANT TO BE? 

• God's ultimate plan has nothing to do with this life. It's all in HEAVEN! 
• I might say: "God why do you think so much of me that you've put me through this?" You know the Lord has overcome, has fought for me and when this story ends, cans I envision myself in Heaven. Heaven is His ultimate plan! 
• "Come what may Lord." Anyone can have this faith and trust in the Lord. 
• If I can't live happy in God's hands, with no matter what comes, then I'VE GOTTA KNOW GOD BETTER!
• His long term plan is for us to make it to Heaven! 

Single in Christ

Single in Christ

God promises those of you who remain single in Christ better blessings than those who are married and have children!

Gods family grows not by sexual reproduction but through spiritual birth in faith! Marriage is temporary, marriage to jesus is eternal. To be single in christ is not to fall short of Gods best.

Isaiah 56:4-5 spoken to eunuchs. God promises those who remain single in christ better blessings than those who are married and have sons and daughters. This is not how we feel on the possibility of being single is it?

Genesis 1:28; 5:21; 26:3; 1 Samuel 24:21; Deuteronomy 25:6; ruth 4:9-10; Judges 11:36-38 -- physical offspring matters but it will come in Gods way and in Gods timing. God used marriage and offspring to preserve the names of the Israelites. Like today marriage and children were of great importance.

Isaiah 53:5-10

Jesus was a single man faithful to God to his death. Jesus had spiritual offspring. Spiritual offspring takes precedence over physical offspring through Jesus example.
John 3:3; Galatians 3:7;26; 1 Peter 1:2-3

1 Corinthians 4:15 Paul was a great father and never married. 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Matthew 22:30; 12:48-49; Luke 11:27

The church/kingdom last for ever, our physical relationships on earth are temporary. A great mother in Gods eyes is the the woman that hears the word of God and obeys it. The great father in Gods eyes is the same!

Matthew 19:8-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-3;32-35; Matthew 22:30

Faithfulness to Christ is what will define my life! Not my marriage, not my kids, not my job and not my money. My relationship to Christ is ultimate and will define me regardless of my situation.

















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A New Year: The Hope of Glory

A New Year: The Hope of Glory

The book of Kings has a narrative of "Hope" and "Glory" for Israel and how it was shattered. Israel was a nation formed by God to be a different nation separate from the rest of the world. Israel never truly for filled this calling and became like other nations and God ultimately ended up wiping Israel out.

Israel thought if we are suppose to be Gods people then why was the temple destroyed and why did he allow the nation of Israel to fall? God made a promise to David about the kings of Judah in 2 Samuel 7:11-16.

2 Kings 17:7-20 God explains the reason Israel had no hope and no glory but this was only momentary. God had a plan all along to restore Israel and create a spiritual kingdom that will never be destroyed!

Starting new is not just about starting over and moving forward but it is also about looking back and thinking about what needs to change and looking at what areas I need to grow in. This is what God was trying to get Israel to do in writing the book of Kings.

The book of Kings is a history book, but a theological one. Many of the Kings mentioned in the book of Kings are mentioned not because of physical success as leaders but for either spiritual successes or fallers. Jeroboam is spoken about over 21 times and referenced as the King that caused the people of Israel to sin.

4 kings in Judah were considered righteous and considered to be like King David. Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. These kings were considered righteous because they repented, listened to those God put in their lives, they acted on faith, and they were all reformers and called Israel to change.

Like Israel, we need to understand the reasons for our past failures. What spiritual goals did you have last year for your self that did not happen and why?



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Striving With His Strength

Striving With His Strength

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Just as Gods presence came in the form of a cloud and dwelled in the temple that Solomon built, Gods presence lives in me today. I have become the temple of God. Ephesians 2:22 the spirit continually builds us into a dwelling for the Holy Spirit.

Numbers 11:11-17; 24-25; God heard moses and chose leaders to help him lead the people of Israel.


Galatians 5:25 The spirit is moving and wants to do some awesome things and It is my job to just keep in step with Him! How is the spirit moving in my heart and my life?

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 What gifts has the spirit given me and what is the spirit calling me to do?



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Get Unstuck

Get Unstuck

Hebrews 12:1-2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus is the answer. Repenting of sin is the answer. Sin entangles us. Man was not meant to be the detangler. Jesus is the ultimate detangler.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Jesus can do more than we ask or imagine! Do you really believe that? This is true in ever Christian. It starts with looking to Jesus and relying on his power and strength!

We need Christ focused discipline! Our discipling needs to direct people towards Jesus. Who is Jesus? Humble, meek, powerful, selfless, authoritative, full of grace and mercy, the truth, servant, leader, obedient to his father, compassionate, loves unconditionally, forgiven, healer...etc. We need to call each other to be like Christ!

Proverbs 29:18 -- when our eyes are not fixed on Jesus we cast off Gods word and get entangled in sin.

Going from a man centered to a Christ centered life is the key. We have to start viewing each other the way God does. Ephesians 1:4-5 The creator of the universe chose me! 1 Corinthians 1:27; Acts 2:38; 2 Peter 1:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:16.

How do you view the brothers and sisters in your life? Do you believe in them the way Christ believes in them!

Christ Focused Discipling:

Asking questions that lead a person away from their problems and back to Christ.Ephesians 4.

Hebrews 10 -- consider how to spur them on towards love.

Suggest what life would look like without the problem.

How would a day look walking with Jesus.....walking in step with the spirit.

Not everyone connects or grows the way we do, but Christ can help everyone mature, grow and "solve problems".

What am I looking for in my brothers and sisters? Am I looking for ways that they are like Christ?

1 Samuel 17:32-40 Saul was discipling David from his perspective and not from Gods perspective! David looked for Gods perspective and look to God to give him the ability and strength to do what God was calling him to do.

We need to lead from a step behind. If your in the front they see you instead of Jesus. Lead by serving and helping if they fall down. We can't fix everyone right now. God is the one who has to power to fix and change people and it is on His time!


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A Transformed Mind!

A Transformed Mind!

45% of Americans make New Years resolutions. A survey of the Americans that make resolutions found that the majority do not for fill those resolutions through out the year. Why? You can change the physical temporary but long term you have to change and transform your mind.

Romans 12:2 God calls us to be transformed. It is possible to change your mind! How do you do this?

I need to Rewind. Take a step back and review and look at the things that need to change. Evaluate the things in your mind that need to change and what you need to do to change your thinking. We need to reassess and vaulted the good things and the bad things.

Isaiah 44:18 We all have blind spots. There are areas in your life that you just cannot see and understand. I need people in my life that can help me find these blind spots and areas in my life that need to change! We need to help others get focused on Jesus and we need others to point us back to Jesus as well.

What area of my life can pride take me out spiritually? What are my blinds spots and who am I talking to and asking to help show me my blind spots in my life? Pride keeps us from renewing our minds.

Metanoia = means to change one's way of life resulting in penitence or spiritual conversion. Repentance starts with changing your mind. 2 Corinthians 7:10

I need to rewire. Romans 12:2 I need to break the patterns in my life that causes sin. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

The Greek word Metanoia is found 56 times in the bible. One person repents and changes their minds and call others to repent and changes their minds.




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Being Led by the Spirit!

Being Led by the Spirit!

Romans 8:9-16 The spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, Spirit of Him who raised him from the dead. The world spirit is used several ways in this passage but they all mean the same thing. If you know the father and know God then you know the spirit. It's important to see how all three deities interact and are interchangeable.

The spirit is described in the context of families: children and fathers, brothers and sisters. Being lead by the spirit is being lead to Gods family. We were lead to God as our father. I need to continue to be lead to God in every area of my life. Everything should in my life should point to God, Jesus and the holy to spirit.

I did not receive a spirit that makes me a slave or gives way to fear. I was not given a spirit of timidity or weakness but of power and strength! God has chosen me with all of my mistakes and all of my weaknesses!

The spirit testifies that I am Gods son and a child of God! The spirit sets us free to cry out and call on our father!

Romans 12:3-10 The spirit leads us to a body of brothers and a body of believers. The spirit is trying to lead me to devote my self to brotherly love. In order to be led by the spirit I have to have sober judgment and not to think of myself above others.

The spirit brings us together and as a whole we portray the image of God! The Holy Spirit is not leading me to do anything that is contrary to Gods word. We can follow the spirit and test the spirit by Gods word.

How do you know if you are being lead by the spirit? Romans 8:12-14 says "Therefore". Therefore, what? If your lead by the spirit you are a sin killer. You are a killer of the flesh! The spirit will never lead you to the flesh. As a man we have a killer instinct and we need to use it to kill the flesh. To put to death the sin in our lives!

Today what sin is alive in my life? What sin is thriving, vibrant and robust in my life? KILL IT! We do it with the sword. The word of God! You want to fight? You want to be a man? Then be led by the spirit and put to death the sin in your life!




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Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ

Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ

Who needs discipling the most. Who need maturity in Christ? Ephesians 4:11-15 Everyone needs to grow. We all need someone in our lives to challenge us and to call us higher. If I really believed this then I would be laying my self bare and calling on my brothers to help me!

Discipling is not meant to be just relative to problems in our lives. I should be seeking discipling from my brothers to be proactive. All proactive and all reactive is dangerous. Being a disciple means that we seek discipling daily and in all situations.

Reactive discipling only happens after sin. Proactive discipling helps prevent sin and creates spiritual growth. All sins can be forgiven but not all consequences can be avoided! Un checked sin in my life WILL LEAD TO DEATH!

1 Corinthians 4:17 is an example of primary discipleship. Someone that we connect to one on one. Timothy and Paul had this type of relationship. 1 Corinthians 11:1 the person that God is using in my life is not meant to be perfect. I should follow what every aspect of his life that represents Christ.

We all have large amounts of needs regardless of whether we think we are in sin or not. True character growth will not come until we admit our needs and the need for discipleship! Timothy had Paul, Silas, his mother...etc. Timothy had multiple relationships that led him and called him higher. 2 Timothy 1:5, Acts 17:14, Acts 19:22, and Acts 20:4.

What is my life filled up with? Proactive or reactive discipling? I need to seek both!


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The Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit!

Imagine that God came and gave us three books to get to know him. These books tell us all about God. What makes him happy, what makes him sad, what makes him mad and what he requires of us. As you start reading the first two books and it transforms your life and who you are. Now imagine your so excited about the first two but you just leave the third book on a shelf and don't read it. Who would do that?

God wrote one book, the bible, but with three themes. God the father, the son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! If God intended to show himself to us as God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit, then what am I missing?

Knowing God is impossible without knowing him as the Holy Spirit! Who is the Holy Spirit? How can He change your life?

Where is God? What immediately do you think of? Heaven? We associate God the father as being in heaven. We think of Jesus in the same way. Jesus was taken up into heaven. We may believe God is involved in our lives but we view as though he does so from a distance!

John 14:25-27

God is not just in heaven. The spirit has been left with us. We have Gods spirit with us all the time. He is close to each one of us! We need to visualize the spirit as He works in our lives!

The spirit is always working. We cannot take credit for Gods works. No matter how talented we are or how much we are able to do this or that, God spirit is what works in our lives. We need to trust in God by believing in the Holy Spirit!

We need to listen for the Spirit. What is God prompting in your heat? What is God speaking to you through your conscience and the people around you?

If you had to chose one or the other which would you choose? The Holy Spirit of Jesus? Who would you rather have with you? Who would you rather talk to? Most would say Jesus.

John 16:5-11

Jesus says that we are better off with him leaving and the spirit coming to be with us. Gods spirit was sent to us to be with us forever! How should I view Gods spirit that lives inside of me?

Three years the disciples were with Jesus and lived with him daily and yet they still fell to win and denied him and abandoned Jesus. One encounter with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 and the disciples went to their grave proclaiming Jesus as Lord!

How Important is the holly spirit to me? One is not better than the other. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one but God designed the spirit to be a gift for us.

The whole purpose for Jesus forgiving our sins and presenting us holy to God is so that His spirit can live inside of us. God wants to come live with me! God wants to live with me every single moment and every day! Without the blood of Jesus God would not be able to live in us. God is too holy to be present with sin.

Acts 19:1-7

Paul determined whether or not someone was converted and received salvation based on whether or not they received the Holy Spirit. How important is the Spirit?

Gratefulness!

Gratefulness!

Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Jude 1:5; Titus 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:6; 2 Peter1:12; 1 Corinthians 4:17

We need to be reminded to be thankful.

Luke 17:11-15

Grateful people are faithful people. This is why gratitude is so important. How hard is it for me to just follow instructions? We live in a have it now generation. We don't like to wait. Jesus sent them away. He could have healed them instantly but sent them away to see the priest. Why?

Only one returned with gratitude. Grateful people go the extra mile!

Luke 17:16-19

The samaritan -- the guy who hates Jews was the one that came back. He had a truly grateful heart. The samaritan came back and threw himself at Jesus's feet. When was the last time I just threw my self at Jesus's feet? True gratitude and thankfulness comes with action!

1 Corinthians 15:10

What does Gods grace compel you to do? What moves me? These are questions that need to be asked to test whether the grace of Jesus is having an effect in my life! There is so much to grateful for in Christ.

Deuteronomy 4:7-8

Make a list of things you are grateful for. Call and thank the people that have helped you in your life.

Grateful people stand out! Luke 17:18. The grateful person stands out and the ungrateful person stands out too.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Jesus reflects Gods glory perfectly! Jesus is the radiance of God. As a church it is our job to portray Christ the way God intended him to be portrayed! Too many are still blind and we do not recognize who Jesus really is.

What image of Jesus am I portraying to the world through my life? My life is on display to the world and I can portray Jesus in a false light and not honor God with my life! The first thing to do is not distort the truth, the word of God!

Paul refused to edit the word of God or distort the truth to attract followers. Too many churches today carter to the wants of their membership rather than giving them what God intended for them to receive. We cannot apologize for what Gods word says but set forth the truth plainly to the people around us.

By watering down Gods word we limit the power the word of God has on someones life. We must refuse to distort the word of God even when the topics may go against the mainstream thought of the day.

We need to rest in the power of God. We are too anxious and too unsettled. We need to be still and know that God is God. He is in control! Only God can save. Only God can make light shine out of darkness and only God can open the eyes of the blind. All we have to do is announce that Jesus is Lord. We need to live our lives in a way that honors God and confirms Jesus is the son of God. God will do all the rest.

We just need to do what God calls us to do and leave the rest up to Him!




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Temptation

Temptation

James 1:13-15

Temptation provides us an opportunity for us to do right just as much as it gives us the choice to do wrong! Temptation is not a bad thing. God gives us choice. Every time we overcome and defeat temptation we become a little more like Jesus! Temptation is the point in time when we can either walk in the light or wallow in the darkness. Temptation gives us a chance to show God who we are devoted to! God uses temptation to make us stronger.

Romans 12:2

Our minds are not to conformed but transformed!

We should plan for temptation. We all know it is coming. Why don't we plan for temptation. Why are we surprised when it comes! Temptation catches us off guard!

Temptation is the starting point for all sin. Unchecked temptation will destroy every aspect of your life! There is no such thing as a small temptation. They all start small and will lead to something bigger if unchecked!






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2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Jesus reflects Gods glory perfectly! Jesus is the radiance of God. As a church it is our job to portray Christ the way God intended him to be portrayed! Too many are still blind and we do not recognize who Jesus really is.

What image of Jesus am I portraying to the world through my life? My life is on display to the world and I can portray Jesus in a false light and not honor God with my life! The first thing to do is not distort the truth, the word of God!

Paul refused to edit the word of God or distort the truth to attract followers. Too many churches today carter to the wants of their membership rather than giving them what God intended for them to receive. We cannot apologize for what Gods word says but set forth the truth plainly to the people around us.

By watering down Gods word we limit the power the word of God has on someones life. We must refuse to distort the word of God even when the topics may go against the mainstream thought of the day.

We need to rest in the power of God. We are too anxious and too unsettled. We need to be still and know that God is God. He is in control! Only God can save. Only God can make light shine out of darkness and only God can open the eyes of the blind. All we have to do is announce that Jesus is Lord. We need to live our lives in a way that honors God and confirms Jesus is the son of God. God will do all the rest.

We just need to do what God calls us to do and leave the rest up to Him!




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Temptation

Temptation

James 1:13-15

Temptation provides us an opportunity for us to do right just as much as it gives us the choice to do wrong! Temptation is not a bad thing. God gives us choice. Every time we overcome and defeat temptation we become a little more like Jesus! Temptation is the point in time when we can either walk in the light or wallow in the darkness. Temptation gives us a chance to show God who we are devoted to! God uses temptation to make us stronger.

Romans 12:2

Our minds are not to conformed but transformed!

We should plan for temptation. We all know it is coming. Why don't we plan for temptation. Why are we surprised when it comes! Temptation catches us off guard!

Temptation is the starting point for all sin. Unchecked temptation will destroy every aspect of your life! There is no such thing as a small temptation. They all start small and will lead to something bigger if unchecked!






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Training

Training

The world recognizes the value of training. Whether it is academic training, sports training, or training in the corporate wold. Training has value! Experience, teaching, knowledge, skills, learning, and development are just a few of the benefit to training.

The bible recognizes the value of training too! 1 Corinthians 9:25. The bible priorities spiritual training over physical training but they are both of value. 1 Timothy 4:8

One of the major roles of a father is to train. Ephesians 6:4

Spiritual training is the training that lacks the most in our society. We don't value spiritual training like we should! No one makes us train spiritually. We have to learn how to do it. We sometimes assume that training spiritually is a lot like physical training but they are very different.

In the bible the training that God gives is in direct contrast to the training that we give our selves physically. Physical training is performance training. You do what you do to reach a certain performance goal. God doesn't work that way!

How does God train?

1 Samuel 16:1-12

Saul was trained by performance training. On the outside he look like a king should look and the people of Israel rallied around him initially! Vs 7 God does not look at the outward things. God chose David because of his heart!

Gods training for David was to send him out into the field and take care of sheep! God did not train David in all the actions that he needed to do. God trains us in all the ways we need to be. There is a difference. We train for some type of action. God trains the hearts to help us become what we are suppose to be!

God trains in the little things!

1 Samuel 17:33-36

Goliath has been fighting and training from his youth! Goliath had all the worldly training that one could have! David recognized the training that God had given him and he had full confidence in God that he was meant for this moment! Do you recognize God's training? Do you try to stop it because it maybe something hard in your life and a struggle to go through? Do you say here God is training me and has plans to use this in my life for something big!

David did not stop being a shepherd because a lion came around! Do you stop being a christian when times get tough? David continued to be a what God called him to be regardless of what he was facing! How faithful are we in the little things that God puts us in charge of or gives us as a task to do?

How christian are you when nobody is watching? David was alone in the field for weeks with the sheep with no accountability.

Gods training never stops!

There is no breaks in shepherding. There are no breaks. When you eat lunch you eat lunch next to sheep. When you lay down at night you sleep with sheep. We don't follow Jesus 9-5. We follow Jesus 24hrs a day! Discipleship has no breaks! God's training never stops which is so different than worldly training!

Spiritual growth should only cease with death. God is training us in every situation in every day of our lives. We need to open our eyes to see and except God's training! God was training David to "be" a man after Gods own heart. He did not train David to do something that was after Gods own heart. There is a difference!

Hebrews 5:8 in the same way God training Jesus and Jesus learned obedience from God through his life. Being a carpenter, a son, a brother...etc!




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The Call To Serve!

The Call To Serve!

1 Peter 4:10-11; John 6:1-9

All of us can have reasons not to serve or give. Jesus had many reasons not to give or to meet the needs of the people that needed him! Jesus was trying to have some family time. He slipped away and headed to a remote mountainside with his closest friends!

Jesus had good motives to slip away. Sometimes we want to slip away too. Many times for selfish reasons. Jesus spent most of his life giving and serving and wanted to slip away for a moment before the festival.

Jesus was outward and giving all the time. Jesus was willing to sacrifice his needs and wants for the needs of others! Jesus never gave into the feeling of growing weary!

To the disciples they did not have enough resources to help anyone! To Jesus what he had was enough for God to give.

Jesus let God multiply his efforts!

All we have to do is be willing to give and let God be responsible for multiplying. Our job is just to give and to serve! If I do not let God multiply then I will never have enough! God can use what ever we have and he will meet the needs. We just need to give and serve in what ever capacity we are able! It's up to God to make sure that what we have is enough!

John 6:11-13

Just like multiplication, anything times zero is zero. If we give nothing God will multiply nothing. If we give something, God will make it into whatever is needed!

Jesus did not divided the fish proportionately, he gave everyone as much as they wanted! Same with us if we give freely we will receive more that we started with. Giving to God gives us more than we had before!

Jesus gave until every need was met!

If you show up late to church your not showing up to give, your showing up to take! Gods church should be a place where everyone gives and everyone gets their needs met!

Proverbs 11:25

Jesus did not come to take but to give! That doesn't mean that it was easy for him. He had to pray continually for God to give him the strength to give and give! Jesus gave and gave until he took his last breath. It is finished was not said until he had exhausted his entire life!

The cross was the ultimate example Jesus has left us in giving up everything for us!



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Spiritual Training

Spiritual Training

The world recognizes the value of training. Whether it is academic training, sports training, or training in the corporate wold. Training has value! Experience, teaching, knowledge, skills, learning, and development are just a few of the benefit to training.

The bible recognizes the value of training too! 1 Corinthians 9:25. The bible priorities spiritual training over physical training but they are both of value. 1 Timothy 4:8

One of the major roles of a father is to train. Ephesians 6:4

Spiritual training is the training that lacks the most in our society. We don't value spiritual training like we should! No one makes us train spiritually. We have to learn how to do it. We sometimes assume that training spiritually is a lot like physical training but they are very different.

In the bible the training that God gives is in direct contrast to the training that we give our selves physically. Physical training is performance training. You do what you do to reach a certain performance goal. God doesn't work that way!

How does God train?

1 Samuel 16:1-12

Saul was trained by performance training. On the outside he look like a king should look and the people of Israel rallied around him initially! Vs 7 God does not look at the outward things. God chose David because of his heart!

Gods training for David was to send him out into the field and take care of sheep! God did not train David in all the actions that he needed to do. God trains us in all the ways we need to be. There is a difference. We train for some type of action. God trains the hearts to help us become what we are suppose to be!

God trains in the little things!

1 Samuel 17:33-36

Goliath has been fighting and training from his youth! Goliath had all the worldly training that one could have! David recognized the training that God had given him and he had full confidence in God that he was meant for this moment! Do you recognize God's training? Do you try to stop it because it maybe something hard in your life and a struggle to go through? Do you say here God is training me and has plans to use this in my life for something big!

David did not stop being a shepherd because a lion came around! Do you stop being a christian when times get tough? David continued to be a what God called him to be regardless of what he was facing! How faithful are we in the little things that God puts us in charge of or gives us as a task to do?

How christian are you when nobody is watching? David was alone in the field for weeks with the sheep with no accountability.

Gods training never stops!

There is no breaks in shepherding. There are no breaks. When you eat lunch you eat lunch next to sheep. When you lay down at night you sleep with sheep. We don't follow Jesus 9-5. We follow Jesus 24hrs a day! Discipleship has no breaks! God's training never stops which is so different than worldly training!

Spiritual growth should only cease with death. God is training us in every situation in every day of our lives. We need to open our eyes to see and except God's training! God was training David to "be" a man after Gods own heart. He did not train David to do something that was after Gods own heart. There is a difference!

Hebrews 5:8 in the same way God training Jesus and Jesus learned obedience from God through his life. Being a carpenter, a son, a brother...etc!

Who Is Jesus?

Who Is Jesus?

The deeper we get to know someone the deeper our conversations get. Shallow relationships will stay shallow until we allow our selves to become vulnerable and take the relationship to a deeper relationship.

Jesus was an expert at taking a new relationship to great depths. For us sharing our lives immediately with someone we do not know seems and feels awkward. For Jesus it was the way he lived!

John 1:1-5

From the beginning of John we see that Jesus was with God from the creation of the world and he was the power of God that created everything that we know to exist. Jesus is power and authority.

John 3:1-16

Jesus immediately turn upside down the social conventions of that time. Nicodemus was the best thing you could be at that time. A jew, a man, righteous, a pharisee, a man with power, a member of the jewish counsel! Any one else that would have met Nicodemus would have welcomed him with open arms!

Jesus takes all of what they knew and flipped it upside down. Jesus gives Nicodemus exactly what he needed at the moment. A challenge, a rebuke and an offer of salvation!

John 4:1-26

We see a similar and a very different interaction with the Women at the well as we did see when Jesus met Nicodemus. Once again Jesus turned upside down the social conventions of the day by even speaking to her. Unlike Nicodemus, the woman was the worst things you could be. She was a Samaritan, a women, a sinful women, the opposite of a Pharisee, she has no power and no influence. Nicodemus came and sought Jesus out and the woman accidentally bumped into Jesus at the well. Just like Nicodemus she is not able to stand on her own merit!

Jesus extends her hope in a hopeless situation. He offered her a chance to repent and salvation. Jesus looks beyond the things that we look at. He looks beyond, social status!

No matter who you are -- Nicodemus or the Women at the well -- you need Jesus! You must acknowledge that you are lost without Jesus! At no point in our lives are we ever enough. Even on our best day we are lost without Jesus!

This is more than knowing that you just need help. Jesus is not looking to self improve us. He is not looking to change a few areas in our lives and make us great. JEsus is looking for people who know they are lost without him in every situation and every circumstance!

The longer I am in a relationship with Jesus the more tempting it becomes for me to neglect the power of JEsus and to think that I do not need him! We need to know that we are lost without Jesus! How desperate are we for JEsus salvation? Do we wait until things are really bad before we call out to him and seek salvation?

Mediocre christianity is Satan's biggest trap! A mediocre christian does not believe that he or she is lost without Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:10

Is the grace that Jesus freely gives received without effect? There is no way to be in touch with the grace Jesus offers and to not have effect. It will and should change your life!

Romans 4:17 -- We need to go out and live like we are! This is how Jesus grace has effect! God does not see us for who we are -- he sees us for who we are in him! Imagine what would happen in your life if you truly accepted Gods grace and then acted on it? What if everyone said "i am nothing without Jesus and then lived their lives like He is! We would turn the world upside down.






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Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

Today communicating with real people is no longer done face to face. In our social media world it is not uncommon to have "friends" that you never meet face to face. This has its negatives but there are some positives.

What is the most important relationship that we have on this earth that we will never meet face to face? JESUS! Our relationship with Jesus should be real and deep and yet we are not able to communicate face to face.

Technology has brought our world closer together but at the same time has driving us further and further apart. There is a lot of superficial relationships in social media.

The fact that we don't see Jesus face to face is one of the biggest obstacles that we have in having a real relationship with him.

Who is Jesus? This is a question that should end with a relationship with Him!

Luke 7:1-10

The first thing we need to come to Jesus with is humility!

The centurion was not a jew and yet he humbled himself before a jew. He had all authority from Rome to lord over anyone in Israel and yet he understood who Jesus was. How do I approach Jesus with humility?

The jews came to Jesus and argued that the centurion deserved to be healed! Sometimes we can come to Jesus with the same attitue that we edeserve something! Pride is what convinces us that we deserve something. Humility is what helps us to see that we don't deserve anything!

The second thing we need in a relationship with Jesus is Lordship!

The jews did not respect Jesus as their Lord. They came to him almost as if they were ordering him and telling him what to do. Lordship is a huge part in our relationship with Jesus. We cannot have a relationship with him without Lordship! Do we look at Jesus as the master and us as the slave? Lordship is all about who has authority in your life. If I am living my life and doing the things that I want or am I allowing Jesus to be Lord and does he direct my decisions and actions?

The centurion never met Jesus face to face and he knew who he was. He knew that Jesus had complete authority over his life. Lordship is also about surrender! Surrendering is key. God does not want to take over, he want us to surrender voluntarily!

The third thing we need in a relationship with Jesus is faith!

Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see! The centurion has full faith in Jesus and has never met or seen him! When we understand who we are in humility and when we surrender to Jesus in Lordship the more easy it is for us to put our faith in him! It is impossible to have faith if you know everything and no one has authority over you.

We need to believe with blind faith while we wrestle for the reason why! True faith gets up and does something. Lack of faith gets up and does something too. Running around doing something is not a sign of faith. Why you are doing what you are doing is the beginning of faith if the reason is Jesus!

Faith leads us to salvation. The cross of Christ is about humility, Lordship, and faith! Jesus called us friend when he could have called us servants. Jesus surrendered to God and his will for his life!

Honor The Lord

Honor The Lord

Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8

How do we honor Jesus today? How welcome is Jesus in my home? Would Jesus feel comfortable in my home. Would he agree with the things that are said, what is watched on TV, the relationships dynamics in your marriage....etc? Would Jesus have freedom to go through your home and see everything? Would you feel that you needed to hide something?

Honoring Jesus in your home means making Jesus lord of your life and allowing Jesus into every aspect of your life!

In order to honor Jesus in your home you have to honor him in your heart! Mary anointed Jesus with the most valuable thing she had! She used the costly perfume with out a thought to its cost or value. Jesus was worth her very best!

What am I offering Jesus? Am I giving him my best? Jesus call nothing more than everything we have! Really honoring Jesus is giving up everything for him!

Honoring Jesus is to also honor his church! Honoring Jesus is to honor other brothers and sisters.

When you really start honoring Jesus with your life the world is going to ridicule you. Persecution and criticism will come! Mary received that criticism and she did not care. She did not allow other people to keep her from honoring Jesus!

I need to honor Jesus now. There is no better time. Honoring Jesus should be my top priority! It takes a daily decision to honor him! I need a daily relationship with God.








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What If

What If


What if I could change X in my life? What if I could erase the past? What if I could meet Jesus face to face? There are a lot of What if's?

Deuteronomy 7:12-14

What is God saying here? If we are willing to do things Gods way, if we are willing to lead our families the way God calls us...we will be blessed. Think about what we have in the kingdom of God. Isn't it special? The fellowship, the counseling, the friendships, the parenting classes...etc.

What if you really lived it? Matthew 7:1-5 To really live it, we need to deal with our own hearts and our own sin first. To really live it we have to remove all hypocrisy from our lives.

What if you stayed consistent? Be consistent with our devotionals. Be consistent with quite times. Be consistent with discipling. James 4:17 -- not being consistent is sin.

What if your family was super encouraging? 1 Peter 4:8. What would you say is the over riding spirit in your home? Is it love?

What makes a home an oasis? Humility. Saying I'm sorry and being willing to humble out and admit when we are wrong. Believing in each other is another thing that helps make a home an oasis. Honesty. Being able to speak freely from the heart.

What if you really shared your story? Psalms 78:4 The language in our homes should be filled with Gods story and what he has done in our lives! How have you seen God work in your life and in your family?

What if you really valued your relationships?

Ecclesiastes 9 -- What path am I on? If I continue doing what I am doing now where will I be? Will i have any regrets?





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The Value of Unity in the Church

The Value of Unity in the Church

The early church was so united on Gods word and in their convictions that they turned the world upside down! We are going to have to imitate the first century church if we want to impact the world today!

Gods heart for the lost and desire to see the world saved has not changed. What has changed? The first century church was full of zeal and passion for seeing Gods Will for-filled in their life time! What has changed in Gods church today?

What elements are missing today that were present in the early church? One of them is unity! We have to get behind our leaders and be in complete unity with our brothers and sisters. Acts says repeatedly that the early church was "of one accord".

What God cares about is true unity. The word does not value unity. The world creates chaos and disunity. The early church was united in prayer. Prayer works and we need be unified in prayer as well. Not only praying about the same things but also praying more together and for each other.

The early church was united in purpose too. Everyday they meet together and broke bread together. They multiplied daily because they were united in purpose. Have we lost our unity in purpose?

Finally, the early church in Acts was united in faith. We need to step out on faith together and see what powerful things God will do.






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Who is Jesus

Who is Jesus

Peter was explaining the question of "who is Jesus" in Acts 2. Peter's response was that he was a man accredited by God but yet was also the son of God. God defined Jesus and who he was by the miracles that he performed.

Jesus lead a life of preaching teaching and healing people physically and spiritually. That is who Jesus was and is.

Matthew 4:1-11 Satan is known as the tempter and he does not only attack the week. Satan uses multiple lies in trying to tempt Jesus.

The first lie can be summed up in the statement "look out for number one". Look out for your self. take care of your self! Independence. Take care of your self because no one else will. Self reliance and independence is that same thing as saying God is not going to take care of me. When we insist on taking care of our selves and without trust that God will provide, we are hurting God!

Jesus had a basic and real need for food and yet he fully trusted God that he would provide. When the Israelites were in the desert God fed them. The spirit lead Jesus out into the desert to be tempted. Jesus had to trust God that he would provide.

The difficult part of this is when we are suffering for a time. None of us give in to temptation immediately. Any one that loves God tries to resist temptation on some level. It is when we struggle through something over time that we struggle the most. Jesus was in during temptation for 40days and yet he fully trusted God.

Temptations become the strongest when we are in a desert. We need to develop a deep conviction that God will meet our needs!

Matthew 4:5-7 Satan's second lie. Do what you want and God will take care of you. Satan comes to us and tries to twist Gods word. Satan has not stopped manipulating scripture from Jesus time till now. Satan uses this tactic on us today.

Gods love is unconditional and yet forgiveness is conditional. God teaches us that we need to repent. We cannot live the way we want and think that Gods grace and mercy will always be there. Romans 6.

Satan's third lie is to build your life based on material things. Satan offered Jesus an empty promise. None of the kingdoms that Satan offered to Jesus never belong to him.They belong to God. Satan is always offering us an empty promise. What does not belong to God in this world? Satan has nothing to give. He only takes and steals.

Sin has never for filled anyone. Sin has never for filled a promise or brought satisfaction to anyone. Sin on leads to regret! Sin has never given true happiness to anyone either.





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Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!!

Have Your Cake...Eat It Too!!

Being pleasing to God and approved by men! Can you really eat your cake and still have it? We live in a world where we are told that we deserve to have our cake and eat it too and eat our cake and always have it.

Romans 14:16-18

God calls us to a life that is suppose to be set apart from the world. We are suppose to be different than the people around us. This does not mean that we are sinless or that we should become judgmental. Our example should be should should lead others to God.

How can I be pleasing to God and approved by men! Living a life that pleases God does not mean that I am judgmental of the world. I will never have the impact for God and be approved by men if I am self righteous and judgmental. Jesus had compassion on the world and yet he called them to live a better life!

The ingredients to spiritual cake: R+P+J (HS) = Cake

Righteousness
Peace
Joy
Holy Spirit

Stuff can make you happy temporarily but it can never make you joyful. We need the right ingredients to make the cake that God intends for us to make. We need to follow Gods recipe in order to create the life that God intends for us to create.

The world is trying to sell me counterfeit cake!. It is possible to please God and be approved by men! How to please God and be approved by men?

Romans 12:1-2
Philippians 4:18
Colossians 3:20
Hebrews 13:21

What am I pursing in my life? What are my priorities? Are they inline with Gods priorities? Everyday I am facing two options. The cake that God is offering or the cake that the world is offering. One is everlasting and fully satisfying, the other is temporary and leaves me empty and unfulfilled.





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The Power of Spiritual Thinking

The Power of Spiritual Thinking

The Power of Positive Thinking

THe statement of "The power of positive thinking" Does not include God but it does not exclude God either. God calls us to positive spiritual thinking and God gives us great power in positive thinking. Positive thinking alone is not enough without God.

What happens to positive thinking when life deals us negativity? Spiritual thinking addresses the positive and negative in our lives

Ephesians 4:17-19

Sin darkens our understanding. Sin breeds darkness and dark times that engulfs us in negativity and death. Sin creates confusion as well. Spiritual thinking provides clarity!

Sin breeds and leads to more sin. Sins progression if left unchecked will lead us to complete darkness.

Ephesians 4:20-24

Jesus brightens! Jesus shines brightness into every dark corner! Vs. 23 -- we need to renew our minds through Jesus! We start in darkness and have to search for Jesus and follow the light in order to get out of the darkness.

Through Jesus we are recreated. Jesus has taken something broken and made it anew!

Ephesians 4:25-32

Vs 25 "therefore" is a transition that makes us look back and see that it is because of Jesus and the light that he brings to our lives!

What I feed my soul is what is going to come out in my life. If I feed my heart the word of God and if I feast on Jesus and his goodness then my life will show good things, positive things!

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1

A letter to the church in Ephesians. Not just a letter to a church but rather a form of communication to teach and instruct all christians. Most of the letters written in the New Testimate are problem solving letters. Letters that address sin and problems in the church.

Ephesians is the broadest of all the letters and does not address any person specifically or any problems specifically. The letter was written and meant for everyone to read and apply to their life.

Ephesians is a great book to study as an introductory book for someone learning about God for the first time. It is also a very deep and profound book. No matter who you are or what stage of life you are in, the book of Ephesians will help you focus your attention on the glory of God!

Paul describes himself as an apostle of Christ, a servant of Christ, and an ambassador in chains. He asserts his authority and then humble acknowledges his true role in Christ.

Ephesians 1:1-10

God chose us before the world was even created! God had us in mind as he created everything we see today! His love for us is unmeasurable! He blesses us with grace and mercy through Jesus. He gives us redemption through Jesus blood.

We are in debt with sin and bound for death and God redeems (purchases) us with the blood of Jesus!

God laves us with grace! He gives us more than we need and guarantees that it will never run out!

Ephesians 1:11-22

Paul charges us to beg God in prayer. To fall on our knees and cry out to God! If we believe that God has all authority and power. That he actually rose Jesus from the dead, then how would my prayer life reflect that? God listens to us and want to grant us everything through Jesus.

We are no longer foreigners to God. We have been reconciled through Jesus and are now legitimate children of God. Through Jesus God has adopted us a true sons!

Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2

Perspective is a very important thing and you need to have the right perspective when studying out any passage of scripture. Paul writes this letter from jail. In prisoned and while sitting in a jail cell, Paul writes a passionate letter of how strong and powerful God is. Paul does not allow his circumstance to sway his faith and convictions!

After explaining how powerful God is, Paul starts chapter two with "as for you". In comparison to Gods great power and strength, Paul confirms how powerless mankind is. We are powerless!

"Dead in your sins" can become a religious saying that looses meaning. With out God we are dead in our sins! Death is final -- there is no coming back. Death is inevitable. Death = powerless. We cannot influence or affect our world, self, love ones...etc. No one can help you either. Nothing can be done to change death!

Part of the power of God is being able to remember who we are and from where we have come from!

Am I dead in sin today? Powerless and trapped in this world unable to break free? Either you are dead in sin or alive in christ. Either you are in death or have been in death!

What God did for us is change the rules. Death was final and then it was not. We were destined to perish and then he provided a savior. Life to death has all was been the natural progression. By grace God changed the rules so that we have the opportunity to go from death to life!

Death was final and then God said it wasn't!

Jesus went first. He took the punishment for sin. He conquered death for us so that we would know that we have nothing to fear! Death Jesus showed us that death can be conquered, that death has no sting!

Because of the cross God is now able to live inside of us. God has made what is unholy -- holy and can now rest in us! I am being built into the temple of God! Everyday I should become more and more like Jesus!

Through the power of the cross we are now united with God in a way that we never could have been! Praise God for his endless grace and mercy!!!

Is God enough?

Is God enough?

Is God really enough? Do you need God plus _________blank to be satisfied or happy? Do you really want to go to enough-ness in your life?

Example: American Idol

Mark 4:1-12

This scriptures is about the kingdom of God and the struggle Israel had with idolatry. Exodus 20:3-6, God equates idolatry here to hatred. Idolatry = hatred towards God.Psalm 135:15-18, When we create idols we put our trust in them. Isaiah 46:7, Things that we rely on can be considered idols. Deuteronomy 32:17-18, Idolatry is also forget about who God really is in our lives. 1 Corinthians 10:14, we need to run from idolatry! Idolatry is a spiritual danger that we need to flee from.

Idolatry has always been a struggle for man since the beginning of time. Even today the lure of material wealth and what the world has to offer is a great temptation that leads to idolatry!

Mark 4:13-20

The first soil, shows the idol of distraction or sin. The second soil, is the idol of self gratification and sin. When things get tough they walk away because God is not pleasing anymore. The third soil, is the idol of worrying. We worry about the things that matter the most to us which can be an idol. Do i worry about my relationship with God? Yet we worry about so many other things that we are concerned about or care about!

Matthew 6 shows us that needing clothing is not bad but is the worrying about clothes, food and shelter as being bad. When we worry about these things we are saying that you have to be the provider and take control when God should be our provider!

We are constantly being dragged away from God to something when we give into idols! If we trust in anything other than God it is idolatry!

The idol of wealth: Money can buy a bed but not rest, can buy a house but not a home, can buy a clock but not time, can buy treasures on earth but not treasures in heaven. Money can buy a lot of things but it is deceitful. Money promises us less worry.

It's Not About Me

It's Not About Me

There is more to loving God than saying "I love God". There has to be a life style of love and God has giving us a model for what this life style should look like in Jesus!

Philippians 2:1-8

Paul is basically telling the Philippians church that "it is not about you". This phrase is what I need to adopt in order to be more like Jesus. "It's not about me"! Self denial is so important to please God and truly love Him!

Gods wisdom is completely opposite of the worlds wisdom! The world tells you to look out for number one. To look out for you because no one else will! Self centeredness and selfishness has no place in a relationship worth God!

Everything that God has done for me in my life has been for a reason. God has blessed me so that I can bless other people. In return I need to lay down my life for the people around me! "it's not about me"!

That's what Jesus did. He said "if it is for him/her I will lay down my life!" When we lay down our lives for each other we created brotherhood!

John 13:34-35

Jesus shared this with his disciples right after he washed the disciples feet and before he ultimately went to the cross and died for them!

I can live a quote un quote right life but Jesus says that the one thing that will set me apart and make me know as a disciple is my love for my brothers. My love for the people around me.

Independent or In Dependence

Independent or In Dependence

John 8:31-36

Worldly freedom vs Godly freedom!

July 4 our nation celebrates independence. America is founded on freedom. But with all this "freedom" are we truly free. In America we mistake freedom with independence. Jesus came to redefine freedom! Not independence but in dependence on God is true freedom!!

True freedom leads to life, liberty and true joy and in the pursuit of happiness!

Galatians 5:1
John 15:11

Warnings about freedom:

1 Corinthians 8:9
Galatians 5:13
1 Peter 2:16

Freedom is not really free. Freedom comes at a cost. The world uses freedom to cover sin and do what ever they desire!!

2 Corinthians 3:17

I'm a more concerned about independence or righteousness?

Luke 4:14-21 Jesus's deceleration outlined three things that Jesus came to do!

-Proclaim freedom!
What am I still enslaved to? Jesus came to set me free.

-Recovery of site to the blind!
Jesus came to help heal spiritual blindness! What sins in my life am I blind to?

-Release! This is not the same as freedom. This is the moment when sin no longer oppresses us! What sins am I allowing to oppress me in my life?!

Galatians 3:22-29
John 8:31-32

If we do not add obedience to your faith then you are still in bondage and not set free!!

"IF" you hold to my teachings!" "IF" is conditional. We don't receive freedom until we hold to Jesus teachings. I must seek true freedom and not just for independence!

We have to hold to Jesus teachings and not mans teaching! No matter what laws are passed or what the religious world caves to we need to hold to Jesus teachings!

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered the Pharisees with the real answer to our issue! We're in bondage because we are in sin!! When the son sets you free....Jesus has the power to set us free!!

Further instructions on gaining true freedom!! James 1:21-25

Throw out the garbage in your life! Stop just listened my to the world but take action and do what it says!!

God's love language is obedience!

Luke 15

In Luke 15 Jesus tells three stories in response to the Pharisees being self righteous.

Luke 15:1-32

Jesus gives three stories back to back in a row on the same topic. In the first two stories the people loose a sheep or coin and then they go looking for the lost item. The third story is a little different. How many of the 99 sheep that were left behind were jealous. How many of the 9 coins that were left behind were jealous? None. Only the brother is jealous.

This was a direct analogy of the Pharisees and they way were looking down on the sinners that Jesus was drawing near to him.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

This is the way a true leader of God should view himself. When we have the heart of Paul there is no room for self righteousness or judgmental attitudes.

Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5

Before God defines our roles as husband and wife he says to submit with one another in reverence in Christ!

As a husband it is my job to present my wife radiant. If my wife is not radiant I need to take responsibility regardless of whether I am right or wrong. Jesus never said to the church, I've done all I can do for you!

Prideful areas I need work on:
Pride loves to talk, revealing in every self exalting form of self-expression. Pride uses conversation as broadcast time.

Humility has never found someone it couldn't learn something from!

Who is Helen Keller? Everyone knows Helen Kellers

Who is Helen Keller? Everyone knows Helen Kellers name.Who is Ann Sullivan? Not many people recognize Ann Sullivan and yet she was the teacher that help Helen Keller achieve the great things she achieved in her life.

Great teachers can have a huge impact on our lives. Jesus was the greatest teacher that ever lived! Matthew 7:28 More often than not people were more amazed by Jesus teachings than the physical elements he was able to manipulate in his miracles.

Matthew 7:-28-29

Peopel were amazed by Jesus teaching because he taught with authority. Was it hat he was more strict and had more convictions about Gods word? Luke 11:46; 13:14 tells us that the Pharisees were too strict. What gave Jesus such power and authority was the way he lived his life!

Jesus could have came down and taught the same things and if he did not live the life that he lead no one would have remembered his name. Jesus came teaching from the old testament and in many ways teaching over and over again to people that knew the old testament and what it taught. What made Jesus different was he spoke the truth and then lived it in his life!

We would never listen to a personal trainer, no matter how knowledgable they were, that was over weight and did not live the life that they preached. Same thing with Jesus. Jesus was able to lead and teach the way that he did because of the life that he lived!

John 13:14-15

Jesus taught by example and called everyone who wants to be a disciple to do the things that he did.

The Pharisees memorized the entire old testament and yet Jesus called them hypocrites because they did not live the life that he did. Am I focused more on knowing the right answers or living them?

Mark 6:6-7;34-36

Not everything that Jesus said was written down. Why? The majority of the gospel is about the way Jesus lived. Jesus taught through the way he lived! Vs 34 -- "he began to teach many things." We think we need to be taught XYZ but God knows that what we need is to see the life that Jesus lived. My life should reflect the same thing. It is not about what I say but about what I do and the example that I set!

If my christianity is just about words. To say the right words at the right time or know the right things I am just becoming religious.

John 12:47-50

Although Jesus's words will judge us and hold us accountable his life and the way he lived it ultimately provides us salvation and grace! We have salvation, grace and mercy because of the way Jesus lived his life and the death that he chose to surrender to!

Motherly qualities in God!

Motherly qualities in God!

There are many many Godly women in the bible that were used to do powerful things to for God.

Genesis 1:27

"Man" is made in the image of God. "Man" being just as much mankind and includes women. There is a side of Gods character that is directly connected to the good qualities and characters of a mother!

Every good masculine quality reflects the character of God and every good feminine qualities reflect the character of God as well!

To say that the image of God is only masculine is incorrect. God is both perfectly masculine and perfectly feminine. Although this is true, God chose to associate himself and distinguish himself as a father to us!

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

A mother has pure motives! They give and give without expecting anything in return. Mothers always find forgiveness for their children. Mothers poor themselves out physically and emotionally for their children! Mothers love unconditionally. There is not a better example on earth of unconditional love than the example God has given us in our mothers!

Mothers are constantly sacrificing what is best for them for the needs of their children! Paul used the example of a mother to describe his relationship with the church in Thessalonica.

What we want most in a God is a God that loves unconditionally. We want a God that loves like a mother. Who loves us at our worst like a mother would! Romans 5:6

God calls all of us live out these examples. Am I loving unconditionally? Am I poring my self out emotionally and physically for the people around me?

A mother holds nothing back!

An infant wants only what they need. As kids grow up they start wanting more and more things that they do not need. Children grow older and want more and more of the things that they do not need. A mother never holds back from giving her children what they need. God is the same way!

I can make a long list of what I've wanted in life that I have not received but there is nothing that I have not received that I needed. Like a mother God gives us exactly what we need! God holds nothing back and always supplies us with what we need!

A mother does what ever it takes!

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Paul worked when he did not have too. Paul was not a burden to the church. Paul did what ever it took. Mothers work when they don't have too, they are not a burden, and they do what ever it takes. Moms become what ever their children need her to be. God is for us what ever we need God to be. He meets all of our needs!

God is a God that does what ever it takes, how does what ever we need when we need it! He knows what we need and what we don't need. God will be what ever it takes because he loves us like a mother loves her children!

When we needed someone to take the blame for our sin and need to be saved he supplied a way for us to have life when we deserved death!






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Perseverance!

Perseverance!

Perseverance is a theme that we see in the bible over and over again!

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Don't just run aimlessly. Run for the prize. We can persevere through many things but am I persevering with a purpose? What is my purpose and what is my prize?

You hear that your spiritual life is not a sprint but a marathon. This is partially true and partially false. With God we run a sprintathon! We don't need to pace our selves and yet the race is like a marathon in length. We need to run with every ounce of our being all of the time! This is only possible with God!

Story -- Kayla Montgomery -- State champion who ran with Multiple Sorosis -- She ran because she still could. Every moment she was able to run was a blessing. Perseverance was a blessing to her!

Never Give Up!

1 Timothy 4:15-16

"Persevere and IF you do you will be saved". Paul is very clear that perseverance is key to our salvation. Persevere in what you believe. Persevere in the the way you live your life! Persevere and push through when life is hard. Persevere through temptation...etc.

Life and doctrine are equally important! A life for Jesus demands perseverance.

Running the race is not about a sinless life where you never fall down. The key is running with everything we have and when we fall we get back up quickly and run with everything we have again!

Its About How You Finish The Race!

Its not about how you start a race but how you finish! No one remembers how won the first lap or who came in last place after the 2nd lap. The only won remembered is the won who came in first place and crossed the finish line in the last lap!

2 Timothy 4:6-8

The christian life is about how you finish and not how you start. My start was an ugly one. Full of sin and destruction! All that matters is the end of the end. If I run with perseverance and finish the race I will get the prize!

Death is the end. The prize is eternal life! I need to dream about heaven. No matter when my race is scheduled to end I need to be able to say, I finished it! None of us know when we will die or when our race will end. We need to live everyday able to say, "I finished it"!

Am I poured out, giving everything I have and able to finish the race leaving nothing behind!? Grace is what allows me to get back up, dust my self off and continue to run and to never give up!


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Living HIStory

Living HIStory

Story of Hiroo Onoda: 26 years after WW2, Hiroo refused to accept that the war was over and continued to fight and kill anyone that came to the island of Lubang.

The war was won at the cross! The spiritual battle between God and Satan was fought and ended at when Jesus died and resurrected. Satan although defeated continues to fight and to destroy and attack as many souls as he can before his time ends!

Acts 3:1-10

This beggar was never healed by Jesus because he left work to be done for Peter and John. To show Gods power through them. In the same way God puts people in our lives today that need healing and God has a story to write for them and for us. The battle has already been won! We only need to surrender to Him!

Jesus ministry and life was marked by three things:

1.) Physical healing
2.) Saving souls
3.) Getting those Souls to Heaven

These things need to define us as well as followers of Christ! If these things do not describe your life then your life is not describing a christian life.

It starts with the healing of physical needs. The second that the beggar is healed and starts jumping up praising God, Peter and John start preaching Gods word and healing him spiritually!

Do I meet the physical needs of the people around me? If there is a need and Jesus was there he would meet it and because Jesus is not physically there it is my job as Christ ambassador to meet those needs in His name! I need to start doing more for the people that are hurting around me!

Acts 4:32-37; 4:4; 2:41, 47...etc Too many scriptures about the disciples and their work in meeting peoples physical needs and saving souls!

Acts 4:28-31

Paul in his ministry spent the majority of his time strengthening the church and making sure that the disciples made it to heaven. Who has a better chance of staying faithful because you are in their lives!? Too many of us are independent spiritually. How am I staying deeply involved in someone else's life spiritually?

Becoming a disciples is easy. Its just a decision to surrender and make Jesus Lord of our lives. Staying faithful and fighting through temptation is the hard part. How awful would it be to die after the war was over and already one?




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HIStory!

HIStory!

Gods story is the greatest story ever told! Gods story goes far beyond history. It includes history, the present, the future, and the heavenly realms!

Ephesians 6:12

For us our story has a lot to do with struggles. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It's not of physical things. It is purely spiritual. Satan rules the darkness and his story is just the opposite. While Gods story is about saving us, Satan's story is about how best to destroy us! At every turn Satan is there!

Satan is not Gods equal. He is s not the other side of the coin. Satan does not have the power that God has so he has to undermine God in every way he can! He does this through lies and deceit!

The lowest point of Gods story is the death of His one and only son!

Mark 2-3

All through these two chapters the religious people of the day question Jesus and eventually plotted to kill him because of the way he lived his life. They questioned him on forgiving sin, fasting, and the sabbath!

Jesus is attacked all through out the gospel! Jesus was under attack from the moment his ministry began! Mark 12:1-12 A parable that sums up Gods story and relationship with the Israelites!

Everyone of us has had a lowest point in their lives as well! Gods lowest point was made necessary by our lowest points! An all powerful God chooses to show his power and love by his sacrifice for us! God could have written His story any way he wanted to. God chose to sacrifice His Son because there was no better way to show his love for me!

Mark 14:10-11; 15:15; 33-34; 37

The highest point of Gods story is the resurrection of His one and only son!

The cross arrives at the perfect time! The New Testament writers of the episcopal wrote about Jesus resurrection more that his physical death. The high point in n Gods story is our salvation.

1 Peter 2:21-25; Acts 2:23-24;

Jesus took on the full punishment for my sins but God did not abandon him to the grave! Through Jesus resurrection I am able to live a new life!

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 God has triumphed over death! Death is what we fear the most but through God we are able to not fear! Because Jesus did not stay in the grave and resurrected we have hope in death and the start of a new life!!











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Job 31:1-4

Job 31:1-4

Revelation 2:20-29

God is patient but he is not tolerant! God does not tolerate sexual sin! God will work with me through my purity but he will not tolerate it. It also says that God give pure men authority over the nations! How can you have authority over anything through impurity. We feel defeated when we struggle with sexual sins.

What is purity? Unmixed, unpolluted, 100% with no additives. Sexual purity is saving all sexual gratification for the covenant of marriage. Purity in general is a relationship with God when God alone is enough! Genesis 2:4-7; 18-25. All sin is a lie from satan that telling us that God is not enough and that we need something else! The same with Adam. He was with God, walking with him and God was not enough!

Why absolute purity? There is only a union in marriage when there is total and complete commitment.

Satan is at was and attacking what God created to be pure!

1 Corinthians 6:16-18

All sin is not the same. Sexual sin is in a different category. Sexual sin is a sin against our own bodies and our bodies are the temple of God!

Ephesians 4:19; Proverbs 5:6-7; 7:21-23

Sexual Cycle......Negative Emotions = Disconnect/Isolation = Preoccupation/Ritual = Acting Out = Regret/Vow = Time = back to Negative Emotions.

Hebrews 3:12 -- Turning away starts at Disconnecting/Isolation! Instead of disconnecting and isolation we need to encourage one another and connect.

Help Cycle.....Emotions = Connect= Surrender = Help = Victory = Confidence = time = back to Emotions!






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Lessons from the early church of Christ!

Lessons from the early church of Christ!

Acts 4:8-13

Peter and the apostles were unschooled ordinary men! Because the walked with Jesus they new scripture. I need to spend time in Gods word! Being close to Jesus through Gods word! People should view us the same way, in awe that we are unschooled ordinary men who fell in love with Gods word just by having a relationship Jesus!

The last time Peter was confronted by the religious authorities was two months earlier in the court yard where he denied Jesus three times. Peter grew spiritually through Gods word and his love for Jesus to become me a man who stood up to the religious authorities and held his conviction and in Gods word!

It doesn't take a long time to change and grow! I have to be committed to studying Gods word! What is my personal plan of growth in Gods word? Daily study is important!

Acts 4:23-31

Praying was essential for the early church. Their power came from prayer. I'm not praying enough! There is always a good time to pray and always good to pray about everything!

The early church was completely United! One of the biggest obstacles to Godly convictions is our own opinions! We need to stop trust in other things and rely solely on Gods word!!

Life through Jesus

Ephesians 2:1-10

It's important that we never forget about the depths that God saved us from. We should never forget life we on we lived away from God and the sin that was rampant in our lives! By not forget we see Gods mercy. We are able to see how much grace has been given to us.

Paul did not describe us as sick or hurt. He describes us as dead! We were dead in our transgressions. Only through Christ have we been able to live and have a new life! How grateful should we be?

God sees me as a disciple. God sees me as blameless as Jesus! Praise God that I am not seen anymore for who I really am. Praise Jesus for his sacrifice and love for me. Praise Jesus for interceding for me and allowing me to have a relationship with God!

Romans 12:2; Galatians 4:6-7

No matter what is going on in my life God has given me hope through Jesus! I am no longer a slave to sin. I am no longer trapped in circumstance. I have been redeemed!







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Discipleship

Discipleship

125 Billion spent last year on training and development but company's in the US. Corporate America see a huge benefit in training and personal development. Life coaches, conferences, classes, mentoring and consulting are many of the tools that were used. A lot of these things can be directly connected to discipleship.

As a church we need to put as much value in our spiritual development in the same way. As disciples of Jesus we are called to help each other in these ways. Counseling, coaching, teaching, mentoring and training each other through Gods word! If the business world values these things enough to spend 125 billion, how much more should we value discipleship.

People in the world are attending conferences and training sessions and spending countless dollars trying to better them selves in many different areas in their life! In Gods church we have these resources for free in our brothers and sisters.

God also places a huge value on discipleship, one another relationships and accountability. The fist step in valuing these things is having the heart that is willing to learn and willing to imitate! The challenge is to maintain this heart. If we are going to be learners we also have to be qualified counselors and teachers.

We need to have vision for each other. We need to help each other dream spiritual dreams and encourage each other. Sometimes someone else can dream for you in a way that you never would be able to dream for your self.

Jesus inspired and gave his disciples vision. He lead them and gave them confidence.
If we have hearts to learn and hearts to teach our lives will mirror the disciples in the early church. It starts with all of us saying I am willing to learn and I am prepared to teach.