I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
In Rick Warren’s classic book, The Purpose Driven Life, he opens the book with a simple, yet profound statement; “It’s not about you.” As our community grapples with the ongoing pandemic, racial and social injustice, and allegations on social media, we have to step back and remind ourselves of the truth of Warren’s statement.
Unless we guard our hearts and minds, it is easy to become consumed with these events to the exclusion of God. In light of these events, the following verse seems especially relevant to us today:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 (ESV)
We should allow God to let us see people as Christ would see them. What are their needs, their hurts, their joys, and how should I think, speak, and act towards them?
With so much division in society, we should be ambassadors for the true peace and restoration that can only come through Jesus Christ.
It’s not about you. It’s all about Him. You are either full of self and empty of God or full of God and empty of self. The real you must surrender to the real God.
Some people want enough of Jesus to get into heaven, but not enough of Jesus for heaven to come to them. Is your commitment to Jesus a life (or death) insurance policy or is it something that permeates everything you think, say or do?
Tell Jesus He can have all of you for He’s giving you all of Him. Are you all in?
Isaiah says: Here am I Lord, send me!
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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Why We Pray – 15 Reasons
- Psalm 145:18 – Praying assures us of God’s presence
- Matthew 7:11 – Prayer brings good gifts from God
- Hebrews 4:16 – Prayer brings help in times of need
- John 16:24 – Prayer brings joy
- James 5:15 – Prayer brings physical or spiritual healing
- 1 Timothy 4:4-5 – Prayer acknowledges God’s ownership of creation
- Jeremiah 33:3 – Prayer brings understanding
- James 5:16 – Prayer can be powerful and effective
- Proverbs 15:8-9 – Prayer pleases God
- Matthew 26:41 – Prayer strengthens us against temptation
- Psalm 28:6-7 – Prayer shows that we trust God
- Colossians 4:2-4 – Prayer helps us advance the Gospel
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – When we pray, we obey God
- 1 Peter 5:6-7 – We pray because we know God cares.
- Matthew 6:9-13 – We should pray because Jesus did, instructs us to and even gives us a model on how we should pray.
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Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.
The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.
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Pew Research Center reports that 79 percent of Americans say, “sex between unmarried adults in a committed relationship is acceptable”; 83 percent say the same of “casual sex between consenting adults who are not in a committed relationship.” Here’s the surprising part: 57 percent of Christians say they agree with the first statement, and 50 percent agree with the second.
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QUOTES YOU CAN USE
According to Spurgeon, the more dangerous the fire, the more necessary the fireman.
Of course, telling lost people they are lost is extremely countercultural today. Offering biblical truth to those who do not believe in truth is “intolerant” and bigoted.
The gospels give us approximately thirty-seven miracles performed by Jesus, each of them proof of His personal power.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
There is no mess in your life that God cannot use for ministry. Ken Whitten
Life is not found in an abundance of material possessions. The Minimalist
Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln
A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. C. S. Lewis
Life’s too short to hold a grudge. Forgive. Forget. And let go. Ken Weliever