Whether it is "Gay Pride" month, or not, diversity should be appreciated and celebrated everyday. It was created for a reason. Since God is the Creator of all life, then the diverse nature of God's world is of value to us all. The definition of diversity is something like this: the concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual. Here are some example of diversity to consider.
Next weekend we celebrate Gay Pride which will continue through this month. As a nation consisting of different races, religions, political views and sexual orientations, we honor those who have given their lives and continue to fight for our freedom as we observe Memorial Day this Sunday. In a few weeks we will continue this celebration of freedom with fireworks, parades, picnics, etc., on the 4th of July. In spite of whether we agree with the politics of what is happening in the world today, we are continuing to defend our nation and at the same time, helping others to benefit from this gift of freedom. God has given us the responsibility to bring about freedom from hatred and injustice and establishing God's reign of love and peace through the sharing of the Good News and to bring about healing of both the soul and the body. However, in the face of the real problems of the world, we may feel that we are too insignificant to make an important difference in the middle of such political and seemingly meaningless chaos. I challenge you to look at your dreams. Those seeds of potentiality are in all of us. God does not discriminate. What you plant today, others will reap from the harvest tomorrow. You see, whatever seed we sow into our lives determines the harvest we will have. We always get back more than we sow. In answer to the question in the title of this article, yes, each one of us working together make a difference as we are an important part of what makes this world a truly better place for all. We make a positive difference when together we follow the example of Jesus in our lives; making a positive difference in the lives of those we meet. As we say at the end of the service, "Go in peace to love God and one another!" We have been chosen and we are being sent. This is a great time to be the church! Amen.
Creator of All Life,
Please hear our prayer as we go along each day, trying to run our lives our own way. We forget to let go and give you control. We wonder why things aren't going the way we want them to go and forget to stop and ask what you want, Lord. Please help us to give you control, for our desire is to follow you. Help us to trust that when you close one door, you open the one you want us to walk through. Help us to realize that what we desire may not be what is best for us. Lord, let us accept each day as a gift and to follow the path you chose for each of us. We thank you for what you have given us; trusting you will take care of all our needs. Guide us, to follow the path you have chosen for us. Give us strength, faith, hope, and most of all, give us guidance each and every day as we let go and give you control.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Please hear our prayer as we go along each day, trying to run our lives our own way. We forget to let go and give you control. We wonder why things aren't going the way we want them to go and forget to stop and ask what you want, Lord. Please help us to give you control, for our desire is to follow you. Help us to trust that when you close one door, you open the one you want us to walk through. Help us to realize that what we desire may not be what is best for us. Lord, let us accept each day as a gift and to follow the path you chose for each of us. We thank you for what you have given us; trusting you will take care of all our needs. Guide us, to follow the path you have chosen for us. Give us strength, faith, hope, and most of all, give us guidance each and every day as we let go and give you control.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
It is a fact that commitment to the church seems to be at an all time low. Also, due to economic reasons many churches have had to close or merge with like minded denominations in order to continue. This is a tragic shift, and nationwide figures seem to be showing the exact same trend. People just don't seem to be all that "into" God anymore. People are clearly busier than ever, and that does not help the situation. Others have been hurt or disillusioned by churches or "religious" people, so they use that as a "reason" for why they do not attend church often. However, most people just seem to be looking for something better to do on Sunday mornings than go to a church to worship and learn about God and His ways. Golfing, sleeping, sports, and many other things turn out to be that "better option" for them than church.
I came across four reasons why church matters in our lives. Consider these reasons and see if they relate to your situation.
Why You Should Make a Huge Commitment to Being in Church Whenever the Doors Are Open . . .
1) The local church is a central part of God's strategic plan for your spiritual growth. I have often heard the statement, "Well, I don't need to go to church to be a Christian." On a slight technicality, that may be true, but it is certainly far-removed from God's true plan. Jesus said, "On this rock [Peter's statement that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God] I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not be able to stand against it" (Matthew 16:18). You see, the church is Jesus' idea, not humanity's idea. It seems like we should pay attention to His plan since it came directly from Him. When a person says they don't need the church, that is a departure from God's plan. I would advise against that.
2) It has been said that we are basically a composite of the five people with whom we spend the most time. Friends can influence people, no matter their age, for either good or for bad. It is important, therefore, that we choose those people well. This is why it is so valuable for us to be in church every time the doors are open. We need to expose ourselves as much as possible to other followers of Christ who will draw us nearer to God. We need the support of other believers if we are truly going to grow in Christ.
3) We need the voice of the church to counteract all of the deception that is crammed into our minds all throughout the week. Paul warns believers in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of humanity, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (NKJV) The word for "cheat" in this passage refers to kidnapping another person. We need to be careful that we are not "kidnapped" by false ideologies, by wrong thinking. The term "traditions" refers to teachings. Do you realize how many ungodly teachers are speaking into your life every week? Internet. News media. Hollywood. Music. Co-workers. Friends and family. The list seems never ending. With so many messages streaming into your life every week that can "kidnap" you and take you away from God, it is extremely critical that you spend as much time in church as possible to fill your mind with godly wisdom and discernment. Soak in all you can whenever you can!
4) Weekly ministry in a local church helps to build up your spiritual muscles. In Ephesians 4, Paul says that we all are gifted in different ways. When we use our own particular gifts to serve within a church, it is a like a body with many body parts that all work together for a common goal. As Paul discusses serving in this chapter, I find it interesting that he threw in the comment in Ephesians 4:14 in which he says, "... that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of humanity, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting...." In other words, when we use our spiritual gifts by serving within the local church community, we somehow become better-grounded theologically. It will be more difficult for us to be deceived into thinking things that are not true according to God's Word. Isn't that amazing? Serving makes us more theologically astute. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but I do know that I have observed it to be true in my own life as well as in the lives of so many I have watched to grow in their journey with the Lord.
Commitment certainly is not what it used to be. But I hope for you, you will go all out in your commitment to Christ and His church.
See you at church this Sunday!
I came across four reasons why church matters in our lives. Consider these reasons and see if they relate to your situation.
Why You Should Make a Huge Commitment to Being in Church Whenever the Doors Are Open . . .
1) The local church is a central part of God's strategic plan for your spiritual growth. I have often heard the statement, "Well, I don't need to go to church to be a Christian." On a slight technicality, that may be true, but it is certainly far-removed from God's true plan. Jesus said, "On this rock [Peter's statement that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God] I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not be able to stand against it" (Matthew 16:18). You see, the church is Jesus' idea, not humanity's idea. It seems like we should pay attention to His plan since it came directly from Him. When a person says they don't need the church, that is a departure from God's plan. I would advise against that.
2) It has been said that we are basically a composite of the five people with whom we spend the most time. Friends can influence people, no matter their age, for either good or for bad. It is important, therefore, that we choose those people well. This is why it is so valuable for us to be in church every time the doors are open. We need to expose ourselves as much as possible to other followers of Christ who will draw us nearer to God. We need the support of other believers if we are truly going to grow in Christ.
3) We need the voice of the church to counteract all of the deception that is crammed into our minds all throughout the week. Paul warns believers in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of humanity, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (NKJV) The word for "cheat" in this passage refers to kidnapping another person. We need to be careful that we are not "kidnapped" by false ideologies, by wrong thinking. The term "traditions" refers to teachings. Do you realize how many ungodly teachers are speaking into your life every week? Internet. News media. Hollywood. Music. Co-workers. Friends and family. The list seems never ending. With so many messages streaming into your life every week that can "kidnap" you and take you away from God, it is extremely critical that you spend as much time in church as possible to fill your mind with godly wisdom and discernment. Soak in all you can whenever you can!
4) Weekly ministry in a local church helps to build up your spiritual muscles. In Ephesians 4, Paul says that we all are gifted in different ways. When we use our own particular gifts to serve within a church, it is a like a body with many body parts that all work together for a common goal. As Paul discusses serving in this chapter, I find it interesting that he threw in the comment in Ephesians 4:14 in which he says, "... that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of humanity, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting...." In other words, when we use our spiritual gifts by serving within the local church community, we somehow become better-grounded theologically. It will be more difficult for us to be deceived into thinking things that are not true according to God's Word. Isn't that amazing? Serving makes us more theologically astute. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but I do know that I have observed it to be true in my own life as well as in the lives of so many I have watched to grow in their journey with the Lord.
Commitment certainly is not what it used to be. But I hope for you, you will go all out in your commitment to Christ and His church.
See you at church this Sunday!
Sunday Worship
June 25th - 11:00 - Join us for our annual "Pride Sunday Service". We will be listening to new music by our Music Ministry, hearing God's message of "Radical Love" and enjoying fellowship and lunch as well.
Lost coming to service? Jeremiah keeps his phone on into the service, 915-706-6599.
June 25th - 11:00 - Join us for our annual "Pride Sunday Service". We will be listening to new music by our Music Ministry, hearing God's message of "Radical Love" and enjoying fellowship and lunch as well.
Lost coming to service? Jeremiah keeps his phone on into the service, 915-706-6599.
We read about freedom, dream about freedom, rejoice in the notion of freedom, teach, advocate, and hope for freedom, but what do we mean by freedom?
Freedom means many things to many people. We can view freedom politically, as having the opportunity to vote for particular ideas, people, or parties which best represent our views. Closely tied to this is the notion of freedom of speech, where one has the liberty to voice their personal opinion or perspective. Others understand freedom in a financial context, where people seek to free themselves of financial debt, outstanding credit, and burdensome loans.
We also think of freedom in a military sense-a war is won, soldiers return home, prisoners are freed, and bullets no longer fly. People walk their streets in safety, and citizens enjoy such rights as free speech, voting, and worshiping as they choose. From this perspective, liberty is achieved through force-combat or a military presence and maintained through laws, governing bodies, judges, and men and women who fight against those who oppose freedom.
This is certainly a simplistic representation of liberty, because true freedom is so much more than living without war-freedom goes far beyond mere outward order and nominal compliance. Dr. Henry Morris III addresses this in his feature article "Genuine Liberty" (pages 5-7). He points out that true freedom is found at a spiritual level, saying, "The ultimate freedom that is promised is freedom from the rule of evil secured by the salvation granted through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus."
Through the love of God, Jesus was sent to come to earth and willingly die for each of us for our salvation.Therefore, all who entrust their complete life to Jesus Christ are saved and given eternal life in Him and enjoy an intimate and personal connection and relationship with God.
This is true freedom. And true freedom only exists in Jesus Christ. How does it happen? God changes our heart through the Holy Spirit. God makes us spiritually alive by giving us a new heart. This heart desires to love God. It sees Jesus Christ as beautiful and desires to love Him as the Lord and Savior of our life. By faith, we give our life to Jesus and receive His forgiveness and freedom from sin. Not only this, but we are now free to do the very thing we were created to do - to honor and enjoy God forever. And this joy in God is from our heart - our new heart given to us by God. Amen.
Freedom means many things to many people. We can view freedom politically, as having the opportunity to vote for particular ideas, people, or parties which best represent our views. Closely tied to this is the notion of freedom of speech, where one has the liberty to voice their personal opinion or perspective. Others understand freedom in a financial context, where people seek to free themselves of financial debt, outstanding credit, and burdensome loans.
We also think of freedom in a military sense-a war is won, soldiers return home, prisoners are freed, and bullets no longer fly. People walk their streets in safety, and citizens enjoy such rights as free speech, voting, and worshiping as they choose. From this perspective, liberty is achieved through force-combat or a military presence and maintained through laws, governing bodies, judges, and men and women who fight against those who oppose freedom.
This is certainly a simplistic representation of liberty, because true freedom is so much more than living without war-freedom goes far beyond mere outward order and nominal compliance. Dr. Henry Morris III addresses this in his feature article "Genuine Liberty" (pages 5-7). He points out that true freedom is found at a spiritual level, saying, "The ultimate freedom that is promised is freedom from the rule of evil secured by the salvation granted through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus."
Through the love of God, Jesus was sent to come to earth and willingly die for each of us for our salvation.Therefore, all who entrust their complete life to Jesus Christ are saved and given eternal life in Him and enjoy an intimate and personal connection and relationship with God.
This is true freedom. And true freedom only exists in Jesus Christ. How does it happen? God changes our heart through the Holy Spirit. God makes us spiritually alive by giving us a new heart. This heart desires to love God. It sees Jesus Christ as beautiful and desires to love Him as the Lord and Savior of our life. By faith, we give our life to Jesus and receive His forgiveness and freedom from sin. Not only this, but we are now free to do the very thing we were created to do - to honor and enjoy God forever. And this joy in God is from our heart - our new heart given to us by God. Amen.
