I Love My Church - Day 4

I don't know about you, but saying goodbye is hard to do.  It could be a friend who is moving away; it could be a spouse who has to travel for work or family emergencies; it could be someone who leaves the church.  Regardless of the situation, it's still hard to say goodbye.  But there is good news in the sadness.

When Jesus died on the cross, people were weeping as they were saying goodbye to a major influencer in their lives.  He has given them wisdom, healing, hope and encouragement.  At that moment, He was gone.  But Jesus knew it would be for only a moment.  He knew that He would be alive again.  So He gave His disciples some hope in response to their sorrow.

Read John 14:1-4 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A1-4&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return).

The hope Jesus gave to the disciples was that they were going to see Him again.  Life doesn't end when the last breath is exhaled.  We have Heaven.

That is the good news we all have.  In every moment we say goodbye to someone, we are reminded again that we will see each other again.  It may be here, there or in Heaven.  But the fact still remains, we will see each other again.

That is why I love our church.  We have the opportunity to build friendships that will last forever.  Sure, people move away; sure people die; sure people leave for work.  We have hope that we will see each other again.

I hope this encourages you today as it does me.

As you close:  Thank God for eternity.  Thank God for heaven.  Thank God for friendships/relationships.  Thank God that in the church, those relationships will last forever.

God Bless!

I Love My Church - Day 3

Have you noticed how quickly certain things go out of fashion?  I was at the Outlet Mall the other day and saw the new lines for winter.  After looking at those styles and then reviewing mine, I concluded that I was out of fashion.  The fashion world moved on and I guess I stayed behind.

Things come and go in our world.  Few things really stand the test of time.  Aside from the basic necessities of life, there is one thing that has stood the test of time: the Church.

Those committed followers of Christ have stood the test of time.  People still gather, people still read the Bible, people still fellowship, people still prayer, etc.  While other things have come and gone, the church has remained.  Why?  Because Jesus said, "...I will build my church upon this rock and the gates of Hell will not stand against it."  What Jesus started 2000 years ago is still going strong. 

When Jesus left this earth and ascended to Heaven, the disciples could have just turned their backs and went home; they remained.  They remained faithful. Read about the beginning of the church in Acts 1 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return).

Did you notice what happened?  They pressed on.  They replaced Judas and moved on.  Because they moved on and were faithful in following Jesus, we have the message, and the church body today.  This family has been together for over 2000 years and it doesn't go out of fashion.  Now some churches thrive and some take a dive but regardless, what Jesus started is still kicking.

Another reason why I love the church and I love my church family with it.

As you close:  Thank God for His guidance and protection over His church.  Ask God to move your heart towards love for the church family.  They will always be there for you. 

God bless!

I Love My Church - Day 2

One reason why I love the church is because there is a strong passion for this book; the Bible.

This book is filled with God's words whispered to humanity.  The Apostle Paul writes, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, sot hat the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

This book is God-breathed.  It breathes life into everyman.  Just like in the beginning when God breathed life into Adam, He breathes life into our soul through these words.

When was the last time we took the time to read these words?  Really read these words and learn who God is, what God has done and what He desires to do in our lives.  For some of us, we get too busy with everyday things that we lose sight of this book and the power it contains to help us live a great life.  For some of us, we get too confused and we lose motivation in digging for the truth that isn't that far under the surface.  And the great thing about this book, the more you dig the more you find.  It marvels us.

We presently enjoy the freedoms in reading this book at any time, anywhere.  Are you taking advantage of those freedoms? 

Paul and Silas traveled to a town called, Berea, in order to teach them about the scriptures.  And they made sure that what Paul was teaching was correct.  Read about it in Acts 17:10-12 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A10-12&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return).

They examined the scriptures every day.  Could I be that passionate for God's words?  I hope this year I will be even more passionate for His life giving words.  How about you?

As you close:  Thank God for His words.  They were written down and preserved for you to be able to be read on your own.  Thank God for the ability to read and the ability to read His words in your language.  Because there are many who don't have His words in their language.

God Bless! 

I Love My Church - Day 1

God treasures you as grandparents treasure grandchildren. This is a photo of my parents with eight of their ten grandchildren.  This was taken during our recent christmas vacation.  We had such a wonderful time.  My parents treasure all of their grandchildren. 

God treasures you as well.  He is so emotionally connected to you, that whatever happens to you, impacts Him personally, emotionally causing Him to react.  Whether it is joy or sorrow, He is so connected to you that you will see Him move.

Sometimes we think God feels very distant, but in fact, He is truly up close and personal.  That is the way He intended things to be with His creation. 

Read about it in Genesis 1 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1&version=NIV (Click Back Arrow on Web Browser to return)

This text says that He made you in His image.  You and I can never be God.  We could never take His place.  Many will try and fail.  The word "image" means shadow, resemblance or likeness.  We were made to be very close in likeness to Him.  He did it for the purpose of relationship.  He did it so that we can have an up close and personal relationship with Him.  To be able to understand Him and be confounded by Him all at the same time. 

He is emotionally connected to you.  He cares for you.  He is working in your life in ways you will not know immdiately but will come to understand eventually.  He knows your name and calls you out.  He knows what you need and when you need it.  He is emotionally connected to you.

This new year, let us remember how God feels about us.  That connection is not just between you and Him, it is a connection He wants you to feel in the family of God, in your local church.  We'll talk more about that this week.

As you close:  Thank God for making you in His image.  To bear a resemblance to Him in many ways.  Thank Him for being there for you even at times He seems distant. 

God Bless!