We live in a society ruled by consumerism. Everyone is familiar with "keeping up with the Jones'". Or the newest- He who has the most toys, wins. We want what everyone else has. The newest car. The designer clothes. The bling. The boat. The IPhone. Whatever it is. It's no longer about need or desire, it's a status issue. We consume things, just to consume.
The problem with all this 'getting' is it leads to emptiness. We may get a high at the beginning....spending the money, driving that sweet 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500KR....with its 5.4L, 450 horses, 6 speed, all on 18 inch rims....OOPS, got away from myself. That high only lasts so long...then it's off to another quick fix, whatever it may be. Because the problem with 'getting' things is that it is never enough. There is no satisfaction living like this.
Living a life as a consumer is not living. It is just existing. Suicide is rampant where people are just existing. With no purpose, with no hope left...suicide seems to be the only way out. This is only one of the dangers of just trying to 'get'.
You want to LIVE and not just exist. Serve. Serving is the answer to that. When you are serving your local body of believers, it's called you ministry. Remember that. Having a ministry will give you purpose. When you are serving in the ministry God shaped you for....YOU ARE LIVING.
Lots of people just want to be a consumer at church. They come to get. Not at GCF. WE are going to be a body of servants. Everyone has a specific ministry they can do, something that only they are shaped to do. Contrary to popular belief, the pastor isn't called to do all the ministry. SHOCK! Ephesians 4:11-12 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,(follow me on this one) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Your ministry, your service is to build up the body of Christ. To built up the church. To go from a 'getter' to a 'giver'. Satisfaction is found in a life of purpose and a life of purpose serves the body of Christ.
BE A REVOLUTION
September 17, 2009
September 9, 2009
Love or Hate?
There is something that people that say they are Christians are supposed to do....LOVE. Jesus' teachings were about love. That is what made them so hard. Loving isn't easy. And loving those that don't like you, that don't believe the same things as you do, or that are just difficult to get along with...is tough.
But, that is what is to set Jesus' followers apart. Their love. And not just their love for other Christians, but their love for everyone. The Bible says in Matthew 5:43- You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you! This is what Jesus said. This is His teaching. Pretty different than from what the world teaches.
It's funny. It seems every where you turn someone who says they are a Christian is saying how they hate someone. Just yesterday I read a news article about some pastor who said he prayed that President Obama would just die. That sure doesn't line up with what Jesus taught. And that isn't what biblical Christianity teaches.
What I want is GCF to be a house of love. Where people love God and love others. And not just the others in the church. I pray that people would have an unmeasurable amount of love for those not in the church. That love would overflow out the doors to everyone, no matter where they are in life. Because love is what separates Christianity from all the others. Hate doesn't change the world for the better, hatred never wins an argument, hatred never changes a mind.....Love does.
Be a REVOLUTION.
But, that is what is to set Jesus' followers apart. Their love. And not just their love for other Christians, but their love for everyone. The Bible says in Matthew 5:43- You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you! This is what Jesus said. This is His teaching. Pretty different than from what the world teaches.
It's funny. It seems every where you turn someone who says they are a Christian is saying how they hate someone. Just yesterday I read a news article about some pastor who said he prayed that President Obama would just die. That sure doesn't line up with what Jesus taught. And that isn't what biblical Christianity teaches.
What I want is GCF to be a house of love. Where people love God and love others. And not just the others in the church. I pray that people would have an unmeasurable amount of love for those not in the church. That love would overflow out the doors to everyone, no matter where they are in life. Because love is what separates Christianity from all the others. Hate doesn't change the world for the better, hatred never wins an argument, hatred never changes a mind.....Love does.
Be a REVOLUTION.
September 7, 2009
Paul
Ok, so I lied. I am going to get to the purposes I talked about in my last post, just later this week.
I was reading 2 Corinthians 10 today and realized something about Paul that I never saw before and wanted to share it. I want to share it because it is very relevant today.
Paul was not a great speaker. He was not skilled as an orator, nor did he have any professional training. Yet, he was a very successful missionary and he wrote about 2/3 of the New Testament. Paul was better writing letters than he was in public. But even in public he must have hit on some points that changed people's lives....look at all the churches he was instrumental in helping. Interesting.
I bring this up because we can see something different today. Look at TV. Look to our politicians. We listen to people and follow them....and it isn't because of what they are saying. It is their presentation. IF they are skilled at speaking, we as a society, elevate that above their actions or the message they are sending.
We all need to spend a bit more time listening to the message being given, than to how it is presented. Just a thought.
BE A REVOLUTION. Glorify, Connect, Grow, Serve, Reach.
I was reading 2 Corinthians 10 today and realized something about Paul that I never saw before and wanted to share it. I want to share it because it is very relevant today.
Paul was not a great speaker. He was not skilled as an orator, nor did he have any professional training. Yet, he was a very successful missionary and he wrote about 2/3 of the New Testament. Paul was better writing letters than he was in public. But even in public he must have hit on some points that changed people's lives....look at all the churches he was instrumental in helping. Interesting.
I bring this up because we can see something different today. Look at TV. Look to our politicians. We listen to people and follow them....and it isn't because of what they are saying. It is their presentation. IF they are skilled at speaking, we as a society, elevate that above their actions or the message they are sending.
We all need to spend a bit more time listening to the message being given, than to how it is presented. Just a thought.
BE A REVOLUTION. Glorify, Connect, Grow, Serve, Reach.
September 5, 2009
Why Church?
The question is often asked- "Why church, why can't I just have my beliefs and be done with it?" And the truth is, you can. But.....you will never grow or be able to fulfill the purpose God has for your life outside a active body of other believers. Think of it like this- what good is an eye without a brain to interrupt what it is seeing. Or if there are no hands or feet to help the eye.
According to the Bible, the church and it's members have 5 purposes. 5 specific things that they need to be doing. Sadly, many churches and people don't do all 5. They may do 2 or 3 or maybe even 4.....but that is it. And I didn't do all 5 either...for a long time. I didn't realize the importance they all played in my life. I didn't realize I could never fulfill God's tasks for my life if I didn't work on balancing all of these purposes in my life. Over my next few blogs I am going to take a bit of time to go over these purposes.
Remember these: GLORIFY, CONNECT, GROW, SERVE, REACH.
Be a REVOLUTION.
According to the Bible, the church and it's members have 5 purposes. 5 specific things that they need to be doing. Sadly, many churches and people don't do all 5. They may do 2 or 3 or maybe even 4.....but that is it. And I didn't do all 5 either...for a long time. I didn't realize the importance they all played in my life. I didn't realize I could never fulfill God's tasks for my life if I didn't work on balancing all of these purposes in my life. Over my next few blogs I am going to take a bit of time to go over these purposes.
Remember these: GLORIFY, CONNECT, GROW, SERVE, REACH.
Be a REVOLUTION.
Mobile updates
I signed up for this messaging service to be able to update the blog from my phone.
Sometimes I will just be at work and kinda spending some time having a talk with God. And I will wish I could put some of what comes to mind on the blog.......so, if this works I should be all set.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
September 3, 2009
Why another church in the Bible Belt?
When I got the vision that Baytown, TX was where God wanted me to go....I questioned it. Why there? This area has long been a stronghold for Christianity. Does it really need another church?
God answered it simply-"There are still lost people." Enough said.
The truth is, there are many good churches in Baytown. Lots of them. But there are still many, many people who aren't connecting with these existing churches....for whatever reason.
The upcoming generations (35 and under) are looking more than just a place to attend on Sunday. They want a place where they can make a difference. A place where they do things. They continue to hear- we believe this, we believe that. And they think- Great! But what are you doing about it? These generations are about action.
And that is exactly what we are going to do at GCF. We are planning HUGE. Because that way, God has to do it. We have to let Him be in control, because this is His church.
I see a church, a body of believers, who are on fire for God. And are passionate with seeing real life change happen. Seeing people find a relationship with Jesus. Finding real relationships with other believers. Where we reach into the community. Reach into the lives of the lost, the hurting, those with painful habit, the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the uneducated.
Those are the people Jesus spent time with. As He said in Matthew 9-"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick". And even many of us in the church are still sick. We need healing ourselves. We all have hurts, habits and hangups that we need to deal with. Because the hurt, that haven't dealt with their issue, often continue to hurt other people.
Our nation needs recovery. Our churches need a revolution. Christ coming over 2000 years ago revolutionized the world.
Be a revolution. GCF's moto. Come be a part of the revolution.
God answered it simply-"There are still lost people." Enough said.
The truth is, there are many good churches in Baytown. Lots of them. But there are still many, many people who aren't connecting with these existing churches....for whatever reason.
The upcoming generations (35 and under) are looking more than just a place to attend on Sunday. They want a place where they can make a difference. A place where they do things. They continue to hear- we believe this, we believe that. And they think- Great! But what are you doing about it? These generations are about action.
And that is exactly what we are going to do at GCF. We are planning HUGE. Because that way, God has to do it. We have to let Him be in control, because this is His church.
I see a church, a body of believers, who are on fire for God. And are passionate with seeing real life change happen. Seeing people find a relationship with Jesus. Finding real relationships with other believers. Where we reach into the community. Reach into the lives of the lost, the hurting, those with painful habit, the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the uneducated.
Those are the people Jesus spent time with. As He said in Matthew 9-"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick". And even many of us in the church are still sick. We need healing ourselves. We all have hurts, habits and hangups that we need to deal with. Because the hurt, that haven't dealt with their issue, often continue to hurt other people.
Our nation needs recovery. Our churches need a revolution. Christ coming over 2000 years ago revolutionized the world.
Be a revolution. GCF's moto. Come be a part of the revolution.
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