Being Born Again

This most important decision you’ll ever make is to become a follower of Jesus Christ. After being a Christian for more that 30 years I can honestly say that there are times I forget the power of being “born again." As I preached Sunday about this topic and prepared for the opportunity, I was jolted by the Holy Spirit a few times. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks-- “I am born again of the Spirit.” What an awesome miracle!  

As Christians, we are often looking for the miracles of God. But the truth is, the greatest miracles are those God has transformed from the inside out. The reality is “I am a walking Miracle.” I know that can sound canned but the power of that thought has really sank into my spirit lately. Be reminded today that when Jesus comes into your life he brings new life into our spirit. The old is gone and the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17).

Don't Give Up

Whatever you do, don’t grow weary! Life can make us tired sometimes. Sometimes we find ourselves yawning and ready to take up a nap. We scream out “Can I just have a break?” But I believe God is telling you today to wake up, stir yourself up and keep moving forward.

It is not time to stop fighting. It is not time to relax (spiritually). It is not time to let your guard down. Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not grow weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” Your life has greatness attached to it in spite of your failures and short comings. Keep saying and staying on what is right and God will bring that “harvest,” that greatness into your life. It will happen!

The Four P's

Whenever God is working in our lives it will usually fall into one of four “P’s:”

• The Promise,
• The Principle,
• The Problem,
• and The Provision.
  

The Promise is when God gives us something to stand on out of His word. This could be general or very specific (household salvation, divine healing, mind of Christ, etc.). Hang on to your promise!

The Principle is the time that God imparts truths to grow us for the fulfillment of the promise. It is a time of learning and “going to school.”

The Problem is when God allows us to be tested to see what we have learned. I do believe this is the stage that the devil tries to distract, discourage, and derail us from our Promise. In our momentary troubles we must not give in but remain steadfast to see-out the promise. Your problem is not greater than your promise. Ask yourself what is it that God is trying to teach you in all this. This is a sign of true spiritual maturity. Change what you can. Change only happens when the pain of the same is greater than the pain of change.

The Provision is the promise coming into reality. This is the moment when it all comes together and makes sense. I recently heard a cool quote that said “Faith is living in advance what we will only understand in reverse.”

Whatever “P” you find yourself in today, remember God knows exactly what is going on and He desires to see you make it to the provision of His Promise!

Distracted by His glory

Can I ask you a question today? What are you attracted to? What is it that gets your attention?

Life can really be distracting at times. In contrast, I have found over time that God wants to distract me from the things of this world. I know a lot of times we talk about being spiritually distracted by the enemy, or by some situation or circumstance. But I really believe that God wants to distract your life with His glory. He wants to shift your focus off of the reality of your problems and place them on His greatness. Don’t miss this point!I am not saying that we should not face our problems, but I am saying that when we focus on magnifying the Lord, God will distract us from becoming overwhelmed with the pressures of this life.

Go outside tonight or some night (when it's clear) and just begin to focus on how big God really is. All of a sudden the words that Isaiah penned in chapter 55:8-9 become more than just a scripture you may have heard.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Just that thought alone brings hope, trust, and strength. To be reminded that God’s ways are higher than ours -- that is only one thought that can distract us from focusing on the wrong thing. When we become distracted by God and His glory, our lives will sync up with His greatness. Let me say that again so you don’t miss it: When we become distracted by God and His glory our lives will sync up with His greatness.

My challenge for you, my friend,is simple: Instead of allowing the enemy to distract you with life, allow your life to be distracted with how amazing God is. I think you’ll find that God’s distractions are the best kind.

By the way, when we get distracted on the right things we will find that our perspective of our life and our problems will always be right.

Tips for The Race

What an awesome service we had yesterday as we focused on running “The Race” that God has called us to. Your race must be run with perseverance if we are going to finish. Perseverance, very simply put, is refusing to quit no matter how hard it gets. It is running with impudence towards God-goals and destiny for your life.

Many times when a runner is running their side will start hurting. I have been told (because I am not a skilled runner) that if you press through the pain that it will go away. But, if you focus on the pain, it will rob you of your rhythm and, ultimately, your potential to finish. This is not a huge revelation but pain hurts--that’s why we focus on it.

Let me give you some sound spiritual advice. When pain enters into your life don’t deny that it is there. It is ok to acknowledge your pain. The key for us as believers is to make sure that we don’t allow it to control us. That is when we let the enemy win. Pain is real and it hurts, but do not give the enemy the satisfaction of stealing your spiritual rhythm. Keep your focus on Jesus “the author and perfecter of your faith”. When you think about how much pain he had to endure for us and that he wants to help us in our time of need, it makes our pain easier to carry!

A Servant's Heart

Serving is the heart of God and must be the heart of the church. When the church stops serving, we become self-seeking and insufficient to the kingdom. God’s desire for us is to bring our gifts and talents and be willing to be used in the body to touch this world. This is how we become the hands and feet of Christ.

Showing always speaks louder than telling!

Serving is SHOWING people Jesus by honoring God with selflessness (Pastor Jason’s definition). There is no greater joy in life than to work in God’s kingdom. But remember, God’s kingdom does not parallel with the worlds kingdom. As a matter of fact, it works backwards. If you want to go up, then you must go down. If you want to be first, than you must be last. (Matthew 20:26-28). I know that is not easy for our ears to hear, but it is how God kingdom functions.

A Christian can only find true purpose when serving is the main objective. If you are looking to find focus for your life, then start serving. Sometimes that can mean doing what is in front of us. If we just wait for the “perfect” opportunity we may miss a God opportunity. Serving is the key to the next door in your life. God always honors a servant heart.

Serving has always been and will always be a part of the DNA of CCC. Teaching people to serve and creating a culture of servant leadership are underlying goals of every aspect of our ministry. Whether it is missions, ministry groups, small groups, children’s ministry, student ministry, young adults, nursery, or outreach, cultivating servant leadership is critical to our mission. Join me as we continue to endeavor on creating a servant leadership culture that will not just tell people Jesus loves them but will show them. After all, this is the formula that God used to show us his love in his son Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Showing always speaks louder than telling!

Sing the song God has called you to sing

You've heard the expression “When the water is right, don’t wait to jump in” or from a romantic point of view, “When the mood is right don’t wait.” Another expression is to "pick your flowers right before they are in full bloom.” My point in sharing this is that it is important for us to know the urgency of the times. Today’s world screams with chaos, yet the opportunity for spiritual purpose and impact is unparalleled. I truly believe that God is ready to do something unusual through people that are willing to stand up and stand out for Him.

What I’m saying is: the water is right, the mood is right, and the flowers are almost at full bloom. God is calling you through the Holy Spirit and is positioning you for something great. I know that can sound like a cliché, but remember, there are no "big I's" and "little yous" in God’s eyes. The Bible says that he is “no respecter of persons.” We find that to be true all throughout scripture. Whether it was Rahab (the harlot), Ruth, David, Paul, or the disciples, God never chose the chosen but he used the willing.