Mend

I found a bracelet at the LifeWay store that impacted my life. Now, you're saying,"How can a bracelet impact your life, it's just something that you wear on your wrist?" And to that I would say because it represents something greater than all of us, everything that we wear, and everything that we do.

So let me get to the story... Have you ever shown off a scar? Like, "Hey man, look what happened when I totally wrecked my bike, it was so sick dude." Well my bracelet represents a scar that most of us forget about. We remember the sacrifice, we remember all the drama, we remember that now we get to go to heaven, but what was the price? On my bracelet it simply says remember on a little round circle that sits on the inside of my wrist. It's asking me to remember the person, God in a human body that came from a Holy place to a place that was destined for Hell. How often do we remember that the One that came to bridge that gap, wears scars to show that He gave His life for us?

This Sunday, we will be having a special invitation in the middle of the service, yes the middle, to invite everyone to wear the scar for a week. Every time that you look down and see the mark, remember on that day, in that moment, that God gave everything for you and everyone around you. What could you do at that moment that would let someone know that He loves them too!

¹⁶"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you." John 15:16

Back to the Basics

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth... He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ." Colossians 1:15-16, 17-19

God sent His son to die for us, live as an example, and give us that physical image that, as humans, we all need and yearn for. Christ always was and always will be because He is God. As the example, He is our example and our church. He holds us together, and teaches how to operate as followers, believers, and leaders. Trust in Him, because He is the beginning. Believe in Him, because He and God are the same. Follow Him, because He is the example. Love Him, because He died for our failures.

There are NO Favorites

Have you ever heard that some people, teachers, friends, animals and so on pick favorites? That they choose who to follow, who to obey, who to give special treats to, and who to acknowledge over others. Well, God does not pick favorites.

" Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites." Colossians 3:24-25

When we are saved, God promises us that we will have an eternal life with Him. He promises us that inheritance. That's a pretty big deal. However, God does not pick favorites, we will all be judged based on our lives, how we lived for Him, and maybe, how we haven't been living for Him. In this verse, Paul clearly says that God doesn't and won't pick favorites. He doesn't care who you are, where you come from, and all the other stuff that you have done. It's about what you are doing for Him. If you do something wrong, and do not ask for forgiveness, you will be judged for that. He won't just forget, if you don't ask him for forgiveness.

So next time you say, "It's ok if I say this or do this, because I'm a Christian." IF you justify doing wrong because you think you'll be ok in the long run. God has no favorites. We are supposed to live for Him. "Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us." Colossians 3:11b

Today's Tid Bit... Motives

Today, right off the bat, I would like to start with a word of prayer to maybe, just maybe, help us understand what God is trying to tell us today.

Father God, I just pray that you would help us understand what you are trying to tell us through this next passage. Help us understand what the right motives are, and how much that matters to you. God, I just pray that you would open our hearts and our minds so that we might become a better, more obedient child in your family.

"Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. Don't let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don't condemn me along with murderers. Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes. But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy. Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord." Psalm 26

My first thought when I read this was,"Wow, David sure had some guts to tell God to put him on trial and test his motives!" I mean think about it. David was asking the God of all creation, our God that will judge us and has the power to do absolutely anything, not to mention that God knows all of our thoughts, actions, and motives behind them. I don't know about you, but I would definitely be scared of some of the things God would bring up in the court room.

Motives are one of the most important things as Christians, because God says that He knows our thoughts even before we think them. He knows why we are doing what we are doing. So, no matter how many poor we feed, kids we teach, people we clothe, and sermons we preach- if we don't do them with the right motives.... it doesn't matter. It was done, not for the glory of God, but for what ever other reason we may have at the time. I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (ESV).

So next time that we do anything, let us think about why we are doing it. Is it for the glory and honor of God? Can we be bold, like David, and say to the Lord, "Test my motives and my heart"?Are we standing on solid ground, or are we in the sinking sand. All He asks is that everything we do, glorify Him. What are our motives today?

A Little Tid Bit for July 29th

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven, and he prayed,

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today.

1Kings 8:22-24

We generally praise God with closed eyes and bowed heads out of respect, how many times to do we raise our hands and thank him for everthing that He has done in our lives? How much do we look at the big picture? God's promise to David didn't come easy, and God doesn't promise us an easy life, but He does promise us eternal life. It is our job to walk with Him daily. Every. Single. Day. WE have to wake up and choose to walk with Him in every aspect. Worship daily. Give thanks daily. Praise Him daily. Serve Him daily. He will fulfill every promise that He has ever made, that won't stop any time soon. God is the ultimate promise keeper, the ultimate friend, and the ultimate Savior, have you lifted your hands to praise Him and thank Him for who He is and what He has done today?

Life.

Life.

It's a game.

My favorite in fact.

Your choices determine the outcome.

Stop signs come,

to add some stress to your once simple day,

but we all know life is just a game.

You choose school,

just to live a little more.

You can choose the world, a job, to save,

to profit, to have a grueling challenge.

It's your choice.

It's your outcome.

Stop signs come,

to add some stress to your once simple day,

but we all know life is just a game.

Marriage, kids, homes, and cars.

We can all say that adds stress everyday.

Bills, taxes, stocks, and bonds.

Money separates the men from the boys.

Money separates just about anyone.

But it's your choice.

It's your outcome.

It's your choice.

It's your outcome.

You are in control.

It's your destiny.

Take control of life.

Take control of your destiny.

In the palm of your hand you hold the power.

It's your choice.

It's life.

Stop signs come,
to add some stress to your once simple day,
but we all know life is just a game.

We all know,

life is just a game.