Matthew: Words and Works

The parables of the kingdom
Matthew 13: 1-53
Who was this Jesus guy anyway?
What's your view of Christ?
Where are you looking for Jesus?
It's not our responsibility to pull out the weeds.
Jesus is not going to put us in a Christian bubble.
If people are doing xyz, let Jesus deal with it.
The mixed society we live in will be separated by God

Anger

I am constantly amazed and how fast I can get angry. I am such a people person, and people are are jerks just raise my agitation level beyond recognition. It makes it worse when they are Christians. However, I need to give this mentality over to God. So what if people make me angry. People will be people- even Christians. Lord, help me see these people with your eyes and love them like you do. Take the darkness surrounding my heart and make it light again. I want more of you Lord and less of myself. I praise you for the ability to feel, and just ask that you would bring it to my mind that I need to pray when these feelings arise. Thank you Papa.

Matthew 10

Matthew 10
The words of Jesus
Jesus instructs his disciples

Matthew 10:5-8
Where to go, what to preach, what to do
We are called to do this TODAY!
HERE AND NOW!
do you BELIEVE?

Take your cross up daily.
It means living a sacrificial life for Jesus.
Sometimes, it means saying no to ourselves.

Don't be afraid of the gospel.
Pray..God help me overcome my unbelief.

Night of worship

Break these chains.

Breathe was written out of a time of desperation. Morning. Dance studio owner, suicide.

Culture

What's your church culture?
What's your legacy?
Is your church generational?
Are we trying to build people to change the world?

1 chronicles 13  ( read through 36)
Psalm 78:1-4
Ephesians 10:2-
Luke 15

Who is connected to your life?
What legacy are you leaving?

Are you passing the baton ?

Today's youth will be the future teachers and worship leaders.

That is not just a 10 year old girl.
Be destined for greatness.
They are destined for greatness.
You can and WILL make a difference.

Be a church full of grace.

Stop living that mediocre life. WAKE UP CHURCH!

Be people that serve me. Be people that love me.

Salvation is not a reward.

Welcome home. Don't push her away. Be full of grace...but set that boundary.

You are God

Lord, help me push through, even when things aren't that positive. Help me be a light, and a smile to those who need it. Lord, I want to dwell on the things of you, and not take the littlest things personally. You are my rock, and nothing else. Love you papa.

Set a Fire

Last night, I had the craziest …image that was so vivid in my head. It was of me, throwing something down and making a large bang. With the large bang, I was screaming the words “Church, wake up from your slumber!” Lately, I feel like as a Christian I have been spiritually dry- so dry that it was almost turning into a dangerous and downward spiral. How many of us are in that place? I have a feeling it is more people than we think. No one wants to admit it though.
Is it us? Is it the churches we serve in? Is it satan wanting to chop us off at the knees and keep us from God? Is it a lack of trust in God? Is it not trusting in the Holy Spirit? What is it? What can I do to change this? One thing that I have been struggling with is my church doesn’t have a youth group right now. At times, I feel like my church is spiritually dry. Yes, we are going through a transition phase, I understand that. But our kids (and older kids like me) still need something. This could be the make it or break it stage in one’s life- some of the most influential years could be happening now! Is it wrong to go to a different church or youth group? If we go, are we bringing that renewed passion back to our church? That is where my vision went. I was so complacent in living the life I was so used to, that I became oblivious to what was going around me spiritually. Last night I attended a local church’s youth group. The presence of God was SO strong. I looked around me…at the people I knew. A few of the people were even from my own church body. Seeing people's hands raised in worship was so moving. You could see and feel the passion in that place. I think it is ok to experience something new and different. Sometimes, we need a refreshing in our lives. I know where I am planted. Getting a refreshing doesn’t mean my loyalty is someplace else. What’s important is I am still seeking God, and growing in my walk. If I am not filled, how can I reach out? One thing that I think is really important is that I choose to bring back a renewed passion with me to my church- by that I mean I don’t let the temporary love of a different place keep me away from where God has planted me. Sorry if this doesn’t make sense- my thoughts are everywhere. Two things have really struck me hard in the last day: This scripture is from The Message: Romans 13 11-14 But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! Also, the song “Set a Fire” sang by Cody Davenport ( or United Pursuit Band) No Place I'd rather be No Place I'd rather be No place I'd rather be Here in your Love, Here in your love Set a Fire Down in my Soul That I can’t contain that I can’t control I want more of you God I want more of you God So, I know I don’t blog often- but I really felt the need to share what has been on my heart lately! Love you all!