Sweet Lips Week Four

How many time have we gotten into a "shouting match" to prove our point? Maybe we didn't even mean to yell but somehow our voice elevated and then it was all out war!

Proverbs 15:1 instructs us to speak more quietly and more gently: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." 

As we continue in our "Sweet Lips Fast," I urge us to remember that it's not  just what we say but also how we say it. As mature Believers, we ought to be able to press pause sometimes so that we do not provoke others to anger. Literally, responding gently (even when the other person is yelling or speaking harshly), will diminish the anger of the other. 

I challenge us to put Proverbs 15:1 into practice. When someone is taking your tone to a level that will fuel the already blazing fire, press pause and regroup on how you will choose to respond. Trust me, it brings a smile to our Father's face and it doesn't make you feel too bad either. :)

Merry Christmas!

Week Two: Sweet Lips

Here we are on our second week of the "Sweet Lips" Fast. By now we have all been challenged to remain "sweet". The challenge may have come at home, at work, or even at church. 

Being "sweet" with our words is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. It is what God expects of us. Proverbs 15:4 says: The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. How many times have we crushed someone else's spirit? 

I invite us on this second week to really focus on bringing life to others. Let us be a tree of life for everyone we come in contact with. Come on...we can do it!

Sweet Lips Fast

The writer says that our words can not only soothe the soul but heal the bones. What great power we have locked up in our mouths! 

This week, I challenge each of us to be sweet and heal with our words. Make a tangible and intentional effort to speak words that will bring healing. The rule of thumb for the month of December: is what I am about to say helpful or hurtful? Remember just because the person didn't hear it doesn't mean God didn't hear it. Of all the world to be hurt by our words, it hurts God the most.

Join me in having SWEET LIPS! Let's transform our lives and walk in Christ's ways. 

In All Things...

Every year...every November...every Thanksgiving! Some people get together with family while others have differing celebrations. No matter what you do at this time each year, we always have a reason to thankful. As a matter of fact, Paul told the church at Thessalonica (and he tells us, too) that it is actually the will of God for us to be thankful! So, what are you waiting for? Throw your head back and say "thank you"! 

In happy or sad times...moments of Joy or grief, we all have something for which to give thanks!

Believe me!

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 17th:  Week Seven

Maundy Thursday

As Holy Week comes to a close and our Lenten season nears the end, we must take hold of the fullness of "Maundy Thursday"!  Today, Christ left a new mandate (command) to His disciples, and I believe He leaves the same command to us.

Week Seven:  Where are my feet?

Scripture Focus:  John 13: 34-35

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I following Christ's command?

On Maundy Thursday, Christ gave the perfect example of moving from saying to doing when He got up from the table, wrapped a towel around His waist, pulled out a basin, and began to wash His disciples feet.  When He finished, He told the disciples "this is what you have to do".  After explaining other upcoming events, Jesus tells the disciples:

A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  -John 13:34-35 NIV

During these last few days of the Lenten Season, I challenge us to really DO the word and the life of Christ!  Where are your feet?  Jesus utilized His washing the feet of the disciples as a tangible example of what we should do.  It's time to get out of the chair with our feet reclined, and it is time for us to wash other people's feet.  It is time for us to show the love of Christ instead of talk about the love of Christ.  Come on everyone...let us be transformed!

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Demonstrate the change that our fasting, our praying, and this Lenten season has made in our lives.  Let us not end the Lenten season as the same people that we were when we started.  It is time for transformation.  Review all seven of the lessons, and make an intentional effort to be transformed.  Where are your feet?

PRAYER:

God give us the strength!  We know that it will not be easy to walk in the new command that You expect of us.  Sometimes it is easier to hate than love, but we want to be known as your disciples.  Help us and strengthen us for the journey!  We are ready to love like you and live like you.  We know that you are able to give us the power to be transformed.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

I pray that this Lenten season has been a blessing to you and your family!  I look forward to sharing with you again next year.

Blessings, Pastor C

Week Six: Where is MY future?

Thursday, April 10th:  Week Six

Lent is an opportunity for us to examine our normal "Christ-like" behaviors to ensure that they are truly "Christ-like."  If they are, we thank God and look more deeply at other areas.  If they are not, we ask God to fix us up so that our future is secure and God is indeed pleased with us.

Week Six:  Where is MY future?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 6:1-2

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I pleasing God?

As we continue in our effort to move from saying to doing as Christians, we must be willing to examine even our best behaviors and ask God: "am I pleasing You?"

Jesus said:

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  -Matthew 6:1-2 NIV

Last week we asked ourselves "do we represent God well".  This question is plagued with the responsibility of us looking at how we treat one another and the type of fruit we bear.  Based on those main two objectives, we can determine the answer to last week's question, and I pray that the challenge was met to improve our fruit.  However, as we approach Palm Sunday,  I believe it is important to examine our future.  Am I securing my future with God through my righteousness (right behavior) or am I simply striving to impress people?  Jesus urges us that right behavior does not secure our future but our motives must be pure as well.  Giving to the needy is the example that Christ gives; however, we can apply this to all of the right behaviors that God impresses upon us.  In short:  when we do what we are expected  to do we should not expect people to pat us on the back.  Instead, do it in a way that seems like you're trying to keep the juiciest secret.  It is not because you don't want others to know.  It is because our Father is the one who has the true reward.  Jesus says if we get the trumpets blown here, there will be no need of a reward in heaven.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Examine our righteousness (right behavior) and make sure that we are not boasting for the world to see.  Our motivation is that it is pleasing to God, and since God sees it first-He will provide the reward!

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank You for keeping us during this Lenten season.  As we enter week six, help us to be ever mindful that You have the best reward for us and it is locked within our future.  Help us to please you instead of impressing each other through our righteousness.  Show us where we seek earthly compliments and incline our hearts to seek heavenly reward!  We thank You for loving us enough to show us where our right can go wrong so that we might seek You for correction and strength.  In Jesus' name, Amen.