We've all been there..... Looking at the syllubus in advance before choosing the class with the least amount of work. Lazily working down the to-do list, getting just enough complete so it looks like you've been busy. Studying for the test, just enough to get a solid "C". Doing the bare minimum. Just enough to get by. Enough to look good. Enough to survive but not enough to thrive.
Jesus was never about "just enough". He never did the bare minimum to get by. He gave his all, and he called his disciples to give their all as well. For most of them it meant persecution and loss of life. They were stoned, beheaded, hung, and one even boiled to death. Not the picture of just enough. Definately not "bare minimum" commitment.
Guess what? He doesn't ask any less of you and me. He wants total commitment. Total sacrifice. Total surrender. Total allegiance. He wants our heart. Our whole heart and not just a portion or little segment of time. He wants you and me to be totally and passionately in love with him. Not for what we get in return, but for who he is and what he has done for us.
Are you totally sold out to Jesus? Are you in it to get something great in return or because you are so blown away by his love that you can't help but love and serve him with your whole heart? I want the latter to be the cry of my heart!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sower & The Seed
I am honored today to have a guest blogger! Damon McLeod is taking this precious space to share his thoughts on an awesome parable. Damon is a student at Blythewood High and a leader in the Illuminate student ministry at NPCC:
This morning, me and Pastor John were reading in Matthew 13. In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus talks about how God plants the word in our hearts, but its up to us on whether we will recieve it or not. Sometimes the seed will fall on the path where it cannot grow, and the birds come to devour the seed. Other times the seed will fall in places such as rocky ground or thorn bushes where it is victim to its environment. However, other times it will fall on rich soil where it will take root, grow and produce.
Jesus paints a great picture here of how hard he works, and how he longs for us to take the Word to heart. And, Jesus is hurt everytime we let the thorns come up in our lives and choke out what he is trying to say to us. Other times we just let life get in the way and we aren't receptive at all. We don't even give God a chance to speak to us that day.
God is really showing me this morning that I need to stay focused on him, and I won't have time to let the world get in the way. If we are constantly focused on what God has for our lives then it will be easy for us to fend off the thorns and trials when they come.
This morning, pray for God to give you strength to face the day and to stay focused on His will for your life and not the World's.
This morning, me and Pastor John were reading in Matthew 13. In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus talks about how God plants the word in our hearts, but its up to us on whether we will recieve it or not. Sometimes the seed will fall on the path where it cannot grow, and the birds come to devour the seed. Other times the seed will fall in places such as rocky ground or thorn bushes where it is victim to its environment. However, other times it will fall on rich soil where it will take root, grow and produce.
Jesus paints a great picture here of how hard he works, and how he longs for us to take the Word to heart. And, Jesus is hurt everytime we let the thorns come up in our lives and choke out what he is trying to say to us. Other times we just let life get in the way and we aren't receptive at all. We don't even give God a chance to speak to us that day.
God is really showing me this morning that I need to stay focused on him, and I won't have time to let the world get in the way. If we are constantly focused on what God has for our lives then it will be easy for us to fend off the thorns and trials when they come.
This morning, pray for God to give you strength to face the day and to stay focused on His will for your life and not the World's.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ups and Downs
Sunday's message was about following Christ through life's up's & down's. Sunday was a day that fit the message for me!
Day started off great, I was rested and ready to go. Early to church to pray and read scripture.
Wife calls, I left the key on in her car Saturday night while using a portable vacuum and caused the battery to die. I sent a friend to go get them :-o
Service starts out great, music is incredible, meaningful prayer time.....
I slip out of my seat to adjust the thermostat and when I prayerfully slip back to my seat beside Christie, I put my hand on hers. After the prayer I find I am now standing in the wrong place holding the wrong woman's hand! All I could say to her was "your not my wife". It turned out to be a hysterical start to a heartfelt message.
Got a phone call right after the service and my dad was having seizures and had stopped breathing for a short period of time. Got him to the hospital and he snapped back very quickly from a scary moment. He's still there having some tests done and getting some medicines regulated, but doing much better.
How can we serve the Lord well in the down's of life? Here are some things I try to practice:
-Keep your eyes focused on Him and draw near to Him regularly.
-Be prepared to do good, "in and out of season". That means all the time, during hard times and when you least expect it.
-Rely on Him for strength and guidance.
A mark of a mature believer is living based on who Jesus is and what He has done, versus by the feeling and circumstance of the day. The real you comes out when you are squeezed. What's coming out these days? It indicates what is inside. Draw near to God and let him work on the inside!
Day started off great, I was rested and ready to go. Early to church to pray and read scripture.
Wife calls, I left the key on in her car Saturday night while using a portable vacuum and caused the battery to die. I sent a friend to go get them :-o
Service starts out great, music is incredible, meaningful prayer time.....
I slip out of my seat to adjust the thermostat and when I prayerfully slip back to my seat beside Christie, I put my hand on hers. After the prayer I find I am now standing in the wrong place holding the wrong woman's hand! All I could say to her was "your not my wife". It turned out to be a hysterical start to a heartfelt message.
Got a phone call right after the service and my dad was having seizures and had stopped breathing for a short period of time. Got him to the hospital and he snapped back very quickly from a scary moment. He's still there having some tests done and getting some medicines regulated, but doing much better.
How can we serve the Lord well in the down's of life? Here are some things I try to practice:
-Keep your eyes focused on Him and draw near to Him regularly.
-Be prepared to do good, "in and out of season". That means all the time, during hard times and when you least expect it.
-Rely on Him for strength and guidance.
A mark of a mature believer is living based on who Jesus is and what He has done, versus by the feeling and circumstance of the day. The real you comes out when you are squeezed. What's coming out these days? It indicates what is inside. Draw near to God and let him work on the inside!
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