2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7

 

”God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

 

To ensure success and leadership didn’t go to Timothy’s head he helps him understand true power.

Power! We like that concept: but when it is godly power, it doesn’t fly solo - because godly power is accompanied equally alongside love and self-control.

These three together make a person’s life incredibly effective. Live life to its fullest: not as a God follower in hiding, afraid of standing true and firm, but one who lives by God’s power, shares God’s irrational love, and displays God’s character.

 

Posted by Bryan Doyle, Minister for Missional Life

Galatians 3:1

Galatians 3:1

 

“So, if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it.  Pursue the things over which Christ presides.  Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you.  Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is!  See things from His perspective.”  The Message

 

… act like it.  Actions do speak louder than words…  How do I get my actions to daily reflect my love for the Savior?  Toss out selfishness, toss out “my way,”  practice patience, realign my priorities … sounds like I need to stop the self-absorbed life and get an “action/attitude adjustment” … help me be alert to You today Lord… I want to get in on the action found in You.  Change my perspective I pray.

 

Posted by Chris Stull, Executive Pastor

Philippians 3:8-10

Philippians 3:8-10

 

Paul is writing to the Philippians and he makes a remarkable statement.  “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”(Philippians 3:8). And then the most dedicated Christian of the time make an amazing statement, “I want to know Christ…” (Philippians 3:10).  Can you think of anyone during the time that “knew” Christ in a more compassionate way than Paul? Can you think of anyone during this time that had such a turn around?  One day he is persecuting the church and the next he is preaching the gospel like it had never been preached. Let me ask you a question?  Do you now Christ?  In the Greek there are two words used for the word “know”.  One is to know by observation and the other is to know by experience.  You can guess which one Paul was using in Philippians.  Paul wasn’t and did not want to be just an observer.  He wanted to be on the “cutting edge” at all times.  He wanted to experience what it was like to be living is the middle of God’s will.  By the way it is not always safe to live in the middle of God’s will; it is secure but not always safe as Paul found out.  Are you ready to go from the observation deck to the flight deck and experience the full measure of God’s purpose for your life? The “commander of the ship” is waiting for your answer.

 

Posted by Randy Morlan, Minister to Senior Adults and Pastoral Care

Ephesians 4:1-2

Ephesians 4:1-2  

 

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Ephesians 4:1-2  

 

Recently, I was in a very serious car accident with a dear friend.  A casual observer of the event would have guessed that both of us would have been seriously injured.  We were driving down a road to spend the evening celebrating her birthday.  Suddenly, life changed in a moment when a car ran a red light across our path.  As our car catapulted towards a light pole and up into the median, I remember wondering how we would survive.  It seemed at that moment that the hand of God reached down and moved my car just a few inches so that we could safely fly past the light pole.  We came to rest in the grassy median.  As I turned to check on my friend, I realized by the grace of God that we were both okay.  We were slightly bruised and definitely in shock, but we were fine!  We both joked that God must not be finished with us yet. 

 

I was reminded of the verse in Philippians 1:6:  “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Since the accident, I have had moments where I have contemplated my purpose and reflected on the important things in life.  God has used this moment in life to remind me of His purpose for me.  He has reminded me to “live a life worthy of the calling I have received.”  God has called each of us to a very specific purpose.  We only have a few very brief years to complete the work that He hopes for us to do.  I hope that it won’t take a car accident to remind you of God’s purpose for your life.  Seek the Lord.  Ask Him to clearly define His purpose for you.  Don’t waste another minute because life is too short.  What difference have you made in the world today?

 

Posted by Melissa Ewing, Minister of Early Childhood

Titus 2:14

Titus 2:14

“Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Are you eager to do what is good?  Not just willing to do what is good but eager to do what is good.  If you aren’t eager, then think about why…

 

Posted by Grant Byrd, Minister with Students

Philippians 2:3-4

Philippians 2:3-4 

 

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Paul reminds us that we are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy.  Considering others interests before our own links us with Christ, who was a true example of humility.  Where do you need a dose of humility?

 

Posted by Rob Bowsher, Family Sports Minister

Ephesians 4:1-2

Ephesians 4:1-2  

 

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Ephesians 4:1-2  

 

Recently, I was in a very serious car accident with a dear friend.  A casual observer of the event would have guessed that both of us would have been seriously injured.  We were driving down a road to spend the evening celebrating her birthday.  Suddenly, life changed in a moment when a car ran a red light across our path.  As our car catapulted towards a light pole and up into the median, I remember wondering how we would survive.  It seemed at that moment that the hand of God reached down and moved my car just a few inches so that we could safely fly past the light pole.  We came to rest in the grassy median.  As I turned to check on my friend, I realized by the grace of God that we were both okay.  We were slightly bruised and definitely in shock, but we were fine!  We both joked that God must not be finished with us yet. 

 

I was reminded of the verse in Philippians 1:6:  “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Since the accident, I have had moments where I have contemplated my purpose and reflected on the important things in life.  God has used this moment in life to remind me of His purpose for me.  He has reminded me to “live a life worthy of the calling I have received.”  God has called each of us to a very specific purpose.  We only have a few very brief years to complete the work that He hopes for us to do.  I hope that it won’t take a car accident to remind you of God’s purpose for your life.  Seek the Lord.  Ask Him to clearly define His purpose for you.  Don’t waste another minute because life is too short.  What difference have you made in the world today?

 

 

Posted by Melissa Ewing, Minister of Early Childhood

Philippians 3:8-10

 Philippians 3:8-10

Paul is writing to the Philippians and he makes a remarkable statement.  “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”(Philippians 3:8). And then the most dedicated Christian of the time make an amazing statement, “I want to know Christ…” (Philippians 3:10).  Can you think of anyone during the time that “knew” Christ in a more compassionate way than Paul? Can you think of anyone during this time that had such a turn around?  One day he is persecuting the church and the next he is preaching the gospel like it had never been preached. Let me ask you a question?  Do you now Christ?  In the Greek there are two words used for the word “know”.  One is to know by observation and the other is to know by experience.  You can guess which one Paul was using in Philippians.  Paul wasn’t and did not want to be just an observer.  He wanted to be on the “cutting edge” at all times.  He wanted to experience what it was like to be living is the middle of God’s will.  By the way it is not always safe to live in the middle of God’s will; it is secure but not always safe as Paul found out.  Are you ready to go from the observation deck to the flight deck and experience the full measure of God’s purpose for your life? The “commander of the ship” is waiting for your answer.

 

Posted by Randy Morlan, Minister to Senior Adults and Pastoral Care

Phillipians 4:8-9

Phillipians 4:8-9  

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Pauls words in verse 9 remind us it is not just enough to hear or read the Word of God, or even to know it well. We are to put it into practice.  What do you need to put into practice?

 

Posted by Rob Bowsher, Family Sports Minister

Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB95)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

 

What do you think about yourself? Do you understand how valuable you are to God? In the media onslaught of messages and of things that you cannot live without, it is easy to forget just how valuable you are to God and the body of Christ.

 

That is one of the reasons I so enjoy reading Ephesians 2:8-10. Paul in these few versus reminds us that we are able to have a relationship with God based solely on Christ. Not on our performance or our goodness but just on Christ. He then moves on to call us God’s workmanship.

 

Do you realize that God has crafted you for His purpose? You have a unique role in the plan that God is working out that no one else was made or designed to fill. God wants a relationship with you and wants you to experience what it is like to point others to Him.

 

Posted by John Shapiro, Minister to Young Adults