Work

At Sam’s funeral on Saturday and again in church on Sunday I spoke about work. “Work hard. Because if you work hard, you may do well. And if you do well, then you will be able to do good.”
Doing good: what a nice way to honor God. It’s the Abraham principle – blessed to be a blessing.
Is that your way of living? Is honoring God by doing good with the fruits of your labor what your life is all about?
To be blessed. Or. To be a blessing. Which way do you lean?

Self-Image

It is often the case in baseball that a power hitter leads the league in both strike outs and home runs. It is always exciting when such a batter comes to the plate in a clutch situation. Here’s my question. “At such times would you rather have the batter seeing himself as a strike out king or as a home run hitter?” Self-image matters. So, then, what about your self-image? The Bible affirms believers as saints, yet reminds them of their sinfulness. As a believer, do you generally see yourself as a saint or a sinner? And how does that self-image influence you when you step up to the plate? Be assured that God sees you pure and clean, washed in the blood of the Lamb. To God, you are a saint, and God is glorified when you live up to that image.

Lessons for Lent - #1 - RELATIONSHIPS

The Problem
Are you walking with God? wanting to draw closer to God? There are many ways in which the relationships in our lives interfere with our spiritual development.

Have people in your life blocked this passage? How do you find strength to move past them? How do you align yourself with others who will not block you and will encourage you to reach your spiritual goal?

Sometimes married couples get in the way of one another’s relationship with Christ. Parents can get in the way of their children, especially if they are skeptical of the church and religion. Friends who don’t go to church can encourage us to use our time differently, ultimately getting in the way of the most important friendship of all – with Christ. Perhaps colleagues would rather see us work all the time rather than taking time for devotion and worship. The list could go on.

The Solution
Three key relationships, spiritual ones, are necessary for spiritual growth. Everyone needs a) a faith friend, b) a faith coach, or role model, and c) someone to mentor or tutor in the faith. Find these 3 people in you life. Make intentional commitments with them. Be accountable.

Lent

In all religions adherents observe Holy Days and Holy Seasons. It is the practice in this church to “keep” the season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, continues for 40 days not including Sundays, and ends on Easter. 1) Throughout these days we try harder to read and pray about the teaching and suffering of Jesus. 2) At the same time we try harder to let God’s forgiving, sacrificing love show through us to others. 3) And also we try harder to purify our thoughts and personal behaviors in the eyes of God who knows everything about us. On the Sundays of Lent, in church, Pastor Dale will be offering help through his messages. All are welcome, so maybe come with a friend. Who knows, you, or they, may find blessing here.

Valentine Candies

Oliver R. Chase invented a machine in 1847 to cut heart-shaped lozenges from wafer candy and started a candy factory, the New England Candy Company (NECCO). Daniel Chase, Oliver's brother, began printing sayings on the candy in 1866. Way before that God figured out how to write “I Love You” and “Be Mine” on the human heart. Of the sweetness he offers he says, “Take and eat. Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Putting Christ First

There are a lot of smart people out there. Maybe you are one of them. Smart people know that Putting Christ First is a total game-changer when it comes to how you live your life. And a lot of those smart people like their life as it is. So, they don’t Put Christ First. But they are smart enough to know that if/when they reach the place where they don’t like their life the way it is they can improve their situation by Putting Christ First. Some well known athletes and celebrities have done that – they’ve Put Christ First. You can listen to why they did online at www.iamsecond.com

4 Essentials for Spiritual Growth

Are you a brand new follower of Christ, wondering where to get started on your journey? Are you a long term follower of Christ, finding yourself in a spiritual rut?

Here are 4 essential steps to move you forward toward spiritual growth. Though simple, they are vital to building your relationship with the Lord.


Step 1 – Read your Bible daily. Find a Bible reading plan that’s right for you. A plan will keep you from missing anything God has written in His Word.



Step 2 – Attend church services regularly. The Bible encourages us to meet together regularly with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). This is also fundamental to spiritual growth.



Step 3 – Get involved in a ministry group. Most churches offer small groups and many ministry opportunities. Pray and ask God where you should “plug in.”



Step 4 – Pray daily. Prayer is simply talking to God. You don’t have to use big fancy words.



There are no right and wrong words. Just be yourself.




Thanks to Mary Fairchild