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#love

HASHTAG
a social media link created by placing the pound sign (#) in front of a word of phrase. Also used simply for emphasis, focus, and/or humor.

Agape- (Greek) – Love that is unconditional; love that is not dependent on current conditions or situations;  love that transcends emotions.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NIV)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment  greater than these.

Mark 12:30-31

Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good  to you, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful,  just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

CONSIDER THIS

What if God treated us the way we treat God…the way we treat others?
What if God’s love was based on our love?
What if God’s giving was based on our giving?
What if God’s goodness was based on  our goodness?

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God,  and God in them.

1 John 4:16b

Our culture has accepted two huge lies.  The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them.  The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do.  Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.

Rick Warren

John 8
The Woman Caught in Adultery

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said.  And Jesus said, “Neither do I.  Go and sin no more.”

John 8:10-11

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

If it is possible, as far as it depends  on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18 NIV)

#holy

“Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem,  for the Lord our God is holy!

Psalm 99:9 New Living Translation [NLT]

WORSHIP- Greek: proskuneo (fall down, fall before) // “reverent honor and homage paid to God.”

HOLY- set apart, reverent, sacred

And so, dear brothers and sisters,  I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice— the kind he will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship him.

Romans 12:1 (NLT)

“We will do anything short of sin to reach people for Christ” Craig Groeschel

No one is holy like the Lord!  There is no one besides you;  there is no Rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2 (NLT)

Nothing and no one is holy like God, no rock mountain like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2 (The Message)

“Do not come any closer,”  the Lord warned.  “Take off your sandals,  for you are standing on holy ground.”

Exodus 3:5 (NLT)

Our holy time with God should not be limited to our time here at church- it can be anywhere.

Find your time and your place and make it #holy!

#fomo

HASHTAG- a social media link created by placing the pound sign (#) in front of a word of phrase. Also used simply for emphasis, focus, and/or humor.

FOMO- Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made  coverings for themselves.

Genesis 3:1-7 (New International Version (NIV)

What more could Eve and Adam want?……Who could refuse the irresistible chance to become godlike with just one bite? – Tony Reinke, “The Only FOMO is Fear,”  desiringGod.org

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,  by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds  in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version (NIV)

MEMO- Making Each Moment Outstanding

If we constantly compare what we are doing with what others are doing, we become a “comparison addict.”

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble on its own.

Matthew 6:34

Rather than take moments for granted,  we must take them with gratitude.

If you’re not fully engaged with whatever you’re currently doing, you’ll always experience subpar and diluted results, relationships, and outcomes.  Wherever you are — be there. – Anthony Moore

Not being present in the moment dilutes everything we do.

FOBO- Fear Of Better Options #Rude #ItsAllAboutThem

Tech Sabbath

The only legitimate FOMO is missing out on a relationship with Jesus! #JesusSaves

#oops

It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue — it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer.

James 3:5-7 The Message (MSG)

True
Honoring
Innapropriate
Necessary
K Christ-Like

With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?

James 3:8-12 (The Message)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths [or your phones or tablets or computers], but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:20 New International Version (NIV)

Restoration

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here,  my brother would not have died.”

John 11:32 New International Version (NIV)

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said  to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

John 11:4-7 (NIV)

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus
had already been in the tomb for four days.

John 11:17 (NIV)

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:21-27 (NIV)

IF ONLY…

Mark Patterson, The Grave Robber

Never put a comma where God puts a period.

Never put a period where God puts a comma.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will  give you whatever you ask.”

John 11:21-22 (NIV)

Jesus wept.

John 11:35 (NIV)

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”  When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice,  “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes  and let him go.”

John 11:41-44 (NIV)

What can Jesus restore in your life?

Mobilization

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.  Here a great number of disabled people used to lie —  the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

John 5:1-6 New International Version (NIV)

Bethesda: Beth = House; Hesda = Mercy or Pity

[Jesus] asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

John 5:6b (NIV)

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him,  “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied,  “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water  is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him,  “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”  At once the man was cured;  he picked up his mat and walked.

John 5:6-9a (NIV)

WHAT ABOUT YOU? DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WELL?

Multiplication

3 THINGS WE WITNESS

He relies completely on the Father.

John 6: 15 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force,  withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

John 5:19-20a (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.

2. He sees people and their needs.

John 6:5 NEW American Standard Bible (NASB)

Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him,  said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread,  so that these may eat?

3. He does something about it.

John 6:6 New Living Translation (NLT)

He was testing Philip,  for he already knew what he was going to do.

He relies completely on the Father…

We rely completely on the Father.

He sees people and their needs…

We see people and their needs.

He does something about it…

We do something about it.

John 6:35 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared,  “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me  will never go hungry,  and whoever believes in me  will never be thirsty.”

Everyday people X Jesus = All Things Are Possible

Will you be a part of  God’s multiplication equation?

What will  you give away?

Transformation

MIRACLE- An unusual or wonderful event
that is believed to be caused
by the Power of God.

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee.  Jesus’ mother was there,  and Jesus and his disciples were also  invited to the celebration.

John 2: 1-2 (New Living Translation)

The wine supply ran out during  the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him,  “They have no more wine.”
“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,”  Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
But his mother told the servants,  “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2: 3-5 (NLT)

Mary trusts Jesus enough  to bring her concern directly to him.

Mary maintained trust and accepted whatever outcome God allowed.

Mary wanted and requested Jesus’ merciful
intervention in some form to prevent
embarrassment and shame from falling on this
new couple and their family.

However, she trusted him enough to turn the crisis completely over to his care, and to accept whatever outcome God allowed through him.

I shamelessly ask God to bless my children.  I ask Him to grant them health, joy, lasting romance with their life mate, laughter, lots of friends,  and healthy, happy children. I also have no problem asking God if He might allow them to live in fairly close proximity so that I can rock my grandbabies often. I feel no conviction of sin over the temporal  nature of these petitions. As much as I hope God grants my children each of these things, however, these items represent my “B” list. Among the things on my “A” list – I want my children to love God, revere His Word, and discover life, healing, and power to be found within Him. I want them to love people and treat them with compassion and kindness. But more than anything on earth, I want glory to come to God through their lives. …God knows my absolute priorities for them. Therefore, if something on my “A” list temporarily –  or even permanently (ouch) –  might have to cancel out my “B” list, so be it.”

Beth Moore: Believing God Devotional Journal

Are you confident  enough in God to  bring him your crisis?

Can you step back  in trust even without a guaranteed outcome?

Standing nearby were six stone water jars,  used for Jewish ceremonial washing.  Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.  Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ When the jars had been filled, he said,  ‘Now dip some out, and take it  to the master of ceremonies.’  So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ‘A host always serves the best wine first,’ he said,  ‘Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink,  he brings out the less expensive wine.  But you have kept the best until now!’ This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee  was the first time Jesus revealed his glory.  And his disciples believed in him.

John 2: 6-11 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs  of this world, but let God transform you  into a new person by changing the way  you think. Then you will learn to know  God’s will for you, which is good  and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

He wants us to be  in relationship with him.
To be transformed  to be more like him.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (New international version)

Where can you step out  in faith to seek God’s transforming power  in your life?

Hoarders

Hoarding – the persistant difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.

We hang on to things that are keeping us from realizing all God has in store for us:
our hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

Hurts, habits, and hang-ups can knock us off of God’s plan and throw us into a worldy detour headed toward destruction and despair.

Hurts

Any life experience that may have damaged your heart, your emotions, your psyche.
An offense that cripples your ability to deal with the world in a healthy way.

Recognize the hurt. How has it affected your life?
Identify the emotions. (Ex. Shame, abandonment, etc).
Seek God’s help.
Get connected in Christian Community.

Seach me. Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 New Living Translation (NLT)

Express the hurt and reconcile if safe/possible.

God gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)

If necessary, seek outside/professional help.
Let go.

Forgiveness – to be free of what is holding us hostage; not letting the past control our future.

Habits

Unhealthy patterns that often start as a percieved “remedy” but turn into chronic bad behavior or addiction.
The repeat, default scripts we run to when the going gets tough.

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven
above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
Exodus 20:3-4a (NIV)

Admit the problem.
Seek God’s help to break the cycle.
If necessary, seek outside help.
New friends. Christian community.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
I Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

Hang-Ups

General roadblocks that keep us from progressing forth in God’s plan for your life.
Shaped by some bent thinking or unhealthy attitudes adopted as a means of coping with life’s challenges.

Pray. Ask God to reveal the hang-up.
Admit the problem.
Seek God’s loving presence in your life.
Get connected in Christian community; seek outside help.

What are you hoarding?
Jesus’ power if greater than your worst-case scenario!

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

…a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 COR. 12:7b-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Voice

“What is written in the Law?”  he replied. “How do you read it?”

Luke 10:26 New International Version (NIV)

[The expert in the law] answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied.  “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus,  “And who is my neighbor?”

Luke 10:27-29 (NIV)

The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37

Christ calls us to make a difference  in the world.

What will you do to tear down the walls that separate us?

What are you going to do to represent Christ in the world?

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Archives: Messages

#love

#holy

#fomo

#oops

Restoration

Mobilization

Multiplication

Transformation

Hoarders

The Voice

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Ministries

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Ministries

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