Getting Serious about God (3) The Word for You Today March April May

They took prayer seriously. The New Testament church was conceived in the womb of prayer. After ten days of united prayer in the upper room, "Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4 NLT) All the believers devoted themselves.. to prayer. It remained a prayer-conditioned fellowship. It was born, bathed, and brought to fruition in prayer. Prayer will make the hard parts of your life easier, and more fruitful. Consistent prayer lifts you to a higher, positive place where you learn how to accomplish more while experiencing a deep peace of heart and soul. Learn the unforced rhymes of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matt 11:28-30 TM). Seriously, can there be a better way to live?

Getting Serious about God (2) March 13 The Word for You Today March April May

They took fellowship seriously. Church is more than a common--interest-based social club. We're a family-birth-children of our heavenly father, blood relatives. The cross made it so. "We have all been baptized into one body by One Spirit" (1 Co 12:13 NLT).. Those early disciples valued their relationship. They "met together...shared everything they had.... sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need" (Acts 2:44-45 NLT). God's word describes members existed individually but they can only function properly in connection with one another. The members understood the need to value each other, and to sacrifice personal interest for the sake of the whole. As isolated, self-reliant, self-promoting individuals they would have been destroyed by the overwhelming force of their enemies. As a believer you may survive apart from church, but you can't thrive. Your God-given potential will never be realized until you commit wholeheartedly to a local fellowship and invest yourself in serving God's vision for that church.

Show Hospitality The Word for You Today March April May

Making others feel loved and valued is a hallmark of discipleship. (John 13:34-35). Welcoming newcomers was important in the early church, and it's just as important today. Social customs may change, but God's Word doesn't. Jesus said, "Anyone who receives you receives me" (Matt. 10:40 NLT). As a follower of Christ it's your job to make new people feel like part of "the household of faith" (Gal 6:10). Established friendships within churches can easily become religious cliques where we smile and speak to newcomers, but spend all our time with a select group of people we already know. People come to church hoping for love and acceptance, and if they don't find it within a month or two they move on. Most folks have had at least one negative experience in church, so they need extra T.L.C (Tender Loving Care). The Bible says, "Carry each other's burdens" (Gal. 6:2 NIV). Genuine warmth and caring attract people. Church should be a place where our love for people who are hurting is evident the minute they walk in the door. And remember, God doesn't just use these relationships to meet the needs of those coming out of bad situations-He uses them to mature us too.

Mission Possible by Jeffrey Watson

John 14:1-14 1.) Expectation of purpose-Do you understand what your mission is-Luke 19:10-to save the lost church-agency that carries the gospel to the world-evangelism Reach up-to the lord, reach out-to the world, reach in-within yourself (Holy Spirit) 2.)Explicit Promise 3.)An exalted purpose-glory to God 4.)Power-Holy Ghost/Spirit- I can do all things through.... If your church's mission is not in-line with God's purpose-to save the lost, maybe you should look more into the activities, socials, time, effort, etc... that your church is doing