I love preaching (doing it and listening to it). My wife would tell you that she loves worship more than preaching. Our kids might tell you they love the kids Bible Studies and fun more. No matter, it is all in the realm of what God is doing in the local church, and I love it. Aren't you glad that God chose this vehicle to share His message?
Church is not always perfect. Why? There are flawed people in it. And people like to be difficult (not me, though...HA HA). What I do know is that God is working in His church, and God is drawing people to Himself which is what this all about.
During the ONE PRAYER series I have been so energized by the messages that I have listened to (some of them but no links: Groeschel, Noble, Furtick, Antonucci, Beeson, Harrison, Lamb, Davidson, and more...there are more than 65 on the website plus others on podcasts). The word has come alive and been of great insight as I listen and seek God. Fact is, there are more than 1,400 churches involved, and what is most awesome is the fact that we are doing the same thing at the same time. When the church unifies, great stuff happens. God shows up and shows off. This is good.
In fact this weekend our church joins many of those churches by taking an offering that will help to start 500 churches in 4 different nations. Go here to learn more about the offering (and I challenge The Community and HOP families to prepare to give).
As this week comes to an end, I ask that you spend a few minutes with me praying a specific prayer ... or at least thinking the same thought. People need to see God's love in and through us. Our families need God's love. People all around us need to experience God's love. We have the power to show it, give it and live in it!
Here is some of what I am reading First John 4:
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us... 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first... 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
Listen up! When the world sees people that care, people that love they will be drawn to those people, and because we are God's people, they will see God. What happens when people experience the love of God? They will be in awe of Him.
What happens when people see us argue and fight and pull away from each other? That pushes people away from God.
Turn the other direction and note that when we join forces and work together, people see God and God works in huge ways. Therefore, "let others see our love"! Let them see our love for God. Let them see our love for our families and each other. Let them see our love for people we don't even know. Then and only then will they see God.
That is why our calling at The Community Fellowship is to demonstrate the love of God to our community. Pray this prayer, this one prayer that will unify us even more....Lord, let others see our love!
Join the ONE PRAYER conversation at www.oneprayer.com. The Community Fellowship and over 1,470 churches are focusing on God together for four weeks. Spend time praying, fasting, sharing and seeking God. It will change your life and your focus. Join us.
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