church for losers

Well, maybe we need to talk a little more about the word loser. The normal definition and God's definition are a long way from each other. People would say that a loser is some one maybe who has no money or is homeless. Maybe go as far as a person who is unemployed or who has been married several times.

Jesus looked at people in a much different way. He saw the potential in people when no one else could or even wanted to. Jesus went after the losers of His day. It was His words, His healing and His friendship that allowed them to see that God had plans for those that the world thought were losers.

Have we learned to do as Jesus did? I'm afraid the church hasn't learned much. We are known for fighting more than for peace. We are known for what we are against more than what we are for. We are known for being judgmental rather than being accepting and loving others. God has called us to accept those that few others accept. He has called us to let losers know that they are and can be winners with God.

Romans 15:7 NLT
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

1 Corinthians 12:23 NLT
And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care...

I have been called to lead our church not only to minister to people who might be consider losers, but God also called us to have a church for losers and full of losers. These people that some might call losers are winners in my book. Better yet, they are winners in God's grand scheme of things. And that is what really matters.

As I mowed the grass yesterday, a song got my attention. Read some of the words:

"Beautiful Letdown" by Switchfoot

...We are a beautiful let down,
Painfully uncool,
The church of the dropouts
The losers, the sinners, the failures and the fools
Oh what a beautiful let down
Are we salt in the wound
Let us sing one true tune...
I don't belong here

A church for losers is what our communities need. Fewer country club settings where you have to dress right and smell right. God is calling you and me to enter the streets, to walk down to skid row and be where it might not be cool to be. All the way we have to confess that the only difference between me and others is that Jesus is my Savior. He is who everyone needs?

God didn't call us to Christianize the world. He didn't call us to make everyone dress, act or talk the same. He called us to tell the world that Jesus loves them and Jesus died for them. If they consider themselves a loser, it is time for a change because God set his church for losers up to be places where those who look to Jesus become winners.

Is your church for losers?

Luke 14:23 NASB
And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

Isaiah 52:7 NLT
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,the good news of peace and salvation,the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Lets lead those around us to be great and to be a church for losers so that more and more people can win the way God intended them to win. Will you join me?

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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