B.C. - A.D.

I was thinking that just a little over two months ago, we were answering the question, "Why is Christmas such a big deal"? It is because Jesus was no ordinary baby. It was God who came to earth, and that news was bigger than when man landed on the moon! It was like a movie. God invaded earth and split history into B.C. and A.D. Every time you are involved in a transaction or a legal document, your reference point is Jesus Christ -- like today, March 27, 2009.

In a couple of weeks, we will ask another question: "Why did Jesus come and give His life for humanity and defy the grips and sting of death"? Think about this: If God would have come to earth as a baby, given His life for a cause and that was all, then He would have just been like any other person giving his life for what he thought was a worthy cause. Here is the difference -- it is one of the facts that separate Christ and seals the deal for our faith... Resurrection.

Ok, here it is, simple and straightforward: Because God loved the world so much, He gave His one and only Son. Your past CAN be forgiven…. Your present life CAN be managed… Your future IS guaranteed.

Think about someone who needs to hear this good news and invite them to join you this Easter.

Take a Look...

Over the past years, I have read about and heard the talk about how the way you see yourself determines to a large degree the way you act and react in life -- that your self worth and your self esteem tend to be a governing factor in life.

If you see yourself as a loser then you’ll end up, to a large degree, acting like a loser. If you see yourself as a victim, you tend to let people victimize you. Bottom line is you set yourself up. On the other hand, if you see yourself as being successful, then you tend to follow the new path of success rather than the snares of the old way of living.

Did you know that thousands of years ago Solomon said, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” You see, the Bible was right on and is clear that your beliefs do determine your behaviors.

Check out what the Bible says about you, the Christ follower. You have been chosen by God… You belong to God… You are living stones… You are a holy people… You have received mercy… You no longer walk in darkness… OK, now look at this in everyday language. If I have trusted Christ, then I am accepted… I am valuable… I am capable… I am competent… I am forgivable.

Take a look at your life through the eyes of Christ and allow your life to influence and impact the world you live in -- the power of one life living out how God sees you.

Making My Life Count...

When I think about famous people, particularly in the Bible, who made an impact with their life – ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary tasks – I wonder just how many of those people really knew that God wants so badly to work in their life.

Before we can make our lives count, there are several questions that we will all need to answer eventually. The question of identity - Who am I?... The question of responsibility – What am I going to do with my life?... The question of priority – What is really the most important thing in my life?... The question of difficulty – How much am I willing to commit to what I'm going to give my life for?

These are the questions that everyone has to answer, and answering these questions will give us a foundation on how to make this one life we have successful and impacting.

POWER OF ONE LIFE... Discover what God made me to be... Accept responsibility for my own life... Establish a value system for my life... Stay focused and NEVER take my eyes off the goal.

The State of the Heart

Right now the condition of our economy is at the forefront of America. Our economy needs recovery. But that’s not all. We also need recovery in our homes, in our marriages, in our businesses. Most importantly we need healing and wholeness in our hearts.

During tough times like these, it’s easy to ask, “WHY?” Why is this happening to me? Why are things so hard? Why am I going through this? Why is there so much suffering and hardship all around me? The key is not to look at our surroundings, but to look at the heart and place our trust and hope in God alone. I ask you, what is the state of your heart today? We all know the state of the economy, but what is the state of your heart? This is one question that only you can answer.

Is your hope in Jesus Christ or in the stock market? Is your hope in your God or in your job? Is your hope in Him alone or is it in people around you? The Bible says that we shouldn't lean on our own understanding, but rather acknowledge God and trust Him in everything, and He will direct our paths and take care of us.

This hope that we have is not based upon some vague wish. It’s rooted in the Word of God. It’s rooted in the belief that even when life is tough, God is good and he has a plan and purpose for our lives and for our country.

A promise made 3,000 yrs ago to King Solomon is appropriate for today in 2009. It’s a promise that he has made to all of us – even 21st century America. God says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)

Notice words of action that bring wholeness to the heart of people and to this country… humble = humility of confessions I can’t God can… pray = refusal to give up and invite God in to your daily life… seek = make God your primary focus rather than a casual glance… repent = literally to change, flip your thinking, mindset, regarding your values and God.

Let the change begin first inside of YOU… with the state of your heart.

- Pastor Joe