I Never KNEW You…

Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’“

It’s NOT enough to know about God, the word KNOW here means to have a relationship with Him. I know(about) Fergie, but I KNOW(intimately) my wife!

Do you know Him…or KNOW Him?

More on this…

Who do YOU say He is?

^{Mark 8:27-29 27} Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them,“Who do people say I am?”

²⁸ “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

²⁹ Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

Who do YOU say Jesus is?  This is the real question we must ask ourselves. Is He the Messiah, the one who will make YOU right with God? Or is He just an old fairytale that you heard about growing up. It doesn’t matter who your Mom and Dad say He is. It doesn’t matter who I say He is…Jesus wants to know, who do YOU say He is? If you say He is the Son of God, nothing else matters.

^{Mark 8:34-38 34} Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ³⁵ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. ³⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? ³⁷ Is anything worth more than your soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Will you follow Him? Will you be a Christ follower, and not just a “Christian”?

Not in a Life Group? Get in One! Hebrews 10:25

Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Life Groups…not in one? Get in one!

We started one recently with a few friends. Can’t tell you how awesome it is to have a small group of people who will pray, challenge, love, and do life with you.

Not in one? What are you waiting for?!

Well Done…

Matthew is killin me. Reading about The Parable of the Talents. (Matthew 25: 14-30), and The Sheep and the Goats. (Matthew 25:31-46) All about using what God has given me to serve Him and others.

These passages are reminding me to be humble, and put others needs ahead of my own. To hold money and possessions loosely, so that I can give freely and without remorse.

I long to hear my Father say,”Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness.” Matthew 25:23

He says to those who did not help the least of His children, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” Matthew 25:41-43.

The many faces of Jesus…they are all around us.  Matthew 25:35-36. The lyrics from the Hill Song  Hosanna are hitting home with this scripture. “Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Everything I have for Your Kingdom cause.”

Lord open my eyes to those around me that are in need, and give me the courage to step outside my comfort zone and do something.

Amen

John 6- What I needed

John 6 was just what I needed today. I love a couple of things about this chapter, one is the fact that Jesus withdrew from the crowds. John 6:15 It’s a constant reminder that we need to withdraw from the daily grind. To be able to get away from our “jobs” even if we love what we do. Even Jesus withdrew.

Jesus in John 6:26 says that many came just to be fed. In my mind, the word fed was replaced by entertain. Many students come, to be entertained, they don’t come to hear God’s word. I love it that non believing students attend our programs. Unfortunately what I find myself doing, is starting to focus more on the ones who just want to eat, and less on those who want the bread of life. Finding the right balance is tough. I have been challenged with what can we change to get students to want to bring their friends? The better question, is should we change? Students are coming to Christ, we are seeing some new faces, growth(spiritually) is happening, and students are assuming ministry roles.

Definitely will be praying and seeking counsel as to how to proceed. As of this moment, I think Jesus looks at our group, and smiles. He loves the way we are, but loves us too much to let us stay where we are…

James 2:1-4

James 2:1-4 Made me think, are we guilty for doing this in our youth groups sometimes? I substituted the words in red to be relevant to youth ministry, and how we may fall into this trap. Your red words may be different, these are what stood out to me.

1My fellow youth workers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2Suppose a popular student comes into your meeting, and a unpopular student also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the popular student and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the unpopular student, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

I know in my own life I need to be careful not to show favoritism. Students that are regular attenders, staff members children, or popular with the crowd. I try to be aware if I am consciously or unconsciously picking the same students for games, or to help me make a point.

I wonder how many other leaders fall into this trap? Do we do this with our volunteers also? This scripture really drives home for me to be aware. It may not be “rich man” and “poor man”, it could be a number of things.