Who I am

I am:

1. An encourager
2. A teacher of children
3. A good listener
4. A missions supporter financially, prayerfully, physically and vocally.
5. Giving
6. A prayer
   

Romans 12

Dedicated Service

1Therefore ^(A)I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to ^(B)present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2And do not ^(C)be conformed to ^(D)this world, but be transformed by the ^(E)renewing of your mind, so that you may ^(F)prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3For through ^(G)the grace given to me I say to everyone among you ^(H)not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to ^(I)each a measure of faith.

4For ^(J)just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5so we, ^(K)who are many, are ^(L)one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6Since we have gifts that ^(M)differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if ^(N)prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7if ^(O)service, in his serving; or he who ^(P)teaches, in his teaching;

8or he who ^(Q)exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with ^[a](R)liberality; ^(S)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with ^(T)cheerfulness.

9Let ^(U)love be without hypocrisy ^(V)Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

10Be ^(W)devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another ^(X)in honor;

11not lagging behind in diligence, ^(Y)fervent in spirit, ^(Z)serving the Lord;

12^(AA)rejoicing in hope, ^(AB)persevering in tribulation, ^(AC)devoted to prayer,

13^(AD)contributing to the needs of the saints, ^(AE)practicing hospitality.

14^(AF)Bless those who persecute ^[b]you; bless and do not curse.

15^(AG)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16^(AH)Be of the same mind toward one another; ^(AI)do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly ^(AJ)Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17^(AK)Never pay back evil for evil to anyone ^(AL)Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18If possible, ^(AM)so far as it depends on you, ^(AN)be at peace with all men.

19^(AO)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "^(AP)VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

20"^(AQ)BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Morning prayer

This morning God had me read Isaiah 43: 6,7 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

We were all created to show off the glory of God. These verses say all people can be saved. He wants them to return to what they were created for.

2 Lessons Learned

2-5-08 Perspective and selfishness.
Most times a change of perspective is the only thing needed to encourage yourself. Sometimes we see only a little part or a piece of time but God sees the big picture. He knows this is only a breath of air or a puff of smoke. This too will pass. We need to look further than what is at hand. Other times we see the goal as being too big to reach. If we just break it down to small steps (one at a time) it will get done. 99 pennies for a burger. One penny= too small to make a difference but 99 together gets a Wendy's burger.
Even other times we focus on one problem holding us back- offense, addiction, not good enough, death, ect. and don't let God heal us and get past the problem to live blessed. The flip side to this is ignoring that one issue in our life. This leads to no growth and regression.

Selfishness is the key to most of the lack in my spiritual life. God is showing me areas in my marriage, ministry, relationships, growth (spiritually), work, attitudes, emotions, thoughts, and home (private) life are hindered due to selfishness. It's hard to believe that even in ministry I was selfish. I was wanting recognition and acknowledgment.

Men's Advance

3-14-08, & 3-15 We had an awesome meeting with Pastor La Fayette Scales (from Columbus). It really feels like we're becoming all we should be. Pastor Nate ended the weekend with a conclusion that really challenges us to 'upgrade'. We are called to be courageous and responsible, to make the wrong right.

Jesus is our rest. Ps. 110: 1-4 We need to crush the enemies in our life. I have to accept the responsibility-step up. Gen. 14: 14-16 the (318) men who stood up for Abram. "Do what's right"= justice. Men need 3 things: wisdom, favor, & courage. They are called to be worshipers, warriors, and winners. Jesus gave us the victory.
Heb. 7:1-2 Melchizedek means righteousness and peace. Amos 5:21-4 Worship is also loving others. We need to model from the church into the home and the community. Lev. 6 & Ex.22 are right dealings. Micah 6: 6-8 Humble men don't think less of themselves they think of themselves less. He thinks of others. Peace is freedom from fear.

1. Peace with God- God doesn't take sides, He takes over. He wants your whole life. Col. 3:15 Mind and Spirit in agreement will beat out the flesh every time.
   
2. Peace of God- Peace is the umpire. When you have no scripture or anything else to go by, let peace be your judge.
3. Peacemaker- Let me carry peace everywhere I go. We can change the atmosphere around us.

Worthy= God desires, deserves, and expects our praise. I Sam. 22:1-2 David had a ragtag team of mighty men. Sticking around David in a cave changed them. II Sam. 23: 8-10 Courage is strength in action. Truth is our market distinctive. Like Burger King has 'Have it your way.' :11-12 Get committed emotionally and intellectually. If you stand committed others will stand with you.