What Do You Look For?

Do we look for good or bad?

Lots of people complain about everything. Why do we always look for the downside of everything? Waiting patiently for the other shoe to drop.

Is it human nature or a choice?

I submit that it is our choices that define us.
Do I choose to be a jerk or a nice guy? Will I yell at someone today because the world has not aligned to secure my ultimate desires and happiness? I think it is about character.
I do admit that life does suck on a regular basis. Dealing us severe blows and chipping away at what we are. But, it how we respond to this that defines who we are. Will I overcome or become a casualty of life? Will I live in self-pity?

When you go to restaurant and your food comes out incorrectly do you:
a. Yell at the server
b. Act totally irritated and leave no tip
c. Ask for some to complain to
d. Just be nice and deal

This a small thing. If we cannot deal with the little things in life what hapens when the big things come up? We justify our actions. Customer service, I am paying I want what I want. Well, that is the issue. We are selfish and want what we want, NOW.
No one can judge your motives but you. However, I say lets all lighten up and I think the world will be a better place to be.

What matters? That is the question we all need to ask ourselves.

It is a matter of character. The long term impact of our lives to change the world is at stake. We impact people through relationships. We cannot make a difference if we don't think about other people first. If we are so wrapped up in the condition of what we want we will miss the needss of those around us. What is going on in the life of the waitress? She may be deep in life's pain and we act like our steak matters.
Think about a time someone said something ugly in passing. We may never see someone again but we all remember a time when this happened and it stung! Our words and actions matter!!!!

We are to be The Light of The World.

Are you a light radiating love or a black hole sucking life from all those around you?

Isolated or Insulated?

To what end are we different than the world and how are we isolated from it.
How should we be?
(We is followers of The Way)

I will start with differences:

1. We have a dress code for our gatherings. (Not just dressed up, But down as well)
2. A secret language and vocabulary many of US don't understand
3. A bizarre mix of ritual and traditions
4. A somewhat rocky reputation for judgementalism
   

OK here are the good differences:

1. Peace
   
2. Joy
   
3. Faith in something bigger than ourselves
4. HOPE

"Be in the world not of the world"

If we are not IN the world we cannot show the world the love of God. If we are shut up in the church building how can we be the light of the world?

Can we reach people were we are or do we actively seek out those who have not heard the good news?

Now there is a place for what happens in the church building. The church building is a practice facility. God gave us an organization dedicated to equipping His followers to accomplish His tasks. That is the church. The church building is also a gathering place for celebrating what God has done and is going to do in our lives and corporate history (worship). And finally it is a harbor of safety dedicated to helping His followers repair and recharge our spiritual batteries and also to seek corporate wisdom and prayer for issues or concerns.

So, what am I saying, is well GO!!!!

Matthew 28
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Jesus could have founded Nazareth Community Church "The place where the Messiah Hangs"
But, he choose to go and show the disciples how ministry is to be done. And alot of that ministry was done on the way. He went out then commanded us to do the same. He knew that living the message was better than just saying it!

Now the next question is How should we be?

Truth in Love, and Serve in Love.

Truth in Love. We have to tell people the truth.

The facts are if you have not declared Jesus to be LORD of your life then when you die you will be eternally separated from God in a place called Hell.

When we love people we need to realize that relationships are not a just a means of reaching people. We are suppose to serve and love those around us. If we do these things opportunities will appear to explain why we love people. We love people because our God loves people. We serve people because we are commanded to by the example of Christ. We are not called to be the moral police to the non-follower (We are to be the accountable to each other as followers). We are called to tell them the truth in love. That God so loved the world He sent His own son to die that we could have HOPE of a eternal relationship with Him. Hope is what we should be to the God-less world.

My Perfect Church

• Loves God
  
• Worships God
  
• Loves People
• Serves People

God's church should serve Him by serving people in His name as His hands for His Glory.