Following Jesus is Messy!

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "SPIRITUAL AGLEBRA" This entire series we are looking at several powerful equations we see in the Bible." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/  or on iTunes athttps://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wyandottefamilys-podcast/id990745253

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 
For Part 4 the equation was, "See + Serve + Say = Significant Impact." We talked about how to truly make a difference and reach others with the love of Jesus in 2015. 

The second part of the equation is SERVE! When you study and examine the life of Jesus the one truth that is abundantly clear is He was a servant. He had all authority and power in heaven yet He chose to not only humble himself and become human, He also chose to serve us and put us first. 

Romans 5:8—But God showed his is great love for us by sending Christ to die for us, while we were still sinners.

Being a servant is messing. It means you will sometimes be taken advantage of. It means sometimes you wont' be appreciated. It means sometimes the love will not be reciprocated. Sometimes the people you are serving won't even realize what you are doing. Being a servant is messy. 

Being a servant is is powerful because it has nothing to do with the other person and everything to do with the condition of your heart and my heart. Look at Romans 5:8, Jesus died for us while we were sinners. He put us first even when we didn't give a rip about who He was or what He was doing for us. He did what needed to be done regardless of what we were doing. That is true love and service. 

Just like Jesus we are called to serve people even while they sin. We are called to love people regardless of their current lifestyle. Matter of fact, to truly follow Jesus we are called to serve people that don't deserve it. (ouch that hurts...at least it hurts me :) 

Once we see with compassion, we are called to action. How can you serve your boss you can't stand? How can you serve your neighbor who annoys you? How can you serve that family member who is an antagonizing atheist? How can you serve that co-worker is always trying to put themselves first while they push others down? 

Following Jesus is messy!  

A simple way to build compassion in your life

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "SPIRITUAL AGLEBRA" This entire series we are looking at several powerful equations we see in the Bible." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/  or on iTunes athttps://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wyandottefamilys-podcast/id990745253

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 
For Part 4 the equation was, "See + Serve + Say = Significant Impact." We talked about how to truly make a difference and reach others with the love of Jesus in 2015. 

The first part of the equation is SEE. We were challenged to see people the way Jesus sees people. Well, how is that? With compassion. BUT HOW DO We DO THAT? What can we do, to take simple growth steps in developing compassion in our lives? 

The best way to develop compassion is to simple focus on the condition of your own heart. When you are fully aware of your failures, sins and short comings and are bringing them to Jesus. When you are expereincing His grace, patience, love and faithfullness, it makes it a lot easier to do the same with others. That is why Jesus said...

Matthew 7:2-5--2 For you will be treated as you treat others.[a] The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.[b]

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[c] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[d] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Jesus didn't say you can't help others. Jesus didn't say don't talk to others about things they are doing wrong. Jesus did say, FIRST, deal with yourself. When you do that, then you'll be able to SEE well enough to deal with the speck in your friends eye. Focusing on ourselves and surrendering our hearts to Jesus is a simple action step to developing a life of compasion. It is a simple step to help us SEE the way Jesus see's. 

Paul also teaches us this in Romans 2:21—Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal but do you steal? 

Lets be a people of compassion. Let's focus on our hearts, our attitudes, our thoughts and our actions. As we do this simple truth, we'll truly be able to SEE with compassion. 

The Power of a NAME

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "SPIRITUAL AGLEBRA" This entire series we are looking at several powerful equations we see in the Bible." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/  or on iTunes athttps://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wyandottefamilys-podcast/id990745253 

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 
For Part 4 the equation was, "See + Serve + Say = Significant Impact." We talked about how to truly make a difference and reach others with the love of Jesus in 2015. 

The first part of the equation is SEE. We were challenged to see people the way Jesus sees people. Well, how is that? With compassion. So often as followers of Christ it is so easy to become critical and hard hearted without even realizing it. It is easy to start grouping people together and stop caring for individuals. It's easy to call people atheists, agnostics, or closed minded. It's easy to say people are wicked and sinful. But when we see people that way, we are not seeing people the way Jesus does. When he saw the crowds He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 

When you begin to have compassion, you'll drop the stereotypes and start calling and caring for people by name (individuals). There is truly power in a name. Try praying for someone specifically by name on a daily basis. You'll watch your heart soften and the compassion of Jesus grow inside of you.

This very thing happened to King Saul. He stopped calling David by name because of the jealousy and anger in his heart. 

http://bible.com/116/1sa.20.27.nlt But when David’s place was empty again the next day, Saul asked Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse been here for the meal either yesterday or today?”

David and Saul were close at one point. David was faithful and loyal to the King. However, the further and further away from the heart of God Saul became, the less compassion he had. It got so bad that he didn't refer to David by name but simply, "The son of Jesse." 

May we also be full of compassion and love. No matter how dark our country and culture gets. Maybe we focus on people. May we value and love people. May we see people the way Jesus does, with compassion!

NO WAY HOSEA

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "SPIRITUAL AGLEBRA" This entire series we are looking at several powerful equations we see in the Bible." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/  or on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wyandottefamilys-podcast/id990745253  

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 

For Part 3 we talked about the equation Connection + Mission = Community. The two points were experience God together and be on mission together. We see this realty again in another part of the Bible.

Colossians 3:16-17-Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 

True community forms when we spend time together and truly open our hearts. When we hear something like that our natural response is, "NO WAY HOSEA!" Opening your heart can be a scary thing, not knowing how others will react or treat you. However, true community can't be formed unless you open your heart.

In order to worship God together, truly, you have to open your heart. In order to counsel and encourage each other, you have to open your heart. To do everything in life as a representative of the Lord, you have to open your heart.

Take the risk. Open your heart. Have meaningful and spiritual conversations with each other. Encourage each other. Challenge each other. Fight the status quo.

It's not supposed to be easy!

This past Sunday we kicked off our NEW SERIES "JONAH" This entire series we are looking at the popular Bible story of Jonah and learning from Jonah's successes and failures. We also are learning how faithful God is, even when we are not." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/   

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 
For Part 1 we talked about how Jonah ran from God's call because it took him out of his comfort zone. The slogan from Sunday was, "God's call takes us out of our comfort zone." 

Staying in our comfort zone is so easy. We have no need to be stretched. We have not need to be challenged. We have no need to endure pain and growth. We can just sit comfortably in the safe comfort zone. We know what to expect and we know what is going to happen. That is why we often struggle with following God's call on our life. His call takes us out of our comfort zone. His call takes us to the unknown. His call takes us to a place we have never been before and it forces us to depend on Him. 

This was nothing new in Scripture. There are many people who who called outside of their comfort zone. Abraham was called out of his hometown and was called to leave his family to go to a place that was unknown. Moses spent 40 years in the dessert of Middian and was doing quite well. Yet, God called him to go to back to Egypt and confront the most powerful person on the planet at that time. God asked the 12 disciples to leave their familiar jobs and expertise to follow Him and become fishers of men. All unknown. All were new experiences that were stretching them out of their comfort zones. Yet, as each one obeyed, they experienced God and His faithfulness at a whole new level. 

What is God calling you to do? Is there someone specific at work, school or neighborhood He is asking you to share your faith with? Is there a ministry at church he is asking you to start or get involved with? Is there someone new to the faith He is asking you to mentor and meet with? Is there a new skill or focus He is asking you to pursue and study? 

Trust God and allow Him to take you out of your comfort zone. You will never regret trusting God and taking that next step. As you step out of your comfort zone you will discover God in more deep and meaningful ways. You don't want to stay in your lazy boy chair. There is so much more waiting for you! 

Someone else will do it!!

This past Sunday we concluded our SERIES "Body Building?" This entire series we are looking at how we can "pump up" and grow as a church body (family)." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/  

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 
For Part 6 we talked about "Pumping up our Vision." The slogan this past Sunday was "What we see, becomes our reality."

The two points from this past Sunday were #1--Vision comes from God. #2--Vision is seeing what could be and what should be. I want to share a 3rd point in this blog...

#3—Vision compels us to action

In the following Verses in Acts 10 Peter went with the men to the house of Cornelius.  He didn’t just see, he was compelled to do something about it.

What is the difference between a dream and a vision? Dreamers dream about things being different; visionaries envision themselves making a difference and changing things.-Andy Stanley

 

Whenever you and I have vision, it isn't for someone else to do! God is stirring our hearts, breaking our hearts and getting our attention for action. We are called to be a part of the solution. I can't tell you how many times people have had great ideas or suggestions at church but when I ask them how they can help make it a reality, they shy away. I usually hear, "I don't have the time for it but I'm sure someone else does." If you have said that, please know I am not condemning you. All I am saying is that you are missing out. God is giving you vision so you can be a part of a blessing and a preferred future. I would rather reorganize and reprioritize by time and schedule so I could do the very thing God is calling me to do than miss out.

 

Check out this powerful verse written by the Apostle Paul...

1 Corinthians 9:16—Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

When we receive a vision from God. When we see how things should be and could be we are compelled to action. We can’t stay silent. We can’t stay in our comfort zones. We are moved to get involved. We are moved to make a difference.

 

What makes you glad?
What makes you sad?
What makes you mad?
What do you see that others do not?

Take a step of action! Follow the vision God is giving you. Get involved to making a preferred future. Don't delegate the vision that God has given you!

You were created with a PURPOSE and for a PURPOSE

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "Body Building?" This entire series we are looking at how we can "pump up" and grow as a church body (family)." You can listen to the podcast or download it at http://wyandottefamily.libsyn.com/  

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. http://www.amazon.com/Wizzard-Media-Wyandotte-Family-Church/dp/B00OZZXW56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834318&sr=8-1&keywords=Wyandotte+Family+Church 
For Part 5 we talked about "Pumping up our Purpose." The slogan this past Sunday was "Know God and make Him known."

The very first reason we were created and placed on this planet is to KNOW GOD! This is central to living a life of a purpose. This is why money, toys, entertainment, alcohol, popularity and sex provide temporary pleasure and fun but not purpose. Many people live their lives for that purpose however, the ache in their heart will not be fulfilled. Why?

1. You were created to know the creator (KNOW GOD)

God created us to have a relationship with us. Mark 12—Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

 

A one-word summary of this verse is worship. That is what worship is, loving God with all your heart, mind and strength. When we hear the word worship we usually think of music and singing. I have heard some people say, “I love church because I love the worship.” They are referring to singing and music. The Bible’s definition of worship is much broader. It’s using your home life, private life, school life and friendships life to honor God. Right now if you are reading and taking notes so you can KNOW GOD more, you are worshiping. When you hear the Bible being preached that’s worship. When you open the door for someone else and let them go first, that is worship! Those of you who give your tithes & offerings, did you know that is an act of worship. When you attend pre-gathering pray that is an act of worship God created us to have a relationship with Him and to enjoy His friendship.

God doesn’t want us to be religious. He doesn’t care what church you attend but He does care if you love and have a relationship with Jesus. We all have met religious people that don’t know a thing about God. That isn’t our purpose.

We were created to know the Creator, not for us to be robots for Him. It’s to love Him with all your mind and soul. So if this is God’s plan then what is our response. To honor God with our lives. Not just on Sunday mornings. That is Paul says in Philippians 3

Philippians 3:8-9— ⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ⁹ and become one with him.

Compared to knowing God personally and having a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ everything else takes a back seat. Everything else is secondary.

 

Ralph Barton, one of the top cartoonists of the nations, left this note pinned to his pillow before taking his own life: "I have had few difficulties, many friends, great successes; I have gone from wife to wife, from house to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am fed up with inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day." 

 

You can live for whatever you want. Live for pleasure. Live for money. Live for accolades. Live for yourself. In the end, that ache and whole will still be there. Why? We were created to KNOW GOD. We were created for so much more than the here and now.