Yesterday we kicked off a new series “Complete Money Makeover.” Jesus talked about money more than He did almost every other topic, including heaven and hell. Really. And actually, He talked more about how to manage what we have more than simply just giving it.
One of the clearest windows into your heart is to look at your checkbook or bank statement. Is your heart really where you claim it is? Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 6:21 “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
So since yesterday was Memorial Day weekend and I know many were on vacation, we are putting this talk online! The rest of this series hinges on this talk, so take a listen!
We talk about three major money myths we’ve bought into including:
Myth #1: We have a terrible economy.
Myth #2: Financial freedom is the result of lots of money and opportunities.
All the growth God intends for you never happens in total isolation or in environments where you have to pretend.
Yesterday we closed the 5 Things You Can’t Live Without series talking about relationships. The Bible says two people back to back can conquer and three are even better - a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
We were designed to do life with people. And when we honestly want to grow (not just say it to sound spiritual), we need to be intentional and available to jump into environments that are rowing toward the same goal - in our example toward becoming more like Jesus.
This is why we are so passionate about providing safe places to jump in - Volunteering and Growth Groups.
Today we talked about “Action” being crucial to our spiritual growth. No matter where on the spiritual spectrum you are, Jesus calls us to actually take action in our faith.
We do what we know we can do and then God does what only He can do. This is a dynamic that has grown the local church for 2000 years!
One great way to take a step of active faith is to jump into a growth group this Summer! Sign up for one today!
It’s so easy for me to slip into a routine of asking “why” instead of “how should I respond in this situation?” Here’s a sobering reality even though it sounds like common sense: I can’t change the past.
Neither can you.
Yesterday we talked about how problems we face are crossroads. God allows roadblocks in our lives to get our attention. Some of those purposes include God wanting to direct us to a different path, correct our ways for the future, protect us from something worse and to perfect us - the process of making us more like Jesus in our character, actions and attitudes.
It all boils down to this question: Will I trust God in this circumstance or continue to ignore the roadblocks, pressing on through the lens of my own opinions and feelings?
When we look at God as a buddy, a mere accessory to life, it’s easy to cast Him aside in our problems. We all do that more than we care to admit. We can be honest.
We can also ask ourselves: Am I simply a fan of Jesus, or am I a follower?
When we make Jesus the actual leader of our lives, He promises so much better awaits us. God loves us so much that he corrects us, directs us, protects us and perfects us, preparing us for something greater not just in eternity, but for this life!