WEEK 4

2 Corinthians 4:5-7
For what we preach is not of ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

JARS OF CLAY

We are anointed, appointed, and entrusted by God to share His light in a dark world. Sometimes, we can get caught up in ourselves.

  • How much we know about the Bible.
  • The good deeds that we do.
  • How often we go to church or visit Life Group.

This is not what God has asked us to share. They are not the things God empowers us to do!

God has entrusted us with the valuable message of salvation because our lives have been transformed by His redeeming love. The witness of a changed life is the power of the Gospel. And when people see weak, fallible, and broken lives turned upside down for Jesus, they see the Good News!

You don’t have to have any special training or a theological degree to tell others about Jesus.  All you need is Jesus!

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor (Isaiah 61:1)

The Spirit of Jesus is with you always as you go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). If you are in Christ, you have been sent. And if you have been sent, the Spirit will lead the way.

Am I using all that I know about what Jesus has done in me to help others to know about Jesus? If not, why not?

WEEK 3

Acts 13:2-3
Now, release them to go and fulfill it’. So, after they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them off.

We all enjoy being comfortable!
We love our church, our work, our homes, and our routines. But God sometimes calls us to be uncomfortable in order to serve Him best. 

Isaiah 42:6-7
I the Lord have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in darkness.

EMBRACING DISCOMFORT

Part of Christ’s mission on earth was to demonstrate God’s righteousness and be a light to all the nations.
Through Christ, we have the opportunity to share in His mission. He calls us to be set apart and help fulfill His mission. Sometimes, this means stepping out of our comfort zone to reach the people who need Christ the most.

This year, Alsbury has many mission trips planned including one this week to Casa Hogar in Mexico. These trips aren’t vacations where the we get a plush hotel to spend their time. These trips often require humbling our comforts and preferences and sometimes step into  scary and unknown territories.

But God…
We serve a God that not only calls, he also equips. Are you feeling a heartbeat for reaching others for Christ. Take courage because the same God calling you will equip you for the task.

Would you pray this week:

  • For those in Mexico or going on mission trips this year will be comforted and protected by our mighty God?
  • Our response to God’s calling take on new adventures, or missions, be worshipful and obedient even when it seems scary or uncomfortable?
  • God is glorified as we see His hand to move in powerful ways.

 

 

  1. Continue this conversation with our Creator.
  2. Listen for God’s calling in your life.
  3. Take courage and respond to His will.

WEEK 2

Isaiah 40:3-5
Prepare the way for the Lord! Clear the road for him! The valleys shall be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. And then all people will see the salvation sent from God

BE A WAY MAKER

John the Baptist was a way maker for Jesus and we are called to be the same.

Preparing the way for Jesus can seem a little daunting in a world that has so many distractions. However, God doesn’t ask us to do it alone! He made a way for us to align our purpose with His and to walk in His light in this world, so we can proclaim His way for His promise of salvation to be fulfilled.

This week our German friends will be arriving and our community is gearing up for Kidz-N-Play next week. It would be real easy  mark off another year of Collaboration either staying so busy with activity, you avoid relationships or connection. Or, you might think The Collaboration is for someone else and you stay firmly planted on the sidelines.

Ask yourself the following questions: 

  • Are you ready for action?
  • Are your prepared to see God work?
  • Are you ready to give an answer for the Hope you have?

 

Reflect/Journal/Pray
Your presence matters here. Draw close to our creator and spend as much time as you need. Do not rush yourself.

  1. Spend some time asking God for courage to proclaim the good news of the gospel.
  2. Ask God how you can join Him in His purpose, instead of seeing the obstacles in the way
  3. Pray His way is found by those who are in valleys and rough places and He is glorified by our actions

 

 

As you go about your day, keep listening to God speak to you in creative ways.

WEEK 1

1 John 1:5-7
God is light. There is no darkness in him at all. Suppose we say that we share life with God but still walk in the darkness. Then we are lying. We are not living out the truth. But suppose we walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another. And the blood of Jesus, his Son, makes us pure from all sin.

BE A LIGHT WALKER!

When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we walk in His light. The longer we walk in the light the more we begin to look like Jesus. 

As our relationship with Christ develops, we begin to find places in our souls that need healing. He helps us identify not only our sin, but the emotional baggage – such as bitterness, lack of joy, and anger – that keeps us from walking in His Light.

This Takes Time and Patience
Transformation will not be instantaneous. There will be some change that makes you feel like you are in the fast lane to winning. Other times you may feel like you are just going in circles and headed nowhere.

When those seasons of life come, do not beat yourself up or get discouraged. Remain in his presence and let his grace cover you

Here’s the Good News!
He suffered on the cross so we don’t have to.

As he helps you identify the broken pieces of your soul, he helps us find freedom by forgiving us, healing us, and giving us better ways to deal with our stuff.

Reflect/Journal/Pray
As forgiven people, living healed and righteous lives, we develop characteristics that point people back to Christ. Your life begins to reflect the character of Jesus.

  • Are you walking in the light?
  • What area in your life needs to experience the transformative grace of Jesus?
  • Understanding who you are as a “light walker,” how can you welcome our community and point them back to Christ?

 

 

Remain In His Presence
  • Remember, nothing can separate you from God’s love.
  • Give yourself as much time as you need to let this truths soak in.