Jesus' ministry is taking off! He is sought after as a teacher, healer, and leader, but Jesus is never conflicted about his purpose...

He came to bring life to individuals!!!

What does it truly mean to live Like Jesus? To truly exist. Act. Walk. Think. Talk. Believe. Relate. Live in the fullness of the power of God. Everyday we are bombarded with a view of the world that sells the lies of satisfaction, get-rich quick schemes, hustles and corporate dreams of success. The American dream of esteem, wealth, decadence and comfort is met with the somber and cold hard truth that it is not a dream but rather a nightmare.  A nightmare that leaves us stressed out, drugged out, with fractured relationships, mentally broken and spiritually depleted. Are we simply doomed to the minutia of mundanity where polarizing talking-heads run our lives and common civility no longer exist? THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY! Thankfully, Jesus provides us the with The Secret to Living…

Having Christian friends you do life with is so important! The book of Acts shows us just how that importance affects the way we operate and the impact we make in the lives of others. "All the believers stayed together and shared everything. They sold their land and the things they owned. Then they divided the money and gave it to those who needed it...They also ate together in their homes. They were happy to share their food and ate with joyful hearts. The believers praised God...More and more people were being saved everyday, and the Lord was adding to their group." (Acts 2: 44-47 [ERV]). 

Even today being connected in community helps carry the load of life, where people can relate to your struggles, where you can receive encouragement and encourage others, where you can make friends, where your kids can make friends, where you can be pushed into your purpose, and where you give or receive mentorship. There are so many gifts that come with being in community...so go and find yourself one today! 

There is so much more God wants for you, but there must be a different response to his Kingdom call. The older generation treats the Lord like some celestial concierge who has to bless at the snap of a finger. The younger generation treats Him like some heavenly "Has Been" who used to be famous, but now only deserves what can be tossed to him. 

Both generations want and need so much from Him...and, contrary to what you may have heard He is not your servant or a "Has Been" ...He is God! Everything belongs to Him!

Giving is a vehicle God uses to extend His Kingdom to people. You can NEVER do TOO much when God’s kingdom is your priority. The early church met needs radically out of a generous heart, will, and affections. Giving in the early African Church a man named Cyprian, considered "dissipated youth", was baptized when he was thirty-five years old. 245 AD. After his baptism he gave away a portion of his wealth to the poor of Carthage, given his status was significant. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Most people do not realize how many people Jesus reached out to and how committed he was to reaching the world beyond the Jews...for example the Samaritan Woman. The power and persistence of a praying woman changes lives. 

Heart, will, and affections...when these components align with Jesus' teaching, we give not just our means but our very obedience in a radical way. 

When our beliefs, feelings, and actions on the love of God intersect, it should cause how we carry ourselves and how we engage others to change. We grow in compassion for other when we submit our heart issues to God. As we submit our hearts to God, we begin to submit our bodies as well, with the understanding that it belongs God and thus is his temple. 

The problem on the first Easter is similar to the challenge of Easter today. Not only were the followers of Jesus looking for him in the wrong place, they doubted the message of reliable witnesses and questioned their own research. You can't find Jesus in a dead church. You can't find Jesus if you won't trust someone. And when he starts to work on you, you have to believe your own heart - look...listen...learn!

Now is the time for you to become the person you were meant to be and influence others with the message of the Kingdom. Just as Jesus rides into the city on Palm Sunday, He wants you to carry Him victoriously into every sphere...will you answer the call because now is the time! Harvest is ready...Let's go! The entire world is waiting for us to become mature ambassadors!