Covenant Church at Creekside | Weekly Inspiration for Christian Living

“Con promesa”

"Pero Porque?"

We have a false belief that our perceived lack of progress in our spiritual life shows a lack of God in our life. But, it's much easier to make noticeable gains in the beginning because there is so much change. In fitness, the biggest transformation happens at the onset of training. As we continue training, however, our transformation slows down. It's harder to make significant gains. What happens? We quit because we no longer see obvious progress. Our unrealistic expectations set us up for failure. The same is true in our spiritual lives. We throw out our faith as we struggle.

The process of transformation, however, takes time and it's full of challenges, discomfort, disappointment, and pain. Just because you experience these setbacks doesn't mean you're not growing. God is always there. He gives us gifts to persevere through the transformation process.

The most important step is: Do it. Practice. How do you expect to grow in something if you don't do it? Commit to yourself and God that you will spend 5 min alone with God every day for 1 year.

And don't alter your prayer as you go in an effort not to disappoint God. Pray openly and honestly from your own heart. Allow your prayer to become real. Matthew 6 tells us "and when you pray do not be like the hypocrites..." Open up your heart look inside yourself and pray about those things. Little changes every day provide big transformations over time. Don't give up.

Domingo de Pascua

After Jesus' death, do you suppose the disciples were prone to remembrance through their grief? Maybe you've experienced this after losing someone close. You talk about them, "Remember that time when..." As they talked about their memories of Jesus were they convinced that the story ended here? But when the women went to the tomb were told, "He is not here." Imagine what that must have been like as the angel appears on the stone and the earth trembles. But just as they reach this place of fear and joy Jesus makes Himself known to them showing them a new future of hope. So let us do as the women did, telling the world of his great love and of the new bright future we have in Him.

“La Oración es poderosa”

"I'll pray for you." How often do we casually throw out that phrase? Perhaps you've heard that we should "pray without ceasing". But what if you don't know how to pray? What if you think your prayer might sound dumb? You don't need to know how to pray, you only need to know Jesus. Prayer is a conversation between you and God—that's all. It doesn't have to be fancy. In this very practical text, James offers us four examples of when we should pray: when we're facing trouble, when we're happy, when we are facing sickness, and when we need to confess. James says, "Is anyone in trouble? Let them pray." But too often when we face troubles we try to make our own "enoughness" work it out. But we should pray because He is able and our prayers are a sign of our faith in Him. What about when you're happy. Sometimes that's even harder because when we're happy we believe that WE'VE accomplished something. But this is the moment we should stop and offer prayers of celebration and praise. When we are facing sickness—our own or someone we care about—we are to pray and invite others into that space to pray alongside us. Finally, when we have something on our hearts we need to confess, we are instructed to pray and confess our sins to one another. Allow your brothers and sisters to walk beside you in your confession and repentance. THIS WEEK"S CHALLENGE: Whenever you are compelled to text back "I'm praying for you" instead type your prayer to God over that situation. Or if someone shares their heart respond "Can we pray over that together right now?" The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. Let us pray without ceasing.

No confíes en la riqueza

With a sense of urgency, these verses from James don't mince words. You Rich (sidenote: that's all of us), weep and wail because your stuff is all temporary. Yet that is where you put your heart and derive your worth—in things that are literally decaying. Are you more dependent on/committed to your stuff than you are in your relationship with God? The things that we treasure are mundane to God. The things that we hold up are so infinitesimal compared to what God has to offer. Why are we hoarding?

Likewise, how do we love and care for those who serve us? How can we lean into generosity in our everyday lives? We should be sharing the extra with those who need it. You see, we have it all upside down. We're fattening ourselves as if we are the sacrifice for the day of atonement. But Jesus while innocent took on our sins (hoarding, self-indulgence, and gluttony) so that we have His grace and strength upon us. This week's challenge: Move from a self-indulgent state of being. Consider an intentional act of generosity. What would it be for us to consider the needs of someone else this week and do something intentional to bless them? The world would richly know of God's grace and love...through us. Love others well.

Los planes de Dios versus nuestros Planes