"I will not offer God anything that costs me nothing." What a statement from King David! We've often heard it said, that grace is free, but the Kingdom will cost you everything.In Japanese culture, it is customary to bow when greeting another. The depth of the bow communicates the depth of honor being expressed. I do not want to offer God a "shallow bow".Now is the time for us to offer God the excellence He deserves. Today is the day for great sacrifice in our worship.Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 21:18-28

God not only longs for us to know who He is & who we are in Him, but He earnestly desires for us to be complete & mature...not lacking anything.Spiritual maturity means managing ourselves & the gifts God has given us. This is actually spiritual stewardship; which is an act of worship.Romans 12:1 puts it like this, "Therefore, I urge you, in view of God's mercies, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy & acceptable to God. Which is your spiritual act of worship." True stewardship is not simply "maintaining" what is in our care; it is increasing their capacity, value & excellence. That we may re-present the excellency of our King.Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:32

God has begun an amazing work in us & is faithful to bring us to complete maturity! Maturity in Christ is where we are not lacking anything.Pastor takes the time to express his love & appreciation for this body of believers. What God has assembled here is unique & we will influence the nations.Bible Reading:Philippians 1:3-11

We are not insignificant. We are like leaven...the Kingdom is in us & it is ever-increasing & expanding.Take off the limits! Think bigger than you think! Stop waiting! You are light...change the atmosphere!Bible Reading:Matthew 13; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ephesians 3:20

"Cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex" is a Latin phrase that means, "when the reason for the law ceases, the law itself ceases to exist."The Law is good, because it created a hunger in humanity for a Savior; but the Savior has come! The reason for the Law has been fulfilled; therefore, the Law itself has been fulfilled.Bible Reading: Galatians 3:18-29

We have often heard it said that God will bring the things we need in life to us, but we must pursue or seek those things that we want. This also includes the discipline of the Lord. There have been countless times when the Lord was confronting things in me that I needed, but didn't pursue. Thank God for His love & discipline!After looking back on those moments in life, I discovered that in every one of those situations of "needful confrontation or needful offense", God acreditted the encounter into my account as righteousness...as if I had willfully pursued the discipline. His grace made a painful or uncomfortable situation a place of testimony & strength...and He celebrated my risk & bravery.Bible Reading:Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19

The purpose of the Easter story is not complete by the payment of our sin debt; it is only complete when we become FREE & are raised into LIFE!It all happened that we may become the fullness of who He created us to be...THAT JESUS MAY RECEIVE HIS FULL REWARD AS KING!Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM.Bible Reading:Luke 24:5; 2 Corinthians 3; Galatians 5:1

God is enticing those who are leaning into Him to pull on His heart. To pull His purposes, that are seemingly beyond reach or reserved for another generation, into our time, our day.The Kings & Prophets of the old testament looked ahead to the day in which we are now living in & longed for it! Their hunger & sacrifice created a legacy in which we now abide.What legacy are you leaving for those to follow? What God dream are you dreaming today? Dream bigger! It's impossible to dream small when we really see HIM!Bible Reading:Luke 10:21-24; 2 Corinthians 3

Encounters are not a reprieve from the mundane or release from the frustrations of life...they are not simply a glimpse into His Glory & Kingdom. Encounters are an invitation into a lifestyle of abiding in His fullness...an enticement into EVER-INCREASING Glory.Encounters waned or faded in the old covenant, but in the new, Holy Spirit seals us for increase!Which comes first, the encounter or the truth?Bible Reading:2 Corinthians 3:9-18

The place of rest with God comes from knowing Him. We are sons & daughters. Us in Him; Him in us.In this place of encounter, our will & His will are no longer in opposition...our spirits, minds & bodies sync with Him.Bible Reading:John 17:21-23; Hebrews 4:1-16