Discipleship is important. Three keys that I find to be critical in properly discipling someone are: believing in them more then they believe in themselves, being totally guided by the Holy Spirit, and challenging them to put God’s word into action.

How are we growing as disciples? Two areas of encouragement God wants us to understand: 1) He is committed to our growth - He desires that we live, grow, and multiply. This is evident from the creation story, and all through scripture; 2) ALL of us can be disciples if we will believe - no mistake, no failure, no sin, no obstacle can disqualify us or keep us from being a growing disciple. Jesus removed every obstacle and all we must do is believe.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gives his disciples the mission that many of us call the "Great Commission". How are we doing as disciples; and how are we doing at making and teaching disciples of the nations? In 2011 "Growing Disciples" is our focus...hang on for the adventure!

Full of hope....hanging in there...hopeless. We may find ourselves at any point of this “hope continuum” at any given time. But as believers, what does in take for us to be people of hope & continue in hope?

During this Advent season we have been focusing on the extravagant nature of God - our messages have been on God's extravagant love, extravagant grace, and extravagant peace. This Sunday we will focus on extravagant praise, which is our response to his lavish, excessive, outrageous, unreasonable, wasteful, reckless, unbalanced, fantastic, grandiose, extreme, flamboyant, crazy, amazing...love, grace, and peace!

What is the peace that Jesus offers that the world can't give? And can this peace really go beyond our understanding? What a lavish gift to receive during such uncertain times - true peace - "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27, NLT)

Amazing Grace, What it is and why it's amazing.

All throughout scripture, we are encouraged to be thankful. What are some of the good things that come out of being a thankful person?

What are some of the things the Psalmist declares are worthy of our thankfulness?

Greatness comes through serving. Satan fell, by rising up against God and took man with him. Jesus rose, by lowering Himself to serve man. He descended from heaven to earth, becoming human and dying a cursed death for the purpose of restoring man’s relationship with a Holy God and re-establishing the dominion that Adam lost. Therefore, it was through His humility that God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place.