Own Your Faith

God is a God who keeps promises. God's promises are grounded in character (does not lie, doesn't change, doesn't sin) and covenant. God is faithful and diligent to keep promises. The work he began in us will be completed until the day of Christ Jesus' return (Philippians 1:6).

One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is God's plan to bring life through death. The prices to redeem creation was paid on the cross as Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for [redeeming] many. The death of Christ brought offers true life to us all. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

As God's redemptive work unfolds in the lives of people coming to know Jesus, he enters spaces where people and even the demonic occupy. It is there in that space that he hopes to bring healing and deliverance. When God enters your space he doesn't enter empty-handed. Mark 4:35-41 | Mark 5:1-20.

Redeeming Time by Phil Allen, Jr.

The simple life is the kingdom life, and the kingdom life is a rich life (of discipleship). Often times, like our homes or our bedrooms, things get messy, junky, and in disarray. When this happens, until we clean things up or throw unneeded items away, we can't enjoy the space. The same is true with our relationship with God. The "stuff" we collect in our lives (material possessions, toxic relationships, money) and the "stuff" we pursue cloud our space with God and we can't enjoy the intimate relationship with he that he desires. Simplicity is inherent to discipleship. Seek first the kingdom...and [then] all these things will be added to you...Matthew 6:33.

Serving is not what we do, servanthood is who we are. We must appreciate the need to have a mind and desire to serve in order to draw near to Jesus in intimate discipleship. Jesus says, "as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers (and sisters) you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).

The Sabbath was more than just a day, it was a gift God built into creation for the benefit of humanity. The Sabbath is sacred space we share with God. He has a rest-work-rest rhythm and when we honor the Sabbath we image God on earth with the same rhythm. We look at Matthew 11:28-29 where Jesus says, "Come to me...and I will give you rest" in the context of calling us to enjoy the participate in the Sabbath.

So what's the big deal about Resurrection Sunday? The resurrection is a reality and a (display of) power that invites our participation. As we celebrate the victory in the resurrection of Jesus Christ let's not forget that this event is real. It is prophetic and reveals God's faithfulness! 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

When God created the world he gave humanity the responsibility and dominion to take care of it. Dominion (rule) given to humanity was for the purpose of caring for creation (God's work), each other, self (God's image), and soul-care so that all that God created would flourish and produce the way God originally intended to. In order to rule as God rules we must care as God cares...Do you care?

God's holiness is reflected through the church. We reflect holiness by the way we live in community with others, those that are like us, those that are vulnerable and less fortunate, and those who are sojourners (refugees) among us. "God is trying to draw in the sojourner, God is trying to draw in the Jew, God is trying to draw in the Muslim." ~ Nate Virto