Pastor Jason Anderson

We can look at our life, marriage, spouse, job... and see what's missing. We can look at ourselves, say, "I'm not enough," and go down a path of condemnation and guilt. And, if I'm no good, then you're no good. Do we drink from the cup of criticism and judgment, looking for what's wrong with ourselves and others, or do we look for and speak the good things?

NEWSFLASH: Satan doesn't like you. He's actually afraid of you and the Word of God working on the inside of you. The parable of the sower and the seed shows how the Lord wants to grow you into a devil-butt-kicking machine, but "Some [seed] fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture." (Luke 8:6) The enemy comes to steal the seed, but God wants to use the attack for His glory.

There is God's way of thinking and our way of thinking, and we can get so set in our own ways that we miss what is better! God wants to grow and change your world.

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it." (Luke 8:5)

"But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15) So, let's talk about hearing the word of God--the starting line to your growth in every area of the LORD.

It's easy to trust God and have faith when everything is going great, but what about when we're knocked down, stranded, dead in the water with a full-on storm approaching? There is a lion in each of us who refuses to give up the fight. I STILL BELIEVE!

"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This is the ministry of reconciliation. And reconciliation doesn't stop with people; it includes things, property, and influence. The reason things continue to get worse isn't that God is missing; it's that we are not yet in the position He has given us. The world's wealth is laid up for the just; it's waiting for us to take our place.

The enemy has lied to us and has believers attacking believers in the name of Christianity. Brothers are attacking one another. Christians are throwing stones and persecuting the church and each other. But we are stronger together, so let's talk about unity in the body of Christ! "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

No matter how far you go, there will always be others who have gone further--this is the order of God. No matter where you are, some have not been there yet. And so, no one escapes the responsibility to consider those who have not yet been where we have been. Let the mothers and fathers rise and raise the sons and daughters!

What is YOUR cross? Your cross is self-sacrifice. It's what you will carry for others; it's what you will give up for the benefit of someone else. Your cross is what you will do for someone other than yourself. "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)

Let's talk about the Cross Walk--not an actual crosswalk, but the taking-up of our cross and following Christ. Unleash the Jesus within you; let Him roar, and watch what he will do in your life. "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'" (Matthew 16:24-27)