Advent Conspiracy: Give More?

Advent Conspiracy: More is Less

This season offers a multitude of options for focus and attention all in the name of

Everyone wants the richest, fullest life possible. Believing in Jesus yields true life, but it isn't always clear what it means to believe. Jesus challenges us to expand our picture of belief and believe fully in him.

If you want God or anything related to him (and everybody does whether they admit it or not), the only way to get there is with Jesus. It is easy to think we can understand and encounter God purely on our own effort, but anything we do apart from Jesus is settling for less than the way, the truth, and the life. Grasping Jesus more fully is how we'll encounter the things of God in our life.

No president, political platform, or worldly influence will ever provide the hope, future, and security that can be found in relationship with the creator, covenant God. Allowing ourselves to become consumed with elections (or worldly influences) leads us to reject the ultimate authority and power that God has and to believe that our hope is found in man-made solutions around us. Honoring God during election week allows us to reframe our perspective on God's power and live into the unique relationship we have with him.

After Jesus' death, we find the disciples in a locked room instead of making disciples of all the nations. Is it because they thought Jesus was dead and no longer applicable? Do we find our faith in a locked room today for the same reason? Or do we serve a risen Lord in the power of The Holy Spirit? Have we died to self? Or are we intent on preserving this life? In other words, are the Living Dead (alive in our lives, but dead in our faith), or are we the dead, living (dead to self, alive in Christ?). Encouragement to be sent in the power of The Holy Spirit; not by ourselves.