The Well Church of the Nazarene

Scripture is filled with examples of God doing extraordinary things through ordinary people, but we don't always see every detail of their lives. Such is the case of Joseph in the New Testament. An average guy whose life changed after encountering Jesus!

Is there anyone more ordinary than Peter?

Jesus invited Peter--the same way he's inviting us--to go into deeper water, cast a wide net, and search for BIGGER fish. Again. And again. So often we miss the miracle because we don't obey--we're tired, caught up, distracted, overwhelmed, and chained to whatever it is we're fishing for. But even in our weariness, God can do more.

Though part of one of the most familiar accounts in scripture, today's focus is on a character that is unnamed. He was an ordinary boy with an ordinary lunch who was willing to give everything he had to an extraordinary God.  It's the only miracle included in all four gospels, and it started with surrender. Jesus can do anything with whatever we have...but first we have to let it go. 

As a Church of the Nazarene, we believe in sanctification and holiness. But sanctification is meaningless apart from mercy and grace, and holiness is impossible apart from forgiveness and reconciliation.

As we see in the story of Joseph, mercy and grace (sanctification) are best exemplified through forgiveness and reconciliation (holiness). If we are not reconciled with each other, in time we will not be reconciled with God.

It's time to let go... 

Noah walked in step with God and out of step with the culture around him. Faithfully, he completed his work, fully understanding what was to come. This act of faith, of choosing to obey God, was motivated by his love for God and influenced by how closely he walked with Him. So the question for us today is, "Who are we in step with?" Are we surrounded by the people we need when the rains come and the waters rise?

What you pray for reflects what you believe about God. Selfish prayers reflect the belief that God exists for us. Small prayers reflect our lack of faith in a big God. And if we rarely pray, it's most likely because we don't believe God answers prayer. 

As God is stitching us together, it's important to remember that our kingdom impact is directly linked to how many and how often we pray together. So let us not hesitate to pray big prayers, together, with both expectation and power. And may we grow in a faith that understands when the answer reflects His will over ours.

Compassion interrupts. Compassion costs. Compassion also changes lives.

True, Christ-like compassion demands action. To say that we care and not act is to not care at all. Caring draws us closer to Christ, which increases our capacity to care. What matters to him, matters to us. Are you looking for opportunities to show compassion? Can you see the possibilities?

The mission (and commission) of every Christian church is the same... we are called to make disciples. How do we do this? By following the example of Christ. 

Bryan Knurek shares a message the Lord laid on his heart for this morning. 

As God has, and continues, to "stitch" us together into a beautiful tapestry that He has designed for us, He's calling us toward compassion, generosity, and discipleship. Do you desire to love one another the way Jesus has loved us?