True North

The last time you were with us, Pastor Gary began to share a powerful exhortation about Staying on Track and not getting distracted by the things of this world. The world has so much that entices us...from the shiny new car to the younger/more beautiful partner, to the big career move...we seem to constantly be wanting MORE. But, what about your desire for the things of God? Do you have the same fire inside for the things of God as you do for the world? Well, Pastor Gary will unpack more about this today.

Wow...that was a strong word from Pastor Gary a moment ago!!! He asked the question... “Do you want to be a person of POWER or are you going to be a PANSY???” Now, you might hear that word and think it's coarse...but, Pastor Gary's intent is to say that we need to stop being lazy as Christians and BE about the work of God while we still have time. Sadly, there are a lot of folks out there that are “pew-potatoes”...they just come on Sunday and sit in the pew. Is that your listener? Maybe TODAY is the day you make a choice to serve God in power!

It's easy to find yourself in a pity party...laser-beam-focusing on all the difficulties and trials you face in this life. The last time you were with us, Pastor Gary began encouraging each of us to reframe our point of you. Stop focusing on the negative in your life and BEGIN focusing on the fact that you are a son or daughter of God...the fact that when you pass on from this life you'll spend eternity with God in heaven. Pastor Gary will continue refocusing our mindsets today.

For those listening today who wear eyeglasses...have you ever tried on another person's glasses? What works to provide perfect vision to, is a blurry mess to you. :-) You see, this life can be a lot like that. When we begin focusing our vision on the things of this world, it's like looking through glasses with the wrong prescription. Today Pastor Gary will remind us that who we really are...the reality that we really find ourselves in...IS NOT defined by our circumstances. There is an eternal reality we must focus on.

The last time you were with us, Pastor Gary began unpacking what it means to make discipleship central within our homes. Men and women of God...did you just hear what Pastor Gary said a moment ago!?!?!? He said, that if we will be faithful to making our families ordered around the worship of God...we have the potential to change the whole world! So, don't believe the lie that you can't make a difference mom or dad...YOU CAN...make Jesus the center of your home and watch what God will do!

It's easy to get into the frame of mind...believing that you need to be a “preacher” a “pastor” or a “church staff member” to be effective for the Kingdom of God. Today Pastor Gary reminds us that simple discipleship within the home is a 'grand central station' for Kingdom growth. If you want to impact the world around you...be faithful to making discipleship a priority in your home. Moms and dads...you have no idea how great you can change the world around you by simply making Jesus the center of your home.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a gardener for God? The last time you were with us, Pastor Gary began sharing with us the truth that the Word of God is like a seed. And there isn't a seed on earth that can grow until it's planted in the ground. Today Pastor Gary will challenge you to remain faithful in spreading the seed of the Word of God. It might not accomplish the exact thing you think it should at the time of planting..but, that's ok...just continue to be faithful to share God's Word.

The Word of God is the seed. This seed is planted by the clear and concise communication of pastors and teachers just like Pastor Gary. As you listen today, ask yourself, “Where am I planting the seed of the Word of God? Am I participating in Kingdom growth through the spreading of God's Word?” Pastor Gary will equip you today to be a SPREADER of the seed of the Word of God in the exact season that you are in right now.

During His ministry, Jesus said that He doesn’t act out of His own authority – He does what the Father tells Him. Pastor Gary shows us how, in this way, Jesus demonstrated the essence of discipleship. Jesus followed His Father, and we in turn followed Jesus. Our authority comes from Jesus, and we are to behave in the same way that He did. Jesus and the Father also sent us the Holy Spirit, who guides us and empowers us to live as Jesus did. And if Jesus loved those He encountered, we should do the same.

Today, Pastor Gary shows us that discipleship was God’s plan from the very beginning. The process of discipleship is very similar to the way a family functions; in the same way that Adam and Eve were instructed to reproduce, as followers of Christ we are also called to produce new disciples, who are reborn into the family of God. This discipleship can take place within an earthly family, or among the spiritual family of the Church. Whether or not we have children of our own, we can be spiritual parents to others.