Have you ever noticed how easy it is to take something for granted until you lose it? All of a sudden we realize just how valuable and essential it was to your daily life? One of those things we probably don’t think of very often is our vision, the ability God gave you to see. The eye absolutely fascinates me! The fact that God created us to see things. Do you know He has given you spiritual eyes? Eyes that give you the ability to see the life He has called and created you to live. Jesus said it’s not until we are born again that we really begin to see (Jn 3:3). Vision is powerful! Vision is what gives people the ability to accomplish incredible things! Everything around you began as an imagination in someone’s mind first. They could see it! I believe God says the same to us today, if you can see it, then you can have it! If you can see it you can be it, you can live it, you can go after it, you can achieve it! Everything God does begins with vision.

Today we celebrate the beautiful creature God gave Adam, called wo-man. Life was incomplete without you. You are God’s final and perfect creation. Rough drafts always come before the final masterpiece. God certainly out did Himself with you! A godly woman’s influence on her world is life changing to say the least. I thought I loved Marcia before we had kids but it wasn’t until after she became a mom that I found an appreciation and love for her on a level I never could have imagined. There is not a more beautiful view in all the world than the front row seat I have as I watch her minister to the needs of our family. I want every mom here today to know that God sees all you do and He loves and treasures your contribution to the Kingdom as you care for His children. Stay strong mighty woman of God and keep going, you are a critical part of our lives!

You were created to worship! Whether you realize it or not everyone is worshipping something or someone right now. God desires our worship, as a matter of fact He alone is worthy to be worshipped. Four of the ten Commandments have to do with WHO and HOW we worship. Anything we allow to take God’s place in our heart becomes an idol. Satan has always desired to be worshipped. It was what led to him being cast out of heaven! He tempted Jesus by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would simply worship at Satan’s feet. When Satan can’t get you to worship him directly he subtly slips in using other things to take God’s place on the throne of your heart. But today just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Old Testament we refuse to worship anything but the one true living God! I challenge you to make a fresh commitment to King Jesus and let’s offer up our lives as an act of worship! He gave His all for us, today we offer it all back to Him!

I meet so many people who are struggling with finding a way to forgive the people who have done them wrong. I want you to know right now today that no matter what has been to you, or what you have done to others, Jesus has made a way for us to not only receive radical forgiveness from God but He has empowered us to release radical forgiveness to those who have done us wrong and have no way to repay us for what they have taken. There is a freedom that comes when we release people who have hurt us. Today you can let it go! You don’t have to carry the pain any more! What’s the point? Today I challenge you to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and challenge your life as we hear God’s living Word!

The Resurrection will forever be the most significant event in human history. Without it, the Cross is meaningless and Jesus death is ordinary. If there were only a cross, sin would win, but the resurrection proved once and for all Jesus won, victory is ours, death has been defeated! It’s because of the Resurrection that we can look at the Cross, a gruesome tool of terror and torture, as the greatest emblem of hope and help the world has ever known. The Resurrection has made the cross a thing of beauty. At the Cross God’s relentless love for rebellious man was displayed. He says “I will not leave you on earth without me & I will not remain in heaven without you. I will meet you at this intersection of heaven and earth called the Cross” The Cross will forever be the most Beautiful Thing JESUS has done for us!