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 I wanted to get a friend a "Hope You're Feeling Better Soon" kind of card. Not because they were necessarily sick, but because they really could be a better person. Which got me to thinking, will you and I be any better today than we were yesterday?
On Sunday we looked at how Jesus went about "DOING GOOD", and Peter calls us to do the same. How can we do more good this week that last? How might we be more patient? How do we become more compassionate? Failure to Thrive is a term used when children are not developing or growing as they should. What happens when we as adults are Failing to Thrive in our Faith? Does it bother us? For our kids we see doctors and specialists to try to determine underlying causes. But what happens for us adults? Are you still growing in your faith or have you given up? Peter's' last words to his friends was for them to GROW in the GRACE and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18) GROW- the word means to continue on GROWING. To not stop. Growth is always a choice.. To continue on GROWING... or we might use the word MATURING, This involves effort. You & I won't coast our way to Growth. For our kids to grow physically, they need proper rest, healthy nutrition and physical exercise. None of these happen accidentally. Growth is a mindset, a desire, to get a little bit deeper in love of Jesus. This is the picture we have as we seek to GROW? To be more like our Lord & Savior. Grow in being like Jesus. Grow in Grace. Get into the habits of DOING GOOD and HELPING OTHERS, Just as Jesus did (Acts 10:38). So for the next week consider-
Never stop Growing in Grace. In Knowing Jesus! . Pastor Mike PS- Hey Keep Praying for our Kids this week- roughly 60 kiddo's a night showing up to sing & hear of Jesus. Many from the community. Lord may you make tonight special!  What's the last good restaurant you ate at? Do you have a good friend? Have you seen a good movie lately? What's the last good book you read?
We often use the word "GOOD" and think we know what it means? But what does it mean when we're referring to people vs things? In the book of Acts, Jesus is described as "a man full of the Spirit of God who went about doing good. And healing people who were in enslaved to the devil." What was Jesus like? He submitted Himself to the will of the Father and sought to encourage people. The Bible is fairly clear, no one gets to heaven because of the good things he or she does. But people who do spend eternity with Jesus are people who lived life here seeking to do good to others. In Matthew 5, Jesus said we should let our good actions guide our decision making process and point people to the Father. Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-10 that while we are saved because of the Grace of God and trusting in Jesus, we are to then live our the good life that God has planned for us. Paul reminded Titus that he was to help his people "learn to devote themselves to doing good..." (Titus 3:14). The writer to Hebrews said we are to be a people who remember to do good and to share with others, for that is what pleases God. (Hebrews 13:16 So what might it mean for Jesus followers to be about doing? The idea that I believe Jesus has in mind is for us to look for ways, every day, to enrich the lives of those around us. It might be a spoken word, a gracious greeting. It will mean looking people in the eye, maybe using their name. Doing Good may mean cleaning up after yourself so someone doesn't have to do so. Asking yourself how you might bring a smile to a person's face. Lift their load at work. Truth is, there are countless little things we can do every day that make a big difference to someone else. One of our values here at StoneBridge is to Make Others Smile. People who are like Jesus, doing good and helping or encouraging others, Make Others Smile. I'll see you on Sunday Friend. Pastor Mike PS- Hey Friends- thanks to all of you who helped us surpass our VBS goals- we have every child being prayed for and have received over $1,700. THANK YOU!  I read recently that Coke & KFC Chicken have their "secret recipes" locked away in vaults. Few people know of the actual ingredients. One company reportedly won't even keep the recipe ingredients on the same piece of paper. There are 2 or 3 I guess, in separate locations.
Sometimes it appears that it's a "secret" for how people can improve their life... or fix their problems. Infomercials promise to help someone to a better place in life, for the price of the seminar... or the latest book. What if the key to a better you isn't really a "secret" that you have to pay for???? Peter was one guy whose life turned around. He wrote a couple letters a while back. In them he gladly gave away the "secret sauce" if you will of having a better life. Change is possible. It will cost you, but not out of your wallet. This week we begin a new series from 2 Peter 1:1-9 entitled "Not So Secret Sauce". A Recipe for a Full Life. If you're reading this, here's what I want you to know. Take a moment to read 2 Peter 1:3-4 1) Peter writes that a better you begins with trusting God. It's our journey with Jesus. As we read above, His Divine Power has given us EVERYTHING we need for a Godly life. Not some things, most things, but EVERYTHING. Divine Power- God supernaturally provides you with strength. Wisdom. Patience. The ability to be gracious with people. Because of Jesus. If you and I would only ask Him. Even today, as a Father, I take great joy in providing good things to my kids. If I know how to do this, think how much more does God the Father, who has given us so much through Jesus Christ, Our Savior. What is it you'd like to see be better in your life? Have you asked the Father? I'll see you on Sunday Friend. Pastor Mike Hey we are within $200 of reaching our goal of $1,500 to cover the anticipated costs of having 60 kids at VBS. Would you be willing to pray for a kid for the week of July 13-17? Let miss Sheri or the office know! |
AuthorStonebridge Community Church is a Bible-based non-denominational church located in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri. Archives
December 2024
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