Category: Clarity

Vision

Vision enables you to see life from God’s perspective and to maximize opportunities God places before you. Vision allows you to see what God wants you to seize for His glory. God invites you into His story and gives you eyes of faith to see what the eyes of flesh fail to see. Renew your vision for joining God’s activity. How’s your vision? Have you been captured by what captivates the heart of God? Renewing your vision and passion for life and ministry honors God and benefits others. Orient your life around God’s priorities and anticipate your vision to become clear. Cultivate a vision for your daily intimacy with the Lord. That’s your number one responsibility and your most treasured privilege! You get to determine your level of intimacy with God. Renew your vision for physical fitness and soul care. Your personal health is a vital asset to implementing vision in others areas of your life. Don’t neglect your health and your mental well being. Nurture vision for your marriage or your singleness. You should include becoming the kind of person that would be a blessing to your mate or to your future mate as God leads. Do you have a picture of what could be and what should be? Maintain a growing relationship with your children and your grandchildren. Embrace the vision to be fully present and to maximize moments for building memories and making strategic deposits. Let them stand on your shoulders! Expand your vision for your impact vocationally. View your workplace as your mission field. Commit to being a difference maker and grace dispenser. Your life matters and God has entrusted you with a career path so you can continue the ministry of Jesus. When we became followers of Jesus Christ, God adopted us into His forever family. We belong together because we belong to God’s spiritual family. God has called us to serve Him by serving together and by serving others. People matter to God and how we invest in the lives of others has eternal implications. Can you see it? Leveraging Leadership Lifters, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Clarity Personal Mission Statement Priorities

Clarity

Have you ever written a mission statement for your own life? Let me share a few personal mission statements I have seen. I exist to love God and to love others. I exist to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. I exist to leave the world a better place than I found it. I exist to take as many people with me to heaven as possible. God re-created you in Christ to reorient your life from selfish ambition to selfless ambition. Instead of living to benefit yourself, God empowers you to live to benefit others. When pride seeps in, your ability to serve others erodes. In humility, you consider others better than yourself. In humility, you esteem others above yourself. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) Are you looking to the interests of others? Have you considered how you can invest in others? God has blessed you in Christ to be a blessing to others. You have been planted right where you are by God so that you can bloom for His glory and for the benefit of those in your sphere of influence. In humility, serve them. In humility, love them the way Jesus loves you. What if you adopted the following mission statement? I exist to bring glory to God by living to benefit others. How would that impact your relationships? How would that affect your attitude about waking up each day? You would be living on purpose and on mission with God. You would begin to see your home, your neighborhood, your campus, your place of employment, and your sphere of influence as your mission field. Now that’s leadership! Start today! Bring glory to God by living to benefit others! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Clarity God's Will Vision

Gain Clarity

“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10 (ESV) Fog has the capacity to limit visibility and to stall progress. If you have ever driven in fog you know firsthand the challenge it creates. Living life in a fallen world can be like trying to drive in the fog. The path God wants you to take may not be crystal clear. Paul and his traveling companions experienced the canopy of fog when they sought to preach the word in the province of Asia. The Holy Spirit prevented them from moving in that direction. When they tried to enter the border of Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Their path was foggy until Paul had a vision during the night of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Sometimes the fog doesn’t lift until God has prepared you for your next assignment. Even when your path doesn’t seem clear, know that God is working to develop you and to prepare the circumstances in your future for the life He has for you. Wait patiently before the Lord and trust in His impeccable timing to reveal to you the step He wants you to take. Keep yielding to His authority and control in your life. Keep drawing near to God and grow in your daily intimacy with Him. God is passionate about developing the character of Christ in you so that you will be more like Jesus whether the path is foggy or radiantly clear. Paul did not know it, but God was preparing him for some divine appointments that were positioned just beyond the fog. God sees where you are and He knows exactly where He wants you to be. The fog will lift and you will gain clarity. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity God's Will Prayer

Start with Prayer

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 (ESV) Major decisions require major clarity. Jesus was about to make a major decision that would change the course of human history. Of all the disciples showing interest in following Jesus, it was now time for Jesus to choose twelve of them and designate them as apostles. Instead of glancing out and randomly securing twelve of them, Jesus found a place of solitude on a mountainside to have unhurried time alone with God in prayer. Jesus spent the entire night praying to God. His number one priority was not building a team, but rather receiving clarity from God through prayer. Jesus oriented His life around knowing and doing God’s will. Are you in the center of God’s will? It is so easy to hastily jump into life and be cascaded with the wave of busyness. We fill our lives with excessive activities and consuming commitments having never paused long enough to hear from God. Our natural proclivity is to launch into activity. We often feel as though motion is a mark of progress. The problem is that you may be moving in the wrong direction. You may be on the wrong path. How do you receive clarity from God? First, recognize that God loves you and has a specific plan for your life. You were made by God and for His glory. God invites you into His story. Secondly, God wants to reveal His plan to you. As Henry Blackaby says, “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purpose, and His ways.” Thirdly, spend unhurried time alone with God in prayer to seek His face and to learn to recognize His voice. Then, simply obey what God shows you along the way. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity I am sayings Light of the World

Light of the World

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV) Are you a recipient of the Light? When you turned from your sin and turned to Jesus alone for salvation, you became a child of God and a recipient of the Light of the World. Just as Jesus illuminated His world during His earthly ministry, He has called us and commissioned us to be the light of the world by continuing His ministry on the earth. “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:6-9 (NIV) Your role in this Christian life is to point people to Jesus. When others view your life, they should see Jesus. You may be the only Jesus others see. As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “People in your community may not read the Bible, but they will read the gospel according to your life.” What are they reading? Help others get delivered from darkness by introducing them to the Light of the World. Intercede for them and invest in them by navigating them through the journey of discovering the Light of the World. Let the light of Jesus shine through your life and love people to Jesus. There’s no higher calling than participating with God in His redemptive activity by shining His light and sharing His love. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity I am sayings Light of the World

Make Jesus Visible

“’You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) Let’s go light our world with the love of Jesus, the compassion of Jesus, the humility of Jesus, and the servitude of Jesus. Let’s go light our world by shining His light, sharing His love, mending broken hearts, extending personal touch ministry, serving the less fortunate, and encouraging the distraught. Let’s go light our world by practicing instant obedience, maintaining intimacy with God, loving what God loves, and hating what God hates. Let’s go light our world by interceding for the lost, investing in lives of lost people, going public with our personal testimony, and giving financially to the Lord’s work. Let’s go light our world by making ourselves available for God’s use, being responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and living in light of eternity. Make Jesus visible by declaring that lost people go to hell, proclaiming that saved people go to heaven, and clarifying that Jesus is the only way. Make Jesus visible by demonstrating that people matter to God and affirming that God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Unless we reveal the light, others will be unable to receive the light. If they don’t receive the light, they will be unable to walk in the light. If they don’t walk in the light, they will be unable to reveal the light. Make Jesus visible! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Bread of Life Clarity I am sayings

Bread of Life

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35 (NIV) Have you ever wondered what Jesus said about Himself? His self-disclosure gives us insight into the relational velocity available to us. Understanding His identity erases ambiguity and brings clarity. Let’s explore the seven “I am” sayings of Christ to gain clarity on our true identity in Christ. Jesus challenged the crowd to stop working for food that perishes and to devote their passion to fulfilling the hunger of their souls. Their greatest need was the bread Jesus had to offer as He declared, “I am the bread of life.” Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Affirm the identity of Christ. Respond to the invitation of Jesus by coming to Him and believing in Him. You will never be hungry and you will never go thirsty. Jesus will be the bread of your life. “‘Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me’” (John 6:57 NIV). Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your soul is nourished, your mind is renewed, and your heart is revived. Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your ears are captivated by the Voice of Truth, your eyes are focused on the redemptive activity of God, and your mouth is filled with words of life. Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your hands are transformed into the compassionate hands of Jesus. Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace and your feet are grounded in the firm foundation of God’s infallible, inerrant, and unchanging Word. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity God's Will Vision

Finding Clarity

“After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10 (NIV) Fog has the capacity to limit visibility and to stall progress. If you have ever driven in fog you know firsthand the challenge it creates. Living life in a fallen world can be like trying to drive in the fog. The path God wants you to take may not be crystal clear. Paul and his traveling companions experienced the canopy of fog when they sought to preach the word in the province of Asia. The Holy Spirit prevented them from moving in that direction. When they tried to enter the border of Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Their path was foggy until Paul had a vision during the night of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Sometimes the fog doesn’t lift until God has prepared you for your next assignment. Even when your path doesn’t seem clear, know that God is working to develop you and to prepare the circumstances in your future for the life He has for you. Wait patiently before the Lord and trust in His impeccable timing to reveal to you the step He wants you to take. Keep yielding to His authority and control in your life. Keep drawing near to God and grow in your daily intimacy with Him. God is passionate about developing the character of Christ in you so that you will be more like Jesus whether the path is foggy or radiantly clear. Paul did not know it, but God was preparing him for some divine appointments that were positioned just beyond the fog. God sees where you are and He knows exactly where He wants you to be. The fog will lift and you will gain clarity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity Delays Moses

Obtaining Clarity

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’” “And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’” Exodus 3:11-12 (NIV) What benefits were available to Moses in the desert that were unavailable to him in the palace? What could God teach Moses in the dusty desert that he could not learn in the palatial palace? I remember going through a difficult season in ministry and felt led to call one of my mentors. I shared with him that perhaps God was preparing me for my next assignment. I’ll never forget his response. He said, “Stephen, God is always preparing you for your next assignment. However, your next assignment may be right where you are.” Moses probably felt that way. He likely wondered what God could possibly be up to by allowing him to remain in the desert for forty years. God allowed Moses to experience forty years in the palace to prepare him for the forty years in the desert to prepare him for the forty years of leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land. God does not waste our desert experiences. God uses those dry times in our lives to reveal Himself in a way that we would not comprehend otherwise. He is always preparing us for our next interaction, our next appointment, our next interruption, and our next assignment. God will redeem the season you are in. Are you willing to trust God with your life? Are you willing to submit to His prompting? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity I am sayings Light of the World

Light of the World

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV) Are you a recipient of the Light? When you turned from your sin and turned to Jesus alone for salvation, you became a child of God and a recipient of the Light of the World. Just as Jesus illuminated His world during His earthly ministry, He has called us and commissioned us to be the light of the world by continuing His ministry on the earth. “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:6-9 (NIV) Your role in this Christian life is to point people to Jesus. When others view your life, they should see Jesus. You may be the only Jesus others see. As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “People in your community may not read the Bible, but they will read the gospel according to your life.” What are they reading? Help others get delivered from darkness by introducing them to the Light of the World. Intercede for them and invest in them by navigating them through the journey of discovering the Light of the World. Let the light of Jesus shine through your life and love people to Jesus. There’s no higher calling than participating with God in His redemptive activity by shining His light and sharing His love. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity I am sayings Light of the World

Make Jesus Visible

“’You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’” Matt 5:14-16 (NIV) Let’s go light our world with the love of Jesus, the compassion of Jesus, the humility of Jesus, and the servitude of Jesus. Let’s go light our world by shining His light, sharing His love, mending broken hearts, extending personal touch ministry, serving the less fortunate, and encouraging the distraught. Let’s go light our world by practicing instant obedience, maintaining intimacy with God, loving what God loves, and hating what God hates. Let’s go light our world by interceding for the lost, investing in lives of lost people, going public with our personal testimony, and giving financially to the Lord’s work. Let’s go light our world by making ourselves available for God’s use, being responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and living in light of eternity. Make Jesus visible by declaring that lost people go to hell, proclaiming that saved people go to heaven, and clarifying that Jesus is the only way. Make Jesus visible by demonstrating that people matter to God and affirming that God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Pt 3:9). Unless we reveal the light, others will be unable to receive the light. If they don’t receive the light, they will be unable to walk in the light. If they don’t walk in the light, they will be unable to reveal the light. Make Jesus visible! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Bread of Life Clarity I am sayings

Bread of Life

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35 (NIV) Have you ever wondered what Jesus said about Himself? His self-disclosure gives us insight into the relational velocity available to us. Understanding His identity erases ambiguity and brings clarity. Let’s explore the seven “I am” sayings of Christ to gain clarity on our true identity in Christ. Jesus challenged the crowd to stop working for food that perishes and to devote their passion to fulfilling the hunger of their souls. Their greatest need was the bread Jesus had to offer as He declared, “I am the bread of life.” Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Affirm the identity of Christ. Respond to the invitation of Jesus by coming to Him and believing in Him. You will never be hungry and you will never go thirsty. Jesus will be the bread of your life. “‘Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me’” (John 6:57 NIV). Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your soul is nourished, your mind is renewed, and your heart is revived. Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your ears are captivated by the Voice of Truth, your eyes are focused on the redemptive activity of God, and your mouth is filled with words of life. Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your hands are transformed into the compassionate hands of Jesus. Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, your feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace and your feet are grounded in the firm foundation of God’s infallible, inerrant, and unchanging Word. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity God's Will Vision

Finding Clarity

“After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10 (NIV) Fog has the capacity to limit visibility and to stall progress. If you have ever driven in fog you know firsthand the challenge it creates. Living life in a fallen world can be like trying to drive in the fog. The path God wants you to take may not be crystal clear. Paul and his traveling companions experienced the canopy of fog when they sought to preach the word in the province of Asia. The Holy Spirit prevented them from moving in that direction. When they tried to enter the border of Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Their path was foggy until Paul had a vision during the night of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Sometimes the fog doesn’t lift until God has prepared you for your next assignment. Even when your path doesn’t seem clear, know that God is working to develop you and to prepare the circumstances in your future for the life He has for you. Wait patiently before the Lord and trust in His impeccable timing to reveal to you the step He wants you to take. Keep yielding to His authority and control in your life. Keep drawing near to God and grow in your daily intimacy with Him. God is passionate about developing the character of Christ in you so that you will be more like Jesus whether the path is foggy or radiantly clear. Paul did not know it, but God was preparing him for some divine appointments that were positioned just beyond the fog. God sees where you are and He knows exactly where He wants you to be. The fog will lift and you will gain clarity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity God's Will Vision

Gain Clarity

“After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10 (NIV) Fog has the capacity to limit visibility and to stall progress. If you have ever driven in fog you know firsthand the challenge it creates. Living life in a fallen world can be like trying to drive in the fog. The path God wants you to take may not be crystal clear. Paul and his traveling companions experienced the canopy of fog when they sought to preach the word in the province of Asia. The Holy Spirit prevented them from moving in that direction. When they tried to enter the border of Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Their path was foggy until Paul had a vision during the night of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Sometimes the fog doesn’t lift until God has prepared you for your next assignment. Even when your path doesn’t seem clear, know that God is working to develop you and to prepare the circumstances in your future for the life He has for you. Wait patiently before the Lord and trust in His impeccable timing to reveal to you the step He wants you to take. Keep yielding to His authority and control in your life. Keep drawing near to God and grow in your daily intimacy with Him. God is passionate about developing the character of Christ in you so that you will be more like Jesus whether the path is foggy or radiantly clear. Paul did not know it, but God was preparing him for some divine appointments that were positioned just beyond the fog. God sees where you are and He knows exactly where He wants you to be. The fog will lift and you will gain clarity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity God's Will Prayer

Start with Prayer

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12 (NIV) Major decisions require major clarity. Jesus was about to make a major decision that would change the course of human history. Of all the disciples showing interest in following Jesus, it was now time for Jesus to choose twelve of them and designate them as apostles. Instead of glancing out and randomly securing twelve of them, Jesus found a place of solitude on a mountainside to have unhurried time alone with God in prayer. Jesus spent the entire night praying to God. His number one priority was not building a team, but rather receiving clarity from God through prayer. Jesus oriented His life around knowing and doing God’s will. Are you in the center of God’s will? It is so easy to hastily jump into life and be cascaded with the wave of busyness. We fill our lives with excessive activities and consuming commitments having never paused long enough to hear from God. Our natural proclivity is to launch into activity. We often feel as though motion is a mark of progress. The problem is that you may be moving in the wrong direction. You may be on the wrong path. How do you receive clarity from God? First, recognize that God loves you and has a specific plan for your life. You were made by God and for His glory. God invites you into His story. Secondly, God wants to reveal His plan to you. As Henry Blackaby says, “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purpose, and His ways.” Thirdly, spend unhurried time alone with God in prayer to seek His face and to learn to recognize His voice. Then, simply obey what God shows you along the way. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Clarity Jesus Mission Outsiders

Simplify and Focus

“Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’” Luke 5:31-32 (NIV) The Pharisees missed their reason for existence. They thought the purpose of life was to be religious and to strictly observe their legalistic religious customs. They thought too highly of themselves and critically judged others through the grid of their own rigid religious system. Jesus ministered among the Pharisees and often spoke directly to them, yet they missed the Messiah. Jesus clarified His purpose as that of calling sinners to repentance. Jesus came to build the Kingdom of God with those who need His mercy, His grace, and His forgiveness the most. The self-righteous behavior of the Pharisees blinded them from the truth. The Truth was standing right in front of them and they missed Him! Jesus came to call people just like you and me to repentance. We were bankrupt spiritually and morally before Jesus came to our rescue. We were enemies of God and saturated in our sinfulness and selfishness. We were unfit and unclean for entry into the Kingdom of God. Our greatest need was for the Great Physician to remedy us from our spiritual disease and to restore us to a right relationship with Himself. Jesus provided the opportunity for us to turn from our sin and to trust Him alone for salvation. His mission is our mission. Now, simplify and focus your life on bringing others into a growing relationship with Jesus. Your assignment from the Lord is to be actively populating Heaven. Why are you here? You are here to do what Jesus did! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Clarity Mind of Christ Single-minded Though-life

De-cluttering Your Mind

“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.” Psalms 26:2-3 (NIV) What’s going on in your mind? How’s your thought-life? What have you been thinking about lately? God has given you the ability to think, reason, and make decisions. God has given you the ability to know and understand. You have the wonderful ability to contemplate, consider, and calculate. You are blessed with the capacity to ponder, prepare, and to produce. How are you harnessing the potential God has placed within you? “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 (NIV) Is your mind at peace? Write down the specific items that are bothering you. Think through the issues that are pressing up against you. Now place those items before the Lord in prayer. Give each issue to the Lord. Release them! Now receive the Lord’s provision of grace to be single-minded. Focus your thoughts on Jesus and His Lordship. Allow Him to be your source of strength and your anchor of stability. De-clutter your mind by unloading the hurtful thoughts and the anxious thoughts that perplex you. Write them down! Speak them aloud! Release them to the Lord! Replace those toxic thoughts with healthy reminders of who you are in Christ. You belong to God. You are His treasure and His masterpiece (Eph. 2:10). You have everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). You are more than a conqueror (Rm. 8:37). You are complete in Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Clarity Growth Maturation

Clarity and Maturity

“‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.’” Acts 26:16 (NIV) Paul stood before King Agrippa to give witness to his personal salvation story. Paul was converted from a persecutor of the church to a preacher of the Gospel. He recalled his Damascus road experience in the hearing of King Agrippa and other bystanders. Bringing clarity to his life purpose, Paul identified his appointment by Christ as a servant and as a witness. Paul was investing his life in the process of knowing Jesus and making Jesus known. Jesus affirmed that Paul was a servant and a witness of what Paul had seen of Jesus. Paul encountered Christ personally on the road to Damascus. This personal encounter was a defining moment for Paul that radically changed his forever. Not only was Paul’s eternal destiny changed, but his life mission was changed. The focus of Paul’s life became that of proclaiming Christ. In his letter to Timothy, Paul said, “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher“(2 Tim 1:11 NIV). What have you seen of Christ? Since your conversion experience, what have you seen of Christ? Is Jesus a living reality in your life? As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “If you are going to reign in this life, Jesus must reign in your life.” You have been appointed as a servant. In God’s display of mercy and grace, you have been appointed a witness of what you have seen of Christ. Jesus has more to show you! Are you ready for His revelation? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Clarity

“Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.” Eph 3:8-9 (NIV) Have you ever met someone who was great and they didn’t know it? In other words, they were simply being who God made them to be and didn’t build a tower of recognition for themselves. Paul was great and didn’t know it. He understood that his usability was proportionate to God’s dispensing of immeasurable grace. His validation came through recognition of his desperation for God’s mercy and grace. Only through Paul’s humility and dependency upon God was he enabled to hyper-focus on the mission of bringing clarity to the mystery of the gospel for the people in need of salvation. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NIV) Does your behavior bring clarity to the gospel for those watching your life? Are you drawing people to Christ or repelling them from Christ? May the fog lift and the gospel clearly go forth through opportunities God gives you this week to make Jesus known. Is there any greater vision to give your life to than that of bringing the gospel to the nations beginning right where you are? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care