“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.“ Luke 1:16-17 (ESV) John the Baptist was clearly on mission with God. He became known as the forerunner of Jesus. John preached a baptism of repentance to prepare the way for Jesus. John also had the distinct privilege of baptizing Jesus when Jesus began His ministry at age thirty (Luke 3:23). John the Baptist’s personal mission statement would have looked something like this: I exist to bring glory to God by pointing people to Jesus. What are you giving your life to? Are you living in such a way as to intentionally point people to Jesus? Hopelessness and despair litter the terrain of life on this broken planet. The vast majority of the billions of people who currently inhabit the earth are completely lost and eternally condemned. Our only hope is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Does your life declare the reality that Jesus is the only way? You bring glory to God as you point people to Jesus. God places you in the display window of life to be an irresistible influence for Christ. People are watching you and observing your conversation and your conduct. They are listening to your life to see if you really possess what you profess. Don’t conceal your identity in Christ. Reveal your new identity by allowing Jesus to live His life through you. Let others see Jesus in you. Live in a way that other people will desire to have the love relationship that you enjoy with Jesus. Point people to Jesus! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: Intentionality
Categories
Intentional Love
“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.” Mark 15:11 (ESV) Have you ever encountered injustice? Have you ever been treated unfairly? I think we have all been there. It hurts! The scars serve as a constant reminder. In our verse today, we find a word that compels us to contemplate. It is the soothing word, “instead.” Let me take this punishment instead of you. Allow me to receive this penalty instead of you. Jesus will be flogged and crucified instead of Barabbas. The innocent man dies in his place. The guilty man goes free. Jesus receives what he doesn’t deserve while Barabbas receives what he doesn’t deserve. Jesus receives death! Barabbas receives life! Is that justice? Should the guilty go free? God’s intentional love was clearly displayed. God took the initiative to come to our rescue. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8 ESV). Christ died instead of us! Yes, while we were still sinners! How can you demonstrate that kind of love? Who in your sphere of influence needs to know what “instead” looks like? Forgive instead of holding a grudge. Show acceptance instead of forging a gap. Offer help instead of ignoring the need. Appreciate Jesus instead of taking Him for granted. It’s your move! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentionality
“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NIV) How do you live your life? You can choose to float down lazy river and simply allow the current to take you wherever it wants to go. You can decide to live a life of intentionality and focus your life on God’s agenda. You can live with passion, intensity, and purpose. Paul was a focused fully devoted follower of Christ. In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul referenced the Isthmian Games that were similar to our modern day Olympics. In our present day Olympics, first place receives a gold medal, second place receives a silver medal, and third place receives a bronze metal. In Paul’s day, only one prize was awarded. That’s why Paul said, “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Cor. 9:24). The Christian life demands discipline, focus, and intentionality. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you must make moment-by-moment decisions to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and to starve the cravings of the sinful nature. You must make a conscious choice to run with purpose and to focus your life on continuing the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Being spiritually fit mandates being intentional about exercising your spiritual muscles and being intentional about joining God in His activity. Embrace healthy daily spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, journaling, meditating on God’s Word, memorizing Scripture, practicing solitude, and practicing God’s Presence. Give sacrificially to bless and benefit others. Share your testimony of God’s saving grace with others. Splash Living Water by being an irresistible influence for God’s glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Relational Bridges
“He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14 (NIV) Can you imagine the honor of being chosen by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve apostles? You would have a starting position on the varsity team that Jesus coached. You would have access to His life behind the scenes in the locker room and on the practice field. You would want to spend all your time in His shadow and under His personal touch ministry. To be like Him, you would want to watch His every move and to capture every word He articulated. It would be so refreshing to be that connected to the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have that kind of connection with the Son of God. At the moment of your conversion experience, you were adopted into God’s family and placed on the winning team. You have the privilege of drawing near to the Lord and learning how to enjoy His presence. God did not save you so that you could stay in the huddle. God rescued you from eternal damnation and placed you into His forever family and filled you with His Holy Spirit so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. You have been chosen by God to be sent out to portray His love and to proclaim the saving news of Jesus. You have been armed with the cure to the cancer of sin. Every single person who places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation will be saved and adopted into the family of God. You are chosen by God to build that relational bridge to those who are lost. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentional Influence
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (NIV) Be intentional in sharing the gospel. Paul, Silas, and Timothy brought the gospel to the Thessalonians (Acts 17:1-4). The gospel came with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (I Cor. 2:4-5). Many of the Thessalonians responded by turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess. 1:9). The gospel transformed their lives and influenced their culture. In Christ, we have the cure to the cancer of sin. We have been entrusted with the gospel of light that delivers people from the kingdom of darkness. God has armed us with the Good News of Jesus Christ and empowered us with the Holy Spirit to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. God still uses human instrumentality in the redemptive process. Will you be faithful to share the gospel intentionally? Paul, Silas, and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians to benefit them, to bless them, and to bring Christ to them. Instead of allowing the pagan culture to influence them, Paul, Silas, and Timothy intentionally influenced the culture by continuing the ministry of Jesus. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermostat sets the environment while a thermometer reflects the environment. God has not called us to be absorbed by the culture, but to influence the culture with the gospel. Be a spiritual thermostat for the Lord by sharing the gospel intentionally. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
On Your Way
“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.” Luke 13:22 (NIV) In the final six months of His earthly ministry, Jesus stayed on mission with God. Embracing the reality of His impending sacrifice for the sins of the world and enduring the agony of the cross, Jesus continued to travel and teach. Jesus extended personal touch ministry as He remained focus on the mission of seeking and saving the lost. As Jesus did life on the dusty roads, He made room for others. We spend so much of our time on our way to the next activity or event. Think about how many times each day you find yourself on your way to fulfill a commitment or to meet a deadline. There are so many tugs on your time and attention. As you are on your way, God wants you to make the most of that transition time. Maybe you are on your way to work or on your way to school and you decide to maximize the travel time by praying for others. You could use your daily commute to quote Bible verses or to sing songs of worship and praise to God. Be creative in how you use your time when you are on your way. Instead of viewing time sitting in a doctor’s office as a waste of time, capture those moments to read God’s Word or to text message notes of encouragement to others. Allow God to use you to be a blessing even during times of transitioning from one event to another or from one meeting to another. Keep the main thing the main thing. Staying on mission with God is a perpetual discipline that requires sensitivity to God’s activity. God wants to do a work in you so that He can do a work through you. Give God room to work! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentionality
“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Cor 9:26-27 (NIV) How do you live your life? You can choose to float down lazy river and simply allow the current to take you wherever it wants to go. You can decide to live a life of intentionality and focus your life on God’s agenda. You can live with passion, intensity, and purpose. Paul was a focused fully devoted follower of Christ. In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul referenced the Isthmian Games that were similar to our modern day Olympics. In our present day Olympics, first place receives a gold medal, second place receives a silver medal, and third place receives a bronze metal. In Paul’s day, only one prize was awarded. That’s why Paul said, “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Cor 9:24). The Christian life demands discipline, focus, and intentionality. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you must make moment-by-moment decisions to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and to starve the cravings of the sinful nature. You must make a conscious choice to run with purpose and to focus your life on continuing the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Being spiritually fit mandates being intentional about exercising your spiritual muscles and being intentional about joining God in His activity. Embrace healthy daily spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, journaling, meditating on God’s Word, memorizing Scripture, practicing solitude, and practicing God’s Presence. Give sacrificially to bless and benefit others. Share your testimony of God’s saving grace with others. Splash Living Water by being an irresistible influence for God’s glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Relational Bridges
“He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14 (NIV) Can you imagine the honor of being chosen by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve apostles? You would have a starting position on the varsity team that Jesus coached. You would have access to His life behind the scenes in the locker room and on the practice field. You would want to spend all your time in His shadow and under His personal touch ministry. To be like Him, you would want to watch His every move and to capture every word He articulated. It would be so refreshing to be that connected to the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have that kind of connection with the Son of God. At the moment of your conversion experience, you were adopted into God’s family and placed on the winning team. You have the privilege of drawing near to the Lord and learning how to enjoy His presence. God did not save you so that you could stay in the huddle. God rescued you from eternal damnation and placed you into His forever family and filled you with His Holy Spirit so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. You have been chosen by God to be sent out to portray His love and to proclaim the saving news of Jesus. You have been armed with the cure to the cancer of sin. Every single person who places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation will be saved and adopted into the family of God. You are chosen by God to build that relational bridge to those who are lost. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentional Influence
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” 1 Thess 1:4-5 (NIV) Be intentional in sharing the gospel. Paul, Silas, and Timothy brought the gospel to the Thessalonians (Acts 17:1-4). The gospel came with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (I Cor 2:4-5). Many of the Thessalonians responded by turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess 1:9). The gospel transformed their lives and influenced their culture. In Christ, we have the cure to the cancer of sin. We have been entrusted with the gospel of light that delivers people from the kingdom of darkness. God has armed us with the Good News of Jesus Christ and empowered us with the Holy Spirit to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. God still uses human instrumentality in the redemptive process. Will you be faithful to share the gospel intentionally? Paul, Silas, and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians to benefit them, to bless them, and to bring Christ to them. Instead of allowing the pagan culture to influence them, Paul, Silas, and Timothy intentionally influenced the culture by continuing the ministry of Jesus. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermostat sets the environment while a thermometer reflects the environment. God has not called us to be absorbed by the culture, but to influence the culture with the gospel. Be a spiritual thermostat for the Lord by sharing the gospel intentionally. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
On Your Way
“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.” Luke 13:22 (NIV) In the final six months of His earthly ministry, Jesus stayed on mission with God. Embracing the reality of His impending sacrifice for the sins of the world and enduring the agony of the cross, Jesus continued to travel and teach. Jesus extended personal touch ministry as He remained focus on the mission of seeking and saving the lost. As Jesus did life on the dusty roads, He made room for others. We spend so much of our time on our way to the next activity or event. Think about how many times each day you find yourself on your way to fulfill a commitment or to meet a deadline. There are so many tugs on your time and attention. As you are on your way, God wants you to make the most of that transition time. Maybe you are on your way to work or on your way to school and you decide to maximize the travel time by praying for others. You could use your daily commute to quote Bible verses or to sing songs of worship and praise to God. Be creative in how you use your time when you are on your way. Instead of viewing time sitting in a doctor’s office as a waste of time, capture those moments to read God’s Word or to text message notes of encouragement to others. Allow God to use you to be a blessing even during times of transitioning from one event to another or from one meeting to another. Keep the main thing the main thing. Staying on mission with God is a perpetual discipline that requires sensitivity to God’s activity. God wants to do a work in you so that He can do a work through you. Give God room to work! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:16-17 (NIV) John the Baptist was clearly on mission with God. He became known as the forerunner of Jesus. John preached a baptism of repentance to prepare the way for Jesus. John also had the distinct privilege of baptizing Jesus when Jesus began His ministry at age thirty (Luke 3:23). John the Baptist’s personal mission statement would have looked something like this: I exist to bring glory to God by pointing people to Jesus. What are you giving your life to? Are you living in such a way as to intentionally point people to Jesus? Hopelessness and despair litter the terrain of life on this broken planet. The vast majority of the billions of people who currently inhabit the earth are completely lost and eternally condemned. Our only hope is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Does your life declare the reality that Jesus is the only way? You bring glory to God as you point people to Jesus. God places you in the display window of life to be an irresistible influence for Christ. People are watching you and observing your conversation and your conduct. They are listening to your life to see if you really possess what you profess. Don’t conceal your identity in Christ. Reveal your new identity by allowing Jesus to live His life through you. Let others see Jesus in you. Live in a way that other people will desire to have the love relationship that you enjoy with Jesus. Point people to Jesus! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentional Love
“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.” Mark 15:11 (NIV) Have you ever encountered injustice? Have you ever been treated unfairly? I think we have all been there. It hurts! The scars serve as a constant reminder. In our verse today, we find a word that compels us to contemplate. It is the soothing word, “instead.” Let me take this punishment instead of you. Allow me to receive this penalty instead of you. Jesus will be flogged and crucified instead of Barabbas. The innocent man dies in his place. The guilty man goes free. Jesus receives what he doesn’t deserve while Barabbas receives what he doesn’t deserve. Jesus receives death! Barabbas receives life! Is that justice? Should the guilty go free? God’s intentional love was clearly displayed. God took the initiative to come to our rescue. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”(Rm. 5:8 NIV). Christ died instead of us! Yes, while we were still sinners! How can you demonstrate that kind of love? Who in your sphere of influence needs to know what “instead” looks like? Forgive instead of holding a grudge. Show acceptance instead of forging a gap. Offer help instead of ignoring the need. Appreciate Jesus instead of taking Him for granted. It’s your move! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentional Serving
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15 (NIV) Once you decide to serve the Lord, your life becomes intentional. You begin to live on purpose. In serving Jesus, you are drawn to connect with His family. Jesus is in charge! “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Eph 1:22-23 (NIV) “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Eph 4:16 (NIV) Stability flows from the Head, Jesus, down to the members of His Body, the church. The church is connected and held together by every supporting member. The design is for the church to grow and build itself up as each member does his or her part. Serving together as a team produces organizational stability. The local church is an organism that God grows as we serve. Stability is the byproduct of a church family serving together in unity. Unity produces stability. Does that describe the church you are connected to? Are you soaking or serving? Are you a spectator or a participator? Are you a consumer or a contributor? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Intentional Parenting
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deut 6:6-9 (NIV) The people of God embraced this confession of faith, known as the Shema, to acknowledge their commitment to the One true God and their obedience to His commandments. Loving God and obeying His commands were the marching orders for the people of God to employ. This way of life was to be personal and familial. It was not enough to love God and obey His commands personally. This lifestyle of obedience to God was to be modeled faithfully and handed down intentionally. With the privilege of parenting comes the awesome responsibility of modeling Christ in the home. God wants our homes to be a place of intentional parenting. As parents, we have been given the assignment to lead our children into a growing relationship with Christ. We are to model what God wants us to multiply through our children. The lifestyle of loving God and keeping His commandments is to be visible in our homes. Our children should not receive mixed signals from us as to what our God-given priorities are. We are to impress upon our children the commandments we have received from God that are upon our hearts. A few years ago I had a parent meet with me to complain about their teenager picking up the habit of smoking. I then asked the parent, “Do you smoke?” The parent immediately affirmed that reality. Why would a parent criticize a teenager for something the teenager learned from that parent? God wants us to intentionally model Christ before our children. God wants us to intentionally live lives of moral purity before our children. What are you impressing upon your children? Are you leading them into a growing relationship with Jesus? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Categories
Living as Clay
“But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands…” Jer 18:4 (NIV) Whenever you purchase an item that has an “as is” tag on it, you accept the fact that it may be flawed. In other words, the item may not be perfect. The beauty of salvation is that God accepted us “as is” and brought us into a vibrant love relationship with Himself to move us from “as is” to “what could be” in His hands. Yes! We were marred in His hands. But, He lovingly and patiently removes the imperfections of our attitude, behavior, and speech. Being on the Potter’s wheel can be painful at times. As God allows us to go through suffering and sorrow in this life, the areas of our life that do not reflect Christ-likeness will be dealt with. God will grow us through the pain. He will mold us and shape us through adversity. Bathsheba endured some difficult seasons in her life. She experienced loneliness, grief, delays, disappointment, and shattered dreams. Yet, God redeemed all of those seasons in her life to bring her into a deeper relationship with Himself. She would have never become a Proverbs 31 woman without the adversity that God allowed her to face. She was marred in His hands. As a result of the loving touch of the Potter’s hands, she became a masterpiece! Are you on the Potter’s wheel? Be patient. Allow God to mold you. He took you “as is” and He is shaping you for eternal significance. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Categories
Unfailing Love
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” Psalms 51:1 (NIV) David came to the point of desperation after committing the sins of adultery and murder. God used the prophet Nathan to confront David. Nathan used a parable to personalize David’s sin and then injected the piercing accusatory statement, “You are the man!” Have you heard these lyrics before? “It’s me! It’s me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer!” Both David and the prodigal son would have embraced this song. It is common throughout our earthly existence to go through seasons of personalization. In fact, if you want to become Christ-like and reach your God-given potential then you must be willing to acknowledge your sin personally. Personalization is looking into the mirror and confronting the reality of your own sin before you start judging others. The next step is to personalize God’s mercy, unfailing love, and compassion. Now let’s get personal. What specific area of your life is in desperate need of God’s touch? Identify the sin that entangles you and trace Satan’s strategy. How does the enemy attack you? When are you most susceptible to sin? Where are you when you are most vulnerable to the enemy’s flaming arrows? Is it when you travel? Is it when you are home alone? Is it when you are at work? Personalize Psalms 51:1 and pray it to God right now. Go ahead and pray this Scripture and see how God reveals his mercy, unfailing love, and compassion. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Categories
Compelling Love
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:17 (NIV) When you pull up to a traffic signal and notice a man holding a cardboard sign saying, “Need food! Please help!” What kind of thoughts race through your mind? Do you wrestle with the notion to roll down your window and extend a dollar bill or maybe even a five dollar bill? Then again, you may start pondering what he might spend the money on. In your mind you are thinking that he may take the money and go buy alcohol, cigarettes, or a lottery ticket. You question whether he will really use the money to buy food as his sign advertised. Does God expect us to use good judgment? Yes! But, God also expects us to help meet needs. Remember this concept: God does not bless you based on how that person spends the money you give. God blesses you based on your heart in giving to meet needs. John takes the concept of meeting needs into the arena of the family of God. We are to help fellow believers. In fact, if we are unwilling to use the resources God has blessed us with to help a brother in need, then how can the love of God be in us. In other words, God’s love is evidenced as we meet needs. God’s love compels us to be generous. Generosity will not flow naturally. It is a supernatural experience. God has blessed us to be a blessing. Ask God to show you some needs this week that He wants you to meet for His glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Categories
Life Instead
“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.” Mark 15:11 (NIV) Have you ever encountered injustice? Have you ever been treated unfairly? I think we have all been there. It hurts! The scars serve as a constant reminder. In our verse today, we find a word that compels us to contemplate. It is the soothing word, “instead.” Let me take this punishment instead of you. Allow me to receive this penalty instead of you. Jesus will be flogged and crucified instead of Barabbas. The innocent man dies in his place. The guilty man goes free. Jesus receives what he doesn’t deserve while Barabbas receives what he doesn’t deserve. Jesus receives death! Barabbas receives life! Is that justice? Should the guilty go free? It depends who takes the initiative. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”(Rm. 5:8 NIV). Christ died instead of us! Yes, while we were still sinners! How can you demonstrate that kind of love? Who in your sphere of influence needs to know what “instead” looks like? Forgive instead of holding a grudge. Show acceptance instead of forging a gap. Offer help instead of ignoring the need. Appreciate Jesus instead of taking Him for granted. It’s your move! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Heb 13:16 (NIV) Be intentional. What moves the heart of God? What brings God pleasure? What makes God smile? Doing good and sharing with others! We have the freedom to choose to do good or to exit from the highway of holiness. We can embrace God’s best or settle for less. The choice is ours to share with others or to operate in the currency of selfishness. God is pleased when we choose to do good and to share with others. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Romans 14:17-18 (NIV) “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” 1 Thess 4:1 (NIV) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 (NIV) Live your life with intentionality. Abandon to God’s will. Surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Love God and love others. Serve God by serving others. Put the needs of others before your own. Share Christ faithfully. Give sacrificially. Trust completely. Express God’s love intentionally. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Categories
Intentionality
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:4 (NIV) Bloom where God has planted you. Are you radiating God’s light right where you are? Do those in your sphere of influence know who you are and whose you are? Maybe you are in a very difficult environment. Maybe you have been placed in a dark and dreadful situation. Instead of asking God why, ask God what He would like to do in you and through you right where you are. God allowed persecution to come to the church at Jerusalem which scattered them throughout Judea and Samaria. Notice how the spread of the Gospel is directly proportionate to the commission of Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV) Sometimes God has to allow difficulties to come into our lives in order for us to move out of our comfort zone. God’s passion is for the world to know Jesus personally and intimately. You are His ambassador. You are His missionary. You are now entering the mission field. Be intentional. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care
Categories
Intentionality
“The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:34-35 (NIV) Be intentional! Make a bee-line to the cross! Maximize the opportunities that God brings to you each day. Don’t minimize your participation in God’s activity. Can God accomplish His plan without you? Sure He can! However, God chooses to use human instrumentality in the redemptive process. God chose to use Philip in bringing salvation to the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was available, sensitive, and intentional. It is not enough to just make yourself available. It is not enough to be sensitive to opportunities God interjects into your path. You must be willing to intentionally point people to Jesus. Every interaction and every interruption in life can be used of God to bring people into a vibrant love relationship with Jesus. Don’t miss the opportunity! Seize the moment! Be intentional! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care