2014 is history and 2015 will be lived out for the next 361 days. I am so optimistic about the future of Calvary, not because of what we can do, but because of what God can do. I still sincerely believe that the world is looking for God to do something miraculous through His people. That doesn’t necessarily equate to something big or flashy or spectacular. We can’t put the weight of glory on who we are or what we do; we can put the weight of glory on the reputation of God. You see, that is what’s at stake – God’s reputation. As His children we are called upon by God Himself to spread the fame of God where we are. We must glorify God in His church through selfless following; we must glorify God in our homes; we must glorify God at school; we must glorify God at work; we must glorify God when we play. Everything we do is to be done to reflect God’s majestic and marvelous character.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

Will you join me to be a working church striving to honor God in everything? And will you join me in being a praying church asking God to do something that can only be explained by His great and good hand of blessing upon us? If we become a working and praying church, I believe the community will see God in a way they haven’t seen Him for quite a long while. Let’s get ourselves out of the way; let’s put our agendas aside; let’s put our selfish desires in the trash. Let’s roll up our sleeves in selfless servanthood and get on our knees in absolute and utter dependence on God.

I’m praying that 2015 will be a year that we can honestly say we honored God in everything! I love you deeply and desperately. I sincerely want the best for God and you at Calvary. I don’t want people to remember me; I want people to remember our God. Here is a prayer I want us to memorize and pray every day:

“O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2 ESV)

Grace & Peace,

The loudest voices I seem to hear this time of year is about what we can get out of the season. Children are wondering if they are going to get what they’ve been asking for, for the last three months. And moms and dads, we’re wondering if the people in our lives have been paying any attention to the litany of hints we’ve been putting out there about what we want for Christmas. But I just kind of wonder…is this really what Christmas is all about – you know, the decorations, presents, songs, parties, etc.? All these things are nice and we certainly can have some fun with them, but we have to keep in mind that they are all shadows that should point us to the true substance of Christmas: Jesus Christ. And what was Jesus about? The answer to that question would take more space that I have time for, but as I reflect on Christmas I’m thinking that the answer, at least in part, is giving. Jesus came into this world to give Himself for the glory of the Father and the salvation of humanity.

From this we can surmise that believers should follow suit. We are in this world to give. God saved us to give our lives for His glory and for the good of other people. You see, when we got rescued from Satan, evil and death, God also saved us from selfishness. This salvation changed everything. Paul said it best:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

God created His children to be givers, not takers. It is truly not in our new nature to hoard all the stuff of this world, but to give to others willingly, freely, enthusiastically and joyfully. But a problem enters and interrupts this ethic when we listen to the world’s voices and make selfish choices. Now we think Christmas is all about what we can get and not what we can give; and Christmas is just a small snapshot of how we tend to live the rest of the year. I struggle with this, don’t you?

So, I want to encourage all our hearts to think a little differently. Let’s trying to put giving at the top of our lists instead of our wants. Here are some great giving opportunities to prime the pump:

Let’s end 2014 and begin 2015 giving, not taking!

Grace & Peace,