We are in the middle of a series of messages entitled, “Getting Calvary Back on Track.” Yes, I believe we have gotten off track. We have put way too much focus on budgets, buildings, programs and problems. The result is that we have become the focus instead of God. God has given us but one target and that is to glorify Him. Budgets, buildings and programs and problems are a part of our lives, but God never intended them to be the focus. He must be the focus. Everything must run through the filter of the glory of God.

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

We know that verse, believe that verse, but do we practice it? Absolutely everything we do, every conversation, every bite, every action, every thought and every move must be focused on representing God in an honoring way. Now the question is, “If the glory of God is our destination then how do we get the train there?” I’m so excited about the next messages I’ll be sharing with you on Sunday morning because those messages answer that question.

This Sunday I’ll be preaching about Gather. Gathering is one of the ways we honor God. It is necessary and biblical. We see the early believers consistently gathering together to honor God through worship. We also see the tendency of some to neglect the gatherings:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

So I want to encourage you, not berate you to join us Sunday as we gather together to glorify God through worship.

Grace & Peace,

I don’t want anyone to come to the end of their life and realize that they’ve thrown it all away. What I mean by this is that I want our lives to count for something that will last for eternity.

“Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV)

This verse is packed with so much great truth. It’s comforting to know that we actually have a shot at doing something that God wants us to do. Instead of living selfishly God does have a plan for each of us that will put us on a path that is meaningful.

This verse also teaches us that this path is not automatic. We have to “try to understand.” We have a choice to make. Finding what God wants us to do is going to take some effort. The Christian life is not like getting to the top of a hill and then coasting all the way to heaven. The life God has called us to live is filled with intention. It must become our aim to live careful lives, not careless lives. We are going to need to put into place some good habits to replace some not so good habits.

Three good habits I shared with you on Sunday morning:

Here is some help with number 3…

“Lord, I have heard the news about you; I am amazed at what you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time; make those things happen again in our own days.” (Habakkuk 3:2 New Century Version)

Spend time every day with this verse. Write it on a 3”x5” card and carry it everywhere you go. Put the verse in your phone and set a reminder that will have it pop up every day at a specific time. Pray that verse, begging God to do today what He has done in the past; make it a prayer for you personally, your family, the church, and the world. Let’s make our lives count!

Grace & Peace,

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,