In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7

A contradiction in the bible. Not in my opinion. We usually don’t think of lavish and wisdom in the same breath or at least I don't. Lavish means you are giving more than is necessary or giving it freely. In this tight economy, when we think of wisdom, we think of using the bare minimum. To lavish seems to be wasting, and wasting is not wise. Especially when God is lavishing something on us. From every perspective, it seems like we’re a bad investment. What can we actually give God that He doesn't already have? It can be easy to feel like we are a waste of God’s resources or grace when we constantly keep blowing it. But that’s not how God sees it. God in effect says to every one of us: No. You’re a good investment from my perspective. I think you’re worth it. I’m not lavishing my grace on you because I don’t know how bad you are. I’m lavishing my grace on you because of how good I am. And because I know how great you can be. And I’m doing it with all wisdom.”

God doesn’t waste anything. There isn’t one drop of blood or one forgiven sin He wishes He could have back. Even when it applies to you. There will never be a moment where God has second thoughts about whether He should have lavished His grace on humanity. Even when it applies to you. The reason God’s pouring out on us looks like foolishness is because all we see is who we were and who we are. God, on the other hand, already knows what we will become. In this life and in the next. And He knows that the only way we’re going to become it is by His GRACE. His continuing grace. And that’s why He’s wise to give it. I admit that I am truly unworthy of anything from God, but I am so so glad he sees otherwise.



Till next time

tc

One of the biggest critiques of the American Church today is that many of them seem to be malnourished. Some would even say it’s our most pressing problem.

When most say this, their focus is usually on the worship experience. That problem we at LCWM just don't have at all. But,from people that I know ,they tell me, they hear “I didn't getting fed.” Or, “I just want some deeper teaching.” From people outside these churches you hear,“too much milk, not enough meat.”

In some cases, I’m sure it just might be true. But I really don’t think that’s the real problem. Yes, I do think American Christians are malnourished. But I don’t believe it has anything to do with milk or meat.

Most American Christians aren’t malnourished because of what they’re getting fed on Sunday at all. They’re malnourished because they don’t feed themselves Monday through Saturday.

So you had filet mignon on Sunday and learned about the union of Christ and the church as it relates to the rapture and the design of the tabernacle in relation to Levitical dietary laws as understood by the Council of Trent. BAM. Good for you. Have fun starving yourself the rest of the week and letting your pastor read the Bible so you don’t have to. WHAT? Did I just call you lazy? YEP and your priorities are in the wrong place bro. or sis.

The crisis facing the church today isn’t what people are getting fed on Sundays. It’s what they’re not feeding themselves the rest of the days. Who really cares whether you consume meat or milk on Sunday if it’s the only meal you have all week?

I’m not saying this to get pastors and churches off the hook. It is the shepherd’s job to feed the sheep (John 21). And feed them well based on their needs and faith development. But it’s also the sheep’s job to eat: Let's look at it like this,ok ?

13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:13-14

See, it's right in the bible, another BAM. Here’s the point. Churches: we have a responsibility. Churches should serve up the Word, hot and fresh every single Sunday. Church Leaders, it is our job to create and sustain processes and systems that responsibly enable people to grow in their faith after receiving Christ. The church and it's leaders should be sharing their philosophy and approach of how they do that. If they don't, then they just might not have a plan or a vision.

People in our churches: you also have a responsibility. If you refuse to study the Word, apply it, pray some during the week, join a small group and dig deeper with others, there’s not much we can do to help you. Your malnourishment won’t be cured by anything we give you on Sunday.

So are you an infant and need milk? Drink it for now, but the only way you’re getting more mature and will be ready for meat is by training yourself. Constantly. Do you want meat?

Spend time with God each and every day and place the correct priorities in their proper places.

till next time, peace

tc

It's only time.

Why are people always in a hurry. Running behind as usual. Is life supposed to be this way?
People never enjoying the journey to get to where they are going. All the missed opportunities along the way.

So that begs the question. How do we get so busy that we over book ourselves or we just haven't learned to say no.
Many times in life we say yes to good things and therefore leaving no time to the better things. Eternal things. Things that have eternal rewards.

I remember back not too too long ago and I would say yes to EVERYTHING. Wrong move. It seems like I was about to fall off a cliff and I woke up. Since that day, I ask myself, do I have time for this or not. Ya see, Jesus needed J time "Jesus aka Daddy time" when He needed recharging or just clarity on His Fathers wishes, we call that God's will. I have heard thousand of people say, " I want to be safe right in the middle of God's will for my life". And several times I have asked they did they have any idea of what they just said. After I explained it they were like woo I had no idea. You see, God requires SURRENDER and most if not all of us, are still working on that, I know I am.

So with all this words said so far, I have to ask you these questions. Because the Bible tells us to examine ourselves and YOU probably have not done that in a very long time. So here we go, and i will go from #5 to the top question of #1.

#5 - Do you read your bible daily, maybe even a devotional? Yes /No

#4 - Are you plugged in to local church? I mean INVOLVED, not just sit on the back row and make a fast exit. Yes / No

#3 - Do you pray at least daily? I mean a no selfish prayer and pray for others? Yes / No

#2 - Have you ever accepted Christ as Lord and Savior? Yes / No

#1 - Do you TRULY love Jesus? Yes / No He asked Peter that question multiple times.


If you were honest with your answers, that LIGHT BULB, should have gone off over your head.

So re-evaluate your priorities and give your time and attention to First Jesus, then let good works follow that have eternal meaning.And, if you need eternal things to do, email me at tim@lifechurchconnect.com , I have plenty of ideas to share.

till next time, peace

tc

God's is not mad at you.

I heard a different message from our Worship Leader. Keith Adams, at Life Church tonight and it got me thinking about something He said. "God's is not mad at you."
Many people have a warped view of God’s reaction to our sin.
They think that if God is disciplining them, He’s out to get them. They’ve walked away from God, so now He’s paying them back. Getting even. Settling the score.
God doesn’t discipline us to pay us back but to bring us back.
To our senses.
To the life we were saved for.
To Him.
One of the most unloving things God could do would be to allow you to live in sin and operate under the illusion that you’re still close to Him. Now one of the most loving things God can do is to BUST YOU in your sin. Then to make you realize just how far away you are from him. To get you to see just how far you’ve drifted, and how desperately you need to come back.
That's why sometimes God will discipline us. He will accept your momentary pain for your eternal pleasure. He doesn’t have a vendetta. He’s not trying to settle scores and He’s not trying to pay us back.
God’s wrath is satisfied.
The score was settled on the cross.
What payment does He have to gain from us that Jesus hasn’t already given to Him?
If you’re a Christian, there is absolutely no wrath left for you. The only thing remaining is God’s loving discipline. If you’re experiencing that right now, God doesn’t hate you. He is just trying to bring you back to Him.

till next time,
tc