I am putting this here in reguards to the 11 Jan service.
What does it mean to grow? I pursue growth in other areas of my life. At work I take time to read books that further my skills. In the area of music I am being obedient to Gods call to grow by taking drum lessons. But what does it mean to grow spiritually?
I can attend a small group and go to classes, does that help me grow? I know it does, but what does the new growth look like? If the gardener comes back to see if there is growth, what will he be looking for? (Luke 13: 6 –
John 6:28 – 30
Matthew 19: 16 – 26
Sometimes I feel like I am stuck in a loop with God. What must I do? Believe. I believe, what must I do?
Does bearing fruit always look like getting people saved?
I feel like God it telling me that what I have is not for me, challenging me to look beyond myself. I sure don’t know what to do with it though. Do I love my neighbor?
Inside/Outside. When I first saw that on the screen while pastor was preaching, it reminded me of the comment Jesus made to the pharisees about how they would have the outside of their cup clean but inside was all kind of filth. He said to clean first the inside of the cup and the outside will clean itself. Pastor never referred to that but I appreciated how practical and relevant he made it. It was particularly wonderful to have my son, Benjamin there with me. Many of you may have seen him, he was the one who looked like he was a rabi, with the locks and long beard. Ben has been in Israel these last three years and the message really came more alive to me when Ben expounded on it even further with his Jewish and Hebrew knowledge. Now, many have asked me if he has converted to Judaism, implying that he has fallen from the faith. What if he had? Is the response then to avoid him as he was in the service? Or, would it be as Pastor Pete did after the service and sought him out to get to know him? I know he looks odd, he doesn’t dress like “us”. And, maybe because he doesn’t look like us, he isn’t of us. I assure you, he still is a believer. However, I don’t think he will be coming to Real Life Church anytime soon. And, that saddens me. I love him so much. He is a great man of God. But, I’m afraid that because his cup did not look like our cups, he was never given a chance to let anyone know what was in his cup except for Pastor Pete. Though Pastor Pete’s sermons are inspirational and he himself does a wonderful job at receiving strangers, it takes all of us to embrace and draw all men unto Jesus. Ben returned from Israel because He heard from God that I (his mother) needed him home and I did, still do. He would have preferred to stay in Israel, but he came home because God told him to, and he obeyed. Next time there is a stranger in the sanctuary, or even someone you have seen but haven’t talked to yet; would you remember Ben and be reminded that even though his outward appearance may not appeal to you, he still is God’s child whom was sent to our church for us to receive. Who knows, we may be entertaining angels unaware if we do!
I am putting this here in reguards to the 11 Jan service.
What does it mean to grow? I pursue growth in other areas of my life. At work I take time to read books that further my skills. In the area of music I am being obedient to Gods call to grow by taking drum lessons. But what does it mean to grow spiritually?
I can attend a small group and go to classes, does that help me grow? I know it does, but what does the new growth look like? If the gardener comes back to see if there is growth, what will he be looking for? (Luke 13: 6 –
John 6:28 – 30
Matthew 19: 16 – 26
Sometimes I feel like I am stuck in a loop with God. What must I do? Believe. I believe, what must I do?
Does bearing fruit always look like getting people saved?
I feel like God it telling me that what I have is not for me, challenging me to look beyond myself. I sure don’t know what to do with it though. Do I love my neighbor?
I believe, help my unbelief!
Inside/Outside. When I first saw that on the screen while pastor was preaching, it reminded me of the comment Jesus made to the pharisees about how they would have the outside of their cup clean but inside was all kind of filth. He said to clean first the inside of the cup and the outside will clean itself. Pastor never referred to that but I appreciated how practical and relevant he made it. It was particularly wonderful to have my son, Benjamin there with me. Many of you may have seen him, he was the one who looked like he was a rabi, with the locks and long beard. Ben has been in Israel these last three years and the message really came more alive to me when Ben expounded on it even further with his Jewish and Hebrew knowledge. Now, many have asked me if he has converted to Judaism, implying that he has fallen from the faith. What if he had? Is the response then to avoid him as he was in the service? Or, would it be as Pastor Pete did after the service and sought him out to get to know him? I know he looks odd, he doesn’t dress like “us”. And, maybe because he doesn’t look like us, he isn’t of us. I assure you, he still is a believer. However, I don’t think he will be coming to Real Life Church anytime soon. And, that saddens me. I love him so much. He is a great man of God. But, I’m afraid that because his cup did not look like our cups, he was never given a chance to let anyone know what was in his cup except for Pastor Pete. Though Pastor Pete’s sermons are inspirational and he himself does a wonderful job at receiving strangers, it takes all of us to embrace and draw all men unto Jesus. Ben returned from Israel because He heard from God that I (his mother) needed him home and I did, still do. He would have preferred to stay in Israel, but he came home because God told him to, and he obeyed. Next time there is a stranger in the sanctuary, or even someone you have seen but haven’t talked to yet; would you remember Ben and be reminded that even though his outward appearance may not appeal to you, he still is God’s child whom was sent to our church for us to receive. Who knows, we may be entertaining angels unaware if we do!