Growin' Up Gregory

Some people don't come to church because they say that the church is full of sinners. Well guess what, those people are right. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". ALL, not some, that means me, you, your 6th cousin, your nephew's 3rd cousin's aunt's uncle, all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If that's the case then why go to chur ch? When you get dirty, what do you do? Most people would answer take a shower. Sin is just like dirt and grime that comes into our lives. And guess what, they actually have something that will clean that away, and it's not on those 3AM infomercials, plus it really is free shipping and handling! The only thing that can wash away sin is the blood of Jesus. Romans 5:8 tells us "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us". So if I'm such a sinner why do I go to church? Because I need help.

Lord, Forgive me for the things I take for granted.  I don't mean food in the fridge, my job, my family and friends, though at times I do take them for granted too.  But I mean for the little things, the ability to walk, the gifts of sight and hearing, the ability to talk and communicate with others, and the chance to be on this earth for another day with my loved ones.  Seeing the challenges some people at the Miracle League face on daily basis is extremely humbling and really puts into place the circumstances that I often consider to be bad or tough times.  I complain because I'm stressed at work...but I have a job.  I complain because I've said something unintentional to upset my pregnant wife...but I'm blessed with the ability to talk and with a wife.  I complain because my back hurts from some new exercise...but I can walk to the car without assistance.  Please give me the strength and knowledge to always be focused on you and all that you have blessed me with

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord of me his prisoner.  Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." - 2 Timothy 1:7-8 A few years ago, okay about 10 or 15 years ago, the shirts and stickers with "No Fear" on them were popular.  How many of us as Christians truly have no fear as we walk thru our daily lives?  I'm not talking about a fear of spiders or snakes or something like that.  I mean a fear of sharing the gospel, and our testimony with others.  It's not easy because we don't always know how it will be received but there are multiple places in the scripture where it tells us that suffering for God is gain.  None of us can go out and make someone get saved, nor are we capable of saving anyone ourselves.  Our call as Christians is to simply plant the seed.  Some people will be the dry hard soil, but others w