Growin' Up Gregory

How strong is your faith?  Do you have the kind of faith that can cast out demons or move mountains?  In Mark 9, Jesus cast a demon out of a demon after the disciples had been unable to do so (verses 28-29).  In Matthew 17:20-21, Jesus tells the disciples that even with faith the size of a mustard seed we could move mountains!  I use these examples to show that are clearly different levels and strengths of faith.  Given this sort of power, it's difficult to hide it (though many Christians do).  Our faith flows out into actions and deeds done for the glory of God.  James 2:17 states "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  So let's take a look at how faithful people follow God and see where we are measuring up. 1.  Faithful people follow.  - Ahaz served as king for 16 years and had not been a godly leader.  "Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the...

I was out of town yesterday so didn't get to post.  But hopefully this will help me be more ready to worship this morning at church. 7.  Be grace-filled.  Be grateful and graceful.  You have seen God working in your life and the lives of others.  Don't keep it to yourself.  Share it with all who will listen, specially your flock. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 - J.L. Schmidt So many times Christians seem to want to se keep Jesus a secret.  We all say that we don't but our actions tend to show otherwise.  How quick are you to tell someone about the latest celebrity or political scandal?  Or the most recent arrest around town?  Or even the biggest local rumor?  Versus how quick are we to tell others about Jesus Christ?  The Bible is messy, it contains scandal, government oppression, political tensions, beat...

6.  Be ministry-focused.  We live among people who long to see miracles, yet some days just being alive is a miracle unfolding.  We don't need a rainbow or a blooming flower or a healing every day to know God is there.  Those things are important, but reverently share you everyday awe as well. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace.  By it, we my serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe." - Hebrews 12:28 - J.L. Schmidt Take a few minutes today or this weekend to see the "small" miracles in life.  Enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass, the sunshine (hopefully), or others.  It doesn't always have to be the most beautiful sunrise or sunset over a majestic scene to get us to focus on God.  He's performing miracles around us all the time.  The light turning red forcing you to stop and be late going somewhere may actually be Him at work saving you from an accident up ahead.  Be thank...

5.  Be prayerful.  Pray for your deacon flock daily, not just when they want something or you perceive a need.  Sentence prayers just asking for an uplifting will be a good start. "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." - Psalms 105:4 - J.L. Schmidt We could all benefit from being prayed for.  We need to pray and thank the Lord and others when times are good and pray for help when times are bad.  There are so many times in the bible where God tells us that he will give to us if we just ask, and we ask him through prayer. I read the following quote last night online: Sad?  Pray. Other thinking?  Pray. Giving up?  Pray. Hurting?  Pray. Depressed?  Pray. Struggling?  Pray. Worried?  Pray.

4.  Be praiseful.  Praise the Lord all day and share that praise with your flock through random calls, written notes, emails, or texts.  Let them know you praise the Lord for them. "From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord's name is to be praise" - Psalms 113:3 - J.L. Schmidt The word praise is defined as:  The act of expressing approval or admiration; the offering of grateful homage in words or song as an act of worship. This one made me look at myself.  Am I being praiseful?  Am I truly letting God know each and every day how thankful I am for his grace and mercy?  Am I stopping throughout the day just to say a quick "thank you" to Him for giving me another day of life?  Am I letting the people in church that I admire, look up to, and respect, know that I am thankful for their prayers and support?  Am I telling my parents, friends, or coworkers who have helped me get to where I am in life today that they have helped ...

3.  Be enthusiastic.  The world doesn't need any more doom and gloom.  React positively and enthusiastically when appropriate.  Share that enthusiasism with your coworkers, family, pastors, fellow deacons, and church members. "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for me." - Colossians 3:23 - J.L. Schmidt Too often, we only see the down side of things.  My roof is leaking, my car broke down, my supper is burnt, work is stressful, the preacher talked too long.  What if we were thankful for having a house, having a car, having food to eat, having a job, and instead of checking the clock we were so caught up in the message we didn't even realize what time it was.  Does anyone ever complain when a sporting event goes into overtime? We all feed off other people's energy so react in a positive way and have some excitement today, "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it" - Psalms ...

2.  Be encouraging.  Remember that you may be the only Jesus someone sees today.  Be encouraging to fellow believers, family members, your deacon flock, fellow deacons, and pastors. "But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception" - Hebrews 3:13 - J.L. Schmidt Today's tip for worship doesn't really need any explaining, just remembering to take the time to say an encouraging word to someone today.  Encourage someone in your home, someone at work, and someone you just cross paths with today. If you really want to challenge yourself, how about saying an encouraging word to someone you don't really get along with well or someone you don't particularly like.  You never know, it may change your relationship and possibly even their life if they can see Jesus in you.

I've read an article the last week or so called "A Disciplined Life of Worship" by J.L. Schmidt and I'd like to share the seven points he makes in it over this coming week. The article is written to help us focus on worship daily...not just Sunday mornings. 1. Be Jesus minded. Imagine driving as if you were driving with Jesus. Interact with your boss and coworkers as if Jesus is in the room (because He is). Eat lunch as if Jesus were at the table. Make it a Jesus habit. Taking our everyday, ordinary life and putting it before God as if we were doing everything for Jesus is an offering! "Therefore, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory" - 1 Corinthians 10:31 Take a few minutes to pray and just prepare yourself to worship Christ this morning before getting in church. If that means stopping to pray and be still and quiet for 5 mins and that makes you 5 mins late for church, then it may make your wors...

Many, if not all, of the problems in the world today could be solved if we would simply put Christian principles into our daily lives.  Think about it.  If we would just follow the Ten Commandments, how much better of a world would it be?  And learning them doesn't even mean digging very deep into the Bible.  You can study all the principles that we should use for taking care of the poor or sick, to respecting others, etc.  But in order for these things to actually take place we have to: 1 - Receive Christ Jesus as Lord 2 - Live our lives rooted in him (and his Word) 3 - Strengthen our faith thru reading the Bible (Romans 10:17), prayer (Matthew 17:20-21), obedience (Luke 17:7-10), and placing our faith in the right thing (John 14:6) 4 - For younger people to live a proper lifestyle they must be TAUGHT by their parents how to live.  Your kids will do what you do.  If you go to church, they will, if you work, they will.  But if you commit crime...