Be a Beautiful Messenger that Shares the Word of God

Be The Voice

 I believe in God, so I spoke. – 2 Corinthians 4:13

Tell people of the greatness of God and how you have been saved by Him. Tell people how God has shown up in your life.

Be a Minister

It is not enough to say that you are religious. You have to live your faith. – James 1:26-27

 The world needs to see how you love. Jesus gave us all the same instructions – to love one another.

Use the 3 H’s:

1.     HEART: What’s weighing on your heart to do?

2.     HEAD: What is your strategy to do something about it?

3.     HANDS: Now, go do it!

Bring Glory to God

 Be happy and grateful and let the world see it. – 2 Corinthians 4:6 

Show your faith through good deeds. – James 2:18

Celebrate the gifts of this life granted to us by God. Love God and love your neighbors.

From Pain to Purpose: How God Can Transform Our Lives and Use Our Struggles for His Glory

God wants to take our worst and give us Joy, Beauty, and Praise. – Isaiah 61:3

 God’s Exchange #1: Old for New

Anyone who is with Christ is a new person. All things are made new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

We need to embrace the new life we live under the promise of God’s joy. If we fall, we must get up. This life is a gift from God.

God plans great things through us. God has given us the task of bringing people to him, especially those only you can reach. Envelop them into God’s joy.

God’s Exchange #2: Weakness into Strength

 You must prevent pride in your own accomplishments. Pride will destroy. – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

God’s grace empowers us to overcome all weakness. Celebrate your weakness; know that God will bring success to your life when you follow his guidance.

 Seek continual renewal. Own your failures; do not cover them up. Let God cover them up.

 For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 We are a work in progress always.

God’s Exchange #3: Our Pain for His Purpose

Do not copy the customs of this world; let God change you. – Romans 2:12

God will transform you by changing the way you think. He will help you to learn and know his will for you. His purpose for you will be perfect.

A Vision for My Faith Community:

 Know God, relationally

Find Freedom, entirely

Discover Purpose, gracefully

Make a Difference, collectively

The Power of Words: How They Shape Our Lives and Influence Others

Words Have Power

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. – Proverbs 18:21 

Pay attention to your words. They have power.

For out of abundance of your heart will come out of your mouth. – Matthew 12:34

 Guard your lips by guarding your heart. Guard your heart by guarding your mind.

We take every though captive into the obedience of Christ. Fight with the Word of God. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Always ask yourself: is the thought from God? If the answer is no, then destroy it.

 Shut Your Mouth – Do Your Job

 Those who control their tongues will live a long life. – Proverbs 13:3-4

Let your words give grace to those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29

We will be held accountable for every careless word. The words can acquit you or condemn you. – Matthew 12:36-37

We have all heard the phrase, “actions speak louder than words.” So, remember that those who work hard will prosper. Be slow to speak and quick to listen.

 Speak the Word

 Man shall live by every word from the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4

Your Word is a lamp onto my feet and a light unto my path. – Psalm 119:105

The Word of God is living and effective. – Hebrews 4:12

Listening to and following the Word of God will make us better if we allow it to do so. Believe in the Word of God – allow it to have power in your life. Your spiritual person must be bigger than your natural person.

Break the Curse

 Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, slander, and dirty language. – Colossians 3:8

Words of the wise bring healing. – Proverbs 12:18

Ask the Lord for more wisdom. Allow spiritual lessons to cleanse your heart and your mind with wisdom.

How can one curse those whom God has blessed? How can I condemn those who the Lord has not condemned? – Numbers 23:8

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! – Psalm 107:2

Jesus never reacted to lies and slander; he only responded to truth. A gentle answer turns away wrath and fury. Always declare words of truth and love. Sow truth with the words you allow to come out of your mouth, and you will reap love, wisdom and redemption.

A Reminder of God's Gift of Freedom

The cross is more than a symbol of sacrifice. It is a reminder of the many freedoms given to us by God through his only Son.

Freedom from Sickness and Pain

He bore our sickness, pain and offenses. – Isaiah 53:4-6

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross. – 1 Peter 2:24

By His wounds, we are healed. And you are worthy of this healing, or God wouldn’t have created you.

Look for your own testimonial of how God has provided you with healing and freedom from pain in your life. Seek to share it with others.

Freedom from Sin and Our Past

God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for sin. If you believe, then you are made right. – Romans 3:25

Jesus canceled your past by nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 2:14

The removal and forgiveness of all of your sin was freely given to you by God and His Son. This joyful gift is forever yours to cherish. Acknowledge it and rejoice in it.

Freedom from Chaos

He made peace with everything. – Colossians 1:20

Stress comes from focusing on that which doesn’t truly matter.  Things that are visible are brief and fleeting, while things that are invisible are everlasting. Pray for everything. Make peace in those around you, and you will enjoy everlasting freedom from chaos.

Freedom from Emptiness

Christ lives in me. – Galatians 2:20

If anyone wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34

We live a life of purpose every day. Jesus provides that purpose. Stop looking for the easy way(s) to find fulfillment in your life. The pathway to Jesus is narrow. Say yes to the right things. Keep your focus on Jesus. What you own in this life is there only because it was God’s will.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. – Hebrews 12:2

Jesus found joy in the cross because He knew He’d be at the Right Hand of God. And Mary, even as she experienced the greatest depths of sorrow witnessing her only child die on the cross, she also rejoiced, for she knew what was to come. She and Jesus knew the freedom that He would provide us all in His death.

The Cross: A Symbol of Freedom

When Jesus died on the cross for us, God nailed the sins of our past, emptiness, sickness, pain, and chaos to that cross. This is all our freedom that Jesus has paid for. The cross is a symbol of freedom.

1.Freedom from the Curse

Jesus has rescued us from the curse of the law. The law was the Old Testament. We don’t have to worry about losing God or being punished. Jesus made it so that our salvation is freely given. - Galatian 3:13

Sin is no longer your master. You live under the Freedom of God’s Grace. – Romans 6:14

2. Freedom from Condemnation

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1

You are not good enough, but Jesus is. If we were good enough, God would not have sacrificed his best to provide us with free lives. We are free from the guilt that condemnation brings.

Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. – 1 John 3:20

God did not send Jesus to condemn us. – John 3:17

No one will condemn us because Christ Jesus died for us. – Romans 8:34

Jesus is continually crying out for us. He desires for us to rely on him. When we reach for him, we experience freedom.

3.Freedom from Care

May I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord. – Galatians 6:14

Because of that cross, our interest in this world has been crucified. Jesus releases us from the need of material things. These things don’t make a true difference in our lives.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you. – 1 John 2:15-17

Love God the Father first. The things of this world will fade away but the love of God will be everlasting.

Set your mind on the things above. – Colossians 3:2

Do this and God will use you for good things in your Earthly life.

4.Freedom from Fear

This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged – for God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

There is no fear in perfect love. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears is not perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18

When fear comes, don’t just “faith it out.” Remind yourself of God’s perfect love. Allow God’s love to fill you to drive out fear.

Love is patient, love is kind;
Love endures all things;
Love conquers everything.

Love is God and God is love.