Multiplying

    While in school, I did well in most subjects. I enjoyed reading and social studies as I liked stories and learning about other people's lives. My least favorite subject was probably math. I did well enough in it, but I did not enjoy having to learn all the formulas and such. Math is important as God created it and it tells us things about him and the world. But there's one area of math that is very important: multiplying

   Why multiplying? One of the most well-known verses in the Bible is the great commission. It tells us to go into the world and make disciples. We, as Christians, are called to multiply. We are to spread the good news of the gospel to others so the body of Christ can grow. Just think if you spread the news to one person, one becomes two. Then if you both share the good news, two becomes four. Then four becomes eight and so on. That's how the body grows by making disciples.

   But it does not end there. If we don't continue to get into the word and grow in God, then we are in danger of dividing. I've heard and seen many people who leave the church over arguments, offense, or just because they felt like they didn't belong. Would that happen if we were in the word and believed what God said? It may still happen because of the devil, but I think it would be less likely. It is vital that we guard ourselves against division. Yes, we may disagree on certain things. But, as Christians, we can all agree about what Jesus did for us on the cross and that he is Lord and Savior.

   So, are you doing as you are called and trying to multiply God's kingdom? Are you in danger of division at church?

Changing Seasons

    One day I was listening to a podcast and the speaker was talking about how God doesn't call us to be safe. I got to thinking about that and I thought about all the events of the Bible and the people who lived through those events. Most of the time those people were not safe in whatever situation they were in; at least they were not safe according to the way of the world.

   Then I thought about how sometimes I crave adventure. How I get tired of the mundaneness of life. And then I remember times when I was asked to do something new. When I was asked to do something uncomfortable, I got scared. I was scared because that new thing was unsafe. 

   Here's the thing: we are not called to be safe, but we are safe in what God calls us to do. It's an incredible balance where we need to not let the season of life, we are in get to us. There will be times where we are thrust into action and there will be times where we are bored. The choice we have is what we do in those seasons.

   If you are in a season of mundane, you can ask God if this is where he wants you. If he has something more for you, or if this is where you are meant to be. Sometimes God asks us to just be. To do the typical routine and that's enough because you are working for him in that season.

   If you are in a season of adventure, you can continue talking with God to ensure you are in his will. You can call on him for help. You can know that with him on your side, even if the adventure gets scary, he is with you and will not let you fall.

   So, what season are you in right now? How can you trust God no matter what season you are in?

Home: Encanto Series

    If I were to ask you where is the place where you are most comfortable in the whole world, what would you say? I am sure many of you would say: your home. Home is the place in the world where you have the most control. You decide what it looks like, what you eat, when you do things, etc. The writer of the song "Colombia, Mi Encanto" talks about how he loves his home in the last song in the movie Encanto.

   We probably love our homes too. We love how home reminds us of family, warmth, love, and so much more. Yet, for some, home doesn't bring up these feelings. For some people home brings up hurt feelings, pain, and sorrow. Others have never had a place where they call home.

   Whichever camp you land in, I have good news for you. Wherever you think of when you hear the word home on earth isn't your real home. In John 14:2 Jesus tells us "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" Our home is not on this earth. Our home is in heaven.

   When we feel out of place, lonely sad, scared, etc. We can have hope in God. God loved us so much that he wanted to be with us. He sent his son to die for us so we could be home with him.

   So, as we close this series, I encourage you to remember that we can see God in all things on earth (whether in depravity or in creativity). I encourage you to think about where you are headed when you die. Where is your home? How can you help others get home?

 

We Are All Loved: Encanto Series

    There are times we feel like we are not special or unique. But God made us all different. He made us all for a purpose. This is what the song "All of You" is about in Encanto. Mirabel is the only member of her family without a special gift. Yet, she still works hard to help her family.

   Mirabel may not have a gift that seems like a superpower, but she does have a gift. Actually, she has multiple gifts. She is an encourager, she's creative, she's loving, caring, strong, and so much more. Without her, the family would have cracked under pressure and lost the miracle. She reminded them that they were all special and loved even without their gifts from the miracle.

   1 Peter 4:20 says: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." Because of God's grace and love, we are saved. He wants none to perish and he lets us be a part of his story. He gives us unique gifts and missions so that all may come to know him. 

   This means that not only are we unique and have gifts but anyone we meet is as well. God loves everyone and that's what we are called to do as well. We are to celebrate our differences and love others no matter what they do or say. That's the serving part in 1 Peter 4:20. We are not given gifts to glorify ourselves. We are given gifts to reflect God's glory.

   So, are you showing love to others? Are you using your gifts to reflect God's glory? How can you show love today?