Have you been ‘burned’ by people?  You are not alone, we all have.  But instead of being consumed by it, God tells you to forgive it and let it go.  Let it go means you do not deny your feelings but you do not let your feelings control you.  You don’t stew over it and relive it and talk about it to everybody you see at Wal Mart.  Hebrews 12:15 NLT says to “Watch out that no (bitter) root…grows up (among) you”.  If you are struggling with bitterness, do these three things:

1. Forgive-forgiveness that is not based on emotion.  Don’t wait until you feel like it, decide today to let that offense go!
2. Pray about it.  The moment that you begin to pray about it, is the moment you begin to overcome the temptation to retaliate.
3. Think scripturally-Look up every possible verse you can find on showing forgiveness and meditate on them.

Having been in church all of my life, I have heard and seen everything when it comes to attitudes about serving (trust me I am not excluding my own attitude from this evaluation)! I know we are all tempted to think of serving as a “Got to”! Be honest, have you ever caught yourself saying “I got to teach the kids” or “I got to drive the van” or “I got to go to church” or “I got to go to choir practice”, etc. You get the idea! If your serving has become a “got to”, it’s time for an AA, attitude adjustment. Change your “got to” to a “get to”! Think and say, “I get to go to church”, “I get to teach kids”, “I get to drive the van”, “I get to give my tithe”! Serving God is always a “get to”! A “get to” says to God that you are thankful for the opportunity and that it is an honor to serve! “Get to” says you are happy to serve and it is with a grateful heart! A “get to” is contagious and motivates others to desire to “get to”! Let’s get our “get to” on and get the job done with an attitude of gratitude that’s says to God and the world watching that we “get to” and not “got to”! I get to serve God, say it and see how it motivates your work for God! Hey, try it on your job and family and other activities and let me know what you think?

Over the past few years we have seen the progression of television picture quality move from black and white to HDTV with 3D.  I want to encourage the church and leadership to move to 3D church.  Let me explain what  I mean by 3D:

• Discipleship Church-Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations!  Jesus knew that His church would grow through discipleship.  Discipleship is the church multiplying.  Leaders that develop followers add but leaders that develop leaders multiply.
• Doctrinal Church-Sound biblical doctrine is a core value-Biblical principles are taught and given priority.  The word of God is held in the highest regard and scripture and application is practiced and preached!
• Difference making Church-a church that goes beyond convenience and comfort to covenant commitment.  A church that delights in the Lord and determines to be HIS ambassadors and reps in the world!   A salt and light church that is making a difference in the world one life at a time!  A church that is a conscience in its community! A church that God uses to bring conviction of sin and conversion from sin to salvation!

I am so overjoyed to belong to Bethel Church which is striving to be a 3D church so that people can see Jesus clearer and closer than ever.  I encourage every church to commit to becoming a 3D church.