So I thought I’d share the 7 deadly sins of Easter outreach…

1. Pride – Don’t simply expect people to show up to your church on Easter. Humble yourself enough to use every means available to invite them.

2. Lust – Don’t simply desire to make people just another “butt in the seat”. These are people with hurts, hangups, problems, and addictions. Love them by sharing an Easter message that connects with them.

3. Envy – Don’t be upset because another church is doing something you can’t do. Focus on what you can do with excellence. Celebrate that we’re all on the same team and all seeking to reach people for the kingdom!

4. Greed – When a church isn’t honest about who they can and cannot reach, they get greedy. They think they’re going to reach everyone and all they end up doing is wasting money.

5. Gluttony – Focus on who you’re most equipped to reach and those most likely to stay. If you do, your church will be healthier and

6. Anger – Don’t be mad at people for being sinners. They don’t know any better. Instead, share a message of hope for sinners. That’s the beauty of the Gospel.

7. Sloth – Don’t be lazy! The time to get up and start planning to reach your community is now! Don’t delay one more second!
Article by Bob Franquiz

“A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up.

He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first let me do this. He proceeded to crumple the $20 dollar bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what was done to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

“Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless.

“But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. God’s love for you will not change, you are loved unconditional. You will always be valued and loved in the eyes of God.

The dangerous assumption in today’s culture is that we unknowingly accept that our greatest asset is our own ability.  Please do not misunderstand me,  I believe Philippians 4:13 but the key is through Christ.  Often we are tempted to take credit for our accomplishments but the truth is we cannot accomplish anything of value apart from God.  I have found that God puts me intentionally in situations where I come face to face with my desperate need for him.  According to scripture God actually delights in exalting our inability.  In this process God makes it clear that with man this is impossible so in the end when it is accomplished God makes known the glory of His name.  Herod blew it when he tried to steal God’s glory and the worms came and ate his flesh.  Nobody takes God’s glory and gets by with it! Our greatest asset is the ability of God in us!

I am so in awe of my God and I love bragging on Jesus, so here it goes. This past Christmas Day was so priceless for me. First of all, I had the privilege to preach God’s word on Christmas Day and to look and see God’s house full of worshippers who were more interested in His Presence than in their presents. Secondly to have four hands raised during the invitation to pray the sinners prayer. God ceases not to amaze me with His love and mercy for His created image! Thirdly, I was blessed to hold my six week old little great niece, Laney. She is so precious and loves her g uncle Steve! Jesus my Savior, my BC family and my domestic family have made a three fold cord that are responsible for another Amazing Christmas! Thank you and I love you all!

The true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Our greatest need as humans is salvation from our sins and there is only one who qualifies to satisfy the justice of God in regard to our sins. The one and only is Jesus. Jesus is the center of it all. He is the main event from the cradle, the crowd, the cross and the crown. It is all about Jesus! He is the alpha and the omega and everything in between. Make sure you don’t put Jesus out in the cold like the inn keeper, who had no room. Put Jesus in the center of your life everyday and let everything revolve around him.
A father wanted to read the paper, but was being bothered by his little daughter, Vanessa. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his magazine, on which was printed the map of the world. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Vanessa, and said, “Go into the other room and see if you can
put this together.” After a few minutes, Vanessa returned and handed him the map correctly fitted together. The father was surprised and asked how she had
finished so quickly.
“Oh,” she said, “on the other side of the paper was a picture of Jesus.
When I got Jesus in His place, then the world came out all right.”
Christmas is only right when we get Jesus right, at the center of it all!
Merry Christmas to all!

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.