Do you Show Favoritism?

Do you show favoritism? Jesus didn't. He hung out with the sinners, the lepers, the lowly, the crippled, the poor, the tired, the uneducated, the despised, the rejects of society. Why shouldn't we?

I once heard a pastor say that he does not follow up with visitors to his church who don't fit into his target demographic. WHAT????

But another pastor, who made it his mission to knock on EVERY door in his community, came to a house that was little more than a run-down shack. He almost passed by, attempting to convince himself that no one lived there, but the Holy Spirit said, "Knock." (Go out into the highways and byways) An old woman dressed in dirty, worn-out clothes answered the door. She was not a Christian and he shared with her the FACT that Jesus loved her and wants to save her.

He invited her to visit his church. She CAME! She came the next Sunday as well, perhaps because no one ever showed her any attention or unconditional love. In fact, it was clear to all that she could give nothing to the church. The next Sunday, she accepted Christ and told the pastor that she wanted HIM to baptize her. He did that Thursday night with a great celebration. (All of heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents!)

On Saturday she died. On Monday that pastor conducted her funeral, and instead of it being a funeral by which many would wonder what her final destination was, the pastor boldly proclaimed that she was now in the presence of her Savior, and that she would one day be given a white robe, and a new name, and a mansion in the sky!

All because one pastor refused to show favoritism. May the Lord grant all of us eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to touch, and hearts to feel EVERY person's need! What a day of rejoicing it will be...

Dish Out

Are YOU a doer of the Word?

It's one thing to know what God's Word says. It's quite another to do it. Paul would say, "What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." After he goes through a process of recognizing the inner and outer forces diametrically opposed in his life, he concludes with a cry, "What a wretched man that I am!"

As we continue our study in James this weekend, he reminds us that we are not to "merely listen to the word," but to "do what it says." Thanks James. I wish I could get by with just agreeing with God's Word. Actually doing it is the key.

Come on out this Sunday and examine with us the steps to being a reflector of God's Word!

What a challenge but what a joy sits waiting for those who learn the art of hiding God's Word in their hearts!

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The Devil Made me do it...

Is that so?

The devil can tempt you. That is true. He can even try to seduce you. He can even pose the opportunity for you to sin. But here is freedom...

The devil can't MAKE you do ANYTHING!

He is powerless to drag you into sin yourself. Only you can drag yourself into sin. But in the depraved mind of the human being, it just feels a lot better blaming it on someone else. And nobody is going to argue with the sinister character of the devil. After all, Jesus called him the "father of lies."

But, if we can't blame the devil, then what can we do? How can one truly resist temptation? The fact is that we all fall from time to time - Governor Sanford, Tiger Woods, Bernie Maddoff, John Gosselin, Charlie Sheen, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Winona Ryder, and Lindsey Lohan can all attest to that!

This week, we explore the topic of temptation and learn from the Word how to resist it and experience the victory that only God can provide. I hope this blog tempts you to visit C3 this weekend!

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How do You React to Trials

At C3, we are beginning a new series entitled "Get Real...people are watching." In this first message tomorrow, we will see what the Bible has to say about the trials of life.

You know the old saying from Epictetus: "It's not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters."

Jesus said, "The rain falls on the just and the unjust." The point is that trials come to all of us. The key is how you react to those trials, troubles, tribulations, and tests.

So, we turn to the letter written by Jesus' half brother to learn the secret! Join us for what proves to be an eye-opening and fear-conquering message from God's Word tomorrow.

Oh, and if you have that whole reacting to trials down pat, join us next week to learn how to resist temptation. That should prove to be a real learning opportunity!

Dish Out