Only God "Gives the Growth

1 Cor. 3:7 - "Neither the one who plants, nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

We may think our journey in faith is the best way to Christ. In the mountains of Colorado there is a canyon road. It begins as a single highway, then splits into two roads that appear to go in different directions. They encircle a mountain ending up at the same place in a state park. Each road is unique showing beautiful terrain and history.

We travel with other believers to a common destination. We are unique creations of God with our own stories and our own paths to walk. We all walk different roads, but Christ brings us all to God.

This was taken from a devotional in the Upper Room.

You Are A Letter Of Christ

2 Cor. 3:3 - "You are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

No matter where you are, you are letters from Christ - to your families, friends, neighbors, the community you live in and to strangers. Letters of encouragement, and love. Letters of introduction about Christ for someone who doesn't know him. Letters of Christ to a world that desperately needs God's love.

The Cross

2 Cor. 11:4 - "Though he was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God."

The cross is the symbol of our faith / Christianity. What does the cross mean? The horizontal beam - reaches out - like God's love. The vertical beam reaches up - as does God's holiness. (width of God's love, height of God's holiness) The cross is the intersection where God forgave His children without lowering His standards.

Devotional from Grace for the moment - Max Lucado

Prayer

Col. 4: 2 - "Continure earnestly, in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."

Early Christians were urged to:

• pray without ceasing (1Thess. 5:17)
• always be prayful (Rom. 12:12)
• pray at all times and on every occasion (Eph. 6: 18)

You may wonder how you can do this with your busy schedual. Does this change your definition of prayer. Think of prayers less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Thank God for being with you every step of each day. He is with you at work, in class, while you shop for groceries, while you watch T.V., etc. God is by your side.

Be Available

Acts 1:8 - Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

When we lived in Columbus, Miss., the neighborhood we lived in was very quiet and safe. Everyone walked around the block, in the evenings, children played, and parents visited. Everyone was outside. We knew each other and cared about each other.

Today most people sit in their backyards surrounded by privacy fences. Rarely do neighbors see each other or visit in this fast pace frantic world. Out of sight, out of mind! We miss opportunites to be a friend to someone who has a need of friendship.

God is always available through His Son Jesus Christ, even in dangerous situations. Christ is always availbalbe to each of us, today and everyday, holding the door of fellowship open. He walks, talks, laughs and cries with us.

We are called to be visible, accessible, to others - in our neighborhoods, churches, schools and workplaces - We are called to be visible, out door, front porch people for all the world.

Spiritual Life

Luke 13: 1-5 These verses are about redemption. Repentance does not inoculate us against trials, tribulations, or tragedy, but in turning - returning - to God, we are able to live with life's uncertainties and unanswered questions. Only by following Jesus, going with him, learning from him, trusting him, do we know truly what repentance and salvation are. Faithful repentance can be an ongoing discipline in our spiritual life.

Waiting for God is an act of obedience. Waiting is about trust in the sovereignty of God. Waiting is a life lived with intergrity to fulfill those expectations. Waiting can bring strength and courage to move into action.

Wait for God (breathe in); be strong (breathe out); take courage (breathe in); wait for God (breathe out)