Thanksgiving comes early

I know it’s early in November, but it’s just not too early to be grateful. After reading Psalm 100, please take a few moments to praise and thank God. Keep it going all day.

When you notice something you’re thankful for, tell Him!

“On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.

For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.” (Psalm 100:1-5 MSG)

Christ displaces worry!

I don’t know what you’re worried about, but the answer is the same in every situation. The answer is Jesus. Sound cliched? Trite?

Read the following words, turn your worry into prayer and watch Jesus come to the rescue.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-7 MSG)

Who wants to hear these words???

Whether it’s our time, money, abilities or other resources God blesses us with, we are charged to be managers of God’s stuff. We’re challenged to use it all in a way that will help make a difference for others lasting for eternity!

Part of what we looked at this past weekend at Community was Jesus’ story about being a faithful manager. We focused on the one that blew the test, but here’s what he said to the two servants who were good managers of the master’s money.

Can’t wait to hear these words one day:

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matthew 5:21 NLT)

Heart Attack

According to Jesus, our money and our heart are closely connected. If that’s true (and I’m not going to question Jesus) then many people are having a heart attack right now.

What I mean by that is simple. Our money troubles, debt, stress and lack of contentedness are creating a huge heart issue for millions of Americans. The good news is this: God has a plan to heal our heart!

Please take a moment and pray about your heart, your devotion to God and your willingness to follow him completely…even with your finances.

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. … No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” (Matthew 6:21, 24 NLT)

Thriving

Thriving is the result of great choices. Thriving is what happens when we are truly rooted in or connected to God. This DAILY choice is the most significant choice we can make. Making the right choice or not is what is described so eloquently in Psalm 1.

“How well God must like you—you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust—Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.

God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.” (Psalm 1:1-6 MSG)