One’s outlook is made up of one’s consideration, understanding and expectation. These three elements result in a certain outcome. Peter writes to those who are suffering because of their faith and encourages them to have the outlook of a Believer and trust the outcome by considering the following:

Peter encourages his readers to prepare for the best in the worst of times

Marriages aren’t made in heaven; however, they should have a heavenly design. A Godly marriage is a Christ centered marriage. It is not one without challenges, but when they come, He will guide you through to the other side.

Four Key things to remember when walking through life with God

Peter challenges his readers to respond to their salvation by living a life that is different from the world in the following ways.

Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers who were facing trials and persecution. His words offer joy and hope in times of uncertainty. He bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

Dr. John Stott states that the concept of resurrection lies at the very heart of Christianity, and that if you remove it, Christianity is destroyed. With that in mind, let’s examine why the resurrection matters and changes everything.

Zacchaeus’ curiosity led him to climb up in a tree to get away from the crowd and see Jesus. However, he had such a personal encounter with Jesus that it caused him to climb down and take responsibility that led him to action. Let’s examine what it means to be stuck up in a tree and then climb down at the Lord’s bidding.

Jesus responded to the boldness of Bartimaeus’ faith. We too, must overcome our reluctance, fear, and doubt and boldly call on the Name of Jesus.

Leaving Behind Childish Things

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon shows us that we should search for purpose and meaning in life. However, he states that these can’t be found in human endeavors. We must maintain a positive outlook on life and strong faith in God. For us this is found in a deep and meaningful personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

How do I obtain such wisdom? Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commands will grow in wisdom. Psalms 111:10 (NLT)

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 5:1 (NIV)

God has a recipe designed for each of us and time is a key ingredient. He uses the “oven” called life and wants us to experience the gift of the “fullness of life” that Jesus promised in John 10:10.

Solomon summarized all his attempts at finding life’s meaning as “chasing after the wind.” We feel the wind as it passes, but we can’t catch hold of it or keep it. In all our accomplishments, even the big ones, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, but far beyond them in the love of God. Think about what you consider worthwhile in your life – where you place your time, energy, and money. Will you one day look back and decide that these, too, were a “chasing of the wind”? Life Application Bible

How do I live with the end in mind?

We celebrate Christmas this time of year. However, the question is how do we celebrate and why. Let’s examine two facts about Christmas and see how they have impacted us and the world that we live in.

We walk by faith when we follow the Word, and each act of obedience shows us the next step. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet , a light for my path”

“The Bible, each verse in the Bible, has one and only one meaning. It may have multiple applications but it only has one interpretation.” Rick Warren

It’s all about illumination; that is letting the Holy Spirit show me meaning of God’s Word and how it applies to my life.

“The Bible was not given to increase knowledge; the Bible was given to change our lives. D. L. Moody

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This message and this series of messages challenges us at a deeper level. How can we just do the Word if we don’t know the Word?

The journey of exploring God’s Word is given to us in Psalm 1 in four stages. For us today it centers on our understanding of who God is and what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ.

Having God’s perspective requires that we allow Him to define ‘good day’ and ‘bad day’. We might say that the day we received a diagnosis of cancer was a bad day. God, however, might simply be directing our path in such a way that we are better able to learn from Him, grow in faith, or serve Him in a way that we wouldn’t have otherwise considered. So we might want to amend our thinking. What we used to think of as a bad day or a good day now becomes a hard day, or a restful day. When we comprehend that He is still on the throne in the midst of the one as well as the other, then we are able to praise Him in both.

If we are to help our friends who are confused about who Jesus is we must incarnately live as the Body of Jesus.

Adventure Is Out There!

According to scripture we are all created in the image of God. So with that said I think it’s important we remember the personal creed of Horton: “A person is a person no matter how small.”

Cars is an animated movie about moving from the fast pace life on a racetrack to a more serene and fulfilled life of the open road. It’s about moving beyond ego and finding what real victory looks like. Let’s lay this alongside Paul’s testimony in Philippians. Here he gives us four essentials for winning the race, and receiving the prize – God’s way.

Toy Story 2 is a movie about what happens when life gets messy. It’s about how fear can paralyze us and ego and pride can take us in the wrong direction. It’s also about being true to yourself. Let’s lay this story alongside a time in the life of the disciples when life got messy for them and they found themselves in the midst of a raging storm.

When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: “Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you. I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.” But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling his servants. “Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here – given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!” And they began to have a wonderful time. Luke 15:20-24 (MSG)

I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (TLB)

We are a people with very little discipline. Yet if we are going to grow in our faith we must embrace both God’s and man’s.

I’m telling the solemn truth: whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me –you did it to me.” Matthew 25:34-36 (Msg)

Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Luke 6:38 (Msg)

Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fist full of air; common sense tells you it’s a stupid way to live. Prov. 11:29 (Msg)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:2-3)

We never look more like Jesus than when we humble ourselves and serve others in His name.

"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you." John 15:9-10

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV)

It becomes Easter when I embrace and follow Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the promised One; the One who died for my sins and was resurrected on the third day that I might have real and eternal life, more and better than I ever dreamed of.

God’s contagious message has four key characters and these are the primary players in God’s redemptive drama. Let’s examine each one and discuss three important truths concerning each of them.

Every committed follower of Jesus has an important story to tell; and it needs to be told. Let’s see how Paul told his story of how Jesus personally changed his life, and his destiny.

The Pharisees and their religion scholars came to his disciples greatly offended. “What is he doing eating and drinking with crooks and ‘sinners??” Jesus heard about it and spoke up, ”Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders – an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” Luke 5:30-31

The purpose of being salt and light in the world is not to draw attention to ourselves, the church, or an organization. It is so my heavenly Father might be praised. It is about having a contagious heart and being the face of Jesus as I live out my life one day at a time.

“Christianity is the only way to live and the only way to die.” Bill Hybels

Our actions/attitude should be the reflection of grace in us, we consent to live the life of faith - a life in which, every moment, everything is expected from God.

Guard your above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23(NLT)

If people cant see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18

Keys to living a life of faith on purpose: 1.Take God at His Word 2.Develop a personal relationship with His Son Jesus Christ 3.Surrender daily to His leadership

Wisdom is more than common sense; academic knowledge;or life experiences. It comes from having a heart for God and His truths. It is about making decisions that are based on His Word and His ways. It is about knowing when to speak and when to listen; when to follow and when to lead. Most of all it is about becoming a life-long follower of Jesus Christ.

God leaves no one without a sign that if followed will lead to Him. It may be in a child, spouse, friend, success, or failure. The Wise Men received such a sign; however, they had to make the journey in order to find the real meaning of Christmas

Thanksgiving Service where we spoke of prayer and all the things we were thankful for.

This is just the beginning of an awesome journey. A journey that is life changing; one filled with a future and a hope. It is only found in having a personal relationship with Jesus. It is a journey that is lived out one day at a time; and for eternity.

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Proverbs 11:24-25 (Msg)

The first step to freedom / recovery involves understanding the Cause, the Consequences, and the Cure of my problems.

“To live without risk is to risk not living.”

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted…Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 2:2b (Msg)

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)

Real change starts taking place when I begin to respond to what I’m seeing, reading, and hearing.

“Becoming God’s best version of me is about being transformed by the way I think.”

“Life is not about any particular achievement or experience. The most important task of your life is not what you do, but who you become.”