21 Commands for the Christian

21 Commands for the Christian from Romans 12:9-21.

• Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. 
• Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
• Love each other with genuine affection. 
• Take delight in honoring each other.
• Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• Rejoice in our confident hope. 
• Be patient in trouble.
• Keep on praying.
• When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. 
• Always be eager to practice hospitality.
• Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
• Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
• Live in harmony with each other. 
• Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. 
• Don’t think you know it all!
• Never pay back evil with more evil. 
• Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
• Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
• Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.
• If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
• Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Inviting People To Church

With Easter coming up on April 8, now is an excellent time to begin to invite people to church.  Our mission at Christian Life is to Connect People to God.  Each of us is called to share our faith and what better way than to invite a friend, family member, or neighbor to the place where you connect with God.  Here are a few helps for inviting someone to church.

• Big days. Days like Christmas and Easter are perfect times to invite someone to church.  Also, watch for other days throughout the year that lend themselves to inviting someone.
• Special events. There maybe a breakfast, seminar, outing, etc. that peaks someone’s interest.
• Kids. We have an stellar children’s and youth ministry at Christian Life with a wide variety of regular and special activities.  
• Lunch. Don’t forget to take your guest out to eat after the service.
• Share a card.  Take a blue card from the lobby and let them know how they can connect with the church for a service, online, or on the radio.
• Check out our website.  Share our brand new website in order to let people know about our church.
• Just ask.  Research teaches us that most people will come to church if they are invited.  Just ask!
• Pray.  Pray about who you should invite and that God would make their hearts hungry for Him.
• Keep asking.  God honors perseverance.  

AND, remember the A, B, C’s of inviting people to church.
A - Always look for opportunities to invite others. 
B - Be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises. 
C - Communicate in such a way that says you care. 
D - Don’t be pushy; there will be future opportunities.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

This past week I was a contestant on the game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”  It was a crazy yet marvelous experience, but the thing I enjoyed the most was the encouragement and cheers I felt from my family and friends.  While I didn’t win a million dollars, I realize more than ever before how rich a man I am with all of you in my life.

Today I thought I would blog about some LIFE LESSONS I learned through my “Millionaire” experience.

• The game is always easier when you’re watching.  The difficulty seems to increase when you’re actually playing.
• Play to win.  Don’t play NOT to lose.  There is a big difference.
• Be ready.  Plan.  Have a strategy.
• If you fall behind don’t get down and don’t beat yourself up.
• If you need it, ask for help.
• Manage unrealistic expectations, don’t let them manage you.
• Cheer others on.  It creates a positive atmosphere.
• Enjoy yourself.
• Don’t over-think the easy stuff.
• Learn and grow.
• Money can make people stupid.
• Know when to walk away.
• Sometimes you only get one chance.
• Your value doesn’t come from how smart you are or how much money you have.
• God puts you wherever you’re at for a purpose.  Live for His glory.

The Church

“I will build my church.”

- Jesus (Matthew 16:18)

This is Vision Weekend at Christian Life Church.  I believe more than ever that God is building His Church at Christian Life!  Every week God is blessing our congregation in fresh new ways and I enjoy seeing the growth God is bringing in our church family.  


While the Bible teaches that every Christian is a member of the Body of Christ, the Bible also tells us that it is important for every believer to commit themselves to a specific body and become a member of the a local church family.  


Just as a plant needs to remain in one place long enough to get it’s roots down deep before it will bear fruit, so it is with the Christian.  Membership in a local church is absolutely necessary for accountability and growth in the things of God.  The times we live in dictate more than ever that we put down  roots in the Lord and into a local body of believers.  


Additionally, in our roles as Christ’s bondservants we should do whatever we can to advance His Kingdom, to invest our resources and time in His church, to get under the heavy end of the log and help lift it.


As Christians embrace their identity, employ their spiritual gifts, sacrifice out of a servant mind-set, and love and honor one another, that’s when there’s a cohesive unity of purpose within the church.  That’s when an audience turns into a powerful, organized army.