What is your favorite verse in the Bible?

YouVersion, a popular Bible app, released its summary of its Bible usage data from 2013. With over 120 million installs since 2008 and a billion opens or uses in 2013, YouVersion provides a unique window into how many Christians read the Bible.  What did the data say about what we read in the Bible?

The 5 most popular verses included:

• Philippians 4:13  - “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
• Isaiah 40:31 - “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”
• Matthew 6:13 - “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
• Joshua 1:9 - “…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged…”
• Philippians 4:6 - “Do not be anxious about anything…”

The 5 most popular chapters were:

• Romans 8 — Living a spiritual life and hope for eternal life
• Romans 12 — Loving God, the church, and others
• Matthew 5 — The Sermon on the Mount
• 1 John 4 — God is love
• Hebrews 12 — Why God allows hardship and how Christians should respond

What is your favorite verse and chapter in the Bible?


For more information on the data from YouVersion visit http://tobingrant.religionnews.com/2014/01/02/three-things-big-data-tells-us-people-use-bible/

What does God say about you in heaven?

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2

On New Year’s Eve I taught about how we, as believers, need to change the way we think.  We asked, “What does God say about you in heaven?  What is our true heavenly identity in Christ?”  I shared a list from Graham Cooke on our standing in Jesus.  As you read this list let it shape your ALL IN thinking in 2014.

• You’re a new creation,
• You’re a people for His possession,
• All grace abounds towards you,
• All sufficiency is in you, through Him,
• You’re anointed,
• You’re the apple of God’s eye,
• You’re being perfected,
• You are the beloved,
• You are blameless,
• You’re blessed,
• You’ve got bold access to the throne of God,
• You can do all things in Christ,
• You’re chosen,
• Christ indwells you with all His fullness,
• You’re free of the curse,
• You’re dead to sin,
• You’re alive in Christ,
• You’re declared Holy,
• You’re free,
• You’re a friend of God,
• You’re fruitful,
• You’re gifted,
• You have the mind of Christ,
• He’s at work in you,
• He is for you, not against you,
• You’re healed,
• You’re hidden in Christ,
• You are His possession,
• You are His workmanship,
• You’re inseparable from the love of God,
• You’re a joint heir with Jesus,
• You’re justified,
• The Kingdom of God is within you,
• You’re lacking in nothing,
• You’re the light of the world,
• You’re made in His image,
• You’re more than a conqueror,
• You’re a new creation,
• You’re of sound mind,
• You are prepared for good works,
• You are protected and purified,
• You are redeemed,
• You’re sanctified,
• You’re saved,
• You’re sealed,
• You’re seated with Him in heavenly places,
• You’re a servant of God,
• You share His authority,
• You are strengthened by Him,
• You are the righteousness of God,
• You’re the temple of the Holy Spirit,
• You are a vessel of glory and honor,
• You walk in newness of life,
• You are a warrior,
• You are witnesses,
• And you are absolutely worthy of the Lord!

What can you do today to experience a move of God?

Here is an excerpt from a recent article I wrote that was published in Solutions Magazine.

What can you do today to experience a move of God? 

Move.  Take action.  It’s easy to get satisfied in life and go numb but it’s time to get hungry.  Turn away from your inaction.  Dive into God’s Word and read, pray, believe, and obey.   Your relationship with God is the most important relationship you will ever have.  It determines the direction and destiny of your life.  God has so much waiting for you when you just take that first step.


Believe big.  Remember you determine the size of God’s miracle power displayed in your life.  Put your hope in God.  He is the God of more than enough that has promised abundant life to all who follow Him.


Expect God to move.  Your expectation moves the hand of God.  God has been calling people to draw near to Him since the beginning of time.  He’s just waiting for you to respond.  When you move toward God you can count on Him showing up in a big way.


Be thankful.  God loves when we thank Him because thanksgiving is a form of worship.  We were created to worship God (Isaiah 43:21) and it’s our calling to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  Move toward God with worship and thanksgiving in your heart, there is nothing He desires more.


More than ever we need God’s power at work in our lives, families, churches, and world.  The days we live in demand it.  Don’t settle, sitting back, waiting for God to move.   He’s calling us through His Word to move toward Him and He in turn will move toward us. (James 4:8)


You can read the entire article online at http://mysolutionsmagazine.com/solutions/2013/december/#page/65. 

New Year. New You.

New Year’s is a time for resolutions.  According to Forbes.com only 8% will achieve their New Year’s resolution.  That means 92% of those who make resolutions are doomed to fail.  So, unless your one of the lucky ones blessed with extraordinary discipline why even bother?

God is a God of “fresh starts.”  Each new day with God is a fresh start. (Lamentations 3:22-23)  The New Year carries a tremendous opportunity for a fresh start in each of our lives.  But are we willing to take it when it seems like the percentages are stacked against us?  How can we team up with God and beat the odds as we strive toward the new, fresh, abundant life He promised?

Here are some ideas to help you make a fresh start in the New Year.  

• Think.  Too often we think in worldly terms about our lives.  We need to change our thoughts. (Colossians 3:2)  What does God say about you in heaven?  What is your true heavenly identity in Christ?  We need to see ourselves from God’s perspective. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Listen. Be mindful of what you listen to in the New Year.  Our ears need to be tuned to the Holy Spirit rather than our flesh. Tune into God’s Word and the promises for your life.  Let the voice of God empower your life. 
• Obey.  Break out of your old routine.  Stop living on autopilot.  Force yourself to take action on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.  Don’t just try to clean up the “old person,”  live out the “new” person God created you to be.  Then you’ll be on the road to transformation.
• Be S.M.A.R.T.  When you have done the first three on the list then set your New Year’s goals and remember to be S.M.A.R.T. Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

I know change is hard, but GO FOR IT!  The New Year is a great time to start.  Even if you start small, just start.  Small habits everyday lead to big changes.  And remember even when the odds are stacked against you, God is on your side. (Jeremiah 32:27)  I’m praying for you this week!

The Lion Chaser’s Manifesto

As we look forward to a brand new year I thought I would repost one of my favorites from the archives.  Here is the Lion Chaser’s Manifesto adapted from Mark Batterson’s In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day.

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. Take a flying leap of faith. Chase the lion!

Mark’s newest book, ALL IN, will be the launching pad for a brand new sermon series as we begin 2014.  It’s going to be a great New Year in God as we go ALL IN!

Advent

We have entered the Advent season on the Church calendar.  “Advent” in Latin comes from a word that means “coming.”  We celebrate and prepare our hearts for the coming of our King Jesus.  We remember his coming in the past as a baby in the town of Bethlehem.  We celebrate the present as Jesus comes into our heart.  And we look to the future as He comes as King to establish His new Kingdom.

In the front of church we have an advent wreath with candles.  Each week we light a new candle which symbolizes the expectation of our coming Messiah.  

Week 1 - (Purple Candle) Represents HOPE, signifying the hope that we have in Jesus when we allow Him to lead us out of darkness into light.  

Week 2 - (Purple Candle) Represents PEACE.  Jesus came to bring peace.  From the words of Zecharias in Luke 1:79….”He will guide our feet into the way of Peace”.

Week 3 - (Pink Candle) Represents LOVE.  We are reminded that He is Love and that He loves us with an everlasting love and that we are called by Jesus to love others.

Week 4 - (Purple Candle) Represents JOY.  The angel in Luke 2:10, "...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  As the day of celebration draws close we become excited with anticipation and joy. We are reminded that a life with Him is one full of Joy! 

On Christmas Eve a final white candle is lit.  

This Advent let us all prepare our hearts for the coming of the King.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18

God, in His Word, calls and commands us to be thankful!  As we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving week take a moment to reflect on Psalm 100 and then write a thank you note to God.  I know He’ll love it!

Psalm 100 (The Message) - A Thanksgiving Psalm
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.

Lessons I’ve Learned From My Father

“Listen to your father, who gave you life...” Proverbs 23:22a

 
Today at Christian Life we celebrate my dad, Pastor Merrill’s, 80th birthday!  What a milestone!  His is a life worth celebrating.  A life of faith. A life well lived. There is something beautiful about a long life filled with persevering faith.  While the life lessons I’ve learned from my dad are numerous let me share a few of the ones that have impacted me the most.

Live with integrity. 

Be an example. 

Be prepared. 

Work hard.    

Be humble. 

Obey God.

Be generous. 

Pray.

I believe that we reap from the seeds sown from past generations and that not only personally, but as a church, we are reaping the seeds of faith sown by my dad, Pastor Merrill and our founding generation.  Now it’s up to us to fulfill God’s purposes in our generation as we sow the seeds for a future harvest for our children and our children’s children.

You can listen to or watch the full presentation of these thoughts from our celebration weekend at http://christianlifechurch.org/#/watch-now.

No More Fear

The number one way the enemy enters your life is through fear.  It’s important that we confess the Word of God when fear attacks us.  Here’s some scriptures to help you break free from the power of fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

God has come to save me.  I will trust in him and not be afraid.  The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Isaiah 12:2

Perfect love expels all fear. 1 John 4:18

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Hebrews 13:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Isaiah 12:2

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

Leaves

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, 
with roots that reach deep into the water. 
Such trees are not bothered by the heat 
or worried by long months of drought. 
Their leaves stay green, 
and they never stop producing fruit. 

Jeremiah 17:7, 8

I love fall.  This week I took my day off to drive north to see the changing of the leaves.  This fall the colors were gorgeous.  The yellows, reds, and even the various shades of browns were beautiful.

The Bible is clear that when we put our trust, hope, and confidence in the Lord we are like leaves that will always stay green, producing fruit.  Even in times of heat and drought we can remain strong.  We need to plant the promises of God deep inside of our hearts.  We need to become so convinced of God’s promises that no one can talk us out of it.  

This week meditate on the promises of God for your life.  Begin by believing the promises found in Numbers 6:24-26... God’s blessing, protection, grace, favor, and peace.  When you plant the promises of God in your heart you will reap the abundant life God promises.

Faith

Abram believed (had faith) the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 

Genesis 15:6

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

Luke 17:5

Can you imagine that first conversation between Abram and Sarai?  “I don’t know, exactly. But I can’t get away from the fact that God has told me we need to go.”

The Bible says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)  This is obviously easier said than done.  When we look at the circumstances of life we can be easily overcome by what we see in the natural and our faith is zapped.  I believe we need to pray for spiritual sight to see what God sees.  To not live by how we feel, but according to God and His Word.

The bottom line was Abraham just had to believe in God and His promises. Hudson Taylor once said, “We do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.” Like Abraham and many other champions in the Bible we have to put our faith, whether strong or weak, into our Almighty God.

BREAK OUT

If you know me and have been around Christian Life you know that I’m a fan of Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.  We’ve known of Lakewood back when his father, John Osteen, was pastor and ever since the transition to Joel as pastor years ago I have prayed for Joel and watched God exponentially expand his ministry.  Each weekend tens of thousands pack out the Lakewood campus and tens of millions tune in to their weekly TV broadcast.  

While the numbers who attend are quite different (to say the least), Christian Life and Lakewood are very similar in many ways.  Our histories are alike, our services follow the same flow of ministry, and we share the same core convictions and beliefs including the power and Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  

Through his preaching and writing Joel is committed to casting a wide net to see many come to know the love and life transforming power of Christ.  This week Joel releases his latest book, BREAK OUT: 5 Keys To Go Beyond Your Barriers And Live An Extraordinary Life. I’ve had a chance to review the book packed with illustrations and Bible stories designed to take you to the next level in God.  This five part book include sections entitled:

• Believe Bigger
• Consider God, Not Circumstances
• Pray God-Sized Prayers
• Keep the Right Perspective
• Don't Settle for Good Enough 

We want to do something we’ve never done before.  We are going to give away a free copy of BREAK OUT to every family who visits our church for the first time.  And if you invite and bring someone to church, we’ll give you a copy too.  We were able to secure copies of Joel’s new book at a very low cost so we want to sow a copy to anyone who comes to check out what God is doing at Christian Life Church.  So, PRAY that many will come and be blessed.  INVITE someone to church.  And BRING someone next weekend to hear about the Good News that we have in Christ!

Integrity

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.

James 1:22

Our team has returned from Russia after a week of ministering with Mission Possible (MP.org).  The trip was packed with powerful ministry on the streets, in the shelter homes, and in the churches.  Countless lives were impacted, including our own.

My relationship with Missions Possible began in the early 1990’s when I was asked to write some curriculum for the International Education Fellowship.  This is MP’s school to educate pastors for planting churches after communism crumbled in the former Soviet Union.  Since then tens of thousands of leaders have gone through the IEF courses and thousands of churches have been birthed.

Beyond working with pastors and churches, Mission Possible has reached out the “least of these”.  MP and its teams are working tirelessly to help children and families lost in crisis and poverty. You can see the impact Mission Possible is making by visiting www.MP.org.

For a number of years I have served on the board of Mission Possible.  I have heard the stories, know just about everything bring done through the various ministries, and have even acted as a spokesperson in various media outlets.  I knew and spoke a lot about the organization.  But after this trip, I have experienced first hand the ministry taking place.  The whole ministry seems bigger, better, stronger. Now its real to me. Its not just something I’ve heard about, its something I’ve seen and experienced.  

What are you doing to experience God?  You may know a lot about Him.  You may even talk about Him with others.  But what are you experiencing first hand that makes God seem bigger, better, stronger in your life?  Step out in faith.  Take a risk.  Get involved.  Make it real this week!

Top 5 Reasons NOT to Tithe

Top 5 Reasons NOT to Tithe

• You think tithing is a lottery - meaning you're expecting a 1000 fold     increase in 30 days or less.
• You expect God to honor you with a BMW because of it.
• You think you might not get into heaven if you don't.
• You do it grudgingly.
• You don't believe God will do what He promised regarding it.

“As base a thing as money often is, yet it can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor. It can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.”

A.W. Tozer

Sowing and Reaping

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Galatians 6:7

God honors those who honor Him.  Don't be deceived into thinking other wise.  So what do you do when you're sowing and nothing is happening?

Keep sowing.

Keep giving.

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Don't you dare quit!

Bible scholar Rick Renner points out the Greek word used for sowing depicts a continual process.

The Greek tense does not denote a single, one-time sowing; rather, it pictures a person who continually, habitually sows. Therefore, it could be translated, "Whatsoever a man sows, sows, sows, and sows - and keeps on habitually sowing and sowing and sowing...." In other words, this describes a constant, steady, perpetual sowing of seed. And if you sow this seed steadily and faithfully, God's promise is that you will reap a harvest. The word for "reap" is in the same Greek tense, meaning that it could be translated, "You will reap, reap, reap, and reap - and keep on habitually reaping and reap­ing and reaping."

For more Greek gems from Rick Renner...
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/sparkling-gems/sparkling-gems-from-the-greek-week-of-august-1.html

Pray For What You Need

Have you ever noticed that the Bible asks you to so some seriously counterintuitive things?  Look at some of these statements from the New Testament.

When troubles come your way, consider it...great joy.

James 1:2

Do not be anxious about anything.

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34

When people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you...Be happy about it!

Matthew 5:11, 12

Really God?  When you think about it, it just doesn’t make sense to our natural mind.  You feel like saying, “God, that’s not how it works.”  

The reality is His ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)  And if it was easy, it would come naturally.  But it doesn’t.  Our flesh doesn't want to do things God’s way and that’s probably why the Bible has to remind us again and again how to live life God’s way.  

We are called to walk according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. (Romans 8)  God sometimes asks us to do the difficult things in our spiritual walk.  We have to remember that no matter how hard it may be, His ways are best.  God calls us in His Word to come, wait, and ask of Him all that we need.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit to listen and obey the Word of God.  The good news is He is always more than eager to help us.

Positive God Thinking

...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Romans 12:2b

Thoughts control our lives.  Our thoughts give birth to our moods, our words, and ultimately our actions.  God’s Word is clear that right thinking leads to right living.  We are told to stop thinking and acting like the world and to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  We are to replace negative human thinking with positive God thinking.  What does God want us to think about?  All you have to do is look at His Word.

Here are a few verses to meditate on this week to change the way you think.

• “I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10
• “...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:8
• “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
• “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:13
• “...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
• “...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
• “Be strong and very courageous.” Joshua 1:7
• “This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Please, Lord, please save us.  Please, Lord, please give us success.” Psalm 118:24, 25
• “Always be joyful. Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Baptism

But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 

Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 

Matthew 3:14-15 (NIV)

John’s Baptism was a baptism of repentance.  Jesus requested a baptism of repentance.  But why?  Jesus was perfect. He knew no sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 testifies, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”   Jesus is baptized with a baptism of repentance so that he could identify with us as the sacrifice for our sins.

Fast forward to Christian Baptism.  In Christian Baptism we are identifying ourselves with Christ, His death, burial and resurrection as we go down into the water and then come up again.  Romans 6:4 teaches us, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Just as Jesus identified Himself with our sinfulness, we identify ourselves with the abundant life He gives us through the victory He won for us on the cross.  He identifies with our weakness and we identify with His strength.  What a wonderful picture of God’s love and power shown to us in baptism.

Baptism is an important step in our Christian walk.  It is a requirement for the obedient disciple.  Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  1 Peter 3:21, “this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.”  We celebrate with those obedient to God following Him in water baptism!

Togetherness

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

The largest trees in the world grow in northern California.  Some of the giant Sequoias grow over 300 feet tall and more than 30 feet wide.  What makes these trees unique, besides their sheer size, is their root system.  Most trees have roots that grow as deep and long as they are tall.  While you would assume a Sequoia would have massive roots the reality is their roots are quite shallow and short.  The Sequoias survive because they only grow together in groves where the roots intertwine and connect feeding and stabilizing the entire forest.  Their “togetherness” allows them to grow big and strong.

God provides all the spiritual resources we need to grow up “to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” as we are “rooted and built up in Him.” (Ephesians 4:13)  We are like the Sequoias when we gather together and are involved with His church.  Embrace your gift and play your part.  Our roots are too shallow if we live the Christian life alone.  Together we are encouraged, intertwined, strengthened, and stabilized. 

I’m look forward to spending time fellowshipping after the services this weekend.  We’ll have ice cream on Saturday and pizza on Sunday.  Please introduce yourself to me if we haven’t met yet or you’re new to the church.  Let’s take some time to connect together with old and new friends.  We’ll all be stronger for it.

I’ve aways felt safe.

My whole life, I’ve aways felt safe.  Maybe I’m sheltered?  Maybe I’m naive?  Maybe I’m too “suburban”?  I don’t know but I’ve always felt protected.

I began to wonder, in a world full of danger, why have I felt this kind of safety since childhood.  I believe it has to do with family.  I always felt safe with my mom and dad, grandpa and grandmas, even with extended family we would only see once in a while.  I’ve always had family around.  I felt they loved me, they were watching out for me, that I could count on them, and they would take care of me.

I know that many reading this haven’t had this same experience with their family.  For some family wasn’t a safe place.  For others family was outright dangerous.  But it’s not supposed to be this way.  Even in our fallen world, God intended our families to be safe places where we are able to become the people we are called to be.  

God calls His church the FAMILY of God.  And no matter what kind of family you grew up in, your church family should be a safe place where you are loved.  When you surrendered your life to God He made you a part of His family.  There are no orphans in God’s family.  You’re called to be a part of a local church family. 

In our Activ8 series one of the steps of discipleship is being an active part of your church family.  Being a part of a great church family...

• protects us,
• keeps your fire burning for the Lord,
• leads to maturity,
• helps you grow and produce fruit,
• is obedience to the Lord, and 
• helps you and the rest of your family be a part of God’s Kingdom work!