Opening Myself Up to the One Who Understands Me Best

The other day I had a jolting introduction to the world of age-related ailments and expensive medical solutions! Picking up a prescription for some medication I needed to treat a skin condition on my face shocked me into thinking about my priorities.

I knew ahead of time that this particular 5 oz tube of special facial gel was expensive and not covered by Medicare, and I had almost decided to go a cheaper route. But since the medicine has proved effective in the past and lasted a long time, and since I wasn't sure that a cheaper version would do the trick, I decided to bite the bullet and pick up another identical prescription.

Not only did I bite the bullet... I swallowed it (!)... to the tune of $392.49!

Honestly, I'm not complaining, and, compared to major medical procedures, what I paid for this medication is hardly a drop in the bucket. Still, I'm marveling at how willing I was to put out a relatively large chunk of change to deal with a cosmetic condition! Something that makes the outside of me look and feel better.

The thought then came to me: how much am I willing to invest in my relationship with Jesus in order to upgrade and maintain my soul... the inside of me that desperately needs his healing and restoring work?  

I am so grateful that my heavenly Father has such a good heart, loves me dearly, and wants me to grow into the life he has always wanted me to experience in relationship with Jesus, his Son. 

This year, in a deeper and more passionate way, I'm choosing to open myself up to the One who understands me best, has my best interests at heart, and knows how I fit in his kingdom.

I'm drawing comfort from the verses we've chosen for our Amigo 20 team to memorize as we prepare to serve at Children's Haven International's children's home this March (1-9):

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light." (Psalm 36:7-9)

I love how Todd Wagner, founding pastor of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, TX, expresses God's heart so practically in his book, Come & See: "God is not looking to rip you off... He is looking to set you free."

God is so good and unbelievably generous, and I am trusting Him in 2018.  I hope you'll join me in choosing to love God, love people, and lead others to do the same!

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday when we get to gather as the deeply-loved bride of Jesus and hear His heartbeat as we worship in song together, continue in Pastor Jack's sermon series on Genesis, and vote to affirm elders.

Resting in Jesus,

Steve

Overwhelmed by the Kindness of the Lord

This past month Courtney's parents, my dad, and my brother and sister-in-law have all visited my home. We welcomed them in and cared for them. We worked hard and sacrificed some of our own comforts so their stay could be as pleasant as possible. I write this to make a point, and it's not to give Courtney a pat on the back for being such a great hostess. I noticed something with their visits that I had not considered much before. 

We were hospitable and pursued excellence in the care we gave, but we didn't follow any etiquette. There was no special "code" for them to follow or social norms to adhere to. We didn't treat them like customers entering into our store. They didn't sense a "professionalism" in our relationship. They were free to be in their pajamas and leave their hair uncombed while lounging around in our living room. They enjoyed their stay because they felt welcomed.

As I reflect back on my first Christmas Eve at Grace Community Church and the last 7 months here in Kansas, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of the Lord. Courtney, the kids, and I have been abundantly loved and cared for, and I can honestly say that serving as a pastor here has been a great joy and by no means a burden. I often feel inadequate and humbled by the responsibility, but I have never felt unloved. Thank you, Grace Community Church, for your hospitality and encouragement toward me. You are a true blessing and gift to our family.

With this great experience, I wonder if everybody who has encountered Grace feels the same way. Can you say with confidence that every guest and member has had a similar experience? Have they all been treated as wonderfully as I have been? If not, then join me! We have a great goal ahead of us. Let's all be a true blessing and gift to those around us. Let's show this same hospitality to our neighbors and those who step foot in our building.

Hospitality is important to God, and it should always be important to us. God uses it to change people's hearts. Please join me as I commit to sharing what has been shared with me. Our hospitality may be the very thing God uses to welcome a stranger into His family.

Galatians 6:9-10,

Jack Napier

(If you want an overview of Scripture passages on hospitality, please check out this article.)

Praying His words from your heart for our church

Father, based on Your Gospel of grace and Your amazing love and compassion, make Grace Community Church prosper and be in good health just as our souls prosper (3 John 2).  Lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13).  Make our hearts like good soil so that we would receive Your Truth and it would bear fruit in our lives (Matthew 13:23).  Put Your laws in our hearts, and write them on our minds (Hebrews 10:16).  Help us to grow in wisdom and stature and favor with You and with men (Luke 2:52).  

Bless us and keep us. Make Your face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Lift up Your countenance toward us and give us peace (Numbers 6:24-26).  Equip us with everything good that we may do Your will. Work in us that which is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever (Hebrews 13:20-21).  Enable us to live a life worthy of Your calling. Give us the power to accomplish all the good things our faith prompts us to do (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Bring people to Grace who will love us and grow with us for a life-time, serving in one spirit (Philippians 2:2).  Send out our people to share Your gospel and lead others to follow You (Matthew 9:37-38). May our elders and pastors be blessed by us, and be a blessing to us (Hebrews 13:17).  Use each Grace facility as a house of prayer that will forever change the Newton area for Your Kingdom (Isaiah 56:7).  Gift the worship and tech teams by Your Spirit to move our hearts to worship, and reach the hearts of those who are separated from You (Acts 17:26-27).  Use us to spread a passion for Jesus, and a joy in Jesus through creative arts. 

Start a revival in Newton and Kansas that will echo through the rest of our Nation.  Move within the schools and universities.  Reach young people through Loren and Juli and their leaders. Bless Igniter and our GraceKids ministry with wisdom, protection, and a heart for planting gospel seeds.  Put a hedge of protection around each child that is under our care.  Send your angels to minister and protect where we are unable or unaware.  Be a father to the fatherless, and a defender to the widow (Psalm 68:5).

Please give believers peace in our communities so they would not be hindered from sharing the Gospel and loving their neighbors.  Give the governing officials wisdom and concern for religious liberty so that the next three generations would be free to share the Gospel and send missionaries to other nations and peoples (1 Timothy 2:1-6).  Give every pastor of every Bible-believing, Jesus-following church the power of your Holy Spirit so that Your Kingdom would grow (Acts 4:29-31).  

Please forgive us for our evil and adulterous ways (James 4:2-4). Send us revival from Your Spirit so that none among us will die in our sins (John 8:24).  May the latter days of Grace Community Church and Kansas be greater than the former (Ecclesiastes 7:8).  Please do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).

In Jesus name,

Amen.