Life 2gether

Last night our LifeGroups started again. We had gone on "hiatus" for a while to revamp the strategy of our small group ministry. It was a great time!

Here's a few thoughts on why these are so important in the life of a believer:

a.) We Strengthen each other. The book of Acts, describes the early church and the priority they placed on meeting together. They actually met daily in each other's homes! (wonder how much fried chicken they threw down? B/c everyone knows fellowship = fried chicken, right?) Anyway...I was thinking, in that culture where faith in Jesus was not "ok" - they willingly risked persecution, simply to be with each other. Could that have been one of the catalysts for the early church's explosive growth? Their strength of "togetherness?" Here's the point: Don't we live in an ever increasing anti-JEsus culture? We may not be jailed or persecuted yet for following Jesus...but don't we need each other just as much? Since God did not design his church to be "isolationists" but rather "invasionists" (invading culture w/ the light & hope of Jesus) don't we need regular times of strengthening to invade FULLY? You bet!

b.) We Sharpen each other. Here's what I mean, one of my LifeGroup members, shared an intimate struggle last night with us and as they spoke, I realized, "That's me!" I own that, too! In these stetings, when we become real & drop the facade of "church-ianity" (All is well...bless you!) we realize, we're all busted & broken! Then, we can come alongside each other, share the struggles, (which let's you know you're not a freak!) & hold each other accountable so that we overcome & experience the victory Jesus brings! The writer of Proverbs wrote, "iron sharpens iron!" I want my knife to be razor sharp, don't you?

c.) We Laugh Together! We need to laugh! There is enough bad news to go around! However, you put a group of Jesus Followers in a home setting with food - the laughs start coming! I love this aspect of LifeGroup.

Thanks LifeGroup! I look forward to our journey together!

Blessed beyond reason!

Here is a life changing thought...a shift in thinking, God's blessings' defy reason many times. Let me show you what I mean. Genesis 48 tells the story of Jacob's (Israel) final moments before he dies. As the custom was he gathered his sons' together and blesses them. But in vs. 17, the Bible tells us what Jacob was doing "displeased him." Why? It defied his reason. Jacob was blessing the wrong son, or so Joseph thought! Jacob was blessing the younger son, instead of the older one as was the custom. So this ticked Jo off.

Ever been there? Ever gotten mad because God didn't work like we thought or expected Him to? I have. But here's what I am learning, many times, the unexpected blessings of God defy reason. Defy the norm. Defy the way the "handbook" lays it out. So, here's the deal: These reason defying blessings are the ones that God uses not only to "surprise" bless us, but more importantly, He uses them to advance His kingdom & make Jesus famous!

You know when I think about it...my salvation is the biggest blessing that defies reason. There is no way that I should be saved. I am a sinner. I violated God's law...guilty! Yet, b/c of Jesus' willingness to climb on the cross and receive in Himself the wrath for MY sin...I am able to receive the blessing of being one of God's Kids!! That defies my reasoning...but I am so thankful God doesn't bless according to my reasoning!