Devotionals

A City to Settle

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“Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty and their lives ebbed away.
Then, they cried out to The Lord in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to The Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Psalm 107:4-9

I have rediscovered something about myself recently: I do not transition well! This has been exemplified lately by my switch from full time work (and everything else we’ve got going on in church, family and all the rest) to maternity leave. Essentially, I’m at home hanging with a two-year old and awaiting the arrival of a new baby, on a full time basis. I have more time than I know what to do with, literally!

Now, the normal response to such a change of pace one would think, would be an overwhelming sense of peace and relaxation. Apparently, I am not normal! Instead of entering into some sort state of domestic bliss, I have experienced a shock wave of the anxiety that comes and goes in my life from time to time. Perhaps I don’t know myself when I have room to move, who knows, anyway, it hasn’t been very calm or serene around here recently.

Perhaps this is why I identified with the Israelites as they are documented in the above Psalm snippet; I’ve landed myself in my own private desert wasteland. A desert implies a sense of lifelessness and a wasteland denotes pointlessness, of lack of purpose. It’s amazing how the psalmist has perfectly captured in one simple phrase, written so long ago, how many people experience mental illness in our contemporary society.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had the time and space to be still; life has been ridiculously busy, probably unhealthily so, if I’m honest, so I empathise with the Israelites in this psalm, as they struggle with being unable to find a place to settle. Again, the psalmist captures the feeling perfectly: “They were hungry and thirsty and their lives ebbed away.” My sudden change from a packed schedule to a relative lack of structure gave me a sense that nothing meaningful was being achieved!

Eventually though, just like the Israelites, I started to get my act together and take my troubles to God. Slowly but surely, as I follow the sound of His voice, I am learning to navigate this new chapter. I am remembering that achievement does not define me, nor does accomplishment, but rather the time that I spend in the presence of God, settling.

God leads by “a straight way”, in other words, he gets to the point!mhe has no desire to see any time wasted in delivering us from our distress. So often, I feel like the sheer number of obstacles, twists and turns that lie between where I am and peace make it a basically unachievable goal, but when I actually listen to the voice of God, I find the straight way. When I am listening, he leads me to a city where I can settle.

Written by Jen Grubb

Choose to Praise

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“They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”
Acts 16:23-26 23

This Bible passage begins with the unjust arrest and imprisonment of Paul and Silas. I can’t help but imagine that the atmosphere in that prison must have been depressing – more like a stench-ridden dungeon, and as if that wasn’t enough, they were severely battered and bruised.

Can you take a minute to just imagine that; imagine yourself in that situation. What would be your reaction to your circumstances?

In spite of the throbbing pain in their bodies and the disheartening atmosphere, at midnight Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing praises to God! What? What a strange sound this must have been to the other prisoners, who were used to only hearing the groans of those who had been beaten.

Then suddenly, there was an earthquake that shook the prison! The doors were flung open, and amazingly, the bonds of Paul, Silas, and EVERY other prisoner were released! What caused this mighty release of power?

The answer is PRAISE… choosing to praise is a powerful decision that has an incredible impact on our situations and circumstances.

1. Praise Elevates us into God’s Presence and Power
Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles and enter into God’s presence, peace and power. Through praise and worship they provided a channel for God’s power to operate in their circumstances.

The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). In other words, God “dwells” in the atmosphere of His praise. This means that praise is not merely a reaction from coming into His presence – Praise is a vehicle of faith, which brings us into the presence and power of God!

Praise and worship is the “gate-pass” or the “key” which allows us to enter the sacredness of His glory. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

2. True Praise comes from Within
‘Praise’ means “to commend, to applaud or magnify.” For us believers, praise to God is an expression of worship, lifting-up and glorifying the Lord (giving worth to God). It is an expression of humbling ourselves and centering our attention upon the Lord with heart-felt expressions of love, adoration and thanksgiving.

There are many actions involved with praise to God — verbal expressions of adoration and thanksgiving, singing, playing instruments, shouting, dancing, lifting or clapping our hands. But true praise is not “merely” going through these motions. Genuine praise to God is a matter of humility and sincere devotion to the Lord from within. In John 4:23 we read, But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

3. Praise to God is a Lifestyle
All too often, praise to God is something that many people leave at church, an event that happens only when they come together with other believers. However, praise should be a part of our lifestyle, inter-mingled as a part of our daily prayer-life.

At work, in the car, at home in bed, or anywhere; praise to the Lord brings the refreshing of the Lord’s presence, along with His power and anointing. Psalm 34:1, I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

Praise is an expression of faith, and a declaration of victory! Praise is also a “sacrifice,” something that we offer to God, not just because we feel like it, but because we believe in Him and delight in Him.

4. Praise Sends the Enemy Running
Maybe it’s the inner-mongrel in me, but this one really gets me excited. Since God inhabits the praises of His people, we also realise that praise repels the presence of the enemy. The devil cannot stand to be near an atmosphere, which is filled with sincere worship and praise to God by humble and repentant hearts. He fears the power in the name of Jesus, so when we declare His praises, we are pushing back darkness. That there, just makes me want to get up and shout God’s praises right now!

When God’s people begin to praise His name, it sends the enemy running! I challenge you to become a person of praise, and you will experience the release of the power of God!

Praise & “Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves and attend to the presence of God. “ – Eugene Peterson
This year, let’s re-look at how we individually and as a team praise our God. We are focusing on FINDING OUR AUTHENTIC SOUND. As we offer up our authentic praise & worship that He alone deserves, I like to think that He will smile and utter “that’s what I have been waiting for”.

There is a sound that as individuals, we carry, which has never been heard before – let’s believe for it, pray for it, pursue it, and be authentic!

What is the sound people are hearing from our house? Is it genuine? Is it from within? Is it repelling the enemy? Is it bringing others on the journey? Is it breaking chains off people’s lives?

God is waiting for us to be brave and to step out beyond the shore. That is where we will find ourselves totally reliant on Him. That is where we will find our unique God-given sound. Let’s each decide to ‘do praise & worship differently’ in 2015, even if that means going beyond our comfort zones – let’s do it scared and see what God does.

Written by Katie Swift
Creative Team Leader

Because we can.

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“A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said “would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch). The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked “how come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans).
Jesus answered, “if you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink and I would give you fresh, living water.” John 4:7-8

Have you ever found yourself, like this Samaritan woman, totally floored by what God seems to be asking of you?
Jesus, you want me to forgive that person?
You want me to not only forgive them, but give them another chance?
You want me to talk to my colleague who is angry at the world, about you?
You want me to step up and lead a team at church?
You want me to give ten per cent of my income to your house?
You want me to raise these kids to be functional, kind, contributing adults, when I can’t even find their shoes?

Seriously, where do the tiny shoes GO?!

Often, when God asks us for something, we see only our limitations. We confront his gentle promptings with a list of reasons why we can’t possible do what he is asking.
I am too poor.
I am too busy.
I am too shy.
I am too angry.
I am afraid.
Basically, we turn around to God and say “sorry, you’ve got the wrong person!”
And you know what, when I have these conversations with God, if the conversation stopped with me, this would be a really discouraging sermon, because essentially, I would be right:
I am not adequate to fulfil what God is asking of me!
None of us are.

The truth is, what he has called each of us to is far greater than our capacity.

Luckily, the conversation does NOT stop with me and my inadequacy.
Just like he turned to the Samaritan woman, Jesus turns to each of us when we are overwhelmed and says:
“It’s not about who you are. It’s all about who I am.”
And, like always, Jesus is right. It is ALL about who he is.
Our limitations are no match for Him.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Our limitations are no match for the abundance that he brings. The easiest way that the thief, our enemy can rob you of your capacity, is to convince you that it comes from within yourself.

Have you ever turned up to a dinner party and forgotten to bring something to share?
I don’t know about you, maybe I’m a bit neurotic, but this scenario is a source of major anxiety for me.
Chances are, the host has over-catered and everyone else brought something too and so there will be more than enough.
Am I focused on the fact that I didn’t NEED to show up with something?
Am I focused on the fact that there is already an abundance at that table?
No. I am preoccupied with the way I think I have failed.
This is how we are with God when we tell him we don’t have the capacity to fulfil our calling. We are preoccupied with what we are not, and can’t see who he is.
It’s time for us to stop freaking out about what we can’t bring to the table, and get excited about the more than enough that we get to ask of him!

Written by Jen Grubb

Hard Choices, Worth Making

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Last night I sat in a meeting of some of the key leaders of our church, being poked, prodded, climbed and kicked by my children: one on the outside and one on the inside. I am sure I spent more time getting up to assist my son with the potty, or help him locate a particular toy car than I did sitting down. While the others took notes or discussed ideas, I tried to convince my little boy to eat sandwiches and tried my hardest to listen to other grown-ups talking about grown-up things over the top of Jasper listing all the colours he could see. My main contribution was “ssshhh!” (directed at my child, not the other leaders!). It was frustrating in the extreme and I just kept thinking to myself “this is so hard!”.

It would have been so much easier to be at home, where instead of a sandwich, I would no doubt be trying to get my son to eat something I had cooked, with vegetables in it. My success rate might not have been any better, but at least I wouldn’t have been worried about whether or not his perfectly natural, two year old noise level was disrupting others. It would’ve been so much easier if all I had to worry about was how much food went into his mouth, not whether he was derailing a meeting while he ate. It would be so much easier to avoid these scenarios, to remove myself from positions of leadership and influence, until my children are older – that’s what I was thinking throughout much of that meeting.

Maybe it would be easier, to leave behind the world of events, meetings and countless volunteer hours that we as a family have devoted to building the church. Maybe I should just get this season out of the way. That sometimes feels very tempting.

However, I am convinced that I would not be able to parent my children as effectively if I sidestepped the calling that God has placed on my life, which above all is to build the church. These little people, one of whom is not even born yet, will grow up not just hearing me talk about the importance of gathering with and supporting other believers, but seeing me pour my heart and soul, often my tears, very often my laughter, into facilitating that gathering. When they are older, they will know the church and they will feel known within it; they will understand that this is their place and these are their people. My son already does.

I hope they will be able to see that the church is a little bit stronger, a little bit better, because mummy and daddy worked their butts off to make it that way, along with an incredible community of like-minded people, even when the seasons of life made it difficult.

I hope that they will see that we have sown our time and finances, not in spite of having children to raise, but because of them. One day it will be their turn to lead, to push through the limitations that my generation faced and extend the boundaries of the kingdom of God. When that day comes, I want to be able to say I have done everything I could do to build the best platform for them to launch from.

Full disclosure: I cried a bit as I wrote this, because I know that the majority of those years of making hard choices to be part of the heart and soul of our church, no matter what, are still in front of me. Perhaps those choices will always be hard and the reasons will just change, but I know that being part of this incredible community and having the opportunity to lead and encourage others and to serve our community – these things are worth making hard choices for.

Being part of the heart and soul of church is sometimes hard, but it is always worth it. Ultimately, I hope this is what my children will learn as we walk this journey together. I also wouldn’t mind if they learned to play quietly during the odd meeting.

“The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.”
Psalm 27:4

Written by Jen Grubb

God Moments

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Sometimes we believers get told by those with a different worldview that we are attributing our own “God meaning” to random, inconsequential things and making meaning where there isn’t any. That can make us hesitant to call something a ‘God moment’ and inhibit our ability to testify what God is doing in our lives, yet as my friend Kerry said this week: “if we aren’t seeing God in everything, then we aren’t acknowledging God’s existence”.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools”.
Romans 1:20-22 

These can be hard words to hear, yet they should encourage us. Take note of the little things and be encouraged that God is whispering love to you through His actions. In Ephesians 5:20 Paul says “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Be watchful and notice God at work in your life. Write your ‘God moments’ down, because if you don’t, you will easily forget them. I’m sure that’s why in Deuteronomy 11:19-21,the Israelites were encouraged to teach God’s words to their children. It says: “Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.”

God is never idle. He is constantly at work in our lives, who knows, perhaps the moment you noticed God working in your life this week could be the story that encourages someone else to put their faith in Him! Each week we try and share a God story in our Sunday service; if you have a testimony of God working in your life, don’t be shy! Put your name down at the Connect Desk on Sunday, or send a message to the Energizer Church Facebook page; you never know who will be encouraged!

Written by Lorraine Morgan

A Note From Ps. Dave

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Hi everyone,

Our God is and always has been a God of New things:

“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
And in many cases leaving old things.”
(Isaiah 43:19 NLT)

As we start a new year, we think about new things. Many New Year’s resolutions are about what we don’t want to do, like: not eating so much, drinking less, not responding in certain ways and so on…

The greatest new thing we have is to belong to Christ!
“…anyone who belongs to Christ
has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

The power of stepping into the new lies in understanding that we have been and are being made new! The old has gone, which means all that lies ahead is the new.

2016 is going to be an exciting ride as God continues to do new things among us. The old has gone the new has begun!

Let’s step into it, live and enjoy it, because He certainly is doing a New thing!

Can’t wait to see you in church on Sunday. I’m believing for salvations, for a new Holy Spirit-breathed fire inside us. I know it will be an exciting Sunday. Let’s come prayed up and really expecting the new.

Ps Dave

Christmas – Dividing History: Ten Thoughts for Advent

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The incarnation, when ‘God’ entered history was not an event meant to be remembered as just the birth of a particular baby, a tradition to be celebrated as a sentimental family time of good will. It was definitely not meant to be a time of self-indulgence and wishful thinking that everything will be okay in the end.

It was an event to remind us of a choice we are called to make because of the life and teaching of that baby. His claims and actions challenge us to be clear about the fundamentals of life, their implications and how they impact on our future. The choice is not about our success and pleasure, but about the peace and fulfilment of the community we live in and ultimately that of the world.

The story of the incarnation of ‘Word’ becoming flesh makes it very clear that choosing a fulfilled life, that centres on true peace, is not easy but a narrow (unpopular) road. Certainly the typical understanding of success and a self-indulgent, easy life for those that choose to follow that baby is not a realistic expectation. Jesus himself said (Matt 10: 34) that he did not come to bring peace (as the world understands it) to the earth but a sword. The decision you make about his ‘advent’ will divide people and the cost in choosing him will be to be condemned by those who decided differently. You will have to take up that condemnation (the cross) daily but it will grant you true life.

Take a look at the features of the advent that indicate what you can expect. It is not what the ‘world’ would accept as successful or desirable but are indicators of the road we must take to achieve the fulfilment and peace we seek.

1. Joseph was disgraced. His betrothed was apparently not a virgin. She was pregnant and unmarried. The standard punishment was stoning to death (See John 8). To solve this embarrassment, he offered to divorce her.

2. Mary was an embarrassment. She was not honoured as her cousin Elizabeth, over whom everybody was rejoicing and making a fuss. Instead of a stable, Elizabeth had her baby at home amongst her husband’s community. Mary had her baby in an isolated foreign location, in a place reserved for animals devoid of her family support.

3. They became refugees seeking asylum in Egypt.

4. The King back home had tried to kill her and the baby. He slaughtered hundreds in his attempt to kill an alternate choice for king.

5. The new ‘King’ was not a powerful warrior or wealthy and influential. He was of humble origins, born in a stable, visited by shepherds who were considered riff raff and so godless and unclean that they were not allowed past the outer courts of the temple (with the women) when they went to worship. The other visitors were impure, ‘non elect’ gentile outsiders. They were wise men whose beliefs were certainly not conventional Jewish ones. They were foreign astrologers and scientists.

6. Jesus was a common name at the time and he came from Galilee which was derided as a place only for ignorant, unsophisticated country bumpkins.

7. He didn’t act like an aloof King but mixed with all the wrong sorts of people. He was approachable unlike ‘real’ kings or even God. The primary response to God when He was approached was fear.

8. The prophetic words said over his birth indicate clearly the future emphasis of his mission and teaching; the ‘Magnificat’ spoken by Mary says that:
a. He would scatter the proud,
b. bring down the arrogant rulers,
c. the humble would be lifted up,
d. the hungry would be filled with good things,
e. the rich would be sent away,
f. and he would be merciful to the faithful.
These prophetic words clearly indicate that His intentions were egalitarian with a heart for the oppressed and marginalised who had been ignored by those whose responsibility it was to meet their needs; see Luke 4: 18 & 19.

9. Simeon in the Temple at Jesus’ circumcision saw that he would challenge people to choose how they should respond to him, a choice that would cause conflict with this fallen world.

10. Jesus’ uncle, Zachariah, saw conflict too and prayed for ‘salvation from the enemies that hate us’.

All these indicate what the values oh Advent are and the direction that the life of a follower of this baby would take. It certainly is not a decision taken without ‘counting the cost’ and it would be counter-cultural and counter-intuitive, resulting in many points of conflict with the accepted norms.

Yet this baby Jesus brought us ‘Good News’: that God has returned and is now with us, Emmanuel; where before only the Prince of Darkness reigned. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Satan is now defeated, condemned (Jn14:30) and will be driven out (Jn 12:30) and destroyed (1Cor 15:24 &25) for Jesus has overcome the world (Jn16:3) and is now King. The accuser, Satan has nothing to say to those who believe for Jesus has dealt with our sin. The ransom has already been paid. With his resurrection, he has established His Kingdom on earth through his victory, which is now advancing vigorously, so that even the defences of the Devil won’t be able to withstand it. His Kingdom advances through the loving work of his renewed people who now have the very Spirit of God within them until the consummation when Jesus our King will return on that last day.

This is what Christmas is all about and for those who have chosen to be followers of that baby we celebrate with wonderment and thanksgiving the hope for a redeemed world where the fall has been reversed and we will return to Eden.

Written by Sweis Meijers

It’s Never Too Late: Four Lessons About Hope

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At our recent Nourish Retreat we looked at the Book of Joel. I was reminded that, with our God, it’s never too late – there is hope.

Prior to coming into relationship with Jesus, I was broken! A painful, sometimes violent childhood had taken its toll, and had left me with trust issues; I would never allow myself to appear weak, I would never show vulnerability and I put walls up. This made it very hard for people around me to love me. I just wouldn’t really let anybody get too close. At times, although I was surrounded by family and friends, I felt alone, and misunderstood.

Instantly, after entering into a relationship with Jesus, I started to heal. My heart started to feel whole, little by little the walls came down, and I felt “safe” enough to show the real me.

Through His teachings, I have learnt to trust, that it is ok to be vulnerable – for when I am weak, He is strong. I feel protected, safe, understood and never alone. Most importantly I have Hope. Hope that I can break the cycle and bring light into the dark areas around my family.

I can’t speak for all of you, but my relationship with God has felt like a rubber band.

On one end is God, around which the band is securely fastened. On the other end is me. At times, I stretch the band to its limits, but it never comes unfastened from God. This is where I feel tension, stress, anxiety, overwhelmed, and I feel a lot of fear. Other times, it is so close to God that there is no tension in it at all. This is where I feel the most fearless. It seems as though I go back and forth a lot.

But no matter how far I stretch, it is the “tension” that is created by not listening to God, or being disobedient, or not surrendering my burdens that reminds me that I need to “let go” of my ways and turn back to God.

We’ve all had days (and maybe even years) when life just doesn’t seem to be going our way! You can feel like you take hit after hit. Struggles in life are inevitable, but destruction is optional. Remembering the following can make all the difference.

1. Remember that your Character should always be stronger than your Circumstances.
We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we choose to respond. In those moments when I choose to stop complaining and instead give thanks to God for the good in my life, the parts that seem bad start to seem much less significant. Choose to keep a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of what you’re going through.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2. Remember that your Struggles always lead to Strength.
Every difficulty in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce more strengthand faith in you if you let Him! All your pain has a purpose.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

3. Remember that God’s timing is always perfect.
God’s plans are almost always different from our plans, but His plans are always perfect! Have the patience to wait on His timing instead of forcing your own.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

4. Remember that God will never leave your side.
You may feel like you’re going through this struggle all alone, but from the moment you ask Jesus to bring you into God’s family, He will be by your side to the end so never lose hope!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

To finish, I just wanted to encourage you that, It’s never too late to turn to God, and it’s never too late to build your faith. He doesn’t destine us to be dammed. God created us for glory, for greatness.

Tash Ellis

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Lately, I’ve been reading through Philippians and have been really curious at how bold Paul is. I really admire the Apostle Paul; maybe it’s because I aspire to be more bold or have that same real, deep level of faith. It must have been tough being imprisoned for faith.

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have in the past.” Philippians 1:20

But how do we become bold?

One thing I’m grateful for is the constant, nurturing way God works within me, and the fact that these good works will continue until Jesus’ resurrection. (Philippians 1:6)

I can be bold, you can be bold; we all can, because we have the special favour of God, but of course we have a multitude more than that. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us! We always have the Holy Spirit with us!

From my reflections on Philippians, Paul’s suggestion is that the ability to be bold comes from the willingness to sacrifice.

“But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.” Philippians 2:17

Although we usually can see what steps boldness requires of us, it’s the potential cost that renders us unable to step out in faith. Jesus’ most bold move was when he hung on the cross like a criminal to save this dying world.

I’m hoping I won’t be hanging on a cross anything soon, but somehow I think sacrifices will still be required if I am to make a bold move for God’s purpose.

This is the verse I need to listen to and maybe you do too: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6, NLT)

Invite Sunday is coming up for our church on Sunday November 8th. This is a great opportunity to practice being bold, even with the sacrifices that might be required. To boldly step out and invite that friend you have been praying for at church, you may need to sacrifice your comfort zone. To strike up a conversation that goes beyond the surface level, you may need to sacrifice some extra time. To be bold and extend the invitation to our special service, you may need to sacrifice your pride and risk rejection.

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Written by Rob Wise