FreshBread

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,”- Philippians 1:9-10

Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for the GREAT “jump-in” spirit that I have witnessed over the last few weeks. This weekend the students at Freshstart helped us move the offices, last night almost 15 people were working on Street Festival signs and preparations and others have volunteered to help people outside of the walls of Freshstart. I want you to know that I see a powerful witness for Christ when I observe our church.

In the scripture above, Paul encourages us to allow our LOVE to abound in “knowledge and depth of insight”. What does that mean? We’ll look at this verse from the Message Translation:

9-11So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Paul wants us to understand that love can be inappropriately given! WOW that might seem weird, but love that is not exercised without sincerity and diligence, love that is just an act to make yourself feel good or even just to make another feel good, may not be what God is calling us to. The Love of God is a fruitful love, a love that points people to Jesus. This kind of love sometimes does not feel good initially, for feeling is not its goal – faithfulness is! When you hear the words, “love must be tough”, it is true!

Have a great day. I thank those of you in advance who will be at church to help tonight. Some of you have other obligations or a night with the family. Let’s approach whatever situation we find ourselves in with the Love of God!

Scott

Good Morning Friends…..

In John Chapter three we read these words of Jesus:
“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”- John 3:20-21

Be careful as you read this verse….it is very easy as we read the scripture to come away with a good guy vs. bad guy mentality. The problem is sin, not people! However, when people choose sin….well, they have bought into or embraced the problem. Why is it a problem? As Jesus says, SIN/EVIL causes you to hide from him. So think about this for a moment…..

I talk to many people who know that they have made a mess of their life. They love God so they are trying to fix a few things before they truly come back to God. Sound familiar? Well, this “trying” is an act of the “self” and thus part of the sin/evil that keeps you from coming into the LIGHT. This is an act of pride thinking we can fix it first and then present ourselves to God. THERE IS NO WAY. When we realize it is only due to His Grace that we are accepted, we can boldly live by this truth and enter the Light! REMEMBER, in total vulnerability lies perfect safety…..and it is ONLY THERE, when we come into the light of God’s Love and Grace with nothing hidden or held back, that we find freedom! Don’t work on it…walk in it!!!!!

Have a GREAT day! Talk to you in the AM. Remember, this week we have work crews at the church every night…come out and join us!

Scott

This is a Great weekend. I hope you can join us for our last Sunday after 6 years in the building! This will be a great time of celebration and thanksgiving and we will be celebrating the Lord’s supper together. We will see you there!