1.2 June 7th (After Church)

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers....So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being baptized".-Acts 2:42, 46-47

This mornings' message was really awesome! It was exactly what the members of Ekklesia needed, to be able to work towards being all that God wants them to be. It is so important to remember that the church is not someplace you meet every Sunday morning; the church IS the people! It's those who gather together to worship Him who had once come and died for our sins so that we can freely gather in His name and praise Him. It does not matter who one dresses; whether they are wearing hats or jeans with holes in the knees, or whatever else. What matters is where their heart is and what they make of that time to worship Christ. I have been to a few churches in my time and have seen the nit-pickiest of the bunch. The women who give mean stares at people for what they are wearing, when they never even took the time to get to know the person or see where the persons' heart lies. Some of the most genuine and Godliest of people I know do not have much on their backs and are so very humble. I also feel that people who come to church have to wear the finest clothes, or have their hair looking a certain way. It doesn't matter people! God does not care how you look or what designer jeans you are wearing! He cares about your heart and about you! So quit having to be the most popular person at church and start figuring out how you can meet God's expectations not those of others. Spend time in His word and get to know what He is all about! He will show you new things about Him everyday! Here are the principles of what God lays out of what the church (the body of believers) should be:

1. A Christ-centered Community
2. A Witnessing Community
3. A Disciple-making Community
4. A Bible-preaching Community
5. A Fellowshipping Community
6. A Communion-taking Community
7. A Praying Community
8. A Growing Church Community
9. An Accountable Community
10. A Serving Community
11. A Loving, Gracious, and Forgiving Community
12. A God-controlled Church Community

Go Forth and Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ!!

1.1 Sunday June 7th, 2009

"With Him are wisdom and strength,
He has counsel and understanding"-Job 12:13

What I have really learned about Job is that even though God had blessed him so much in the beginning; when he faces the large-scale "storms" in his life; that he loses complete faith in God. I know in my own life that I have done the same. It becomes so easy to just doubt God. People tell us to, we tell ourselves to and people confirm that, but God has never left us. Satan can learn about even the smallest of weaknesses we have and then wait upon any chance to attack. God wants us to draw on His strength and wisdom everytime we feel like we want to doubt or stray away. That way, Satan does not have even the slightest of chances to makes us fall prey.
Well, I've got to get ready for church and also make sure Rich has woken up! Gosh, I hope he has already!