TAKE AN INVENTORY - GIVE THANKS!

1 Chronicles 16:8 - Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

Psalm 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for His is good; His love endures forever.

2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do you think gratitude is countercultural? Sometimes I think so - especially for us in our possessive, materialistic world. Basic provisions can be quickly forgotten without pausing to acknowledge the miracle of their origin. Contemporary American expectations of what we deserve are off the charts compared to most of the world. Being grateful for a five year old computer, a ten year old car, vitamins, antibiotics, heat in our home, cool drinks in the refrigerator is not generally part of our daily routine.

The late Catholic writer Henri Nouwen spoke insightfully to this truth. He believed that gratitude is a discipline. Gratitude is not something that comes naturally or easily. Thus it is important to seek to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. A spirit of gratitude will move us, like it moved the Samaritan leper.

MAGNETIC!

MAGNETIC - DEVELOPING AN ATTRACTIVE FAITH FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

If you have ever held two magnets, you understand that the closer the magnets are together - the stronger the pull. Jesus desires for his followers to have a faith that it so "magnetic" that it draws others to a saving grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The magnetism we can possess comes only from a faith that first forms on the inside and then translates to the outside. A component of this weekend involved encouraging students to remain sexually pure before marriage. Temptations come each day in the lives of these students. They were encouraged this weekend that each of them are significant to the person of Christ. Because of their significance, God desires the best for their lives. And that best involves "purity."

Some of the things students enjoyed most about Disciple Now were the Bible Studies, Fellowship with one another, the mission projects and the photo scavenger hunt on Saturday afternoon. Our students participated in 6 different mission projects: ministered to our Hugg Friends, worked at Silver Heights Christian Camp in New Albany, painted at Word of Faith church, ministered at Twinbrook Nursing Home, delivered the canned goods collected from SMBC to St. Mams, make Christmas gift bags for the homeless, delivered furniture for God's Design, painted at The Center for Women and Families and worked at organizing over 20 bags of clothing collected at the Baptist Fellowship Center.

I am so grateful for all of our volunteers. I could not have done it without you.

TIPS FOR BEING THANKFUL

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

When someone does something nice for you, let that person know you appreciate it.

Tell your family members you appreciate them.

Be thankful for the honesty of other people.

Be thankful for people who tell you the truth about yourself.

Colossians 2:6-7 ...and be thankful...

10. Opportunities to serve in Louisville, Costa Rica and throughout the United States in obedience to Jesus Christ.

9. Purpose

8. Compassion International - releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.

7. Relationships: Colleagues, Church family and Friends

6.Laughter.

5. Furnace on cold nights & vehicle to drive & coffee to drink!

4. Family: Grandparents, Mom, Dad and in-laws!

3. Education: Reading to Elliott and Max!

2. After 12 years, Wally still irons his own clothes.

1. Jesus digs me!

CONTEND FOR THE FAITH

Tonight at church, our high school students began looking and studying the book of Jude. It is a fascinating book. Short but packed full of good stuff. Jude reminds us that we must fight for truth. We live in a world where I believe many Christ followers have lost the pure motives for worshiping God and going to church. The youth listed the "wrong motives" for worshipping God/going to church tonight in Bible study. Examples were as follows: free food, bored, cute guys, cute girls, look good, social hour, friends, score points with God, etc.

Jude makes it clear that if we follow Christ with wrong motives, we eventually will fall prey to relative truth. I believe there is absolute truth and that truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Many church goers have become cynical and before they ever arrive to church - they are saying, "I'm not going to get anything out of this." My question is - why go? I mean God is bigger than I can even imagine but I've rarely seen God move when people have the wrong motive about worshiping Him.

My prayer is that Jesus becomes central to our lives - not just "doing things for Jesus." We must continue to live lives of integrity in order to fight for truth. We must fall in love with the person of Jesus Christ.