​A month ago, we started looking at this one verse. Why this verse? What is God saying to you in this one verse? Read it. Listen to God. Think about it. Memorize it. Contemplate on it.

1 Cor 16:13 "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong." 

We already thought through the first two commands; Be Alert and Stand Firm.

Now, let's look at "be courageous." The original language is one word. It is only used once in the Bible. Andrizomai which literally means "to act like a man." Interesting... It is only used once in the New Testament.

Many translations define this as "be courageous", "be brave."
I think it means more than growing in courage. I think God is saying, "grow up."

God is giving us this command, "Grow Up."

How does He want you to grow up? What changes in life do you need to make?

Do you leave dishes on the counter without washing them or putting them into the dishwasher?
Do you use the car and leave it empty of gas for the next driver?
Do you point out problems without coming up with solutions?

When it comes to keeping your marriage vows, do you complain about how hard it is at home? We need to grow up and keep our vows.
When it comes to responsibilities, are we complaining about them or are we seeking to do them?
When it comes to relational conflicts are we avoiding them and putting emotional gas on them with gossip or are we giving mercy and grace by seeking to restore the relationship?
When doing the right thing, if it is right there in front of us do we steer away from it or do we embrace it?
When was the last time you risked to do something kind, encouraging and selfless for a Christian or a not-yet-Christian?
When it comes to regularly serving, are you growing up by accepting that is a characteristic you want to define you?

Asking God together, how does He want us to change?
Pastor Chris

Did Jesus ever get angry?

Did Jesus ever get angry with children?

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16

As we can see from this passage, Jesus got angry with His disciples when they were preventing families bringing their children to Him.

Can you see Jesus' love for children in this passage?
Can you see His desire to be with them, to pick them up, to call them by name, to bless them...

What immense love Jesus has for children...

This is why we do VBS every year. We want to join Jesus on His all-out-search-and-rescue mission for children.

Let's invite any family you know with elementary-aged children.
Let's pray for each child that comes.
Let's pray Jesus adopts dozens of children into His family this week.

On an all-out-search-and-rescue mission together,
Pastor Chris
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