Are you consumed by what's happening next that you're not present for the here and now?
Are you not present for the presence of God?
The ultimate purpose of our lives is to make a difference (Allen Pedram).
The ultimate purpose of our lives is to make a difference (Allen Pedram).
John 15:8,11 (NIRV)
(Jesus speaking) When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father.
It shows that you are my disciples.
11 I have told you this so that you will have the same joy that I have.
I also want your joy to be complete.
God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.
Genesis 12:2-3 B (NIRV)
(God speaking about Abraham) All nations on earth
will be blessed because of you.”
Galatians 3:14 A (NIRV)
(Paul writing about us)Christ Jesus set us free so that the blessing given to Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIRV)
17 (Paul writing) Command people who are rich in this world not to be proud.
Tell them not to put their hope in riches.
Wealth is so uncertain.
Command those who are rich to put their hope in God.
He richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
18 Command the rich to do what is good.
Tell them to be rich in doing good things.
They must give freely. They must be willing to share.
19 In this way, they will store up true riches for themselves.
It will provide a firm basis for the next life.
Then they will take hold of the life that really is life.
Rich people are more rich than they think that they are.
We are so rich that we even have rooms for our clothes.
God doesn't want us to feel guilty, but to be responsible.
Blessed people are not good at being blessed.
The more a person makes.
The less % that a person gives.
The more a person makes.
The less % that a person gives.
If you are blessed there is a responsibility that goes alone with it.
Luke 12:48B (NIRV)
(Jesus speaking) Much will be required of everyone who has been given much.
Even more will be asked of the person who is supposed to take care of much.
God wants to bless us with more, but we cannot forget what the more is for.
2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIRV)
11 (Paul writing)You will be made rich in every way.
Then you can always give freely.
We will take your many gifts to the people who need them. And they will give thanks to God.
Deuteronomy 21:17 (NIRV)
(Moses writing) He must recognize the full rights of the oldest son.
He must do it, even though that son is the son of the wife he doesn’t love.
He must give that son a double share of everything he has.
That son is the first sign of his father’s strength.
So the rights of the oldest son belong to him.
Moses wasn't writing about favoritism.
The first born son was to take care of the family after the father's death.
The first born son was to take care of the family after the father's death.
Hebrews 12:15-17 (NIRV)
15 Be sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up.
If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will make many people impure.
16 See to it that no one commits sexual sins.
See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the oldest son.
He sold them for a single meal.
17 As you know, after that he wanted to receive his father’s blessing.
But he was turned away.
With tears he tried to get the blessing.
But he couldn’t change what he had done.
With tears he tried to get the blessing.
But he couldn’t change what he had done.
Esau didn't want the responsibilities of being the first born.
He wanted the blessing, but not the responsibilities of it.
He wanted the blessing, but not the responsibilities of it.
Our stuff is not our stuff.
The Church at Church is at half time. The game is on the outside of these walls.
This is what Christianity is.
The Church at Church is at half time. The game is on the outside of these walls.
This is what Christianity is.
Isaiah 58:5-12 (NIRV)
5 Do you think that is the way I want you to fast?
Is it only a time for people to make themselves suffer?
Is it only for people to bow their heads like tall grass bent by the wind?
Is it only for people to lie down in ashes and clothes of mourning?
Is that what you call a fast?
Do you think I can accept that?
6 “Here is the way I want you to fast.
“Set free those who are held by chains without any reason.
Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves.
Set free those who are crushed.
Break every evil chain.
7 Share your food with hungry people.
Provide homeless people with a place to stay.
Give naked people clothes to wear.
Provide for the needs of your own family.
Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves.
Set free those who are crushed.
Break every evil chain.
7 Share your food with hungry people.
Provide homeless people with a place to stay.
Give naked people clothes to wear.
Provide for the needs of your own family.
8 Then the light of my blessing will shine on you like the rising sun.
I will heal you quickly.
I will march out ahead of you.
And my glory will follow behind you and guard you.
That’s because I always do what is right.
9 You will call out to me for help.
And I will answer you.
You will cry out.
And I will say, ‘Here I am.’
“Get rid of the chains you use to hold others down.
Stop pointing your finger at others as if they had done something wrong.
Stop saying harmful things about them.
10 Work hard to feed hungry people.
Satisfy the needs of those who are crushed.
Then my blessing will light up your darkness.
And the night of your suffering will become as bright as the noonday sun.
11 I will always guide you.
I will satisfy your needs in a land baked by the sun.
I will make you stronger.
You will be like a garden that has plenty of water.
You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry.
12 Your people will rebuild the cities that were destroyed long ago.
And you will build again on the old foundations.
You will be called One Who Repairs Broken Walls.
You will be called One Who Makes City Streets Like New Again.
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