Every Good and Perfect Gift...

Depending on where you find yourself on the political spectrum you either had a great night, or a not so great night last night. And while I have my opinions, and my political leanings, I refer you to last week's blog where it doesn't really matter where I stand, because Jesus is the king to the throne of my heart no matter who is in the White House.

Today, however, I want to focus on something that brings me hope, joy, and peace. James 1: 17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

I am reminded today that God has so many good gifts to give us. Not only that, but he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and there is nothing that can separate us from the love of our Father in Heaven.

So...where do we go from here? On a national level, I have no idea. But as a church? Well, that's much more clear. We need to be the Church. We need to take care of each other. We need to watch out for each other. We need to continue our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

This church, this place, these people we call our church family, we should all be each other's priority.

I am reminded of the Acts Church:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and have everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And THE LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Church, this is who we need to be. We need to be together. We need to have Jesus (who is EVERYTHING) in common. We need to meet together, break bread together. We need to be devoted to the teachings of Jesus, to fellowship, and to prayer. This is what it means to be the church. 

It is my hope that we haven't lost our way; that we have become something we weren't meant to be. It is my hope that we can repent from our desires to be all about me and we can turn to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

It's time for us to be the Church.


Let us pray,

God, forgive us for our sins. Forgive us for not humbling ourselves, for not praying, for not seeking you first, and for not doing what you have called us to do. Help us to see that EVERYTHING GOOD comes from you, and to recognize that you are the same God yesterday, today, and forever.

Forgive us we pray!

In the name of Jesus!
Amen.