Man, I am so stoked to start this journey as a community through the book of Matthew together! I don't know about you, but I love my Jesus and I need more of Him in my life.
Just take a moment to pray that to Him...Jesus, I need and want more of You in my life.
The name of this study is "follower." Why? Because I believe now more than ever that in order to follow Christ, which we are called to do, we MUST know Christ! We have to know what He's about, what He stood for, and what He was passionate about. Tomorrow we will start on that journey of looking and studying His life through Matthew's perspective.
Take the time to pray right now and just tell Jesus to reveal who He is to you. Tell Him you want to know Him more. Put yourself before Him declaring you're teachable.
Also, take time to pray for our community or ministry, fusion. Ask God to grow us closer together as we study the life of our Savior.
Lord, may our hearts be united as each of us study to become a better follower of Yours. Help us to do what You made us to do...to produce lasting fruit for Your glory! John 15:8,16...check it out! This is the reason we live!
Ya'll have a great night! See ya tomorrow...
tom
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
John15...2 Days and Counting!
Hello fellow bloggers!
I am sitting here with Ryan Pantaleo...he says hello or "morning"! Anyway as Ryan and I just finished reading John 15 to one another what stood out to me was Christ talking about the world's hatred. Jesus talks about this hatred from verse 18 -25, but what really stood out to me was Jesus' guarantee that the world will hate you. He doesn't say the world might hate you, He says the world will hate you at some point. Why?
Why will the world hate us? What did I do wrong? Maybe some of the questions running through your mind as you read Christ's words in John 15. Jesus says, in verse 19, that the world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. Who do you belong to...Christ or the world?
This reminds me of a few years back when I had a couple of roommates, and they would constantly want to go down town and get..."wasted" and meet girls and do all kinds of worldly things. When they would invite me and I would say no, it would cause some bitter feelings and even sometimes arguments between us. Christ tells us that those who choose the narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14) will be hated by those who choose the wide road!
It's kind of like being with a big group of friends and one of the friends is not involved in any of the discussions, they are not talking to anyone, they are with you guys but as you all walk in a group they lag 10 feet behind. You ask that person what's wrong and they say nothing...I am fine. Now I have been on both sides of this situation before and i know that when you are with the group of friends it bothers you that the one friend isn't talking to anyone. So as a result you and the rest of the friends don't have as good of time because the one person is not involved in everything that everyone else is involved in. So when you choose to do the things people do in the world they will love you, but when you choose to follow Christ and not do the things of the world at times people will hate you for it...even people you consider to be your friends.
Have you ever been hated on because you decided to follow Jesus?
What do you belong to...the world or Jesus Christ?
How do you go about loving others like Christ calls us to do without following the ways of the world...drugs, drinking, sex, porn, fighting(over dumb things), yelling at your parents. gossiping...how do you do that?
Lord Jesus please use this little online study to draw us closer to You and closer to one another helping us to become better followers of You! Please bless my friends within fusion and help them to stand up for You no matter what the cost! Pl,ease continue to reveal Yourself to us as we study Your word! I love You lord, thanks for all You do for me!
tom
I am sitting here with Ryan Pantaleo...he says hello or "morning"! Anyway as Ryan and I just finished reading John 15 to one another what stood out to me was Christ talking about the world's hatred. Jesus talks about this hatred from verse 18 -25, but what really stood out to me was Jesus' guarantee that the world will hate you. He doesn't say the world might hate you, He says the world will hate you at some point. Why?
Why will the world hate us? What did I do wrong? Maybe some of the questions running through your mind as you read Christ's words in John 15. Jesus says, in verse 19, that the world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. Who do you belong to...Christ or the world?
This reminds me of a few years back when I had a couple of roommates, and they would constantly want to go down town and get..."wasted" and meet girls and do all kinds of worldly things. When they would invite me and I would say no, it would cause some bitter feelings and even sometimes arguments between us. Christ tells us that those who choose the narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14) will be hated by those who choose the wide road!
It's kind of like being with a big group of friends and one of the friends is not involved in any of the discussions, they are not talking to anyone, they are with you guys but as you all walk in a group they lag 10 feet behind. You ask that person what's wrong and they say nothing...I am fine. Now I have been on both sides of this situation before and i know that when you are with the group of friends it bothers you that the one friend isn't talking to anyone. So as a result you and the rest of the friends don't have as good of time because the one person is not involved in everything that everyone else is involved in. So when you choose to do the things people do in the world they will love you, but when you choose to follow Christ and not do the things of the world at times people will hate you for it...even people you consider to be your friends.
Have you ever been hated on because you decided to follow Jesus?
What do you belong to...the world or Jesus Christ?
How do you go about loving others like Christ calls us to do without following the ways of the world...drugs, drinking, sex, porn, fighting(over dumb things), yelling at your parents. gossiping...how do you do that?
Lord Jesus please use this little online study to draw us closer to You and closer to one another helping us to become better followers of You! Please bless my friends within fusion and help them to stand up for You no matter what the cost! Pl,ease continue to reveal Yourself to us as we study Your word! I love You lord, thanks for all You do for me!
tom
Sunday, June 1, 2008
John 15...3 Days and Counting!
What up Crew...
It really encouraged my heart this morning at church to hear some of you share your excitement for "follower" to begin! I am stoked as well, and am believing He has some good stuff in store for us as a community.
In verse 12, of John 15 Jesus commands us to love each other as He has loved us. He goes on to explain how He loved us...by laying His life down for us! Now as Christians this is why we live our life the way we live it...because Jesus gave His life for us! But I think sometimes we miss read this verse and think the way we love each other is by dying for someone and unless you die you have never really loved...therefore what Jesus is talking about is impossible and not worth attempting on our end!
However Jesus was talking about something much deeper and very possible...for those who are for real about following Him! To love another person is to lay aside what you want for the sake of somebody else! When you as a young person lay down your plans, schedule, time and agenda for somebody else to serve them you begin to really love them. Jesus encourages us to esteem others before our self. To place an other's needs in front of your own.
We know we are called to love others, but so many of us refuse to follow Christ's lead in our life. Just think of this...Christ is the King and Ruler of it all, but gave it all up and died a horrific death because He loved us. He endured punishment that He did not deserve. He had things screamed at Him that were untrue...but it didn't matter because all He could think about was you! Let us love others as Christ has first loved us, laying aside our self and putting others in front of us!
When was the last time you served someone...without them asking!
Take the time today to serve someone in any way possible...and don't forget to be in prayer for the things listed in the 1st blog!
peace!!
tom
It really encouraged my heart this morning at church to hear some of you share your excitement for "follower" to begin! I am stoked as well, and am believing He has some good stuff in store for us as a community.
In verse 12, of John 15 Jesus commands us to love each other as He has loved us. He goes on to explain how He loved us...by laying His life down for us! Now as Christians this is why we live our life the way we live it...because Jesus gave His life for us! But I think sometimes we miss read this verse and think the way we love each other is by dying for someone and unless you die you have never really loved...therefore what Jesus is talking about is impossible and not worth attempting on our end!
However Jesus was talking about something much deeper and very possible...for those who are for real about following Him! To love another person is to lay aside what you want for the sake of somebody else! When you as a young person lay down your plans, schedule, time and agenda for somebody else to serve them you begin to really love them. Jesus encourages us to esteem others before our self. To place an other's needs in front of your own.
We know we are called to love others, but so many of us refuse to follow Christ's lead in our life. Just think of this...Christ is the King and Ruler of it all, but gave it all up and died a horrific death because He loved us. He endured punishment that He did not deserve. He had things screamed at Him that were untrue...but it didn't matter because all He could think about was you! Let us love others as Christ has first loved us, laying aside our self and putting others in front of us!
When was the last time you served someone...without them asking!
Take the time today to serve someone in any way possible...and don't forget to be in prayer for the things listed in the 1st blog!
peace!!
tom
Saturday, May 31, 2008
John 15...T-Minus 4 Days and Counting...
hello crew!
This weekend has been crazy already! Just moved into my new place and I am trying to get settled in! As I read John 15 again today what sticks out is Jesus talking about joy. We need joy in our lives don't we? Jesus goes on and on about remaining in Him only to say, in verse 11, "I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.Yes, your joy would overflow!"
Right now in your life, are you "overflowing" with joy? People notice those who are filled with joy...do people notice you? Do you stand out to others because you are all about our Jesus and because of it your exploding with joy?
What about the opposite of joy? Jesus talks about those who are apart from Him wither up. He says those who are disconnected from Him are useless...right now do you feel useless? Is your life counting for something? Jesus gives us the choice...a "joy" filled life or a withered useless life. Which life do you want?
I am praying for all you guys...please do the same for me!
Don't forget to be in prayer for our study...I'll see some of you tomorrow at worship!
tom
This weekend has been crazy already! Just moved into my new place and I am trying to get settled in! As I read John 15 again today what sticks out is Jesus talking about joy. We need joy in our lives don't we? Jesus goes on and on about remaining in Him only to say, in verse 11, "I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.Yes, your joy would overflow!"
Right now in your life, are you "overflowing" with joy? People notice those who are filled with joy...do people notice you? Do you stand out to others because you are all about our Jesus and because of it your exploding with joy?
What about the opposite of joy? Jesus talks about those who are apart from Him wither up. He says those who are disconnected from Him are useless...right now do you feel useless? Is your life counting for something? Jesus gives us the choice...a "joy" filled life or a withered useless life. Which life do you want?
I am praying for all you guys...please do the same for me!
Don't forget to be in prayer for our study...I'll see some of you tomorrow at worship!
tom
Thursday, May 29, 2008
John 15...6 days and counting!
What up fusion faithful!
Man I am stoked to dive in deeper with you all in looking at the life of our Jesus! For those of you tracking with me in this journey, i have asked that you read John 15 everyday until the study begins(6 days and counting!!). John 15, the whole chapter, is Jesus talking to us. So as you read it again and again this week, read it as if Jesus were talking directly to you. Tonight as I read it over I was reminded of how crucial it is to remain in my Jesus.
Jesus says in verse 5, apart from Me you can do nothing! Do you believe that to be true in your own life? That you will not be successful unless you stay connected with Christ. It is a thought we struggle to believe in our hearts isn't it. I know I like to think I can handle anything on my own, and this verse really challenges me...apart from Me tom...you can do nothing!
Man I am stoked to dive in deeper with you all in looking at the life of our Jesus! For those of you tracking with me in this journey, i have asked that you read John 15 everyday until the study begins(6 days and counting!!). John 15, the whole chapter, is Jesus talking to us. So as you read it again and again this week, read it as if Jesus were talking directly to you. Tonight as I read it over I was reminded of how crucial it is to remain in my Jesus.
Jesus says in verse 5, apart from Me you can do nothing! Do you believe that to be true in your own life? That you will not be successful unless you stay connected with Christ. It is a thought we struggle to believe in our hearts isn't it. I know I like to think I can handle anything on my own, and this verse really challenges me...apart from Me tom...you can do nothing!
Some things to reflect on...
- How do we remain in His love?(verse 10)
- In verse 2 Jesus says that the Gardener, or His Father...God, cuts off any branch that isn't producing fruit or that is killing the person's life. As we get set to start our study boldly ask God to prune your life and to cut any "branch" off that isn't producing good fruit!
- And don't forget to be praying for the 4 things I listed on the 1st "blog".
I am praying for all you guys...I'll talk to ya tomorrow!
tom
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