Following God’s Path and Plan April 15th through May 20th, 2012
Where are we going and how will we get there? Those are the core questions we’ll address in this series. We’ll seek to articulate answers to both questions in ways that invite disciples to align their lives with God’s direction for us and take their next step on the journey. We’ll discover a path that presses out what it means to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. It’s a path that we’ll travel by inviting the Spirit to grow us up and through our witness in word and deed, grow the Kingdom.
April 15 Up … with God 1 Chronicles 16:8-11, 23-31; John 15:5-11
We love because God first loved us. Deepening our love for God through heart-felt worship and a vibrant devotional life is a disciple’s duty and delight. This is where the journey begins, each and every day. We cannot set the world on fire for the sake of the Kingdom if our passion for God does not burn brightly. In worship and devotion, the Spirit fans the flames of our faith.
April 22 In … through Community Psalm 133; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27
Being so completely loved by God in Christ sets us free to love one another and loving one another begins in the body of Christ. We need one another on this faith journey and one of the best environments to develop authentic, supportive, loving relationships is through community. And when life knocks us down, there are spiritual caregivers to lift us up and walk beside us.
April 29 Out … for the Sake of the World Isaiah 58:5-10; Matthew 25:31-46
We really have been blessed to be a blessing. Through acts of love and mercy, we serve the needs of others and work for justice and peace locally, nationally and globally. Responding to this call not only lays claim to our hearts, but to our time and money, as well.
May 6 Seeds Psalm 78:1-7 (The Message); Luke 8:4-8, 11-15
In the natural world, fruit bears seed for the purpose of reproduction. Like the sower, we are called and empowered to spread the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ liberally with our words and actions, trusting God with the harvest.
May 13 Grow Psalm 119:98-105; Ephesians 4:7, 11-16
When an apple seed germinates, it takes root and begins to grow into an apple tree. When the seeds of faith germinate in our lives, we, too, will grow. By God’s grace and the use of spiritual disciplines, we grow daily into the fullness of Christ.
May 20 Fruit Isaiah 1:16-20; Galatians 5:16-26
How do you know when an apple tree grows to maturity? When it begins to bear apples. Spiritual maturity is revealed when we bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. And in the circle of life, the purpose of fruit is ultimately to bear seed for the purpose of reproduction.
