Love God Love One Another

We all have a deep longing to belong. Sometime in the silence of this Christmas we hope you will discover that you are the first one picked tonight—the very one that God pursues. God's only Son, Jesus, was given for you! The gap between our restless heart and our home is not a place but a person. We find completeness when we move closer to a God hug...to feel at home. #HomeForChristmas #messiahyl

Questions about the Christmas story poke us this time of year. Do we ever pretend to understand? Have you ever quietly wondered, "is it all real?" Angels? Wisemen following a star? Virgin birth? If your mind has ever taken you in irreligious uncomfortable directions, take note of today's message. There is something heartening about the account of the life of Jesus (even if the birth circumstances are right now hard to reason)...#LukesStory #messiahyl

Is it possible have a greater love capacity than God? As law breakers we find ourselves outcast and mired in a debt/debtor relationship. Even so, we were sought out, adopted, and redeemed from our debt! Now we have the intimate embrace of a loving "daddy" and his Holy Spirit in our life. We are loved without condition; loved without bounds—fully, part of the family. Debt-free...that's our story. #LiveYourStory #messiahyl

Have you ever prayed to be more like Jesus? Maybe that aspiration was to be more moral or to sin less. Being more like Jesus actually looks more practical. Jesus loved the people that no one wanted. God's mercy for our shortcomings is ours, too. Because of the love we've received, we can extend mercy to others. May the power of Christ transform you daily into the generous person you were designed to be. Acknowledge God's love and experience the thrill of hope. #Hope4Kids #messiahyl

In seasons of waiting, what keeps us true to our faith? Why carry on? There are seasons in life when it feels like God is not near...not yet, not soon, not in sight, not sure. However, it is only perspective that obscures our view of the truth. Time is God's domain...and, the promise of "God with us" is certain in every moment of our life. In Zechariah's story we see an apparent lifelong patience and silence turned to joy! #SilenceIsNotAbsence #messiahyl

Have we lost the ability to love (be loved) and like (be liked) by other people? Is our worldly partiality overwriting our unity? The church God envisions is the "assembled one," individuals gathered together—a community of people. As in the feeding the 5,000+, Jesus didn't ask "which team are you on? rather, "what is your need?" Living on God's terms, our role is to listen to the needs of others...and meet them. #LifeOnGodsTerm #ISeeTheCrowd #messiahyl

What is our level of contentment in good situations...and bad situations? In your mind, are they the same threshold? What is your mindset of generosity...not enough to go around (scarcity) or the more you give, the more there is to give (abundance)? The art of living well is spending the coins we get wisely. We were created to be irrationally generous. Life is often reordered to draw us toward God. #generousinallthings #messiahyl

Touched by the lives of those that serve, we pause to give appreciation to our Veterans and Chaplains! We see you...and we thank you! Receiving the peace of God and strength for the day faithful people serve. Always moving close to those in need Jesus whispers "fear not, peace be to you, and do not be afraid!" In harm's way, we pray: "Run, Jesus, Run! to me...and to those who serve! #Veterans #Chaplains #messiahyl

Have you ever been surprised by what comes from tiny things? From little seeds come gigantic trees! From a few fish and scraps of bread, God makes miracles! Everything in creation is designed to be more. As we trust in Gods' vision of what could be in ourselves, in others, and in our circumstances, we unlock and God’s unlimited capacity. We are designed to be the tiny seeds of great generosity. #bolo #messiahyl

You can't buy what God wants to give you for free. Forgiveness, peace, and saving grace are yours...but it isn't once-and-done! We are a reforming people and we are still a reforming church. Our current "Jesus movement" opportunity is coming to know the authentic Jesus of Nazareth (not a culturally convenient Jesus) then becoming an influencer—loving God and loving one another. #gamechanger #messiahyl

Why is it we can easily recommend a favorite movie that moves us, but shy from telling people about God? Perhaps we feel "God conversations" are too deep or too wide a subject. The Holy Spirit has gifted you in your uniqueness to tell your story of God's love; all we need to be is open to sharing what God is doing for you. Pray that God will bring an an opportunity to be asked this week by someone how God loves you. #bearingfruit #messiahyl

Do we have the power to influence others? We do...and that power actually comes from God. What are our opportunities for shining light into the lives of others? These could be large and small..some even today. Let's be the reason someone loves Jesus, not the reason they hate Christians. May we always seek to bring forth grace, forgiveness, kindness, and hope, drawing on your strength, Lord, to be an influencer—a light—to all the world. #LightUp #messiahyl

What is your reality view? From what media source or perspective do you get it? As we acknowledge and appreciate the depth of God's love we see how monumental Jesus' personal sacrifice was for us and how insignificant our own trophies and accomplishments really are. If you are looking through the Christian lens...nothing except Jesus Christ, and him crucified...you don't need to worry about your status or reputation in the world. #SeeingThroughNewLenses #messiahyl

What to do? How to do it? It really depends first,...on why? Our mission, values, and vision at Messiah are founded on what Jesus referred to as the greatest (and new) commandment: Love God and Love One Another. As we come to know the love of God that surrounds us, our purpose becomes clear. The most basic footwear of live is to love God most so we can love others best. #IKnowWhyIWearShoes #messiahyl

Do you ever feel a bit like Eeyore? "Days. Weeks. Months. Who knows?” An assurance of love is a gift God offers into this void...it's all we need: no more, no less. We have this gift to be ok, ourselves; yes, and we have a deeper responsibility, too, to be a light in the dark shadows of other's lives. Like Pooh and Piglet did, we can sit beside loneliness. Even Eeyore knows, “a little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” #LoveOneAnother #messiahyl

What is the Real Thing? It's more than Coca-Cola. It's knowing our eternal value and purpose! God provides healthy, safe, wholesome, and live-giving guidance for living. When we spend ourselves in gratitude for and obedience with God's plan...our purpose becomes clear, our opportunities apparent, and our fulfillment wildly abundant. #ObedienceIsFreedom #messiahyl

How can we know God exists? How do we experience God? ...even develop an intimacy and friendship with God? The disciples who wrote the Bible's new testament gospels draw from a common personal experience with God. Jesus made a real difference in the lives of people as documented in eye-witness accounts. So it is also today, God is transforming us. His words are life. How might I better carry and present myself as a witness? #LetYourLightShine #messiahyl

The Sabbath is more than us resting. It's a renewing of our spirits, understanding our work, and family time. Work is important to us. A lot of the meaning of our life is our work. We work as if we are working for God. Our work should be honorable to God. What are we weary from? How do we find rest? Sabbath is not just Sunday. We can find Sabbath in little chunks throughout the week.

Giving more than you receive is a godly virtue. Our blessings and our freedom to live generously come from the provisions of God. Our ability to stand in the body of Christ comes from God accepting us into the family...a family joined under the bearable yolk of Christ—a yolk of love. Coming to know our precious acceptance as immigrants to God's family, we are emboldened and capable of accepting and appreciating others, too. #FreedomGives #Healing #messiahyl

Generous acts are twitches not tweets. In a disconcerting world we are called to be honest with our maker (not hiding) and generous to others (showing radical hospitality to those in need). "Where are you?" God knowingly asks. Woodstock once heralded unconditional love for everyone. Yet long before, God demonstrated in Jesus the desire, work, and suffering it takes to become "enthused"...to have "God in you." #TingedWithUnhingedJoy #messiahyl