A New Year Weekly Text

 

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12

Are you ready for 2024??? Do you have your New Year's Resolutions set? Goals? Bucket List? Are you excited about the prospects the New Year holds?

Whether you answer yes or no, allow me to put on my "Life Coach" hat and offer some some advice. Like my texts, it's free of charge. Remember, you get what you pay for!!🙂

When I read this passage the other day, I thought what a great set of resolutions for the year to come! Use your sticky notes, set reminders on your phone, tell Alexa, just get it before you as a constant reminder.

• Be diligent to the full assurance of hope
• Don't be sluggish
• Be a person of faith and patience that you might inherit the promises

Better than a "To-Do List" would be to use this passage as a filter for your 2024 goals. As you contemplate your goals, ask yourself:

• How will this help me be diligent to the full assurance of hope that I have in Jesus?
• How can this assist me in not being sluggish in my daily walk with the Lord?
• How will this grow my faith and increase my patience? Does this draw me away from the promises I have in Christ?
• In pursuing this, will I be worthy of imitation by others in their faith journey?

Finally, I would encourage you to incorporate the principles of these verses into your daily prayers, seeking the power of The Holy Spirit to imprint this focus into your daily life. I believe you could see significant growth in faith and holiness and more effective and worthwhile results from your resolutions. Aspire to the greater things that God has for you until He calls you home!

Happy New Year!! Bon Ane Nouvo!!

A Christmas Weekly Text

 

Simple & Ordinary In The Hands Of A Mighty God......

There's an old saying that "familiarity breeds contempt."  In the case of Christmas, familiarity may breed indifference.  It's not that the telling of the birth of the Christ Child has lost its power.  Neither are we ignorant of the "reason for the season" as we are often chided not to forget.  I believe, it's more that we fail to mine the depths of its significance or ponder the wonder of it all.

Why is that?

I believe it may have something to do with the simple and ordinary nature of it all.  Yet, that is exactly what we need to embrace.  The underlying message of the biblical account of the first Christmas is the "simple & the ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God."  

Think this through with me.

A carpenter and his teenage fiancée. A government ordered population count. Sold-out inns. Stables and farm animals.  Straw and swaddling cloths.  Shepherds and foreign academics.  

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God..

It doesn't end there.

A move to Egypt. Then a return to Nazareth.  Living the village life. Learning the customs and faith of his people. Working in the family business.

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God.

Twelve men from all walks of life.  Instructing them, and all who were willing to listen, in the deeper meaning of the Ancient Texts.  Loaves, fishes, mud, spit, dying fig trees all become tools to make miracles.

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God.

Straps and ropes. Two wood beams and spikes.  A spear and Temple curtain. A loud cry.

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God..

A cave. A rock. An empty tomb.

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God.

And let us not skip over the symbolic gift given as constant reminder.  

The Bread and The Cup.  

Lifted out of a much larger and more elaborate celebration used to teach the saving work of our God.

A visual reminder of the sacrifice made for us. The means by which all who believe are saved.  The path by which faith, hope and love comes crashing into our existence; shining a bright light in an otherwise dark and sin-sick world.

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God.

The Good News today is the miracles continue.  Take a look at those around you.  Better yet, look at yourself with your cell phone camera. 

May we all be counted among the simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God!

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)

The simple and ordinary in the hands of a Mighty God.

Weekly Text 12/10/2023

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

The theme for the the 2nd Week of Advent is Peace. Of all the weeks, I think this is the hardest to present. As much as we try to explain it, we don't adequately capture the fullness of the Peace that Jesus Christ offers us. Our worldly perceptions of Peace--the absence or avoidance of conflict--falls dramatically short of Biblical Peace. Nothing in our worldly experience even comes close.

The Peace that Christ gives is the blessing of our Redemption. It comes as the separation of us from God is removed and grows into its fullness in direct proportion to the intimacy we have with God The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As our heart is sanctified and the corruption of sin is removed, Peace abounds. One day, we will experience a never-ending and complete Peace as the eternal blessing of our salvation.

This Advent Season, whether from a pulpit, in a small-group or personal conversation with family, friends and strangers, let's be sure to invite people to The Eternal Peace of Jesus Christ. It may be hard to explain or to understand but, it is certainly something all of us want to experience. My father-in-law, who preached often in local churches as a Lay Preacher and is now enjoying the beauty of Heaven, told me in my early days of ministry that whenever I preach or teach to make sure that I speak of the love of Jesus.

It remains great advice because receiving and experiencing the love of Jesus is the path to Perfect Peace.

Christ Has Come. Christ Is Coming Again!

Weekly Text 12/3/2023

 

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

In the rhythm of The Church Calendar, today marks the beginning of The  Advent Season.  Long celebrated by Christians of all stripes across the ages, it is a season of preparation.  First, for the celebration of The Messiah who has come and second, for His Return.  Each week is traditionally celebrated with the lighting of candles displayed in an Advent Wreath.  Each candle represents a different weekly theme of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Purple is the color of each candle to represent the royalty of Christ except for the third--the Love Candle--which is a pink or rose color.  Finally, sitting in the center of the wreath is the larger, white Christ Candle which is lit on Christmas Eve.  Churches and families are encouraged to read and share Scripture and Devotions around the theme of each week.  It is a wonderful tradition that passes on the central tenets of our faith--that our Redeemer has come, He lives and He will come again to fulfill the fullness of His Kingdom.  As faithful children of The King, we must prepare ourselves and focus our hearts to Celebrate this Truth, Live Out this Truth, and to Anticipate the Coming Truth of His Judgement and Final Restoration of His Kingdom. The season of Advent is offered as means of grace to that end.

Today, our focus is on the word HOPE.  Do you have HOPE?  More importantly, do you WANT to have HOPE?  Paul David Tripp, in his book "New Morning Mercies" (Crossway Books) reminds us that we "serve a dissatisfied Redeemer".  Jesus' goal is the "final renewal of all things". Our problem, is "we are all too easily satisfied".  We are satisfied with being a little bit redeemed, while Christ wants to complete His image within us. We are satisfied with stopping way short of the goal.  We also become enamored with the fleeting glories of this world.  To unwind our twisted thinking, Tripp reminds us, including me, that "Hope is not found in the places where our hearts look for satisfaction, but in the dissatisfaction of our Redeemer."

So as we begin The Advent Journey, let us center our hearts on our Redeemer and share His dissatisfaction with our current state and have Hope that we will "be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

Blessings for a wonderful day!

Weekly Text 11/26/2023

 Just leaving it here because every day is Thanksgiving Day for The Family of God!

Psalm 136: Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy

1Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

2Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!

For His mercy endures forever.

3Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!

For His mercy endures forever:

4To Him who alone does great wonders,

For His mercy endures forever;

5To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,

For His mercy endures forever;

6To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,

For His mercy endures forever;

7To Him who made great lights,

For His mercy endures forever—

8The sun to rule by day,

For His mercy endures forever;

9The moon and stars to rule by night,

For His mercy endures forever.

10To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,

For His mercy endures forever;

11And brought out Israel from among them,

For His mercy endures forever;

12With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,

For His mercy endures forever;

13To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,

For His mercy endures forever;

14And made Israel pass through the midst of it,

For His mercy endures forever;

15But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,

For His mercy endures forever;

16To Him who led His people through the wilderness,

For His mercy endures forever;

17To Him who struck down great kings,

For His mercy endures forever;

18And slew famous kings,

For His mercy endures forever—

19Sihon king of the Amorites,

For His mercy endures forever;

20And Og king of Bashan,

For His mercy endures forever—

21And gave their land as a heritage,

For His mercy endures forever;

22A heritage to Israel His servant,

For His mercy endures forever.

23Who remembered us in our lowly state,

For His mercy endures forever;

24And rescued us from our enemies,

For His mercy endures forever;

25Who gives food to all flesh,

For His mercy endures forever.

26Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!

For His mercy endures forever.

Weekly Text 11/19/2023

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There it is.  Did you  catch the phrase?  "Your truth". 

This isn't David saying, " You have your truth and I have mine.  You do you and I will do me."  Far from it.  As all good leaders should,  David wants to be a follower of God first and foremost.  More than a follower of God's  truth, He wants to be a student of it. He wants God's truth to be his truth; one and the same. It draws to mind The Apostle Paul's words, ‭‭"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. " Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

David gives another godly leadership principle in the phrase, "On You I wait all the day." Pardon me for not doing a word study at this early hour but,  I  have a strong hunch that this is not a passive wait; an "I will wait until I  know it all before I do anything" kind of wait.

Instead I get the image of a servant waiting on his master; actively serving his master's commands. I believe David's  desire is to put the truth into action as quickly as he receives it.  In short, to live The Truth, God's Truth, The ONLY Truth.

Why? Because God is His salvation.  His primary  desire is to live life according to the Life-giver. It's a response of love to the One who first loves him.

Friends, as leaders let's  walk in the example of David and Paul and lead others to do the same. Disciple believers in The Truth of their Savior and lead non-believers to the God of their  salvation first and then Disciple them  in The Way.

Blessings for a wonderful day!

Weekly Text 11/12/2023

 

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Throne of grace???  We may not be accustomed to kings and queens sitting upon thrones ruling over us, but we've watched enough movies to know that royal thrones are not associated with the concept of grace. Fear and judgment? Yes.  Grace? Not so much. 

Yet, this is a throne of grace because of the one who sits upon it.  Jesus Christ, High Priest; Son of God; Resurrected Savior (v.14). And this High Priest can relate to our circumstances because He's been here, done that and has the "Victory Over Sin" t-shirt to prove it. (v.15)  So while we may be reluctant to approach other thrones, we are encouraged to approach this throne with boldness.  We can be bold in our approach when we "hold fast to our confession." (v.14) --that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Savior of The World who promises forgiveness, an abundant, transformed life and eternity in Heaven when we surrender our sin for His righteousness. So run to His Throne without fear or trepidation and there you will find mercy and grace in abundance when you need it (which is 24/7).

But, let's also remember this...while this sounds like a wonderful personal benefit of our relationship with Jesus, we know that there's another biblical principle at work here.  The principle of generosity.  What God generously gives to us is not just for us.  It is to be freely given to others.  So we can also ask for mercy and grace for others AND the mercy and grace WE NEED to help in THEIR TIME OF NEED!

The sum of it all?  Hanging out around the Throne of Grace is the place to be....ALWAYS.

Have a great day in the Lord!

Pastor Russ Ministry Catalyst Real Love Ministries International https://reallovehaiti.org

Weekly Text 11/5/2023

 The generous soul will be made rich,And he who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs  11:25

"Count your pennies."

"Lack of money is the root of all evil."-George Bernard Shaw

We are taught to save as  a means to achieving wealth. Many Christians think good stewardship is "pinching pennies." We often try to do things "on the cheap" when it comes to ministry or projects around the church.

However, I think in God's economy the opposite is true.  Good stewardship is generous stewardship.  As individuals and churches, we are to certainly to be wise with the money and resources with which we are blessed with but being stingy is not being wise.  In fact, God teaches us throughout Scripture that we are to be generous towards others just as God has been generous with us.

A generous spirit is a good reflection of God's image. It also shows our  trust in God and an acknowledgement that all we have is from Him.  And God is a never ending fountain of wealth.

Of course, our wealth from God extends far beyond monetary and material wealth.  We are called to be generous with all that we possess be it money, talents, personalities, emotions, giftedness, etc.  In short, if it comes from God (and all of it does) then let it freely leave your hands.

O, and one more thing. Generosity towards others breeds generosity towards you!

Have a generous day!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Weekly Text 10/29/2023

 

"2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:2-4

"Don't give way to the fear of inability when the work of Jesus has supplied you with everything you need."--Paul David Tripp

As a leader in ministry, it's easy to get overwhelmed.  So much so, that we should expect it.  We are engaged in important work that has eternal consequences and the enemy wants to thwart our efforts.  We know too, that by the very nature of ministry, we will be led into difficult and challenging situations. Add to all of this, life in general can be overwhelming.  In those moments, we can find ourselves doing a quick assessment of our talents, abilities, character traits and past failures to conclude we are overmatched and underqualified.

Yet we must live in the truth of verse 3.

"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue," 

We must look beyond our resources to the divine power that has been generously to each of us.  The gift is accessible, free-flowing, and ready to equip us for the immediate challenge.  Even more, the divine power of The Trinity is not limited to the catalog of gifts and talents already in our possession. God is always at work in us for His glory!

Blessings!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Weekly Text 10/22/2023

 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:12-15

Verse 12 would certainly make a great sales pitch for becoming a Christian!  I can see it now....#persecution.  All kidding aside, far from making a sale pitch, Paul is giving a stark reminder of the worldly consequences of following Christ.  I say reminder because many of his fellow Christians were experiencing the harsh reality of this truth. The same is true today for many of our brothers and sisters around the world.  For us, our reality is likely nowhere near as harsh but, we know it's a growing reality for us too.  We clearly see verse 13 playing out all around us. I'm sure the list is quickly forming in your mind.  If you are having trouble, the opening verses of this chapter will prime your thoughts.

But, Paul's intent (and mine) is not be doom and gloom but to be clear about how we are to live in the midst of such reality.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,...  (v. 14)

Harsh realities and difficulties aside, "The standard is the standard," as the great Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes to say.  We are to remain steadfast in who we are in Christ Jesus!

Some final thoughts to consider:

*Being grounded in The Holy Scriptures is key as is the fellowship and accountability of The Family of God.

*Being equipped for every good work means we should be doing good works even when those around us are not.

*We set an example for others to follow especially, our children, grandchildren and the younger generation as a whole. Paul speaks of his own example in the verses leading into this section.

*Finally, our focus needs to keep turning upward to Jesus Christ on The Throne and drawing strength, comfort, peace and power from The Holy Spirit.  While not, expressly taught here in this passage, we know this is a necessary truth taught throughout all of Scripture.

May you be equipped for every good work as you worship with your church family today!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea....

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. Matthew 14:25-‬29 NKJV

We look at this account not only as a miracle and excellent teaching on faith but as a unique event never to be repeated. Yet, we see an expression of this in our own journeys with Jesus.

Every morning we are called to step out of our boat onto the sea of uncertainty and the unknown.  We receive what He gives us in Grace for the day.  We are not to stay in the boat floating or rowing under our own power nor to be our own guide.

We all know what happened to Peter when he quickly forgot this truth. And we know what will happen to us when we do the same.

Blessings for a great week!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3 NKJV

The last phrase in the verse is the one that stood out to me when I read it this week. I immediately thought of my morning walks with my 2 dogs. My intent is to use that time to pray.

Physically, my gaze is looking straight ahead and at times I look down at the ground and at my surroundings. But less so, am I drawn to look up. When I do, I believe it's God causing me to do so as a reminder of who is hovering over me as my shield and provider.  The beauty of the sky, even when it's gray and overcast, is a reminder of Who has and deserves the glory. And that apart from Him, I have no glory of my own.

I'm sure you see the parallel to everyday life. Our focus is more straight ahead and down and less looking up to The Glorious One who imparts His Glory to us and surrounds us as His Shield.

Be humbled and blessed as you bless The Lord and others!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 

Jesus came to serve. The One with all authority left His Throne behind to walk among us with a servant's heart.  After all, He has Eternity to be on His Throne.  And make no mistake about it, when He comes for the 2nd and final time, He will do so in all His Majesty and His Authority will not be in doubt!

But, over 2000 years ago, the mission was different. He came to seek all who were lost--then, now, and all the tomorrow's to come.  He came to serve, to teach, perform miraculous deeds, to testify and to exemplify The Father's Love. Ultimately, Jesus came to be a ransom for all who would believe it and receive it. Sin required a payment of death and Jesus was the Perfect One to pay it in full. 

We are once again in Holy Week; The Passion. Like the first "Palm Sunday" when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, we lift up our Hosanna at the sight of our King.  Ever so humble yet, He looks amazing to us because we know what's to come this week and what it means for us!

His Life for our Eternal Life! Hosanna!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 "Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: 'For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.'”

Genesis 32:24‭-‬25‭, ‬30 NKJV

What strikes me is this wrestling match went on all night.  Surely, God could have defeated  Jacob (Israel) in a moment yet He chose to struggle with Him all night.

The goal was not victory over a foe. It was to shape him through the struggle. Likely, for Jacob at the outset it was the opposite.  He sought the defeat of that which challenged him.

The same is true for us.  We seek defeat, not the righteous shaping that results from the struggle. Like Jacob, the turning point for us is to see past the struggle to behold the face of God.

How well are you seeing God right now? Take a few moments to pray and be in God's Word to bring clarity and focus to your vision.

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 

. . . conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things. . . but with the precious blood of Christ. . .1 Peter 1:17‭-‬19 NKJV

I am highlighting key phrases from a portion of Scripture the New King James titles "Living Before God Our Father". 

There's much that could be said here about our conduct and the source of our redemption but, what struck me when I read this was the phrase "throughout the time of your stay here".

The older I get, the less comfortable I feel in this world. Fortunately, I don't live in a place where I fear for my safety. My life is more comfortable than most especially, my friends in Haiti.  But I do have a greater awareness that this world is not my home. It truly is a place where I am staying for now.

So here's my big takeaway from this passage to encourage you today: "We are being moved from slavery in a spiritual desert to freedom in the Promised Land of Heavenly Eternity!" 

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 A few days ago was the day that many of us complain about because of the lost hour of sleep. As we have adjusted biologically to the new schedule, we debate with ourselves and others the merits of making this change in time twice a year.

As I was waking up at what used to be 5:40am EST, my mind drifted to a time when there will be no time and to a place that will be forever different from what we know and experience now. Here's the opening passage of my favorite depiction of eternity in Heaven:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

Revelation 21:1‭-‬7 NKJV

At your leisure, finish the rest of the chapter. Then continue on to the final chapter of God's Word in Revelation 22.  What a glorious day that will be!  A day that really won't be a "day" because there will be no end and no need to change the clock! The things of this world will pass away and only that which glorifies God will exist and The Redeemed will be part of it all!!

Looking forward to being there with you!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” 

Matthew 18:20 NKJV

I've joked that Jesus did not set the bar high for churches in terms of attendance. 😃 The reality is Jesus is talking about more than Sunday morning worship numbers.

Jesus is speaking about all of our relationships that are the result of obedience to Christ. Marriage, family, church, friendships, casual acquaintances, mission teams, Bible study groups; the list goes on, even the stranger.

What makes these relationships special and unique is the presence of Christ.  Even the momentary meeting with a stranger can find Jesus right there with them.  Lori and I had such a meeting recently with the Nurse Manager at my doctor's appointment. Each of us sharing our common faith. The office quickly became Holy Ground. All of us were blessed.

The next time you attend a worship service, focus upward but also take notice of who's in the room with you. Brothers and sisters in Christ (maybe potentially?) and Jesus Christ Himself.  He's "up there" but he's also right here!

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org

Mid-Week Text

 

"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

"....who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross...."

I find these words almost incomprehensible. Jesus endured so much on our behalf and He never lost focus. Included among the amazing things that Jesus did while on earth has to be His ability to stay focused.  On what? 

THE JOY.

The joy of redeeming His people. The joy of mission accomplished.  The joy of returning to His rightful place in the heavenly realm. The joy of a new heaven and earth to come.  Jesus endured it all for THE JOY!

My eyes are too often focused on me and what surrounds me. I need constant reminders of THE JOY that I have and THE JOY that is to come.  I imagine you do, too.

Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith" has  given us His joy!  Let us worship our Savior and Joy-giver for all that He has done, is doing and will do!

Stay focused.

Pastor Russ

Ministry Catalyst

Real Love Ministries International

https://reallovehaiti.org