The heart of Jesus is clearly highlighted in His sermon. The attitudes of a believers heart are found throughout the Word of God. The Psalms recite two or three attitudes just as the book of wisdom recounts many. Revelation sums up Kingdom attitudes. Jesus delights to string them all together as recorded in Matthew 5:3-16. We are to encourage one another and let our lights shine before everyone, that they may see our good works as we glorify our Father in heaven. We thank God for He is worthy to be praised for His many blessings. The church of Jesus Christ has massive talent. We choose not to shrink, hide, or squander our gifts. God did not light a lamp in us that we hide our gifts under the table. But He filled us with the Light of the world that we shine and share the light in this dark world. We are blessed and happy to shine. Matthew 5:15 NKJV “People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house.” As His followers we are to reflect His Light and not dilute our effectiveness with false modesty. The light within symbolizes the purity of His forgiveness, so we are encouraged by Jesus to shine and bring God glory.
Romans 12:4-8 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Seeing the multitudes, Jesus opened His mouth and taught the Beatitudes. Matthew chapter 5 reveals the attitudes of a transformed heart. As believers we embrace the fullness of the atoning work of Christ. Jesus satisfies our hunger for knowledge of His Way. Our obedience is rewarded with great favor.
1) Poor in spirit means we are not proud, but humbled by the grace to be chosen. The kingdom of heaven is ours for eternity. 2) We mourned our sins in response to the blood sacrifice of Jesus, therefore we are sensitive and tender hearted towards those who sin. For our tears, we are comforted. 3) We are known to be meek as we submit to God. We exercise self-control as the fruit of His Spirit shines through our surrender. For our joyful submission, we inherit the earth. 4) We desire to do the will of God, and for this hunger, in our obedience, we are filled and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 5) We are blessed by the mercy we extend. Our compassion is the outworking of His Spirit ministering to others through us, therefore we obtain more mercy daily. 6) We are holy, because our Father set us apart to be His holy ambassadors. The purity of our hearts is a result of examination and repentance. By God’s grace we are regenerated as new vessels willing to serve, therefore we will see God. 7) As His reconciled peacemakers, we forgive quickly and restore loving fellowship. For this we are called children of God. 8) As we are being hated for representing Jesus on earth, our steadfast loyalty under persecution is rewarded. Ours is the kingdom of heaven. 9) We rejoice under persecution for great is our reward in heaven. We choose to be patient and endure the pain of slander and the loss of family and friends for the glory of God. As the light on this earth, as humanity watches, our blessings draw others to inquire how we could possibly rejoice in suffering.
The Church has talent and we choose to celebrate all the gifts within the body.
Pastor Gary leads. Jerry sings! Carol extends compassion. Ed teaches. Charlotte offers hospitality. Priscilla’s steadfast hope strengthens faith. Neto and Blanca lead the children to a deeper level in Christ. Lori carefully chooses lyrics that glorify God during worship. Mark’s glad heart refreshes. The Body of Christ has hands, and feet on the mission field to reach all nations. The Great Commission from the heart of God. Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mark 16:15 “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Hallelujah and Amen
Priscilla Greer organized a tour of Israel for 23 saints mostly from lakeside. With eyes wide and ears attuned, the Holy Spirit spoke joy to all when we first met our guide David Westlund. We boarded the bus with Bishara our born again Arabian driver. Our goal was to obtain a better understanding of the landscape of the Holy Land. We visited Mount Gilboa where Saul and Jonathan lost their lives. Saul gathered his forces on Mount Gilboa in a futile attempt to defeat the Philistines. At the site of Beth-shan our guide explained that the bodies of Saul and his sons were hung upon a Canaanite temple until they were properly buried by citizens of Jabesh-gilead. We briefly toured the humble hometown of Jesus, Nazareth. Once a fertile region known as lower Galilee. Prior to the reign of Herod the Great, the area was populated by farmers. Our bus driver Bishara lives in Nazareth. “So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you…. The multitudes saw it, and they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” Matthew 9 Our guide David took us on a stroll through the fabulous ruins of Caesarea Maritima, the site of the conversion of Cornelius. We walked about the ruins of Capernaum and saw what is believed to be Peter’s home, and the place where Peter raised Tabitha from the dead.
Living Abroad 