Values

community | Acts 2:42-47closeActs 2:42-47 The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV) closeActs 2:42-47closeActs 2:42-47 The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV) The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV)

• Where people care for one another in love
• Where people matter to God and to us
• Where people are accepted as they are
• Where people are encouraged to become who God created them to be
• Where people are more important than things
• Where people are safe and trustworthy
• Where everyone plays, there are no spectators

To see how we live this out click here.

 

relationship | Matthew 22:36-40closeMatthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV) closeMatthew 22:36-40closeMatthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV) 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV)

• Putting Christ in the center of our day to day lives
• Doing life together in Christ
• The lens we look through in everything we do

To see how we live this out click here.

 

outreach | 1 Corinthians 9:19-23close1 Corinthians 9:19-23 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (ESV) close1 Corinthians 9:19-23close1 Corinthians 9:19-23 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (ESV) 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (ESV)

• Looking for ways to connect with people in their world
• Stepping out of our comfort zone into someone else’s
• Being a living example of Jesus to the world around us
• Going to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth with the Love of Christ

To see how we live this out click here.

 

prayer | Philippians 4:6-9closePhilippians 4:6-9 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV) closePhilippians 4:6-9closePhilippians 4:6-9 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV) 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV)

• Prayer is a lifestyle not just a practice
• Depending on God’s direction, strength and power for every situation
• Choosing to submit to the Lord and His plan at all times
• Keeping things in a spiritual reality not a physical one

To see how we live this out click here.

 

discipleship | Ephesians 4:12-15closeEphesians 4:12-15 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (ESV) closeEphesians 4:12-15closeEphesians 4:12-15 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (ESV) 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (ESV)

• Training and equipping the church to do the work of ministry
• Allowing people into our world to do life together
• Helping the church grow into maturity
• Reproducing ourselves in ministry and bringing people with us
• Using jobs to get the people done, not people to get the jobs done

To see how we live this out click here.

 

worship | Romans 12:1-2closeRomans 12:1-2 A Living Sacrifice 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) closeRomans 12:1-2closeRomans 12:1-2 A Living Sacrifice 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) A Living Sacrifice 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

• Giving God everything that we are
• Living in obedience to God and His Word
• Walking by faith and not by sight

To see how we live this out click here.

 

spiritual gifts | 1 Corinthians 12:7-11close1 Corinthians 12:7-11 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one inspanidually as he wills. (ESV) close1 Corinthians 12:7-11close1 Corinthians 12:7-11 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one inspanidually as he wills. (ESV) 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one inspanidually as he wills. (ESV)

• Desiring the spiritual gifts God has for us
• Walking in the spiritual ‘graces’ God has for us
• Allowing God’s Spirit to rest on us and be manifest through us

To see how we live this out click here.

 

evangelism | 1 Corinthians 2:1-5close1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Proclaiming Christ Crucified 2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (ESV) close1 Corinthians 2:1-5close1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Proclaiming Christ Crucified 2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (ESV) Proclaiming Christ Crucified 2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (ESV)

• Having a burden for the lost
• Seeking to walk in the power of God’s Spirit in reaching people
• Allowing God to speak prophetically to us, to demonstrate God’s love for people

To see how we live this out click here.

PRINCIPLES FOR LIFE

Grounded in His Word, Empowered by His Spirit”

hear.  listen.  obey.

Exodus 19:5closeExodus 19:5 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (ESV) closeExodus 19:5closeExodus 19:5 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (ESV) 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (ESV) , John 14:15closeJohn 14:15 Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV) closeJohn 14:15closeJohn 14:15 Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV) Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV) , James 1:22closeJames 1:22 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV) closeJames 1:22closeJames 1:22 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)  

obey in the Hebrew is the word shama which means to hear, to listen, to obey.

One of our overriding goals and desires is to teach people how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, listen to Him and walk in obedience to whatever He tells them.  John 5:19closeJohn 5:19 The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (ESV) closeJohn 5:19closeJohn 5:19 The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (ESV) The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (ESV) , Galatians 5:25closeGalatians 5:25 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (ESV) closeGalatians 5:25closeGalatians 5:25 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (ESV) 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (ESV) .

 

The “now” principle

The word “now” is used over 2,100 times in the Bible.  While I realize that not all of those are about positive things happening “now,” it does remind us that God is a God of the “now.”  God does not live in time and space, He sees everything as “now.”

My desire, is that everyone of us walk in the things God has for us “now.”  Not tomorrow, not yesterday but “now.”  Jesus challenged his disciples to live in the “now” in Matthew 6:33-34closeMatthew 6:33-34 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV) closeMatthew 6:33-34closeMatthew 6:33-34 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV) , Matthew 11:12closeMatthew 11:12 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. (ESV) closeMatthew 11:12closeMatthew 11:12 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. (ESV) 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. (ESV) , Matthew 4:17closeMatthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (ESV) closeMatthew 4:17closeMatthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (ESV) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (ESV) ,  2 Corinthians 6:2close2 Corinthians 6:2 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (ESV) close2 Corinthians 6:2close2 Corinthians 6:2 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (ESV) 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (ESV) .

So often as believers we can get caught living in the past or longing for the future, so that we miss out on what God has right now.  What does God want to do in our lives right now?  How does the Holy Spirit want to work through our lives right now?  The Kingdom of God is right now.  The power of God is at work right now.  God desires for us to be changed and used by Him right now.

Romans 8:1closeRomans 8:1 Life in the Spirit 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) closeRomans 8:1closeRomans 8:1 Life in the Spirit 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Life in the Spirit 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) , Romans 15:13closeRomans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV) closeRomans 15:13closeRomans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV) 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV) ,  Ephesians 2:19-20closeEphesians 2:19-20 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (ESV) closeEphesians 2:19-20closeEphesians 2:19-20 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (ESV) 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (ESV) , Ephesians 3:20closeEphesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (ESV) closeEphesians 3:20closeEphesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (ESV) 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (ESV) .  It is time that we begin to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, allowing His work to happen “now.”