We know the song that say for the Lord he WANTED to see, but what if there is another reason why Zacheus was in that tree?  And what if that reason could help you and I in our witness to reaching others as well?  Listen here to hear my explanation.

In my life I have figured out something, that it is much easier to be thankful for the things that God has given me, than to be thankful for the things that he has not given me.  Realizing that everything that I have, I have because He has given me, and everything that I don't have is because God has decided that I don't need it.  That is hard for me to swallow.  Some of the greatest temptations in my life is when I try to overstep my boundaries and go for things that God doesn't want me to have.  It is a lot like the story we find in Genesis where  Eve wanted something that God didn't want her to have, and she overstepped her boundaries.  God didn't want her to have it because of His love for her and didn't want her to be enslaved by sin.  This may be hard to believe but God knows what is best for us, even more so than you and I.  Trust Him, he promises that He will never fail you.

Running and winning the race of life is all about one thing, how close do you get in your relationship with Jesus.  We may allow weights and sins to get in our way, but ultimate fulfillment in this life, and the next, is about your relationship to Him.  So, how are you running these days?

We cheer and encourage our favorite teams to win because we like to be identified with a winner.  According to Hebrews 12:1, there is a "crowd" of witnesses that cheer us on here on earth.  The great saints of the past and present, their lives a testimony of what can happen when God truly is Lord ones life.  Learn to listen to the victories and even the mistakes of those who have gone before so that we may have the ultimate prize, Jesus.

 

It is that time of the year where we make our New Year's Resolution.  The big ones are always lose weight, get a better job, even spend more time at home with the family and these are all good resolutions.  Let me tell you my personal goal for this year, to lead more people to Jesus.  I have just finished a book called "Breakout Churches" by Thom Rainer, and I have absolutely been convicted, inspired, and found new committment to reaching the lost for Jesus Christ through His Church.  Rainer started out the book by saying "It is a sin to be good when God has called us to be great...It isn't called the Good Commission, but the Great Commission."  This year I challenge all of you to share your faith more bodly and with God's power.  Make 2007 a Great year by truly making a difference in someone's life by sharing the greatest gift ever, knowing Jesus as their personal Savior.

The birth of Jesus wasn't just something that was "cooked" up at the last minute.  His birth was just the completion of over 4,000 years of planning.  Prophets from more than 1,000 years before his birth foretold who, how, where and even when He would be born. 

What does that mean for you?  That God makes good on His promises.  And just like there were promises that pointed toward His first coming, there are 3 times as many prophecies that point to His Second Coming.  Are you ready?