I do ask for your prayer as we jump into this. There are a lot of things that no one can know for sure on this side of heaven, but I’ll open God’s Word and do my best.

Matthew 24:44 (NIV) So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 

See you soon!

**And remember, it's Super Bowl weekend, so wear your favorite team's jersey (even if your favorite team isn't a football team).

Steve and Linda have been a part of Community for some time now. Steve has an awesome little breakfast and lunch cafe at Yale and Florida (behind the gas station). 

I just had to say THANK YOU STEVE! What you did for 21 days was amazing. Each of those “Daniel Fast Specials” were very tasty.

Love ya man!

Now, since it is Super Bowl weekend, feel free to wear your favorite jersey or team logo (even if they didn’t make it to the big game, or even if your favorite team isn’t a football team).

Back to this weekend at Community. How’s This Going To End? will be a great series throughout the month of February as we search out God’s Word regarding Jesus’ return. We’ve all got questions about this stuff. So let’s go to the Source!

I’m so excited about this. I’m pretty sure you’re gonna love it. Just sayin!!

And, if you missed any of out last series, FEAR FACTOR, check it out.

Some of you have already seen this and know that it’s a powerful flick. So bring the whole family, friends and anyone else you can get to come and get here. It starts at 6 pm.

Check out the Courageous trailer

I want to thank all of you who gave it a shot. I’ve been blown away from the stories, encouragement, breakthroughs and so much more. 

I am glad many of you have committed to be eating healthier even after the fast is over. I think you’ll discover some very good physical and even spiritual things continue in your lives as you strive to give God more and more control. Keep reading the Word. Stay faithful in prayer.

Thanks again for joining Michelle and I on this journey.

I have one question. Do you want to do it again someday??

One quick thing before we get to our last chapter. If today is the last day of your fast, I recommend you don’t go out and have a 26 ounce porterhouse steak for breakfast. You need to work back into those other foods. Your stomach may have a little adjustment, so take it easy.

Now, back to our study. This last chapter in John has this amazing story of Jesus reinstating Peter and positioning him for a key role in the church. If you forgot what happened, go back and read John 18:15-18, 25-27 as Peter denies Jesus.

Filled with shame and guilt he knows this next encounter with Jesus could go either way. So...

John 21:15 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 

As you read on, this happens two more times. “Peter, do you love me?”

I’m sure I’d be a little hurt too if Jesus kept asking. But Jesus seems, in his amazingly gentle way, to get Peter’s attention now fixed on the mission. It’s like Jesus is saying, “Dude, you and I are cool, but here’s what’s gotta happen next. You show me you love me when you look out for the people I place in your life, in your path.”

I hope you’ve had a great experience with your Lord for these last 21 days. However, If it stops there, you’ve missed the point. Jesus wants you to show your love for Him by loving others. 

Pray with open eyes today. Ask Him to show you who needs some extra encouragement today, who needs a pat on the back, who needs some grace in the midst of a horrible situation. Remember, keep your eyes open!

Please share your thoughts and comments each day as we do this TOGETHER. If you’re reading this in your blog reader or email, please click on the title of the blog and you’ll automatically be directed back to the website blog so your thoughts will be public.

Being so familiar with the story robs me of being blown away by it. Do yourself a favor and put yourself in Mary’s sandals. Let her grief grip your heart and then see through her eyes the risen King.

John 20:10-16 (NIV) Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb

12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don't know where they have put him.”

14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 

15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 

In 1 Cor. 15:17 &19, Paul says that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead our faith is futile and we’re to be pitied. But He did. 

He has risen indeed!

Prayerfully spend some time asking God to reveal to you some things in your life that need His resurrection power. Maybe, some things in your life that simply need to be resurrected!

Please share your thoughts and comments each day as we do this TOGETHER. If you’re reading this in your blog reader or email, please click on the title of the blog and you’ll automatically be directed back to the website blog so your thoughts will be public.

While coming to grips with my own sin I was listening to a song. These powerful lyrics penetrated my broken, crusty heart. They set me free. I know it will sound simple to you as you read them, but to me, it was transformation time!

“I’m forgiven. Now I have a reason for living.”

The reason we are forgiven is unveiled in John 19:

John 19:28-30 (NIV) Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 

I underlined the phrase here that is so powerful. “It is finished,” is a phrase that comes from the greek word: tetelestai  

This word, in the first century would also be translated: “PAID IN FULL.”

Yesterday we prayed, “thank you.” Today we’re going to do something with it. This grace and forgiveness is a message for the people you work with, go to school with, live near, live with. Pray that God creates more opportunities for you to invite your friends to know the One who has already paid THEIR price in FULL!

Please share your thoughts and comments each day as we do this TOGETHER. If you’re reading this in your blog reader or email, please click on the title of the blog and you’ll automatically be directed back to the website blog so your thoughts will be public.

My prayer for each of us is that we would get to know our Lord Jesus even better. Maybe we would hear from Him as He speaks into the issues and circumstances of our lives.

Coming to John 18 I was struck by the added information gained from the other Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 22 & 23). If you have the time, read them all and get a rich and full picture of what Jesus went through for you.

You can be clear on this, Jesus gave His life. They didn’t take it. It was that way from the very beginning of the scene as He goes and meets the mob.

John 18:4-6 (NIV) Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 

Yes, Jesus gave His life. He lovingly, willingly shed His blood to pay the price for your sin and mine.

If your prayer today contained nothing more than these two words, it would be appropriate. The two words are: THANK YOU!

Please share your thoughts and comments each day as we do this TOGETHER. If you’re reading this in your blog reader or email, please click on the title of the blog and you’ll automatically be directed back to the website blog so your thoughts will be public.

Now for the real punchline...

Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, and on and on you go. We poke fun of each other. We establish beachheads in order to argue who’s right and who’s wrong. Funny thing is, we’re ALL ON THE SAME TEAM!

If Jesus is our Lord, then we can have fellowship. It’s not complicated. It’s one of the reasons I truly appreciate the local Pastors in our valley. We meet regularly, read our Bibles together and pray for one another and this valley. Sure we don’t always agree on everything, but we agree on Jesus!

Isn’t that a part of the heart of Jesus’ prayer here in John 17?

John 17:20-23 (NIV) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” 

I believe when we work together in this valley we make an ever great impact. Our unity says more than a thousand sermons on getting along.

Today, would you take a moment and pray for another church in town? Maybe it’s a church you pass everyday. It could be a church where friends of yours are involved. Just pray. Pray like everything depends on it......because it does!

Please share your thoughts and comments each day as we do this TOGETHER. If you’re reading this in your blog reader or email, please click on the title of the blog and you’ll automatically be directed back to the website blog so your thoughts will be public.