Face of Christ

This beautiful pen and ink drawing of the face of Christ by Joe Castillo contains the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection!

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So many times in the Bible we are instructed to seek His face.

Psalm 105:4 "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

Psalm 27:8 "When You said, "Seek My face ," my heart said to You, "Your face , O LORD , I shall seek ."

2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

As we do, His character and presence will become clearer and clearer to us.

So how do we seek His face? We seek Him through studying the Bible, His Word, and praying - communicating with the Creator of ALL.

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Look at the lines the artist used to draw this picture of Christ. There are scenes from Christ's life. The longer you look...the more you'll see!

Notice that within His beard is the picture of His birth as prophesied in the Old Testament.

His virgin birth

Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2: ""But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "

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Moving to the right, Joe includes the angels heralding His birth, Jesus praying, and finishing with His crucifixion.

Yet it's not the end, look closely at the nose. It appears to be an opened empty tomb with the cross at the center!

Isn't that how it is in our spiritual lives? The longer we focus on Jesus, the more He'll show us about Himself. It's so important for us each and every day to keep our focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

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Whether you're teaching on seeking the face of Christ or Jesus' life, this Bible picture can add to the creativity of your Bible lesson.

EAT MOR CHIKIN

Chick-fil-A has grown to be the second largest chicken chain in America. Some would say it is because the food tastes great. Others would point to its clever advertising. (Let's face it, there is something appealing about seeing a cow beg you to "Eat Mor Chikin.") But, Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, has a different view. He declares that the secret of his success is the company's high quality of people and their attention to customer service.

All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:2-3

How do they attract such people? Truett says it all goes back to Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays. Now, closing a restaurant on Sunday is quite unusual in itself. But what makes it even more remarkable is that most of its restaurants are located in malls - and Sunday is one of the highest sales volume days in those malls.


And what do the employees say? In an industry known for its high turnover (50% annual turnover for managers is not unusual), Chick-fil-A experiences a turnover of just 3%. Not one of the locations is open on Sunday, and never will be. "It was not hard to decide to close on Sunday," said Truett Cathy. Dan Cathy, President and CEO of the company, says,

"Jesus Christ never died for a company, He died for individuals, personally." The company wants to operate on Biblical principles and acknowledge the Lord in all ways.

Now, that's what I call putting the Lord first, even in business!

CHANGING LIVES

If you are going to change lives, then you need to be Bible-based. God’s Word is clear that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” Rom. 10:17. Scripture is that which is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” and that which is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Tim. 3:15-16.

You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— Romans 2:19-20

The Pharisees knew the letter of the law. They quoted the Word and fervently taught it with great zeal. Nonetheless, they missed the message ... the Person.

The Bible is about relationship. If your teaching of the Word stops short of that, all you will do is produce scholars. If you use the Word to connect people with God Himself, you will cultivate changed lives.

Read Psalm 19:7-11 where you will find characteristics resident in someone truly affected by the Word. Then ask yourself:

1. Is my soul regularly being refreshed? (v. 7a)
2. Do I find the wisdom I need for ministry and life? (v. 7b)
3. Am I able to be joyful and thankful in all circumstances? (v. 8a)
4. Am I usually able to see where I am to go? (v. 8b)
5. Do I have a confidence? (v. 9)
6. Do I look forward to time in God’s Word? (v. 10)
7. Do I sense a check in my spirit when I am headed in the wrong direction? (v. 11a)
8. Do I feel blessed? (v. 11b)

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16

F...O...C...U...S...i..n...g...on GOD

I don't care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don't harness it and focus it on a specific target, and hold it there you're never going to accomplish as much as your ability warrants.
Zig Ziglar

In the middle of our hectic schedules we have the privilege to stop and focus on God. When we are devoted to something, we set it apart as very important. Even Jesus set aside a special time with God.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." Mark 1:35

This is not as simple as it seems. We have an enemy who doesn’t want us to be effective. We need to be aware of his tricks. If he can stop us from being devoted to God, he can actually stop our ministry. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the "activities" will stop, but the real spiritual impact will be gone.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I am afraid, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ."

How has Satan recently led you astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ?

• Busy with ministry preparation and details? (Luke 10:38-42)
• Self-sufficient, "I-can-do-it-by-myself" attitude? (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)
• Wrapped up in meeting our own needs with things the world offers?(1 John 2:15-17)
• Lazy, no discipline? (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Did I miss any?

To be devoted to Christ, we must first realize the tricks the enemy uses to trip us. Now that you know where the enemy will attack, you can prepare.

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinner; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

James 4:7

THANKS FOR LISTENING

So often life can become so hectic that it becomes hard to find time to sit still and listen to others. I find places like Facebook and Myspace can be where people yell in a quiet whispering voice to any that would listen to them. Like the local church are we concerned about others physical, mental health and well-being? Are we as Christ followers willing to take time to listen? Are we willing to pray for others needs and sorrows?

One man lost a valuable watch while working in an ice-house. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn’t find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the ice-house during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch.

Amazed, the men asked him how he found it.

“I closed the door,” the boy replied, “lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking.”

“Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the King who will reign over them will do."1 Samuel 8:9

So take time and listen and pray for others.

Let them know who is the KING of KING and he cares about them.

EVERLASTING LOVE

"Every Happy Marriage is made of three things---

a loving husband,

a loving wife,

and the everlasting love of God."

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

God's Ideal Woman

The book of Proverbs presents a portrait of an ideal woman who is a total contradiction of the woman portrayed by Hollywood as attractive and desirable. This woman is full of character, wisdom, compassion and has many skills that she utilizes for the betterment of her family. Her husband trusts her because “she does him good and not evil”

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life

Proverbs 31:10-12

She is generous to the needy and when the cold comes she has no fear. This is not the picture of a docile woman but a purposeful woman who knows herself and uses her gifts and talents well for the betterment of her family.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Proverbs 31:20-22

The ideal woman will have the integrity that comes with the fear of God.

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” Proverbs 31:30

Thank You Lord for the Love of my life that you have blessed me with...

Got Greed?

Often times, the world measures success by material things. The lure of money and possessions is very real - even for those of us who love the Lord. Giving in to greed causes a loss of focus and robs us of the true blessings the Lord has planned. In His Word, Jesus encourages us to watch out for greed in its many forms. He reminds us that abundant life is not about material things.

"Then He said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

Heavenly Father, I know that life is much more than money or possessions, but sometimes I get caught up in trying to keep up with others. Help me to be aware when greed enters my mind. Show me how to count my blessings instead of my possessions. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

WATCH YOUR STEP!

Do you consider yourself to be prudent or wise?

“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps” Proverbs 14:15

The Bible says that one of the characteristics of a prudent person is to give thought to their ways. So many people today just act, or re-act, based on their emotions or circumstances. They let the world around them determine how they should feel or what they should do. They believe everything they hear in the news.

When the economy is up, they are up. When the economy is down, they are down.

Don’t let that be you today! Give thought to your ways.

For giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-

let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-

for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Proverbs 1:4-6

Submit every decision to the Lord in prayer and allow Him to direct you from inside your heart. Don’t believe everything you hear. Let the Lord guide your steps. As you take time to meditate before the Lord and submit your plans to Him, Proverbs says that your ways will be established. You will find supernatural peace that passes understanding, and you will live in success all the days of your life!

In Memory of my Taty Renee Chamoux

In Memory of my Taty Renee Chamoux

If tears could build a stairway

and memories were a lane,

We would walk all the way to Heaven,

to bring you home again

No farewell words were spoken,

no time to say good-bye

You were gone before we knew it,

and only God knows why

Our hearts ache in sadness,

and secret tears will flow

What is meant to lose you,

no one will ever know

I will cherish the memories of childhood with you. Give Uncle Andre a kiss for us.

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:17

Saints Winning the Game

Super-sized offenses hit South Florida

Drew Brees and the Saints will square off with Peyton Manning and the Colts in what has all the makings of a high-scoring Super Bowl XLIV.

You might think I am going to talk about the great American past-time of Football, well sorry I am not, but I want talk about the “Saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3

Within some Protestant traditions, "saint" is also used to refer to any born-again Christian. Many emphasise the traditional New Testament meaning of the word, preferring to write "saint" to refer to any believer, in continuity with the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.

The first time I was called a Saint, I mentally stumbled back and thought who are you talking about “me”. Thinking I am no Saint, just saved.

Well, that is what you are if you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,

You are a Saint for God.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:27

For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Eph 4:12

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.Psalm 52:9

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly.Psalm 85:8

GO SAINTS!

Square Dancing Christians

“Cotton-eye Joe”

If it hadt been for Cotton Eye Joe

Id been a "friend" long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton Eye Joe

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death Philippians 3:10

A challenge of any church is not just to bring visitors in, but to reach them in your services, connect them to people, and integrate them into the life of your church.

• Being intentional. It's obvious, but if you want to integrate new people into the life of your church you have to be intentional. You have to be intentionally bringing in new visitors, you have to make them feel welcome, and you have to follow-up. It takes a lot of effort, and if you do a halfway approach, it just won't work.
• Relational. People usually stuck with a church because they formed relationships. By far one of the best ministries for fostering relationships were small groups.

There's a balance to be found. One church I attended focused SO MUCH on first-time guests that those of us who were already there were short-changed. It's like the cell phone companies: they'll bend over backwards to get you to be a customer, but once you're hooked, where's the customer service?

So saying all that how do you accomplish this task of connecting with people. First all most don’t understand that if you go to a buffet, not everyone will eat the same thing or at the same time. Small groups can be a great thing, but assessment of what the people need on that buffet is needed. Most want real fellowship and not the Square Dancing we do so much on Sunday services.

I believe in my heart of hearts that Home groups that have a purpose, plan and growth system can be the win/win for churches.

Do you want to be a Square Dancing Christian or a Christian building authentic transparent relationship with others to grow in Christ?

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25