E-votional

"Of Whom the World is Not Worthy"

Luke 7:28 "I say to you, among those born of a woman there is no one greater than John [the Baptist]; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

How important are you really? On a scale of 1 to 10 how great are you in the economy of God? Feel like a Zero? Maybe a 5 at best? Just don't know? Let's take a look at scripture to find out just how great Christ has made us.

Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a list of some pretty incredible people. Men of faith, women of God, individuals that you really look forward to meeting in heaven. These were individuals who through faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouth of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war and put armies to flight. They endured mockings, scourgings, chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, beaten, and sawn in two. These were individuals of whom the world was not worthy (Heb 11:33-38). Even though they were a part of mighty acts and incredible miracles none of their actions gave them a right standing with God. All of them gained approval through faith alone (Heb 11:39), and only by the faith in Him who justifies the ungodly were they credited as righteous (Rom 4:5).

Considering all of them, and every single person ever born of a woman, Jesus said none of them were greater than John the Baptist (Luke7:28). None of those mentioned in Hebrews 11 or anyone else born of a woman from all history past surpassed John. That was a pretty big statement coming from Jesus. John was the man! Granted He did not say they were less. He only said that they were not greater. However, the most amazing part of the statement came next. Jesus continued to say, "yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he (Luke 7:28)." Whoa...

That's you! He is talking about you. When you accepted Christ, He rescued you from the domain of darkness and transferred you to the kingdom of God (Col 1:13). Christ says that you are greater than John the Baptist! Wow. Even more amazing, Christ says that you are greater than Abraham! Whoa... Did you realize that in God's economy, the only reality, that you were greater than King David? Whoa... Greater than Moses! Wow! Solomon, Sarah, Samuel, Samson, Daniel, people whom the world was not worthy of, Christ says you are greater!

It does not seem right but it is true. They all were born only of a woman but we are born of the Spirit (John 3:5). We can and do experience daily, things about which they only dreamed. We have a peace with the Creator for which they longed (Rom 5:1). We are permanently indwelled by the Spirit of God giving us a closeness and intimacy that they never even imagined was possible! Let us not take for granted what so many died looking forward to. You are great because Christ has made you great. Let the truth dictate your feelings, know who you are in Christ, live life abundantly and praise Him!

2009 Women's Retreat @ Agape Wilderness Retreat

Greetings ladies of the Church at Tatesbrook:

I pray you are living richly in Him and enjoying the joy of Christ in your hearts.

I have some details about the women's retreat. Due to the higher cost of our luxorious women's retreat (compared the the stinky men's retreat), I wanted to give you ample time to begin setting aside some moula for the event.

Mark out Friday October 23rd through Sunday October 25th.
I will work on getting departure and arrival times to you as we get closer.

2 nights at the retreat center with teaching & fellowship including all your meals = $130
A 60 hour get away with no screaming children, dishes to clean, meals to make, shelves to dust, laundry to fold, work to do or lawns to mow = PRICELESS!!!

Hope to see you there!!

We are just a little over 3 months away from our annual retreat. Please keep the following things in your prayers as we prepare:
- For the Lord to rise up leaders for teaching, worship and serendipity activities.
- For the Lord to sanctify our time together and call us according to His purposes.
- For a hedge over our lives as women and anything that could prevent us from being able to go and enjoy one another (sick family members, jobs etc.)

Dacian Keaton has volunteered to cordinate this year's retreat. Feel free to reach me at daciankeaton@hotmail.com or 859-881-5160

Mor info to come!!

PS, I need to know ASAP if you have any dietary restrictions including diabeties or allergies.

Missional Living

Everything in me wants persuade you to remain vigilant in your decision to pursue Christ's plan for our community, to maintain the relationships with the children God developed during VBS, and to see Christ victorious through prayer, but I won't.  Instead, I will remind you of what true missional living is:  pursuing Christ with all your being.  Many members of our family have forgotten the true mission of our lives and replaced it with what should be it's fruit.

The common understanding of missional living is that of a missionary lifestyle; adopting the posture, thinking, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in order to engage others with the gospel message.  While this is good it's not what's best.  The most effective missionaries in God's arsenal have ALWAYS been people deeply committed to knowing Him and seeing His plan fulfilled.  You can't achieve one without the other.  You can try your dead level best to "win" the world for Christ, but what good is it if you're walking in two different directions!

Walking on water is great until your focus becomes that action, because that's when the power is lost.  The goal wasn't to walk on water, but to be with Christ.  Focus on Christ and you'll have your jaunt upon the water.  There is great power in being engaged with Jesus, so walk where He leads and overcome all obstacles; that's being missional.

Vacation Bible School

Our goal for Tuesday was to double the number of VBS kids from Monday. I think there were 50% more. If we can get 50% more again tonight and Thursday and Friday we will have a God sized problem to deal with.