Life in Balance

In Ephesians 4:1 Paul exhorts us to walk worthy of our calling. What is meant by such an exhortation? For the past three chapters, Paul has spoken about this calling. For instance, Ephesians 1:1-5, blessed, chosen, holy, and predestined, are all a part of this calling. Later in Ephesians 1:13-14, we find that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment for eternal inheritance. Wow!

Now in 4:1 God asks us to walk worthy of this calling. The word "worthy" means equal weight. Hmm? That says to me that our walk should balance that of our calling. And we are to walk it as Christ walked, with lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearing one another in love.
How can I do such a thing? Only through and in Christ can I achieve such a balance.
So this week, take time and reread the first three chapters of Ephesians. Look closely at your calling. Then ask God to show you where you may need to work on your balance.

-Mark

Another Chance at Life

Last Friday night, I received a call that my mom was on life support and would soon die! The doctors removed the life support and a local priest gave her a last rites ceremony. Minutes later she began to respond and now, days later, is sitting up and looks healthier than she has in months?! When I finally arrived at the hospital and got the chance to talk with my mom, I told her that God had given her another chance at life.

Another chance at life?! Do you realize that every morning when you wake up, God has given you another chance at life. All of us are given this opportunity, like that of my mom, but we receive this chance everyday.

If, everyday, we are given another chance what should we do with it? Matthew 22:37 sets a bar of which we all fall short. However, what an opportunity, to devote each day to loving God with your whole heart.

Matthew 22:39 takes it another direction, to love your neighbor as yourself. This bar we possibly make and even surpass. (However, those that do so probably account for a small percentage of human.) What would your community look like if every believer in Christ put others to the same level of care and love of that of self?

Another chance at life? My mother has been given a gift. You, too, everyday receive a similar gift. Don't let it slip away. Wake up tomorrow and live a life loving God and loving others.

-Mark

2010 Requests

This past Sunday evening, a number of church members offered up prayer request for Wakefield during the 2010 year. They are as follows:
1. Greater love one for the other
2. The leadership continue to seek and follow Jesus' leading
3. A passion for the unsaved
4. Closer individual relationship with Jesus
5. An increased focus on discipleship
6. That Jesus would be the focus of our ministry
What if God answered yes to all of the above prayer requests? I believe the impact upon the church and the community would be profound. Therefore join us in the above prayer requests.
-Mark