CHEAP’S NOT ALWAYS CHEAP

The words of Jesus are very difficult but necessary for understanding the purpose for which Jesus came. They are essential for us to embrace if we are going to successfully fulfill the commitments that are being asked. They were essential because they…

· Challenge the misconceptions previously believed.
· Clarify the cost that has to be paid.

The words are, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Just as when Jesus originally said them, these words challenge the misconceptions of modern western Christianity. Unfortunately we too have begun to view our faith from a benefactor perspective. We tend to come to God for what we hope He can do for us, not realizing that what He can do for us begins with a commitment to follow, not take.

No doubt the eternal benefits of knowing Christ are unspeakable. But the costs of knowing Him for who He really is are more than most in our culture is willing to pay. My dad use to say, “Cheap’s not always cheap!” What has your faith cost you? If the cost is little, you will probably find that in the tough times, the benefit seems minimal.

This week, we will look at this amazing call of Jesus to “would be” followers. Take some time to read and think about Luke 9:21-27. Prepare your heart to be challenged. It might be difficult, but remember, “Cheap’s not always Cheap!”

Read more at http://www.heartofthecanonys.com

DID JESUS ASK TOO MUCH?

With all Jesus said about love and honor did He contradict himself when He told His disciples that they must “hate” their fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, brothers and sisters, yes even their own lives if they wanted to be His disciples? Maybe our understanding of love and hate are different. Whichever the case, He must have offended many with the “high cost,” because the crowd disappeared.

LIFE’S HIGHEST CALLING AND VIRTUE

Without a doubt, Jesus made it clear that if you were going to follow Him, loving God had to be your highest calling and most important virtue in life. This week we will examine what Jesus said and why it was that so many chose to turn back. We will also consider why He used such extreme language, and what cost and benefits are a part of the lives of those who embrace this difficult task.

MAYBE EXTREME COMMITMENT EXPLAINS AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT

I, for one, think understanding this extreme commitment is critical for understanding the amazing progress that took place through a small band of believers in the early years of the church. Ironically, their lives were characterized by acts of kindness and love like no people in history. Maybe it is true that loving God most produces in us the ability to love people appropriately and unconditionally.

LET’S GET READY FOR SUNDAY

Join us this weekend as we consider this amazing text found in Luke 14. Take time to read it before you come and ask God to use it to help you evaluate the depth of your discipleship. See you Sunday as we gather as a family to celebrate God’s amazing gift to us in Christ!

Read more of Jim's Blogs at www.HeartoftheCanyons.com

IS THE CHURCH ACCOMPLISHING ITS PURPOSE?

A major fallacy is being taught in today’s church! Somewhere we forgot the great commission was not to go and make converts to Christianity but to make Disciples of Christ. By definition, a disciple is the follower of a particular teacher, leader or philosophy. In most cases all three of these are true because most people we allow to teach us, lead us to understand and believe their philosophy of life.

JESUS DEMANDED MORE THAN PHILISOPHICAL AGREEMENT

Jesus, no doubt was a teacher who taught, and a leader who lead, and He clearly communicated a unique philosophy. But unlike many, Jesus placed clear and difficult demands on those who chose to follow Him. John 6 clearly identifies the extreme commitments that Jesus demanded of His followers. Jesus required more than philosophical agreement. In fact, Jesus demanded His followers that they not just follow His teachings but that they follow Him. Following Christ is not just an invitation to an intellectual pursuit; it is a commitment to a deep relationship -- a relationship in which His followers are willing to know Him above all else, love Him above all else and be willing to forsake everything this world has to offer in order to follow Him. Does this describe your commitment to Jesus?

ESCAPING THE FRUSTRATION OF EASY “BELIEVE-ISM”

This is a far cry from the easy “believe-ism” of modern Christians who want the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice, but refuse to bring every aspect of their lives into alignment with His life and teaching. The ultimate goal of every church is to go and make disciples. Every individual who embraced that call has to spend the rest of his or her living days being transformed into the likeness of Christ.

EXTREME COMMITMENTS PRODUCE DEEP FULFILLMENT

I genuinely believe that many of today’s Christian’s feel incomplete in their faith. Because of this, they dismiss their faith and walk away in frustration. Maybe the answer is to understand and embrace the amazing demands that Jesus made and begin to genuinely follow Christ. Join us for the next several weeks as we consider the EXTREME IMAGES that Jesus used to describe true discipleship. This week take time to read John 6 in preparation for our time of teaching.

To Read more of Jim's Blog's, visit http://www.heartofthecanyons.com

THIS IS A TIME OF CHANGE

We made a lot of changes in the past few weeks that we hope will re-engage enthusiasm in our hearts. Moving the worship band, changing the Sunday morning schedule and having a time of prayer and commitment during the services seems to have stirred our hearts a little. This weekend, I will introduce another change that I think will encourage you in your walk with God. I won’t tell you what it is, but when you attend this Sunday, anticipate a day of celebration, inspiration, preparation and hopefully transformation.

THE GOAL OF OUR SERVICES
Did you know that the last words in the previous paragraph describe my goal for you each week? Because life can beat us up, these four ingredients are essential in each of our lives. CELEBRATION reminds us of the great hope we have as believers in Jesus Christ. INSPIRATION gives us energy to face life’s challenges. PREPARATION allows us to know in our minds how to live a life of truth in a world of lies. Through CELEBRATION, we applaud God’s victory. Through INSPIRATION, we surrender to God and embrace one another. We are then energized to live out our faith through the week. And through PREPARATION, our minds are equipped with truths for living.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL
The ultimate goal of our gathering together is TRANSFORMATION. My prayer is that what we do each week results in transformed lives. Because if we are transformed, we are a part of all God is doing to transform the world around us. One of my greatest fears is that we could somehow gather each week, enjoy the music and the message, but never really change on the inside. That is why I use the word TRANSFORM not change, because TRANSFORMATION is a change of heart that results in a change of behavior.

CHANGES THAT REACH THE HEART
I am excited about the external changes we made since the first of the year. I am also excited about some of changes that are coming in the future. But as I shared two weeks ago, these changes produce little if any benefit, if they do not move beyond the garments and reach the heart. Joel challenged the Israelites to “rend their hearts and not their garments.” Together, let’s allow God to change us from the inside out.

So, show up early this week. Join us in a celebration that inspires our hearts, informs our minds and transforms our lives.

To Read more of Jim's Blog's, visit http://www.heartofthecanyons.com/