Most of us live in a serial cycle from crisis to mediocrity. We struggle and cry out for God in crisis and as soon as there is deliverance we settle into average. Yet God has not created nor called us to live a life of mediocrity. He has called us and is changing us from glory to glory, from one level of excellence to the next level of excellence.
Any area of our life that does not Abound with HOPE is an area where we are believing a lie that has not been fully surrendered to the Kingdom and in fact is a stronghold of the enemy.
God uses ORDINARY PEOPLE and the proof of this is in Jesus’ choice of his closest friends. Today and in Jesus’ day there are none more ordinary than the 12 disciples who would be apostles: fisherman, tax collector, religious activist, con-man, thief and betrayer. No matter their temperament, personality or gifting, Jesus sent them all to preach and demonstrate the Good News. THE COMMENCEMENT calls us to take what has been given to us and commence being the Church, the Hope of the world.
Stewardship is the only boat that will float in this economic sea. The world dangles “get rich quick” promises in front of us, but what would you do if it actually happened? Most claim they would give, help others, and invest for the future. But would they really? The test of what you would do with unlimited resources is what you are doing with the limited resources you already have. The Kingdom Stewardship Principle proves that when you are faithful with anything given to you by God, it will be increased for His kingdom.
God wants to rid you of what ails you – not just fix the symptoms. He provided the way through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This resurrection power is not about religion: its about bringing Heaven to earth in your life and through your life.
We are to Live infectious lives infused with joy and hope demonstrating God’s overwhelming grace, His unconditional love, and His transforming power to everyone we come in contact with. A Joyless Christian is a Christian who has not fully embraced the Kingdom of God.
Our ceiling should be our children’s floor. We should desire for our children to take the family’s call and vision to the next level and their success should be our success. President John Adams said, “I must study politics and war that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy…in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.” This is the heart of engineering for the next generation and having a hundred year vision.