...So my two year old son couldn't wait to go to this year's Harvest Festival.
My wife told him early in the morning on the day of the event that he could go after he took a nap. Let’s just say that Easton thinks naps are a huge waste of time, so he is never wanting or even willing to take one. At 10:00am, Easton lay down and fell asleep (4 hours earlier than normal).

Stop!...Pause!...Timeout!

It's funny how similar we are to little Easton.
Not only do we avoid doing something that is good for us--we spend massive amounts of energy fighting it! However, when there's a “personal prize” waiting for us at the end of doing something good, all of a sudden we're able to be up for the task.

In Easton’s case it was being able to go to the Harvest Festival, play games and receive handfuls of chocolate.
So much of what God shares with us in his word would be good for us to listen to and obey. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves asking the question "What’s in it for me?" or justifying why we're not able to do certain things that He is asking of us.

Do you know what I mean?
Are you hearing what I am saying?

It would be so nice to watch Easton go lie down and take a nap because he knew it was good for him (I know that sounds crazy, but we can all dream), instead of fighting it.

• What are you fighting doing that you know God would like for you to do?
  
• What do you need to do?
  
• What would be the first step you could take?
  

Don’t let the prize be the motivation.
Let our awesome God be the motivation for your obedience.

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

Changed lives!

I was recently asked, "If you could say one thing Journey is all about, what would it be?" The answer is quite simple--“Changed lives”. There is nothing more exciting in ministry or life than to see light come into darkness, hope enter into hopelessness, or life into lifelessness.

As I ate lunch the other day with a person that used to attend Journey, but had moved away, I was reminded of how much life change I've been blessed to witness in others. God is still very alive and well in 2009. He is still in the business of changing lives.

It's been a wonderful journey preaching on the gospels over this last month. Just this past Sunday I was able to share on the gospel of Luke. In this book, there is one story after another detailing life change as a result of hanging with Jesus Christ. In Luke 19:10 we read “For the Son of Man came to seek and save that what was lost”--this is exactly what the book of Luke is filled with. One story after another of Jesus coming alongside of people, and bringing amazing change to their lives.

I'm so proud of the people at Journey who have allowed Jesus into their lives, and as a result have found new life. The change is such a powerful testimony to those who are out there still searching. Being hit over the head with a bible will only leave a mark...and lots of anger, but watching a life change before your eyes--for the better--can leave a mark on the heart that also brings change to one's life.

Here is what I would love to leave you with to chew on:

1) Read the book of Luke with the idea of looking for life change

2) Identify and thank God for the life change He has brought to you

3) Share this with those who do not know Christ

We will be finishing up on the gospel of John this Sunday, love to see you there.

Changed life,

Rob