Core Values: Part 2
I hope that by now you have a picture of Core Values and our first value, FAMILY. In this post I’m going to concentrate on REACH and UNMERITED FAVOR.
Some of the definitions on REACH I’ve found are, “to stretch out, extend, to grasp by extending a part of the body for example a hand, to stretch after something. Rev 12:11 say, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” This is one of my favorite pieces of Scripture, we have to stretch out and take hold of God, not keeping anything behind … our lives … souls… We have to live a Godly life without boundaries.
Phil 3:13, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,” (NKJ)
We challenge you to have an attitude of expansion! Why stay stagnant? Maturity is something that will happen, but it is some much more worthwhile when you allow God to reach into your life and stretch your thoughts, ideas, dreams, who you are in Him, your calling, and yes your fruit.
One of the means we have available for you in stretching yourself and reaching out is to go over the border of your country. We have built wonderful relationships in Swaziland with some awesome people and we would like everyone to go on an outreach with us at least once. I have already given a lot of information on OUTREACH on our website; visit the tags Swaziland or Reach.
UNMERITED FAVOR:
I don’t know about you, but I want to live a life in God’s favor …
We’ve been taught that grace is God’s unmerited favor that is bestowed upon sinners. Rom 3:24, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (NKJ) It’s also defined as undeserved mercy ~ however all mercy is undeserved; that’s the meaning of mercy. Grace is so much more than mercy, think of this: mercy just gets the criminal off the hook and out of jail, but grace pays the debt of the criminal and sets him free to enjoy the good life.
God’s salvation is not merited; it’s a GIFT from God, something given freely! Jesus paid our debt of sin and in receiving Him we are set free to enjoy God’s love and to live in His favor. Prov 8:35, “For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD;” (NKJ) Mere human words cannot adequately express the true meaning of God’s grace and His greatest token of love, His Son.
This made me think, we know that it is not all about our works … but as I dwell upon this grace of God in which I now stand … will it not motivate me to do good works?
Titus 2:11-15, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” (NKJ)
That been said: Do you have the attitude to receive from God? Are you living your life based on the true meaning of grace? Are you walking in God’s favor like Abraham did?
The last post will address INTEGRITY and TEAM.
That’s all for now Blaze peeps.
Peace
