Our Focus

What should the church focus on today? With all of the church growth movement information that abounds, it is increasingly difficult to know where to pour our attention. Which style of music? What type of small groups are the most effective for discipleship in today’s society? What type of building should we build? Should we dress formal or casual? And the list of possible questions could go on and on. Though they may be questions we should consider, I have come to the conclusion that many of these questions are a matter of preference.
I believe there are two things that should command our focus: Truth and Love. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. The kingdom of God and Christ will in reality reflect the character of Christ. John 1:14 says that He is “full of grace and truth”. Solomon, in Proverbs 3:3, says “Don’t let mercy (steadfast love) and truth forsake you...write them on the tablet of your heart”. Peter puts it this way in 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ”. I believe we should be committed unapologetically to never compromise the truth of God’s Word. I also believe we should love unconditionally from a sincere heart. Let’s keep our focus simple. Let’s set our eyes on truth and love.

Myspace or His Space

There is an epidemic of people being drawn to social networking sites such as myspace.com. The days of communicating in person or even on the phone is being replaced by text messaging and other electronic programs. The difference today is that these new ways of communicating can be very private and often times lead to communication that is displeasing to God. The problem is that we tend to have a ‘my space’ attitude rather than a ‘His space’ attitude. Children and teenagers put a circle around certain areas of their lives where only certain people are allowed and many people, even their parents, are excluded. When anyone attempts to invade the circle, the ‘my space’ attitude kicks in to full gear. “How dare anyone tell me what I can or can’t do?” “How dare anyone enter into MY SPACE?” Unfortunately, many adults have the same attitude. This is where the problem lies. Parents are often shocked and devastated when they catch their children participating in ungodly activities. But yet, those same parents allow their children to have computers and televisions in their rooms and they never monitor what their children do. The sad thing is that we are living in a day when everyone cares only for self. There is a song that I used to enjoy until I began to really listen to the words. It says: “It’s my life, it’s now or never, I ain’t gonna live forever.” This is a lie that so many people today are believing. The truth is, it is not your life and you are going to live forever. Your life is in the hands of God. Until you get out of your space and enter into His space, you will never experience salvation. Parent, if you don’t get out of your space and enter into God’s space and allow Him to have full control of your life, then you will never be able to raise your children the way God intended. If young people continue to live in a world where even their parents have a “my space” attitude, then they will grow up with no regard for good morals and truth. We desperately need to get out of our space and into God’s space. If we don’t, an entire generation will be lost.