Bible References:   Revelation 3:14-22; Col. 2:3; Mark 1:35; Matthew 4:4; Psalm 37:4; Psalm 16:11 Church of Laodicea: ·          Wealthy, proud ·          This church has no praise given to it all in the letters to the Churches ·          Laodicea is uninhabited ·          A lukewarm church – neither hot not cold Maybe this is a little like our country? We are a fairly wealthy, proud nation.   Let us not be Lukewarm, let us be either hot or cold, but not indifferent (Lukewarm).   Indifference – doing nothing.   Choose which way you will go. We are human beings, not human doings.   Jesus came to establish the lost connection with us – so we can have a relationship with God through Him.   Our priority as Christians is to praise Him.   Let’s be alive with purpose, not dead with indifference. Reflect this week about where you stand in your relationship with God. The cost of being a Disciple:  Whatever it takes!

John 17:20-25 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  -o0o- Bible references:  John 17:20-25; Acts 4:34-5:11; 1 John 1:10; Psalm 63; Luke 14:27; Luke 14;33; Luke 9:23; John 8:31-32; James 1:22; Psalm 143:5; 1 Cori

Bible References:             Proverbs 14:4; 1 Corinthians ch 12-14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-2; Romans 12:9; Romans 12:9-21; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:3; Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:8, Colossians 3:13-17; 1 Peter Ch.3; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Timothy Ch.3 Church Structure: ·          Should be a safe place where love, patience, honesty and care for each other abide ·          The saying “You should love your brother but you don’t have to like him”, is a lie.   You need to both like and love each other . ·          The Church is a family (organism) not a club or business (organisation) ·          As we care for our bodies and promote their well-being, so too we should care and promote the well-being of the Church body ·          Each member of the Church family has a role ·          Harmony and unity should abide within the local church family ·          We are bound together because of Christ ·          Care for each, help each other Fellowship is a priority: ·         

Bible References: Rev. 1:4-6; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Col. 1:15-18; 1 Peter 2:9; Mark 1:9-11; Rom. 6:6-14; John 15:5; 1 Peter 3:15 We have beliefs and Values.  Our values don't mean much unless we put them into actions.  We need to be people in the world who keep morality and keep values that build up, not pull down. We are not to have empathy, BUT we are to have compassion. Empathy:  Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives. Compassion:   Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. We as believers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are Overcomers not the underdogs.  We are all ministers - we all share the ministry of reconciliation.  We are all in a full time vocation - a minister of JC! Some practices we need to establish daily: Read the Bible everyday Pray everyday Regularly meet with fellow Christians to encourage each other and build up each other remember each Church is a BODY no

Bible References:  1 Corinthians 13:2; Psalm 90 Do I love and like people enough to tell them the message of Hope and Salvation? If you want to see what someone believes, the see what they value.  Refer Ps. 90:2 "Before the mountains were born o r you brought forth the whole world,   from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:17 May the favor " of the Lord our God rest on us;  establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands." There are many people who have no concept  of the need to repent.  Christians are called to speak the message of salvation to the world. Salvation in Jesus Christ is God's gift to each and every person.  It is a gift given freely.  So each one must make the personal decision about whether they receive this gift or reject the gift.  We can share our journey in accepting God's gift of salvation and what it means in our lives now through our testimony.  Each Christian has a testimony