Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Responding to God

We often talk about application in relation to God's Word. Like James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." We are not designed to be the landfill of truth - a place where God's Word comes to sit and rot. We are recycling centers. We're meant to take in the truth of God and to have it move in us, through us, and out of us.

But is "doing" the Word always an action? Must we always connect our studies to a tangible "spiritual to-do list"? I find that when we talk about applying the Word, that's where my mind goes to first. How do I do this? What does it "look" like? It can almost feel exclusively horizontally driven.

I wonder if we'd be better served to think about "responding" to God's Word instead of "applying". Instead of trying to figure out what to do based on the passage, we let the passage speak about God and his claim on our lives.

Responding looks like conviction - a concreting of our beliefs in line with God's Word. Responding looks like a greater faith in the gospel. Responding looks like worship!

In some ways, these ought to be our regular responses to the Word. And the overflow of conviction and faith and worship will lead us to live more faithfully (or differently when necessary).

So may God help us to "apply" by rightly responding to his truth in all its various forms.

Monday, September 07, 2009

Grace Church is Planted

It's been a little bit busy around the halls of Grace Church. We've launched at the Rio Vista Recreation Center! We've got two Sundays under our belts, so we have it all figured out now.....not exactly. But God has been gracious to us and we've had a blast as we've worked, worshipped, and fellowshipped together in these early weeks.

One of the priorities of our church is community. We believe that God is best glorified in us as we live out the gospel in relationship with each other. As we've started public meetings, its been wonderful to know that our church is more than just an hour and a half, once a week. It's a way of life for the members of Grace Church. We stand together in a common faith and mission. We love to be with each other and serving alongside one another.

Please pray for our new church that God would be glorified, that we'll learn to live out the gospel we cherish, and that many will believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  © Blog Design by Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates

Back to TOP