Happy Anniversary, Velocity!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

-- Isaiah 43:19

This Sunday marks Velocity Christian Church's 10th Anniversary as a community of faith focused on helping people find Jesus and love God. But what is it that Velocity (or every Bible-believing church in the world) will celebrate this weekend--and every weekend to come for that matter?

 

It's the radical notion that God loves his creation so much that he sent his only Son to personally pay for the mess we've all made of our lives and a once unspoiled creation. With this immense price now cleared from our individual accounts, every believer--through faith in Jesus Christ--is free to serve as his hands and feet throughout the community and even the world. Velocity is part of a universal body of believers. And it's nothing less than a church on the move!

Although that's great news, Christ-followers allover are in a predicament these days. Relativism rules America, and that which is obviously right or wrong is no longer considered so black and white. Popular culture brands those who believe in Jesus and his teachings as old-fashioned and intolerant. And those who dare to point out our nation's retreat from God are called bigots, hate-mongers and other slurs.

Of course, Christ-followers should be happy to plead guilty to holding certain narrow and politically incorrect beliefs. One is that faith in Jesus is the only way to God. And that's Good News that the world can't tolerate.

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil," responds God, "who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

Although we live in troubling times, it's particularly reassuring to know that God continues to do a new thing through his people called Velocity. As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary as a faith community, Jesus encourages us to continue being salt and light to a distorted world in need of guidance, truth and character. People are watching to see if our words match our deeds. May it be that we celebrate the Good News of our Savior through changed lives marked by love in action! 

(Super)Hero Worship

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

-- Proverbs 27:9

         

According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, Hollywood has released more than 100 motion pictures since 1978 involving comic book superheroes. The worldwide popularity of these amazing characters--and their easy translation into ticket sales--helps to explain their abundance. In fact, there are about 20 more superhero-genre movies scheduled for release from now through 2019! Just how popular are these films? Box Office Mojo says that combined ticket sales have raked in about $13.5 billion over the last 38 years, with much more to come in the next few months through titles like Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War.

In the movies, a superhero always seems to be around when disaster strikes or a villain is on the loose. But in the real world, The Fantastic Four and Iron Man can't do much about the hardships of life. Terminal illnesses strike, relationships fail and that which was solid turns to dust in our hands. What we desperately need is something--or someone--who's utterly dependable, unwavering and trustworthy.

As Christ-followers, it's good to know that we worship a God who is that and much more. "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you," Moses reassured the ancient Israelites. "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." It's a message that's as true for us today as it was for them centuries ago.

God also puts trustworthy friends in our life to help us make it through our darkest days. Always there when we need them, they're the ones who are willing to tell us the truth if it's for our own good--and even if it stings a bit at the time. Maybe you have one or two like that, or perhaps many. Either way, friendship isn't about a specific number that we can count: it's about the people we can count on. 

With this in mind, who's counting on you to be their superhero to help save the day? With God's help, let's aim to be the type of companion who loves a pure heart and speaks with grace. Proverbs 22:11 tells us that such a person will have the king for a friend.

Transforming Love Into Action

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

-- Isaiah 40:11

         

When asked by one of the Pharisees--a strict religious sect--to name the greatest of God's laws, Jesus astounded his audience with the simplicity and clarity of his response:

"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," Jesus said. "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

So with just a few brief words, Jesus summarized the core message of the entire Old Testament: God's love, translated into beneficial motivations and actions through our faith in Jesus Christ, is indeed an unstoppable, world-changing force.

This is a hard concept for many people because they link the term "love" with that squishy word associated with weddings, boxed chocolates and Valentine's Day. But Jesus wasn't teaching his followers about that often fleeting, awkward emotion. As Christ-followers, we're to follow God's call to walk in step with him by putting our love into sincere, tangible action. This can come in many forms: from helping an elderly neighbor with their groceries to revealing God's light through a prison ministry. It could also translate into changing a co-worker's life by showing him or her how Jesus has changed your own. The possibilities and potential are endless.

How does God show His love for us? There's the famous Bible story of the Prodigal Son, where the loving father welcomes back his wayward--and totally undeserving--child with open arms. Or what about the shepherd who searches tirelessly for a single missing sheep? When he finally finds it, he returns it triumphantly to the rest of the flock. Jesus also told his disciples about the man who sells all his possessions to buy a field. And not just any field, but one holding buried treasure. The cost to buy the land was staggering, but the man does whatever it takes to gain the prize.

That's how God loves us. He'll go to any length to bring you and me into his family. Perhaps the most famous passage in the New Testament (John 3:16) tells us that God loves the world so much that He gave his only Son (Jesus) so that those who believe in him will have eternal life. God willingly let Jesus suffer and die to pay for all our wrongdoings: past, present and future. We rightfully deserve death because we've broken his laws and fallen far short of his standards. But our Creator's love offers us joy and happiness if we're only willing to accept it. By living on Earth among everyday people and then dying for our sins, Jesus has already paid the ultimate price.

The limits of human vocabulary prevent us from fully describing the meaning and implications of how God cherishes his children. We can only skim the surface of that deep and vast ocean. But maybe it's really not so difficult. After all, it takes only three simple words from the Book of 1 John to sum it up: God is Love. And it's when we live out our own faith through his example that we transform love into action.

Let's Go

Then Jesus said to all the people: "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me."

-- Luke 9:23

         

The June 6, 1944 landing on the French beaches of Normandy--the bloody event best known as D-Day--involved an estimated 2 million Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen, plus thousands of naval vessels and aircraft. About 17 billion pounds of supplies supported it. And if it weren't for a stubborn weatherman and a general who were willing to risk the outcome of World War II, this history-changing operation might have turned out quite differently. 

American, British and Canadian troops had trained for D-Day for months. And the German military knew that an invasion of Europe would come from England sooner or later. The question was where...and when. June 5 was the original date with destiny. But the weather was questionable and could make the English Channel treacherous for the thousands of vulnerable landing craft and support vehicles. 

Dr. James Martin Stagg, the Allies' lead weatherman, advised postponing the massive invasion. However, he also told General Dwight D. Eisenhower that he expected a break in the clouds on June 6. Several members of the meteorological team disagreed with Stagg's interpretation of the weather charts. But after considering the situation for just 30 seconds, Eisenhower made his commitment. 

"OK," he announced. "Let's go."

Commitment is a rare quality that God has valued in his people for thousands of years. For example, Joshua, one of the great servant-leaders of the Old Testament, displayed this trait when he challenged the tribes of Israel to choose who they would serve: the false gods of their ancestors or the one True God.

"But as for me and my household," declared Joshua, "we will serve the Lord." 

That was his "Let's go" moment. But how about yours and mine? There's no such thing as a neutral commitment or relationship. After all, you're either following or being followed. So here's the big question that every Christ-follower must answer: Where are you headed--and where are you taking others?

The answer just might determine your destiny.

Investing in the Eternal

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

-- Psalm 31:19

         

"Money in the bank is like toothpaste in the tube," writer Earl Wilson once observed. "Easy to take out, hard to put back."

Can you relate to that? After all, ours is a buy-now-pay-later culture. Millions of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck and spend their money as soon as they get it. And if an unexpected expense (or the latest electronic gadget) comes along, it's second nature to put it on MasterCard or Visa and worry about the bill later. So with such an unrealistic approach to money and finances, is it any wonder that our nation has so many foreclosures and bankruptcies?

During his brief earthly ministry, Jesus taught his first followers about the proper relationship with God, family, neighbors and even enemies. But Christ also spoke extensively about money-related issues. In fact, the Bible is full of financial wisdom that's as applicable today as it was centuries ago.

And what do the Scriptures say about smart money management?

One biblical principle is to give the first 10% (a "tithe") or more of our income to the church. This honors God by actively promoting his purposes on earth and demonstrating our faith in him for meeting our needs. It's also a reminder that God can do more with the remaining 90% of our income than we can do with all of it. Another precept is to appreciate all that God has given us. If we foster an attitude of gratitude, we're unlikely to spend what we don't have on unaffordable material possessions that we don't really need in the first place. Next, we need to attack debt and anticipate tough times. This means developing a budget, spending less than we earn, paying off those credit cards (particularly the ones with sky-high interest rates) and setting money aside to cover unexpected expenses. Following these steps can help our savings accumulate little by little over time--especially when it earns compound interest.

Above all, we must be rich toward God and invest in the eternal. Saving for the future is obviously important. But let's also look for ways to put our money to work promoting God's interests. In addition to a weekly offering at Sunday worship, this might involve giving toward a special church initiative, supporting overseas missionaries or maybe even starting a community ministry. Whatever it is, ask God in prayer to show you what to do...and clear a path to let you do it. He knows our motivations and rewards those who honor Him:

"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,'" says the Lord Almighty,"'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" 

Heart of the Matter

"Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have. This will lay a solid foundation for the future, so that they will know what true life is like."

-- 1 Timothy 6:17-19

         

Did you know that cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined? 

According to 2016 figures from the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death, accounting for more than 17.3 million per year--a number that's expected to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030. What's more, about 2,200 Americans die from it each day. That's one every 40 seconds.

It's apparent that the world faces a cardiac crisis. But there's another serious heart problem that doesn't involve cigarettes, cholesterol management or low-fat diets. Instead, far too many Christ-followers lack a heart that's willing to give generously according to the resources God has richly given them. And when they do manage to open their pocketbooks, it's often done grudgingly.

That's not the example God sends us through his message in the Bible. If there's a two-word lesson that we can learn from scriptural principles about money and possessions, it's that we should be generous. After all, God is the ultimate giver. Let's consider for a moment the many gifts that we've received. They vary somewhat, but tend to include our health, job, home, family, friends and church. And of course there's God's ultimate gift: the forgiveness of our sins and an eternal relationship with him through our faith in Jesus.

God also wants everyone to be a cheerful giver--particularly one who refuses to hoard their blessings. But to do that, we must trust him rather than our riches. After all, bank accounts and retirement funds can disappear overnight through unexpected circumstances and economic turmoil. Just look at some recent headlines about the stock market to confirm that.

What's the benefit of being generous with our money, time and possessions? As the Apostle Paul tells us through the Book of 1 Timothy, giving back richly toward God and his purposes renders much more than a warm feeling of satisfaction. Think of it as a guaranteed high-yield investment with dividends that we'll enjoy forever in the world to come. In fact, God challenges us on our preconceived notions about money. Through his unique design, giving richly results in getting more:

"By doing that, they will be saving a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future," Paul explains. "Then they will be able to have the life that is true life."

It's every Christ-follower's mission to serve as God's hands and feet on Earth by feeding the hungry, healing the sick and housing the homeless. So by making generous giving a spiritual habit and being rich toward God, we'll become more like Jesus to help change our community, the world--and ourselves--for the better. 

That's the heart of the matter.

Rejoice!

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

-- Isaiah 12:3

         

Millions of Americans are out of work, politicians are mired in scandal and the economy is questionable at best. If you believe the media, there's not much to feel happy or joyous about these days. But the truth is that billions around the world would do just about anything to trade places with us. That's because even the poorest of the poor in the United States are considered rich (at least statistically) when compared with the rest of the humanity.

Of course, poverty and wealth are relative terms. And they don't go hand-in-hand with misery and happiness. Money and possessions can be blessings, but having a big bank account is no guarantee of contentment. A recent Gallup poll seems to confirm this biblical truth. It reveals that Paraguay--a relatively poor nation--has a population with the most positive emotions in the world. And the populations of other impoverished lands such as Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras follow close behind on the happy list. Meanwhile, Singapore--a nation with one of the world's highest per capita gross domestic products (GDP)--didn't make the survey's Top 10. Even the residents of El Salvador and Nicaragua were more upbeat!

Regardless of what advertisers would have us believe, money and possessions can't buy happiness and joy. In fact, the Bible reveals that for many people, excessive wealth can actually be a stumbling block to spiritual health. Rather than a reaction to something external--like a new car or piece of jewelry--real joy is an internal source of gladness and thanksgiving that helps us see the true picture though the most difficult of circumstances. As Christ-followers, our relationship with Jesus grants us access to our Creator--a loving Father who hears our prayers and looks for ways to bless us. So no matter how bad things get in our lives, we already know that our ultimate story will end on a very positive note.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this principle from personal experience:  

"Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea," he wrote in 2 Corinthians. "I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers."

That doesn't sound like a fun-filled existence. Yet Paul wrote that he was joyful.

With so much negativity in the world today, what's the secret to achieving a joy-filled, Christ-centered life? The Bible tells us to blend thanksgiving for our blessings and authentic, regular prayer with discernment--the ongoing intentional functions of living, thinking and acting positively. Christ-followers must habitually look for the good and dwell on the positive.

When we have lives that are filled with joy, even the most unpleasant of circumstances can't bring us down. Paul spent years in prison chained to his guards while under the constant threat of death. But he always prayed thankfully. And instead of feeling sorry for himself, he used his plight to change the lives of fellow prisoners and jailers alike--all while writing much of what we today know as the New Testament.

Yes, times are tough these days--and there seems to be little to smile about. But Paul's advice to today's weary Christ-followers is all the more simple and profound:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"