_ This is something that has been put on my heart for this area, but will fit in what ever town, state or nation, if we apply these principles. I pray that someone would grab a hold of this and run with it, for God's Glory.
Romans 13:8-11 KJV Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (11) And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Start by just Loving our Community Start with Prayer. (Remember the note books we were given the first Sunday service that Pastor Bob handed out?) In this short lesson, I am going to give you the importance and hope that I am on the same page of the vision he was trying to get across, and has been trying to get across since he returned back from Ethiopia. Friends, we can do this. Why? Because it is God’s will for us to succeed in this endeavor. What endeavor? Taking back Brownville, Brownville Jct, I have to include Milo and all the surrounding towns, just for a start. Colossians 4:2 KJV Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; God has placed you in a sphere of influence for a reason and a purpose. It is not an accident where you live, where you work, and the community in which you find yourself. Begin praying for God to open doors and to use you for His glory where you live. 2. Know Your Neighbors James 2:14-20 KJV What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? How can we love people if we are not willing to know them? 3. Listen for Needs Galatians 6:9-10 KJV And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. If you are only there for people when it is convenient for you, then it is not love. 4. Be intentional 1 Peter 3:14-18 KJV But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (17) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: As you know people and meet needs, you then are able to share Christ.
5. Just Love Here is where Pastor Bob has led us many times since he has become Pastor here at Katahdin Christian Church. Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. The call of God is for us to be people of love. To bring heaven to earth. Philippians 1:9-11 KJV And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (10) That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; (11) Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Taking It Home. God has placed us in our community for a reason and purpose to just love. It is not an accident where we live, where we work, and where we do “life.” We are blessed to live in a beautiful community, but our call is to love .To be the hands and feet of Christ. And, how can we love unless we are willing to know the people around us as well as being willing to step out and meet needs? It is not enough to talk about love, but we are called to live a life of love. Imagine the difference we can make together in our community as we just love. I just typed this, and a phone call came in from a woman that I have avoided, as she has taken advantage of most of the early members of our church. I have struggled with being taken advantage of so many times, but you know what? I must do this little deed she has asked me to do, because I have to be a child of God and let the light of Jesus shine through me.
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