March Madness

Mission Possible 2008
L.I.V.E.
(Living In View of Eternity)

We have all heard about March Madness—the basketball tournaments, great games, and crazy upsets. This month we are not focusing on basketball but on sharing our faith with others. We are calling it March Mission Madness. Jesus made the mission for the church clear in giving the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). If you are a basketball fan or have seen basketball fans, they go a little bit crazy cheering for their teams. They paint their faces, spell out something on their bodies, yell, jump up and down, clap, and simply go nuts. Why? Because they are passionate about their teams and show it. But what about Christ? Are we passionate for Him? What we are passionate about? What or who we care most about will be what we talk about. When is the last time you told someone about Christ and what He has done in your life?
I encourage you to right now pray and ask God to lay at least three people on your heart who need to hear about Him. It might be family members, co-workers, classmates, or neighbors. Write them down on a piece of paper and pray for them daily. Ask God to open their hearts to Christ, to remove anything that is keeping them from coming to the Lord, and ask for boldness and an opportunity to share Christ with them.
Be mission minded. It is time to go crazy for Christ. A basketball championship lasts only a year. The next year there will be a new champion. A relationship with Christ will last for an eternity. There will never be another King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Let’s focus on the mission; it’s time for March Mission Madness! Remember that we are focused on forever. L.I.V.E.

Working together on the same Mission,
Ben Brown

2008 rhymes with great

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” --Proverbs 19:21

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I don’t. Well, sometimes I say “maybe this year I’ll do this,” but I never set a firm resolution because I know I’ll just abandon it after a week anyway. However, the New Year does make me think a lot about the future as I’m sure it does you. How will the rest of the school year turn out? Where will I work this summer? Will I go on vacation? Should I go to college? Which college do I pick? How do I know what’s right for me? The list of questions goes on.

The Bible says in Romans, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (8:28). It doesn’t say that being a Christian will make all our decisions and commitments easier. It doesn’t say that the answer will be obvious. But, it does say that if we trust in God, pray for His guidance, and love Him, He will not lead us astray.

In Jeremiah 20:11, it says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” So, whether you are making a New Year’s resolution or thinking about the big decisions you will have to make throughout the year, make sure that you include God in all your plans because He wants the best for you. His strength and guidance will help you.

Cheers,
Kristin