Hi Church Family! 

This past Wednesday evening, at our worship and prayer time, I shared a short devotion from Isaiah 55, and in today's P.K.'s Korner, I want to share a little bit from that devotion with all of you.

In Isaiah 55:8-9 the prophet declares that our God's thoughts are nothing like our thoughts, and His ways are far beyond anything we could imagine. "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts." When I read these verses, it puts life in perspective for me that there's nothing to great for our God. These verses also reminded me of the hymn, My God Is So Big. Here are the lyrics: "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing that he cannot do. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing that he cannot do. The rivers are his, the mountains are his, the stars are his handiwork too. My God is so big, so strong and so might there's nothing that he cannot do. He's called you to live for him every day in all that you say and you do. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing that he cannot do." 

The lyric in the second verse, "He's called you to live for him every day in all that you say and you do" is a reminder that disciples of Jesus are to be "Jesus" to our lost family, friends, neighbors, and all people as agents of reconciliation. "So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!'" (2 Corinthians 5:20) Agents of reconciliation must be students of God's word, and disciples of Jesus who live a Spirit-filled life. We have the truth, and that truth must be planted and watered in the lives of the lost. Isaiah wrote, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (55:10-11) Disciples of Jesus are those who God has sends out with His word to plant and water. The seed of faith that we plant is, "the word of God," but it's "God who causes the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:5-9, Luke 8:11). We can't plant what we don't know, understand, and hide in our heart. If we aren't planting, there's nothing for us to water, and if there's nothing to water, there's nothing for God to bring growth about in the lives of our lost family, friends, neighbors, and ultimately all people.

Isaiah said that when God's word goes out, "it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all He wants it to, and it will prosper everywhere He sends it." I believe this is a call for disciples to be faithful in the mission of Jesus as we make disciples of all peoples. (Matthew 28:18-20) When we live on mission with Jesus, Isaiah tells us that, "We will live in joy and peace. [And] The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!" (55:12) Will you join me living a missional life for Jesus? 

Sunday we will end our All of Jesus in all of us series from Colossians. I hope it's been a good study for you and that you've been able to apply truth of how those who have a new life in Jesus are called to teach, disciple, and ground people in the gospel. We are to be all in and go all out for God! Sunday we also have our all church picnic following the worship service. As a reminder, every family is asked to bring a side dish to share. 

I look forward to seeing you and worship with you on Sunday!

God loves you and so do I!

PK