This is a gross exaggeration of humanity but I will say it anyhow. There are people who recharge you, rejuvenate you and inspire you AND there are people who drain you, take from you and sap your energy. Today here is my challenge for you–spend time with both of these people. Ask God to give you the strength to build others up according to their needs. And for those of you who constantly give–ask God to put someone into your life that will recharge you.

Today, I want us to think about our secret life. For some of you there is a secret life that is not of God or from God. There are patterns that you have established that are hidden from everyone around you. You fear what others will think. You think your struggles, your secret life, is unique to you. But as followers of Jesus, we all have a point when we come out of hiding and into community.

God calls us to community. Loss of community is one of the major dangers in today’s society. We think we have community because we have an app for it, we tweet, we FB, we IM, etc., but the more gadgets and programs that come out, actually distance us from real community.

In a real community, we are accountable, we are authentic, we are vulnerable, and we are physically present in the lives of those in our community. In a real community, we don’t hide, but reveal; we don’t spin the story so that we look good, but we share the raw truth; we don’t worry, but we trust; we don’t ask for a 140 characters or less, but we listen to everything; we don’t hide behind the gospel, but we call each other to be accountable for our words and actions, so that we live out the gospel; we don’t just talk, but pray. In real community, we love each other as we are and sharpen each other to become what we are meant to be.

It’s easy to love those who constantly show me love.

Think about it, and then let God speak to you through His Word.

Prayer is where the action is.

- John Wesley

Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.

- Corrie ten Boom

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.

- E.M. Bounds

Take a moment right now to pray.
Ask God to speak to you and
to prepare your heart to meet with Him.