Ephesians 5:13-16 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ”Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

I heard a song years ago by a world famous Christian Singer Keith Green called Asleep in the Light. The song really challenged me as a Christian and really left me convicted about my testimony of Jesus.  It talked about how the church is the light of Christ and yet we are asleep. We are not awakened to who we are and the awesome gift God has given us to transform us and then share with others. Not only this but the song reminded me that people without Christ are lost and in darkness and I have the power and responsibility to change that, with the Light of Christ.  Matthew 5:14 declares that “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

What a great opportunity we have to shine the light of Christ in a dark world. I am not sure if you have ever experienced complete darkness before. I remember camping one time as a boy deep in the woods on a moonless night. There was no light from any source whatsoever. The second you turned on a flashlight or lit a match the darkness was broken and the light shone.  All darkness needs is a little light and it changes everything.

You can have that impact today by waking up from the darkness of sin and distraction in your life and allowing the light of Christ to shine His light. We are to make His light known and be that shining city on a hill that everyone can see.

Confession: Lord, I ask you to show your light in my life so I can be changed and wake up to you. As you wake me up help your light to shine from me like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.  

Well we did it; we met for the last time in 2008.We Worshipped together, Fellowshipped Together and Gave Together. We pondered last year’s accomplishments and looked forward to the New Year.

  I met with the staff right before Christmas and we discussed our accomplishments for 2008 and areas of improvement for 2009.  This is a great way of measuring progress and continual pursuit of purpose.

Yesterday was a great time of looking back at 2008 as each Pastor came forward and gave a brief review of their respective ministry.  I appreciate Robin Wilson Bashor speaking on behalf of Brandon Smith and the Worship Arts department.  It was encouraging hearing each Pastor talk about the exciting things they had accomplished in their area of ministry while looking forward to the coming year.

There were many that didn’t get to take opportunity of the last time together in 2008 because of Holiday travel but we trust that everyone will be able to be here for the first opportunity in 2009.

I was especially proud of the wonderful job our Praise and Worship team did in the absence of Pastor Brandon.  Each one knew their role and fulfilled it with excellence, passion and enthusiasm.

Laura Farrar and Robin Wilson Bashor did a great job in leading the congregation while Jerry Welborn and the band played with skill and professionalism while allowing the Spirit to direct.

The Word came out of John chapter 5 at the Pool of Bethesda where the sick, blind, lame and withered waited for the moving of the waters.  The thought we used was about the man who allowed excuses to “get in his way”. Something always “got in his way”.  The Spirit challenged us to not allow anything to “get in our way” this year from pursuing our purpose.  Some people insist on remaining sick, blind, lame or withered and never realize their full potential. So once again I want to challenge you to not allow anything to “get in your way”!!!

In Colossians 2:13&14 we found that Jesus “made us alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”..

In this scripture we see that everything that can “get in our way” was taken “out of the way” at the Cross. So as Romans 1:20 says…”we are without excuse” because from creation itself we see God’s attributes, His eternal power and divine nature.  Through God’s Attributes, Eternal Power and Divine Nature there is nothing that can “get in our way” from pursuing our destiny!!!

Please make plans now to be at the First Opportunity service in 2009.  I will be giving you 10 questions for you to consider this coming year as we begin to focus our minds on having a powerful “IMPACT” in 2009!!!  Blessings on you and your family, and from Teresa and Me and the Staff here at CLC we wish you a Happy New Year!!!

Doing Life Together,

Pastor Terry

Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

PURPOSE. That is what drives us as the human race. People without a purpose or reason for living, merely exist. They don’t have anything to aspire or look forward to. They can literally wake up every day and go through the motions of life and lay their head down at night and never accomplish anything.  I have heard numerous stories of people who have worked for a company all their life and they found purpose in that. They come to the point of retirement and cease to have purpose. Many of these people do not find a new thing to live for and within a very short time actually die. I believe that the bible supports the idea that part of human worth and existence is for us to have purpose.  

Purpose-the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc; an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal; determination; resoluteness; to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself. 

What was I created for? Why did God put me into the family and environment that I was raised in? What am I suppose to do with my life?  What drives me? How do I want to be remembered?  All of these questions can be answered when we discover purpose in our lives.  Do you remember the famous quote from the movie Brave heart?  “All men die, few men truly live”. What a statement. What an accusation. What a thought. Without purpose we can come to the end of each day, week, month, year and lifetime and look back in disappointment at how we lived.

God has promised us that IN HIM we have purpose. He is to be the reason/purpose for our existence. If He is the purpose for our life, then when society, people, government, church organizations and the affairs of life let us down, we have a strong foundation that will not fail. Think about your life in light of purpose today and be challenged to make Christ your purpose and reason for living.

Christ, who is our greatest example lived his life here on earth with extreme purpose. He came for one reason and that is to seek and save the lost. Give access to God for humanity. Everything He did centered on this one purpose and principal. He did not get distracted with the affairs of life.  Christ did everything for the purpose of bringing people to God. Let’s be like Him and focus on our purpose today. 

Confession: Lord, give me the purpose to live today to the fullest. Help me to recognize how I can impact my world with your love and grace. Help me to have your heart and seek and save the lost.