We had a great night of thinking, sharing and planning last night at Northwood.  I believe that we as a congregation are working hard to see what God is up to, and I think that we are getting very excited about joining Him in the journey.  We know and are beginning to think about the fact that Salvation is about more than Heaven.  When we are saved we are promised eternity in Heaven with God, but if being saved were just about Heaven, then the very moment that we are saved – God would take us on home to Heaven, but He allows us to stay and continue to live life here on earth, because there is work for us to do in partnership with God.

It is important to remember that salvation is the work of God!  God saves us according to His plans and for His purposes.  When we are saved our being in relationship with God should reflect who He is and what He is about.  In other words – our lives lived should point people toward God!  Our relationship with God is a very personal thing, but we should never keep it to ourselves.  We need to share our relationship and the difference it is making with everyone in everyway that we can.  When we are saved, we are born into a spiritual family.  This is one of the most often over-looked and taken-for-granted gifts of God.  I tell the world that I am in relationship with God by loving Him and loving others with the same kind of love that He loved me with.  If I am really saved, then I will live a life that is submitted to God and His calling upon my life.

Do you really love Jesus?  If you do then make sure that you are doing your part to grow, deepen and perfect the love.  If you really love Jesus then live as a part of His spiritual family and fulfill your role in the family.  If you really love Jesus, then make sure that you are an active part of His growing body.

We are the people of God and we are a part of the kingdom of God!  God loves us and we will show our love for Him by being a church that helps people come to know Him in a real and personal way, while we grow in our relationship with Him!  I am glad that we are on this journey together and I am so excited about what God is dong and going to do!