This morning on the way into the office I was listening to the radio and “The Voice Of Truth” by Casting Crowns was playing and it was just a really good reminder to me that what we really believe – really matters!  Do you really believe that God loves you?  Do you really believe that God has a plan for your life?  Do you really believe that God’s plan is the most awesome and amazing plan that there could be?  If we really believe all of this, then it should change the way that we live our lives!

I think that most of us want to believe it, but then we start to hear and even listen to the competing voices.  I know what I want to believe and I know that what I want to believe is the right thing, so I am making the choice to ignore the competing voices and listen to the only voice that really matters!  The song puts it this way:  “But the voice of truth tells me a different story, the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”  And the voice of truth says “this is for my glory!”  Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth!”

In the Bible our Savior Jesus declares:  “I am the way, the truth and the life!”  Do you really believe it?

What is on the heart and mind of God?  This is one of those questions that we fail to even try and answer because it seems way to big and impossible to answer, but the truth is:  God wants us to know His heart and mind and this is why He has given us His Word!  When I read and study the Word – I realize very quickly that love is on the heart and mind of God, because God is love!  God loves you and me and He desires for us to love Him back, while loving and caring for one another.  It is really a very simple truth.  One that I know and have known for some time and one that I often forget – while allowing my mind and life to become full of so much other stuff.

If love is on the heart and mind of God, then love needs to be in my heart and on my mind!  If I am going to fit into God’s plan and work to touch and change this world, then I must have His heart and mind.  To make sure that I have the heart and mind of God, I need to make sure that I am spending regular and meaningful time in prayer.  During this time, I need to make sure that I am listening for and yielding to the plans of God.  This will require that I am continually adjusting my life – so that it lines up with His will.

God is at work all around us and He invites us to join Him!  God has an amazing plan for every person’s life – no matter who you are and no matter what mistakes you might have made!  Don’t be afraid of God’s heart and mind.  Open your life up to Him and you will be amazed and blessed at what a beautiful thing you will experience!

Okay – maybe asking for theme ideas during the middle of the week was not such a good idea.  We are all tired, worn out and “workin for the weekend!”  But we surely can muster up enough energy and creativity to think about some creative ways to try and communicate what we believe God is doing and going to do in our lives during the next year.

Maybe some of you are not sure of what I mean when I say theme.  Some examples might be:  “Doing Life Together!  Back To The Basics!  Impact Greer And The World!”  Does that give you an idea?  What has God done is your life and what would you like to see Him do?  What do you think God wants to do through the life and ministry of Northwood?

Several of you commented that you could not the “COMMENT” to work.  If you can’t just shoot me an email at pastor@rightdirections.org  I am really looking forward to hearing from you – so think about it, pray about it and then share your ideas!