Echoing the Master's Word

"Every time we think of you, we thank God for you."

Yesterday was a holiday. Although I was on vacation this week and wasn't at Faith on Sunday morning, we spent the afternoon and evening with our church family, first at the Manzer's place and then with the Fords. We thank God for you that you are our family here, since our family lives 1,500 miles away. We welcome other holiday invites to share your families with you.

In this short chapter, I ran across two things:
"It is clear to us, sisters and brothers, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special."

This is the Gospel message in a nutshell:
#1. God loves you just the way you are.
#2. He put you on the planet to do something specific. You have time, talents, and treasures to share that will change the world.

"Your lives are echoing the Master's Word."

The first text made me think about the 11 who will be on the mission trip next week. Then I thought, "What would it look like if our lives echoed God's Word?" Whenever Word is capitalized, it means Jesus (the Word made flesh) and the Bible. When we get back, will "the news of our faith in God" be out? Will we be different when we return? Will Faith change because 11 of 400 members had their faith kick-started?

There will be both joy and hard work on the trip. I hope our mission trip numbers double next summer.

God loves you. God has work for you to do in the world.