Vibrant Life

In this season where anything we’ve been relying upon other than Jesus is being exposed for what it is, the invitation to be a true disciple of Jesus and experience the good life he promised is more attractive and more necessary than ever!   Jesus told us, “I have come with the sole purpose for you to have life in its most complete form.” (John 10:10)  Jesus also said, “To take my word to its complete conclusion and then to abide in seamless union with its logic is to truly be my disciples. In this abiding, you will fully know the truth about who you are, and this knowing will be your freedom.” (John 8:31-32)   And Paul, who became a true disciple of Jesus, wrote this to us: “Consider your life now; there are no outstanding debts. You own sin nothing! A life bonded to God yields the sacred expression of his character and completes in your experience what life was always meant to be.”   (Romans 6:22)   True discipleship is: 1. Choosing to be "all in" as a follower of Jesus. 2. Leaving behind the "old stuff" that's not for you anymore. 3. Learning to hear form the Spirit of Jesus directly. 4. Trusting and believing what He says to be true. 5. Surrendering your ways to His ways. 6. Leading others to do the same so they can experience the vibrant life Jesus     offers.   Beginning in February, I will be providing a weekly “Vibrant Life” video as a tool to help draw you deeper in as an “all in” follower of Jesus, learning to hear his voice and surrender to his ways. I am also providing this tool as a way for you to intentionally reach out to a few others and meet with them (in person or on zoom) to encourage each other in this journey as disciples of Jesus.   I explained much more in my message this past Saturday: (Pastor Susan Fochler shares a powerful prophetic vision 44 minutes into the service and I share about our discipleship emphasis for 2021 and the purpose of the Vibrant Life videos starting at the 51-minute mark).

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This week, a repairman came into our home to fix our gas fireplace. I wasn’t thinking about trying to bring Jesus into our conversation—it just happened somehow, because when life isn’t squelched, it’s just going to flow out!  Steven started sharing quite vulnerably with me about his past and the struggles of feeling like he never quite measures up and wondering if God really accepts him. Encouragement came—life flowed—Steven began to believe the truth of the goodness of our Father’s heart that was setting him free. Oh yeah, the fireplace got fixed too.   Expect the “repairman encounters” to start happening around you with greater frequency. God has been preparing your heart during this past difficult season for a reason. His children are beginning to stream into His Kingdom. Ready or not, here they come!   It’s time, more than ever, to embrace the joy of being an “all in” follower of Jesus as his disciple! Please let me help you in that journey of bringing others into the vibrant life of Christ.   With Love,              Pastor Brent