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We recently finished our Vacation Bible School week and things were very active here.   I helped with registration and with also with troubleshooting issues that come up.  As the night concluded and fatigue was high, I found the need to remind myself of the “why” behind this event.  It is not a foreign question for me as I engage ministry. Have you recently asked the question “Why am I doing this?” Our actions as Christians should have a good reason that motivates us.  I almost always find my “why” in the example of Jesus and His teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven.  I encourage you to think about your “whys” and seek to find solids reasons that go beyond the motivations of comfort and routine.  Comfort and routine are not necessarily wrong if your comfortable routine is rooted in a loving response to God and your neighbor.  Have you developed a daily routine out of intentionality of response to Jesus?  Does your daily routine acknowledge God and prioritize Him?  These are some questions that I am personally reflecting on as I read from Matthew 10 and as I reflect on the “why” behind the things we are engaged in through ministry efforts at Coventry.

                 In Matthew 10:32, Jesus states, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”  I am asking you to think about how you acknowledge Jesus before others.  This can begin with how you treat others.  Be Christlike to others.  Show compassion and mercy as Jesus did.  But also, speak His name.  Share the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Acknowledge Jesus as your Savior and Lord.  He Jesus is the reason for why we serve, why we sacrifice, why we forgive, why we restrain from what God calls evil, why we worship, why we give to the needy, why we teach the Bible, and why we have a living hope when the things around us look bleak!  If we acknowledge Jesus in these ways, do you think others might be led to think about Jesus?   

               I encourage you to  acknowledge Jesus before others as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers.

In Christ.  Pastor Mark