Excellence with Purpose

Good morning! We had an AWESOME weekend with our Kids Fest. We started off with around 200 at our Friday night service. The Harness family did a great job ministering to everyone of every age that was in attendance. Several responded to the altar call for salvation. Then Saturday we had a HUGE crowd for our Carnival, three on three Basketball tournaments, and our Slam Dunk Contest. It all culminated with our Trunk or Treat service yesterday morning. Somewhere around 550 showed up for our service. Again, several responded for salvation. It was the best all around Kids Fest that we have ever had. Thank you to everyone that helped make it a huge success. Eternity will certainly be much richer because of your efforts. I love you guys, and feel so blessed to be your pastor.

As I was thinking about Kids Fest this morning, I got to thinking about how we strive to do everything with EXCELLENCE. However, God birthed another phrase within my Spirit this morning during prayer. We don't want to just strive for excellence, but EXCELLENCE WITH A PURPOSE. And that is exactly what we did this weekend. Listen to what Paul says about EXCELLENCE WITH A PURPOSE:

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

Wow! What a powerful verse. God gives us some powerful instruction:

#1 God speaks about our ATTITUDE in life and ministry. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable

Never, ever quit. Make up your mind that you are in this thing for the long term. Even when you are frustrated, tired, angry, discouraged…you will fight until the very end. Be FIRM, STEADFAST, and IMMOVABLE. Your favorite song needs to become, "I shall not be, I shall not be moved, just like a tree planted by the waters, I shall NOT BE MOVED."

#2 God speaks about our ACTIONS in life and ministry. Always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord],

ALWAYS, giving and doing your ABSOLUTE BEST at whatever you do. 1 Corinthians 10:31
(AMP) so then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.

Whatever you may do includes: work, sports, teaching a Sunday School Class, teaching Royal Rangers or Girls Ministry, serving on the cook team… WHATEVER YOU DO, remember always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord.

#3 God speaks about our ANTICIPATED RESULTS in life and ministry. Knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

We need to know and be constantly aware that all of my labor in the Lord is NEVER wasted or to NO PURPOSE. All of our hours that we spent leading up to Kids Fest and actually making it happen, will not be wasted. And the same is with everything that we do for and with the Lord. It amazes me how the enemy of our souls will whisper in our ears, "Your praying isn't doing any good, you are just wasting your time." "Going to church isn't doing you any good; you could be doing other, more important stuff." That is when you need to remember that your prayer, your church attendance is NEVER WASTED OR TO NO PURPOSE.

We are living in a time where satan himself has deceived some of God's very own people that the answer for their life is to just alienate themselves from church and those who have hurt them. It is the oldest trick of the devil. When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God, by trying to avoid His presence. It happens today. Someone hurts you in church, satan whispers into your ear, "Just stay away from church, that way you don't get hurt anymore. You don't have to go to church to serve God. You will be better off not going anyway." That is a lie from the devil himself. God's Word says in Hebrews 10:25, "(AMP) Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

God warns us that as we get closer and closer to the Rapture of the church that we NEED EACH OTHER more and more. We need encouragement, admonishment, and the urging on of our brothers and sisters. The answer is not to stay home, AWAY from God's people, but to strive to spend MORE TIME with God's people. Your church attendance does HAVE A PURPOSE.

Let's make up our minds today to strive for EXCELLENCE WITH PURPOSE in all that we do.

I love each of you, and pray that you have a wonderful, blessed day!

Pastor Rusty