Your greatest joy in life is not using God for your life but using your life to really and actually know God. So, we are determined to encourage each other to see all circumstances and relationships as opportunities to know God. “(Jesus) Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3

You are given some amazing gifts from God when you accept His free gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. You receive unconditional love forever, life forever, the opportunity to talk to God anytime, Scripture to learn from Him, a family called the church, and the Holy Spirit, God Himself. Because these gifts are so incredibly helpful, we are also determined to encourage each other to use and make the most of these gifts all the time. “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3

Some people that God will move you closer to will seem strange to you. They may be older or younger. They may look different. They may have different gifts. They may have different amount of money. They may have needs or are difficult to relate to. But in all of these differences, God is bringing us together as a family united with Him at the center of our family. We are determined to celebrate our differences and work on finding our unity in Jesus Christ. “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.” Colossians 3:10-11

You will find as you move closer to God, He will move your heart to care about other people and challenge you to reconcile relationships. We are determined to work on getting better at trusting God with our relationships and to use them for growing and learning how to love others as Christ has loved us.”(Jesus) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

Over and over again we have seen life change in us and others because people were generous and open with their hearts. God will move you to generosity because it’s in generosity that your heart opens to others and God. Also, your generosity moves the hearts of others toward God and you. It’s all about the relationship and that is what changes people’s lives. We are determined to work on being open hearted and handed people. “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.” 2 Corinthians 9:13-14

There really isn’t. When you experience what it’s like to be used by God in helping someone know Jesus that brings them eternal life, joy, clarity and freedom, you will believe it to. There are a lot of great things God has given us, but a front row seat to seeing Him change someone’s life is the best. We are determined to keep encouraging each other to experience that joy by helping people know Jesus. “Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” Mark 5:19-20