I find it interesting at times I will search high and low to find scriptures that justify my condemning comments,
actions, attitude, or ways toward others. I will say things like, "Well, Jesus cleansed the temple didn’t He?" or "He
told them like it was!" and then I sit back and feel good about myself. I will even pat my own back or some brother
or sister will pat my back and say "tell ‘em brother!"

I must remember that I am not Jesus! I was called to be a blessing to others. The words of Peter ring in my ears,
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be
courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary {BLESSING, KNOWING THAT YOU
WERE CALLED TO THIS, THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING.} For "He who would love life And see good days, Let
him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let
him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their
prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:8-12.

I woefully forget that Jesus knew what was in a person's heart (an ability that I do not possess) and how to
handle the situation gracefully. He even spoke words like, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
do." Luke 23:34. Even when they did awful things to Him and didn't ask Him for forgiveness, and He still offered it
with no condemnation! That’s Amazing Grace!! Something I must learn.

Jesus seemed to be aggravated mostly with the religious folks of His day and mainly because of their actions
toward the people of their day. The very people He came to save! Is it possible that is why He said, "Not everyone
who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. Matthew 7:21. I wonder if I am that person at times?

I think I forget words like those spoken by or Lord, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

I’m going to work harder to be tactful, gracious, and kind in my words, and actions. I will also do what I can to
bring them to Jesus, the Savior of the world.

You can be better if you first decide to do it.  You must put that desire into action.  No shortcuts. 

Faith without works is dead!!  

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  — (James, the brother of Jesus Christ) 

You can talk a good game all day long.  However, the only way for others to see your determination, discipline, and success is through work. Otherwise it is just all talk!  

It takes absolutely no talent at all to outwork your opponent!!  Just faith, discipline, and hard work. 

EVERYONE CAN WORK HARD (few exceptions). 

Potential and expectation are only words and dreams but with faith, discipline, and hard work they can become reality.  A LITTLE work or effort in reality is just a waste of time and an easing of the conscience.  God expects so much more. 

HARD WORK PLUS TALENT EQUALS UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES!!

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  — (Saul, from a place called Tarsus)

TOMORROW IS A BRAND NEW DAY — GO GET IT!!

MOMENTUM is the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.  

Momentum can carry a team to a win and even a championship.  It can help a business go from good to great.  It can help leaders move from MEDIOCRE to MAGNIFICENT.  Amelia Earhart said, “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”  Someone aptly stated, “A rolling stone gathers no moss but it sure gathers momentum.” You see, momentum is a game changer!! 

We are the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and we have had had all parts moving here at Westpark over the last year. All parts have been working together (Ephesians 4:16) and things have been happening as a result!  

Many thanks are extended to everyone who has had a part in working to help make our future building on the hill a reality (a dream soon to be a realized!).  We have a lot of energy poured into setting up, serving, and

cooking for our services, fellowship meals, and activities.  There is also the weekly work that is done by selfless teachers who continue to help us grow in the Lord and pour into our lives.

We have recently been blessed to have new family members join us at Westpark, visitors come seeking the Lord and His work, better attendance (although that is not the only measure of a healthy church), and an added

presence of excitement (MOMENTUM) that is permeating throughout our family of God.

My observation is that we have MOMENTUM.  Let’s be convicted to not be complacent (collecting dust) but

rather active (stirring dust) and MOVING from GOOD to GREAT!  Let’s strive to be a going church for a coming Lord!!

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many”.  -- The Apostle Paul

Like it or not, we live up to expectations.  When little is expected of us there is a tendency to live up to those expectations.  When there are no expectations set for us we tend live up to it (or down to it).  So, it can be good and bad.  However, when the expectations are high we often live up to them. 

 People will often times expel lot of energy, go to great heights, and distances to meet great expectations.  They will sacrifice, and serve beyond limits to accomplish the expectation set before them.  Wars have been won, lands obtained, countries established, businesses built, and games won all because of great expectations.

 God has great expectations for us at Westpark!  Understanding that He expects more of us will help us to understand and achieve what He desires.  

 I can’t help but think about people in scripture who lived up to the great expectations God set for them.  David, Moses, Joshua, Paul, Peter, and so many others who accomplished great things because of what was expected of them.  As a result of meeting their Godly expectations others were blessed, encouraged, built up, set free, established, and saved.  

 God has so much in store for us at Westpark!  Are you up for meeting Great Expectations?  Please make it a priority to be with us on Sunday, January 6, 2019 as we share together about Great Expectations.  Please invite family and friends to be with us as we share our vision and get excited about God’s Great Expectations! 

When there is a change in the weather, two things can happen: you get sleepy or you can become very restless. In my case this rainy Friday morning, I was up early, drinking a cup of coffee and mediating on God’s word in the book of Ezekiel.

 The prophet Ezekiel confronted the people of Israel and he confronts us with the reality of sin’s devastating power. He also offers words of hope about the restoration God will bring to those who experience His judgement. After all, God does not hold a grudge or punish unfairly. God is just and will deal with sin, but He also provides the opportunity for every person to repent and find life. Once we have repented of our sin, He will act as our Advocate and Protector.

 We read about this in Ezekiel 34:22. God will hold us accountable for our sin, but He will also bless and protect. Just as a shepherd evaluates his sheep and judges which to breed, sell, or butcher; the Lord will determine those who are His and which sheep needs care, judgment, or blessing.

Sometimes we forget and think of ourselves as more noble than mere sheep. But that’s exactly what we are. We are vulnerable and easily led astray. Thankfully we have a Good Shepherd who knows how to safely guides us.

“I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. (Ezekiel 34:22)