Oh Hebrews... [Guest Post by Corbett Cutts]

Guest post by my good friend and brother in Christ, Corbett Cutts.

""'We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.'" (Hebrews 5:11-12).

WOW! Nobody ever said the author of Hebrews was gentle with his words - but what truth those words hold.

I've read that passage 4 times in the past 24 hours and it wasn't because I didn't understand it or because I was falling asleep (usually why i reread passages) - but because each time i read it, it humbles me more than words can express. For the past twenty nine years I have associated myself in some way, shape or form with Christ. At times, I was seeking Him with all of my being; and other times, God wasn't even on the back burner...He wasn't on the stove or even the kitchen. Yet, I still knew who He is and what He offers. But the question remains - in those (nearly) three decades, where was my spiritual maturity? I am still a BABE in both my understanding of and my trust (faith) in Christ? Here I am professing my lifelong love for Christ and I'm not sure I can name all the books of the Bible..............

The point is that the author of Hebrews has me pegged. By now, i should be leading people spiritually. But I'm not, I'm scared and unprepared and it's a very sad truth. I know I lack the cranial capacity to know God fully and I am at His will for Him to reveal Himself to me in Scripture and His creation to know Him more. My epistemology is not to know all of God's being - that would be impossible. But my focus should be on using the tools He has provided me to shape my ethos.

God - my prayer is that this new season in my life will bring greater maturity and understanding of You. Not for my own edification, but so that I can be a more effective resource for you in transforming lives and helping those that are seeking You open their hearts to meet and receive You."

This is so applicable to us all. Thank you for sharing brother.

The Value of Small Groups

For those that know me well, I am a pretty positive person the large majority of the time. I do not see the point of being negative. You choose your attitude and how you react to the circumstances of life (positive or negative); however, yesterday was a difficult day for me. We had some unexpected expenses come up and although initially it did not affect me, I allowed it to affect my attitude and outlook. Not that I was angry or bitter at God or anything, but I was just down and unclear of how things would/will work out. I tried all day to work myself out through my mind and through prayer, but I could not seem to fully exit myself from this state. Then I had Small Group...

Spending time with others who are truly seeking God infuses us. It is like getting a shot of Holy Spirit Adrenaline right in the vein. It recharges our batteries. Even when you don't feel like it, GO! That is always the time when you need it most. Spending time with other people reading God's Word, praying in the Spirit and just openly living life together is how God intended the church. This is the Church that you see in the Acts. They came together daily and ate, prayed, worshiped... did life together.

Small Group (Life Group, Cell Group, CX Group all the same, different name) is where we really begin to grow in our relationship with Christ. Life would be much easier if we didn't have to interact with any one else. God put people in our lives to teach us. There will be times when you will be the encourager, mentor, leader and times where you will be encouraged, mentored and lead. This is the beauty of living in community.

So what about you? Are you in a Small Group? What other things have you let get in the way so that you are too busy to invest your time living in relationship with others?

If you are in the Meridian/Boise area I would love to have you at one of our CX Groups, but whether with us or elsewhere seek it out, it will honestly change your life.

The Heart of Worship

I believe that if you asked God, what one thing do you want most of me, He would say "Give me your heart, just give me your heart." Out of the heart flows everything else. All of our thoughts, actions, passions, desires, attitudes flow out of our heart. God wants it all. He wants our whole LIFE, not just certain parts of it.

I had the awesome opportunity to preach with Dusty last week on this topic at Connections, you can download that 30min message HERE