Kevin Hardy

THE NEW NORMAL - SERVICE

Serving the Lord through practical ministry opportunities  is NORMAL for followers of Jesus Christ. If every Christian served in some capacity in their local church, the church could be more effective in making Christlike disciples.  Albert Schweitzer remind us, "The only ones . . . who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."  Early in my Christian experience I learned the joy of service.  I was 16 years old and our youth group went to the hospital to sing Christmas carols.  We met an older lady who was very "ugly on the inside".  We sang to her and prayed with her even though she did not want us to do it.  I was so moved by the Holy Spirit that I began to visit with her everyday.  I did not really understand then what was happening to me, but I do now.  I FOUND THE JOY OF SERVING AND BEING USED BY GOD!

When we get our hands dirty in God's service, we experience His grace in a special way.  If you find your life boring, unfulfilling, or just the ho hum status quo, try service!  Phineas F. Bresee, the founder of the Church of the Nazarene said,  "Instead of taking a man out of service and burden bearing for men, the religion of Jesus makes him the servant of all, and as far as possible he bears the burdens of all."  This burden is not like any other burden.  It is one that is carried by Jesus through the Holy Spirit in our life.  When we embrace service as a life style the burden becomes joy as we are used to serve the LORD!

THE NEW NORMAL

LIfe is so normal!  It can become so routine, common, and comfortable.  Do you ever wish for a NEW NORMAL?  Something different?  Something REVOLUTIONARY? Something CATALYTIC?  Something TRANSFORMATIONAL? 

Well, I have good news for you!  A life with Jesus is not NORMAL!  Once you step into a relationship with Christ, you move into a whole new way of living!  You become part of a revolution that is bringing God’s Kingdom on earth!  Your life is transformed from the inside out!  You become a catalyst for transformation and revolution in your family, your work, school, and community!

YOU can listen to this series at Crossroads Podcast

 

THE FIRE INSPECTOR!!

So yesterday the Fire Inspector stopped by the church with his report of his inspection of the building from last week.  I have been the pastor of Crossroads for 10 years and I have never had an inspection done by the Fire Inspector.  His report was an eye opener to say it lightly.  The church was full of violations.  Hallways need to be cleaned. Stairwells need storage removed, rooms needs to be cleaned from things that should not be stored inside (snow blower). Doors need to be changed that swing the wrong way.  The gym stage needs to be sprayed with a fire retardant paint (big job!).  And the list goes on.

 

After the initial shock of reading the report, I am so glad the inspection has been done.  Even though it has created a lot of work for the pastoral staff, and me the church is going to be cleaner and safer.  Some of these violations I knew, but over time we get lazy and cut corners do things that seem convenient to the church or us. 

 

I wonder what would happen if we allowed the Holy Spirit to do an inspection of our lives.  What would He find and would we embrace the report.  The Holy Spirit is much more than an Inspector!  He does not just tell us what is wrong and hand us a report of violations that need to be fixed in two weeks.  He inspects us then he empowers us to change.  He also cleanses us from all sin.  Have you invited the Holy Spirit in inspect your life?  He loves you and He wants to make your life CLEANER and SAFER!