From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
Title: “Say CHEESE…”
While sitting in my chair this morning enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, I looked up from my
computer and glanced over at one of our family portraits sitting atop the ledge. It took me
back to the day when we posed for that shot and immediately the many fond memories of
that entire day emerged. I agree with many who say that nothing captures the moment like
a picture and that a picture says a thousand words. This particular shot was taken outside
under the Colorado sun where we enjoyed quality time with one another and other
members of our family. We often talk about going back to that same spot one day soon to
recapture the joy of the moment.
I bring this up because we should lock in our minds the picture God took in heaven that
glorious day we first asked Him to be our Lord and savior. It’s a movement that I’m sure we
all remember and one that we’ll cherish forever. As incredible as that moment was, what
concerns me is that we don’t focus enough attention on making sure that God sees that
contrite and sincere spirit in us on a regular basis. We sometimes lose contact with that
novice soul who desired to simply do the will of the Lord. Sometimes we allow great
opportunities for ministry to slip past us for a variety of reasons.
Jesus was teaching (St. Matthew 25) about what will happen when the Son of Man comes
in His glory. In the latter part of his example He said, “To those on the left hand I say,
Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angles!
For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to
drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and
you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me with help and
ministering care… “I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least of these,
you failed to do it for Me.”
It’s clear that Christ measures the sincerity of our walk as believers by what we do for our
fellow man. It’s good to attend church every Sunday and worship Him with all the effort
and energy you can, but what intensely touches His heart is the way we bless and help
others. The time we give to assist others in reaching their dreams and obtaining their goals
is recorded in heaven and written down in the lamb’s book of life. Whenever we give a
helping hand to those in need, the love of God is expressed by the favor released over our
lives.
Today allow the Lord to see you at your best. Show Him that you love Him more than
anything and an example of that love is evident by the way you go out of your way to bless
your brother and sister in Christ. As you bless others God’s taking a picture! “Say
Cheese…”
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)
