When I See You, I See Jesus!
The other day I was thinking about how much I love our church! I realized that one of the reasons is because it's like walking around and seeing Jesus everywhere. Matthew 20:26-28 –"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." "Jesus came to serve…" When I walk into the lobby or down the hallways of Shoreline, I see Jesus in each of you who serve so faithfully.
- When I drive up, I see the shuttle ministry workers… Jesus.
- In the halls directing people… Jesus
- Coffee shop, Mike, Sandy and the team… Jesus
- At the door greeting… Jesus
- Bookstore… Jesus
- In all the kids areas… Jesus
- The ushers & band & choir & singers… Jesus
- The TV & sound… Jesus
- Prayer partners & worship leaders and choir… Jesus
Just Jesus serving others everywhere – through you! Shoreline is a great place because you are great people - because you're simply serving other people! We're most like Jesus when we're loving and serving others! In the early 1900's, founder of Salvation Army, William Booth was preparing to send an annual Christmas message to Salvationists around the world. In those days communication was by telegraph and you paid for each word sent. Times were tough and the army was short of money, so Booth sent a one word telegram – 'OTHERS.' From the bottom of our hearts – thank you for loving and serving others so enthusiastically, faithfully and with such precious compassion all year long.
Each of you are an extension of Jesus here on this earth. You are His hands, His feet and His voice to someone in need. When a visitor walks through the doors for the very first time and they see you – they see Jesus. When you serve a homeless person at Shoreline East, who just needs to know they are loved – they see Jesus. When a prayer partner prays for a need – they see Jesus.
When our staff sees you, serving with all of your heart so faithfully - we see Jesus!
All our love,
Pastor Rob and Laura and the Shoreline Staff
© 2011 by Rob Koke. All rights reserved.
 Robert Koke is founder and Senior Pastor of Shoreline Church, one of America's largest churches. A graduate of Oral Roberts University, Pastor Koke spent several years doing extensive missionary work throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and the former Soviet Union before coming to Austin to establish Shoreline Christian Center. He and his wife, Dr. Laura Koke, touch and inspire thousands of lives each week through the ministry of Shoreline and its various outreaches. Pastor Koke's positive message will inspire and instruct you how to practically live out your faith in Jesus Christ.
Burger And a Prayer
It was one fifteen in the afternoon. Church was finished about forty-five minutes earlier, and I was hungry. I wanted to go out to eat. I had texted a couple of friends, but no one was available. The good news is I don't have a problem going out to eat with myself. As my friend Jan Goss says, "You are a fun person, so being with yourself is a great person to be with." It didn't take me long to decide on a burger. I love a great burger. In fact, I consider myself a burger connoisseur. I was at our South campus church, so I was close to downtown. I decided to eat a burger at Casino El Camino, a local bar on Sixth Street in Austin, TX known for their "world famous, award winning burgers." Needless to say, Sunday is my splurge day of the week when it comes to my nutrition plan.
I walked in, went to the back counter, and ordered my burger. All of the tables were taken, so I grabbed a seat at the bar. It wasn't long and they called my name. I picked my burger up from the counter and sat back down at the bar. I was enjoying my burger and I overheard a waitress talking about an accident with her finger. I asked her what happened. She told me the story about a glass breaking and cutting her finger. She thought she was going to have to get stitches, but she didn't. She was thankful, but had a scar. I asked her name and if I could pray for her. She looked at me, smiled, and said, "Why would anyone ever turn down a prayer?" I prayed that her finger would be completely healed with no scar. She smiled, asked me my name, and said thank you. I finished eating and gave her my card before I left. I told her if she needed prayer to feel free to call or text me. I wasn't out to eat with myself. God is always with me.
I work at a church. I went to a bar after church to eat a burger. Jesus calls His followers to be a light in the darkness. I am a follower of Jesus. I can't be a light in the darkness if I only go to places with people that know Jesus and are lights themselves. I love praying at my church during prayer time, and especially when someone receives Jesus as their Lord. I love my church and the people I go to church with. I want to encourage those that go to church, work at church, and call themselves followers of Jesus; I think it is time for lights to go out into the darkness. Like the waitress said, "Why would anyone ever turn down a prayer?"
© 2011 by Stacy McVane. All rights reserved.
 Stacy McVane has been on staff at Shoreline Church since 2002. She loves to share with groups of people; to Inspire you to dream big, to Empower you to become better in spirit, mind, and body; and to challenge you to Share what you have learned with others. Some of the topics she is passionate about are: health and fitness, relationships, leadership, communication, and conflict resolution within any environment. For more reading opportunities from Stacy, please go to www.stacymcvane.com.
Monthly Devotional
The Blame Game
Since the beginning of time, human beings have blamed their bad behavior or choices on someone else. In Genesis 2:15 (New International Version) God specifically told Adam "…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." Yet, when the fruit had been eaten and the man was questioned by God he blamed Eve and, essentially, God when he said "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it" (Genesis 3:12 New International Version). I have heard it said that this new generation is one full of people that don't want to take responsibility for their actions but, as you can see, this "blame game" is nothing new.
Is there something in your life that has you stuck in the "blame game"? Maybe it wasn't as simple as being persuaded into a bad choice. Maybe someone hurt you deeply, abused you or abandoned you, leaving you deeply scarred through no fault of your own. You may feel bad behavior or choices you made were unavoidable or justified because of the wounds you were left with. Please understand that it may be impossible to heal your soul if you don't confront the issue within yourself rather than blaming the other person. What has happened in the past does not have to dictate your behavior today. One of the best ways to deal with pain from your past is to begin speaking God's promises instead of continuing to relive the pain from your past.
It is only a first step, but try speaking this affirmation of God's promises to yourself daily:
God loves me and I do not have to spend my life mourning over something I can't do anything about. I was a victim but I am no longer. I am healthy emotionally and whole in my soul. God is helping me and every day I am making progress. This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that God's word has revived me and given me life. I forgive and I will be forgiven.
"You can either continue to invest in your misery or you can begin to invest in your healing." –Joyce Meyer (from her new book Living Beyond Your Feelings)
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. - Matthew 6:14 New Living Translation
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. –Psalm 31:7 New Living Translation
Click here to read Shoreline's statement of faith
© 2011 by Shawna McKay. All rights reserved.
 Shawna McKay is the single mother of five children. Her mission is to encourage women by sharing with them her testimony and the truth about who God created them to be. In an effort to fulfill her mission, Shawna has started a small group in her home that meets on Saturday evenings. The study material from her upcoming group will be Joyce Meyer's new book Living Beyond Your Feelings. For more information, E-Mail handofblessing@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hand-Of-Blessing/108387269238253
|