“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'” – Jeremiah 29:11

There are three aspects to our self-concept as humans. Since we are not God (thank God!) we often do not know the plans He has for us, much less what would be in our own best interest. The three aspects of self are:

Self-ideal which is our picture for our future.
Self-image which is our present image of self.
Self-worth is our secret reputation we feel about ourselves.

In order to improve our current circumstances we need to take responsibility to ask God for a vision for our life. We cannot control outcomes. Please accept this. But we can ask God to reveal a vision for us to work toward. This is quite simple. Spend time with God asking what He wants for our career, our relationships, where we live, where we play; when we go to Him for every and all things we have an ideal that is from God not from our own ego. Yes, I would like to be a billionaire rock star bombarded by paparazzi and adored by everyone too, but does God want that for your life? If we create our ideals from what we truly believe God is sharing with us, we can go forward with bold faith that no matter how easy or hard it is, it comes from Him and therefore we will succeed at it!

Which brings us to the present self. When we create goals based on God’s design we share them. By verbalizing our goals we can get support, accountability and help from those God has placed in our life. This will then improve our self-image since our present circumstances will be easier to make our ideals reality. This also helps our secret self-worth heal into a more positive image of ourselves. When we can see our worth through God”s eyes, when we create a life that is God-centered it opens the doors to grand possibilities. You don’t need to be a rockstar to make a difference, you just have to have Jesus!

Today, at Evergreen, Pastor Seth Hinrichs shared some of the goals God revealed to him about our church. Message series that get us to the heart of our bad choices. Tangible classes that teach the disciplines so we can teach others about our faith. Hosting round table events for our fellow rural church leaders to collaborate and learn from each other. Launching Evergreen Recovery to further reach the last, the lost and the least and create lasting life change in our community. The list goes on and on!!

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE WORLD. At Evergreen we orbit our personal finances, schedules and talents around the mission of His church.

LET’S BRANG IT CHURCH!!! Fall launch is 7 days away. Invite, bring, give. Not cause of who you are, but because of who He is.

I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. – Isaiah 45:19