Series: The Mvmnt 
Message: Infighting and Growth
Preacher: Monica Wernick
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira
Live Wonder: Zan Long 
Live Adventure: Zan Long 
Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert 
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin today in prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Acts 6:1-7 in The Message (MSG). Note 1–3 insights or questions.  

Reflect: We all have creative ideas. My ideas are great. My ideas should be implemented at once. My ideas require an unlimited budget. My ideas should become the number one priority of the church. My ideas come directly from God. My ideas are will make your life better. My ideas take place so far in the future that the future has already sent them back so that they sound like old ideas. What are we to do with all these ideas?

How do we know which idea is worth following and which one has to be put on hold? When the Apostles said that it was not right that they should give up preaching to serve tables, were they suggesting that one ministry was more important than another? Why did they need the leaders serving tables to be full of the Spirit and wisdom? Would those serving tables not devote any time to prayer and ministry of the word? I am blessed to serve a phenomenal community here in Boulder with amazing men and women who serve with a good heart. Sabbath morning, the service deacons arrive at around 7:00 a.m. to start the process of preparing the church for worship. I love to be here before they arrive to connect with them, to thank them, and, when I can, to assist them or the audio team with preparation. A few Friday nights ago, after a long week containing several urgent pastoral visits that had severely cut down my sermon preparation time, I heard the church door open at around 11:30 p.m. Could it be another intruder? (We had a break-in in 2016.) I grabbed my phone and headed to the hallway, bracing myself for a possibly altercation. Thankfully it was Kevin and his son Sean (home from college for the holidays). Kevin was not going to be able to open the church the next morning because of a family commitment, so he came over on Friday night to set everything up. He asked me to take care of two smaller things the next morning. That night I ended up leaving the church at around 1:00 a.m. I went home, caught 40 winks, and turned around to be at church at 6:30 a.m. What do you know? Kevin pulled up in his car at the same time. He said, “Pastor, I am with you . . . let me help a little bit so you can do what you need to today.” I can list off so many people who do that all the time: Jordan, Johnny, Matt, Stacy, Bryan, Diane, Peter, Andrea, Sandy . . . the list is long and those are just names of people who have helped in the past few days. We all have ideas. We all have dreams. But only if the Spirit of humility leads us, will we overcome our egos to make the mission go forward in tangible, practical ways.

Recalibrate: Where has Jesus asked you to serve?

Respond: Pray for the heart to be available. 

Research: Find your local church management chart and see what ministry you could join or create.

Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose

Point out the different teeth in your mouth, biting chewing and tearing teeth. Each one has a job that it is designed to do. Eat different food with different teeth. Do what God designed you to do today. Be kind, good and gentle in your world.

Ask mom or dad if you can cook a meal with them today from start to finish. Pick what you want to eat and then think of all the steps it takes. Do you have to wash any vegetables, wait for water to boil, chop something? To make a meal takes time and a little hard work. When we work together, we can get the job done quicker and have fun! What are some other projects we can do together?

Make a list of the ways you serve. Then write why you serve in these ways. Maybe it’s as a class officer at your school and you serve because it looks good on your resume. Commit to serve in one area that doesn’t help you at all.