Night Owls & Early Birds

Since God created the sun, He must be even more powerful! “No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.” Jeremiah 10:6 (NIV)

God is light. He wants to shine His light in and through us. Just as the sun lights our path, God’s Word gives light to guide us. John 8:12 (NIV)

He gives us life both physically and spiritually. Just as the sun gives life to plants, Jesus gives new life to those who believe. Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)

Just as a seed needs particular things to grow, God’s Word is essential to help us grow in our relationship with God. Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

Like God’s Word, talking with God through prayer is another one of the essential ways that we grow in our relationship with God. John 15:4 (NIV)

Fellowship with other followers of Christ and serving those in need help us grow spiritually and better understand God’s love for us. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Like water from an endless spout, God’s love for you will never run out! God’s love is deep, great and unconditional! John 4:14 (NIV)

Crystal clear waters refresh to be sure, just as God’s love will always be pure. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4: 8-9 (NIV)

God’s love always satisfies so we’ll never be thirsty again. His love will overflow in our hearts and spill out to others in our lives. John 7:38 (NIV)

As followers of Christ, we are to be hard workers. We always give our best effort because it is the Lord Christ we are serving. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” Proverbs 6:6 (NIV)

As followers of Christ, we are never left on our own. God is always with us, and he gives us a family of believers to help us grow. Followers of Jesus work together! “…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

As followers of Christ, our future is in heaven. We don’t live for the here and now. We fix our eyes on eternity and live each day for God’s Kingdom. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

As followers of Jesus, we want our lives to look like His. But, we can’t live like Jesus on our own. The Holy Spirit fill us, changes us, and produces fruit in our lives. He helps us to live like Jesus. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 (NIV)

As we follow Jesus, our lives should begin to look like His. The nine qualities of a true Christian life are called the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

When Jesus is our King, we will live differently. Our actions will show that we are His children. The Bible calls our actions “fruit.” “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:20 (NIV)

God’s love is unconditional. This means that we don’t have to be the smartest, the fastest, or the best for God to love us. In fact, he doesn’t look at the outside of us. God loves us even while we are sinners. He loves us because He is Love. “While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)

A caterpillar changes into a butterfly just as we are changed through salvation. When Jesus is our King, he transforms us through and through. Jesus makes us new! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Just as a caterpillar finds new freedom to fly as a butterfly, Followers of Christ experience true freedom when they place their trust and faith in Him as their Lord and savior. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32