I moved to Vegas in October, after my seasonal job in the Grand Teton National Park. Ever since then Dan and I have been going to Central Christian Church: www.centralchristian.com. Central is a HUGE mega church in Vegas, but with a great doctrine and amazing people that build up the body, we have loved the church since the first day. A few weeks ago we heard abou their membership program called First Step and decided to join. I figured the program was going to be aimed at non-believers and that I wouldn't get much out of it, but that it would be good for Dan, since he isn't saved. I was completeld rocked by those 7 weeks, I learned and re-learned so much from my years as a Christian, it was amazing! I met new Chritsian and old Christians and we are soon plugging into small groups at the church, possible even with some people from our First Step class! The class has been really great and today was the last day… I GRADUATED!! I am now an official member of the Central Christian Church of Vegas.
The main verse the pastors left us with when we graduated was Colossians 2: 6-7. I found this verse to be such a simple and yet great foundation and reminder for us Christians, new and old. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." The part that really struck me was the 'overflowing with thankfulness." I was reading along and just thinking to myself "yeah, alright, I've accepted Chrits as my savior, yeah and I'll continue to live in Him and of course I'll be rooted in him and of course my faith with strengthen me and oh snap! overflowing with thankfulness? Overflowing? Ehh…. " I realized that in my walk, day to day, I am not overflowing with the greatfulness of God's gift to us, His son! I am not overflowing with thankfulness that Christ died on the cross for us and took our since, yet still lives within us with the Holy Spirit and loves us enough to guide us through our lives and build us up! What an incredible gift! I immediately felt so selfish. Who am I to accept this amazing gift from God, this amazing relationship and not be thankful enough to share it with everyone I know, to not dwell on His word daily and nightly, to not be in constant prayer and graditude? After I had these thoughts, the pastor closed us in prayer and I felt immediately surrounded by Christ. It was the first time I realized that Christ was there with us and praying with us to our Father. I was immediately comforted and felt His grace. I know the Bible says that where 2 or more gather, there He will be, but this was the first time I felt His presense while praying in a long time and realized that He was there, covering my sins so that I could pray to our God, our Father.
This verse really rocked my overview of my walk with Christ, so I pray that it will rock yours as well. You might not get turkey and stuffing every day, but every day should be a day of Thanksgiving for the gift of Christ and salvation, for God's love and mercy and for God's just judgement. I challenge everyone to spend time today, if not every day for the next week/month/year, so spend time thanking our Lord and Savior and to position your thoughts to those of thanksgiving throughout the day!
