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Being together with this group of believers is something special. This church does not mindlessly follow a line of beliefs that must be bought into in order to be part of this fellowship. We are diverse. We are open to different ideas. I think all that is good. I have been in churches where I had questions or doubts and was afraid to bring them up because I felt I would be ostracized.

I will be attending Mountain Family Fellowship this weekend in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

This meeting lasts from Friday night to Sunday morning and involves several of the churches in Lincoln County that gather at Camp Bonito, a Church of the Nazarene campground. It's a beautiful place and having been there a couple of years ago I can testify that the fellowship of believers is sweet.

The goal is to worship our Lord Jesus Christ and to let our differences fall to the way side. Instead of focusing on our differing doctrines and worship style, we focus on our common faith. There is a God. Jesus is His Son. We all, no matter what the name on the church building where we attend for Sunday services, have pledged to make Jesus Lord of our lives. It is this commonality that brings this group of worshipers together.

Thank God for efforts to tear down the walls that separate us so that God might be glorified in us!

all this said, I think god wants more from us.

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

God's Word challenges us to take it higher.

Matthew 5: 48

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Jesus calls us to do more than what is required. he calls us to take on a spirit that wants to do more than just do what we have to do, but to long for what God wants us to be.

Matthew 6:33

'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..."

Matthew 7:21

'not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

How can I know the will of God? Study God's Word. Good answer, but there is more. "Heresy," you say.

Not so. This is where the seeking and pursuing of God's will comes in. Sure we need to practice the teaching of God's Word. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock..." Matthew 7:24ff.

Take a look at Matthew 10:24, 25. "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master."

Do you see that? We are not only to follow the teachings of Jesus, we are to become like him. Same thing? Not really. It's one thing to follow the recipe, it is another thing to be the one who created it. I need to have the heart of Jesus Christ. See John 15:5.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remain in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

It is a blessing to be with other believers, worshiping God and announcing our faith together. Shout it out: "Jesus is Lord!" May God give us continual opportunities to raise our voices in praise to Him together!

Now, let do this one thing more. Let us determine to seek Him with all our hearts and demonstrate that by living lives set apart for His purposes.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16