Canyon Ridge Christian Church Podcast

When you hear about stories of generosity, it's an easy reminder of how we all want to help and do good. But being generous is more than just doing some good deeds now and then. Living a truly Uncommon Life and being generous will require more than just an occasional act of kindness. Generous people give a lot, often, and with a good heart. They are generous with their time, their resources, and their energy. And they do so to make a difference in the lives of others. No matter how generous you are, we can all take steps toward becoming more like Christ, who was the epitome of generosity. What will you do to be conspicuously generous to people and make a difference in your world?

When was the last time you looked at your monthly spending? That can be a pretty revealing way to see where you are pointing your life. Jesus said that where your treasure is, your heart is. The inverse is true, too! If you want your heart to move toward something, give part of your treasure toward that area. Imagine how many new doors and opportunities for sharing the gospel would open if each follower of Jesus placed their attention and trust toward him!

Generosity is one of the easiest ways to identify if somebody is a follower of Jesus. The earliest disciples modeled what it means to live generous lives by sharing everything they had and giving to those in need. But why is generosity so important for followers of Jesus? As followers of Jesus, the answer to "Why we give?" is best answered by looking at whose kingdom you are building with your generosity. When you live a generous life, your life and actions are not just for yourself. They are building up the kingdom and pointing people in the direction of Jesus! 

When is the last time you remember being “in awe” of something? All throughout Scripture, there are stories of signs and miracles that point people to the living God and cause people to be in awe of who he is. The early church in Acts 2 was a devoted group of people who were being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and all people were taking notice. How would living in awe of God transform the people around you?

Take a second to think about the things you do every day. Now, ask yourself if those habits will help you build the type of life you want. As a follower of Jesus, you're called to live an Uncommon Life, characterized by a different set of priorities and marked by different habits and devotion. When you devote yourself to creating the habits that Jesus has called his followers to have, you'll experience the benefits He has in mind. So, look at your everyday habits and ask, "Will this help me live a TWO FEET IN kind of life?"

It seems like anytime there is a tragedy, people send "thoughts and prayers" It happens so often that many people have forgotten how important and powerful prayer actually is! If you want to live an Uncommon life, you have to think about prayer in a completely different way. What would your life look like if you actually believed that you were talking to the God who created the Universe when you prayed? As a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit in you, giving you everything you need to pray bold prayers. So let's be expectant, dependent on God, and see what He can do through your prayers!

Have you ever wondered how meals and tables play a significant role in the story of God's people? Look at your table and see how meals, stories, and lives are shared! The Communion table is what brings people together in remembering Jesus' sacrifice, examining your heart to reflect his, and extending his invitation to people in your life. If God has space for every kind of person, including you, to sit and feast in the company of many others, what might he be inviting you to do with your table?

Have you ever heard the quote that you are the average of the people you spend most of your time with? When you look at your life, it's easy to see that the people you surround yourself with shape who you become. If you want to live an uncommon life, surround yourself with uncommon people. The Bible is full of stories of people living, giving, and going together to bring life to the people around them. In fact, whenever Jesus sent people out, he would send them together. So, who are the people walking with you as you become an uncommon person?

Have you ever heard a really great story that you can't help but share with someone else? Sharing stories of what's happening in your life is one of the best ways to communicate and build relationships. So, can it be so hard to share stories from the Scripture with the people in your life? Uncommon people don't stop at discovering God together and doing what he says. They share everything they've been handed with others people in their lives. We don't want to just keep all of the good God has given to us for ourselves. We want to share it and give it away constantly!