A couple of months ago God began to speak to me that 2021...

  ... would be a year of transition, and little did I know how much change would be coming. Let’s face it, most of us do not like transition but if you study God’s economy (His way of doing things), transition is inevitable. Today we witness Pastor Juan and Kacie Rodriguez being obedient to God and His call and we are here to bless them and send them out.

1. Obedience comes first, understanding comes later. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV) “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…” Pastor Juan and Kacie have shown us what this obedience looks like…how it is walked out. He offered their resignation, we announced it to the church. He did this in obedience to what God spoke to him. They did this not really knowing what their future looked like even though they knew God was their source. About four days after we announced it to the church, word came they were being put on staff at Nation’s Church. The obedience came first and the understanding followed. I hope we all get this. A beautiful faith step.

2. An Amazing Opportunity Today – Pastor Juan and Kacie. Today we get to actually put into practice everything we have been teaching. We get the awesome opportunity to bless two faithful servants of God in whom we know and love. Every week we give away money and food to people we barely know and we are always willing to bless those who need our help. It is a beautiful thing. How much more should we be willing to bless a spiritual son and daughter who are not leaving us, but are being sent out from among us. 1 Timothy 5:17 (TLB) “Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.” I take that literally…we are giving twice as much as we normally give to opportunities like this. I challenge you to do the same. Maybe more, if God speaks to your heart. Pastor Juan and Kacie have exemplified what I have taught for years here at Life Church, Servant Leadership. It is one thing to teach it but even better when we live it. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. These guys have served God, served Life Church, me, our other pastors, La Vida, our youth, our young adults, our community, our mission’s endeavors, and even other churches. They are the greatest among us. Let’s truly bless them today as we send them out.