Guess Who’s Coming to Breakfast

God loves tables!

Throughout Scriptures, we see God drawn to a table. The reason is because he desires a relationship with you and me!

Biblically, tables mean something:

• The first relationship between God and humanity started in a garden centered upon food.
  

• Before priests of old could enter into the presence of God, the holy of holies, they had to pause in an inner court and partake of sanctified bread at a table in preparation for the next level of relationship with God.
  

• When Jesus was on Earth, he was accused of spending too much time at tables with the wrong kind of people, gluttons and winebibbers.
  

• Jesus famously visited the house of close friends in John 12 for a meal, a gathering at a table. Spectacularly, that table turned into a platform for a worship service.
  

• When Jesus was preparing to depart his disciples and go to the Cross, he called them to a table to celebrate Passover and install the elements of Communion.
  

• When we get to Heaven, one of our first experiences will be to gather at a table with people from every tribe and tongue to partake in what is biblically referred to as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
  

• In John’ Gospel alone there are 21 stories that deal with food or eating either with direct references or used in metaphors.
  

• Jesus instructs us to remember him by visiting his “table” and partake of the sacraments of bread symbolizing his broken body and the cup signifying his poured out blood.

Most likely, the Bible’s consistent references to a table provides visualization of God’s desire to grow his relationship with us. After all, our first job is to be with him. Being with Him changes us! This follows closely with what the apostles are called to do in Mark 3. It says, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”

Yes, the disciples are called to serve Jesus, and they are being sent out – but before departure they are appointed to be with Jesus. We are to walk and talk with Jesus, growing in a deep meaningful relationship with Him.

How can we grow and enjoy God if we don’t spend any time with him?

For context, a 2018 study of 2,000 families with school-aged children showed that the average family gets just 37 minutes a day of time together. (1) We can think about how Covid changed that. Families have been spending more time together because of stay-at-home orders and avoiding crowds. But it seems as though our schedules are getting packed again, leaving less family time than before. How can families truly enjoy one another, grow, and care for one another when they’re spending less than 45 minutes a day together? The principle applies to our relationship with Christ, how can we grow and enjoy God when we don’t spend any time with him?

Ironically, after Simon Peter had denied having ever known Jesus during the events of the crucifixion, Jesus invited Peter to a makeshift table, beside a campfire and morning breakfast, to mend the relationship.

“Come and eat breakfast…” (John 21:12 NKJV)

It was at that “table” that Peter was given the opportunity to amend for his three denials of Jesus by offering three affirmations of his love for Jesus and transition from a fisherman to a shepherd at Jesus’ invitation.

Again, God loves tables! And, there is an invitation for you to join him in deeper relationship at your own table of relationship with Heaven. Take some time to meet Him at the “table” by investing time into prayer, mediation, and His Word.

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/pPak8_syxOQ

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUID| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

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1) Sam Paul, “American Families Barely Spend Quality Time Together,” New York Post, March 20, 2016, https://nypost.com/2018/03/20/american-families-barely-spend-quality-time-together/.

Here Is Why God Wants Your WHOLE Heart

The Book of Judges is an Old Testament book. Perhaps, you’re not overly familiar with its teachings and haven't heard it taught very often. Nonetheless, it is a book filled with many truths. It can teach us many lessons from the lives of others, specifically, how to live right and how to avoid making wrong decisions. The overall context of the book of Judges is, not surprisingly, all about “wise judgment” in life, religion, and politics. Moreover, Hebrew judges, at the time of this ancient writing, were the final authority for the religious and political governance of the nation of Israel. Their job was to counsel their country towards wisdom and godliness – to help them collectively KEEP THEIR HEARTS RIGHT!

Samson was one of these judges. This historical reality might surprise you, especially if you’ve been following our Meaningful Connection series closely.

Samson was a powerful man and effective warrior, but he made many foolish choices and NEVER established a meaningful relationship with God -- or anyone else for that matter. He lacked wisdom and godliness. It’s easy to conclude Samson’s heart was not right. This reality, despite God having a meaningful life planned for Samson!

Samson arrived when his nation was under bondage to another nation, Philistia. In fact, for 40 years, the Philistines had domineered the Israelites. But God intended for Samson to be a means of deliverance for his people. He was ordained to help create change and make things better in his society and for his culture. But after twenty years of being a judge, Samson had done nothing for anyone other than himself. You could sum up Samson’s leadership in one sentence, “a judge with no judgment.”

WHY?

Because Samson was a man who struggled with having the right heart, he missed the essence of the greatest command from God.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37–38 NKJV).

Here’s why God wants your heart – all of it. Because your heart ultimately determines the course your life will take and the issues you will battle. If God has your heart, your whole heart, your life will be vastly different than if He does not, because the issues you face, and the path you are on will be different. The sooner you give Him your whole heart the better:

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV).

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT).

Tim Keller, a man considered to be very wise in modern-day Christianity, provided commentary on that verse in this way with a tweet (July 27th, 2013):

“What the heart trusts, the mind justifies, the emotions desire, and the will carries out. Everything follows the heart.” (1)

The question is does God have your heart?

And, if so, how much of your heart does He have?

The heart is a very difficult place to conquer and surrender. Maybe you're not sure if you’ve given your whole heart to God or if you're holding a piece back from Him. Take a good look at the path you are on and the issues you’re facing in life, this may offer you some insight.

The poem, Invictus, has been read and quoted by Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, the Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy McVeigh, and all through literature and film. It echoes the pride of Samson and confidence he finds in looking to himself rather than to God. (2)

“Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. (3)

In Latin, the term Invictus means unconquered. This poem is an ode to men and women, like Samson, who refused to be conquered specifically in their hearts and souls. And as motivational as it might sound, it is a declaration that we all must avoid making because the one thing God wants from us above all else is our hearts! It’s the one place we must be willing to allow God to conquer us! If we refuse, the unconquerable becomes unnecessarily conquered.

Again, God wants your heart! He wants to conquer and own it. He wants to fill the whole space with not just his power but his presence!

So, the question you must answer: Have I given God my WHOLE heart?

Have you given Him your life, your ambitions, your plan, your vision, your gifts, and your talents… Have you given Him all of you?

Samson never arrived at this level of surrender -- this place of meaningful connection with God. The result: an unconquerable man was conquered by the things of this world. Samson was a man of incredible strength, but his greatest weakness was his inability to surrender to God, and it caused him to lose the meaningful life God had planned for him.

Don’t allow this to be your greatest weakness too. You can choose to surrender your whole heart to God. When you allow this to happen, you step into a truly meaningful relationship with God!

This change may be the course correction your life so desperately needs.

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/c_DPzy71VBc

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

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1) Timothy Keller (@timkellernyc) Twitter post, July 27, 2013, https://twitter.com/timkellernyc/status/361154443921735680?lang=en.

2) Anders and Phillips, Holman Old Testament Commentary, 228.

3) William Ernest Henley, “Invictus”, Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51642/invictus.

How to Have a Meaningful Connection in Your Marriage and Family

We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Relationships are meant to be a reflection of our relationship with Christ. Therefore, we do not have to look any further than to Jesus as the source and guide for all our relationships.

God has a pattern for learning relationships. You primarily learn them, healthy or otherwise, in your family of origin.

So, here’s a question - -

How did your family do growing up? What grade would you give the family you grew up in?

The family cycle starts over with each of us, from singleness to marriage to parenting. Without reflection, intentionality, and attentiveness to the scripture, we are likely to replicate the same relationship mistakes our families made when we were growing up. But with Jesus, we can avoid making the mistakes our family made, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be empowered to be better than our family origin!

As we study scripture, we find relationship truths that we can learn from the time we are single to the time we have children of our own. These truths, if applied, can change our relationships forever!

- SINGLES -

The question that is asked most often by young adults is, “Does God have someone picked out from me to marry, and if so, how do I know?”

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

If you are ignorant of God's word, you will be ignorant of God’s will.

In this season of your life, the most important thing you can do is pray. It’s never too early to pray for your future spouse. God will direct your paths if you put Him first.

A good life filled with satisfying relationships starts with putting God first and surrendering your life to Him. Then, let the scriptures guide your relationships and wait for love.

- MARRIAGE -

Marriage is the toughest and the best thing you could ever do. But, it has a way of maturing us. The goal of marriage is intimacy with God and your spouse. A sign that we are maturing as a Christian couple is when our spouse’s needs and interests become as important as our own needs and interests.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with understanding, giving honor to the wife. 1 Peter 3:7a

We must become students of our spouse. Your partner will feel deeply valued when you show empathy towards them. Empathy is what can move marriage from low satisfaction to high satisfaction. You must live with understanding and become an exquisite listener.

Our goal as spouses should not be to see through each other but to see each other through.

- FAMILY -

We cannot do family well unless we allow the scripture to guide us. Unfortunately, because of sin, all families deal with some level of dysfunction.

God is on a mission through Jesus to invite all of our family into the forever family of God. It is never too late to decide to be the one to pick up the torch and draw God's blessings into your marriage and family. Become the person that sets the tone of your family’s culture.

No matter what stage of life you are in, God desires for us to have meaningful connections with others. So, if you feel like you are struggling in your relationships, I invite you to watch this message by Dr. Terry & Cinda Swan, out of our Meaningful Connections series.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
   

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
   

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
   

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.
   

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link: https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.