Micah 6:8b completely explains how we are supposed to live as Christ’s followers on this earth. The verse reads: “…this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

For the next three weeks we’re going to take a look into what each of these charges mean.

This week, we’re going to look at what it means “to do what is right.”

Martin Luther King once said: “On some positions, cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ And vanity comes along and asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But Conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?”

Knowing What is Right

So how do we do what is right? We look to Jesus as an example.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:13, the Apostle Paul says to “never tire of doing what is right.” Jesus never went for the easy or popular solution, instead He always did the right thing and lead the right way. There are countless examples of this in the New Testament, including the woman at the well and His dealings with religious leaders.

Purge the wrong

In Matthew 5:29-30, Jesus says: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you/ for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than the whole body be cast into Hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.”

Doing what is right also means getting rid of that which is not right in our lives. This means attitude, language, and actions. Also, it means what we are consuming or feeding our minds and spirit.

Put Youth Addiction Prevention Into Motion

We are inviting you to join FOCAS’ Youth Resiliency Adventure pre-event, #20for20n20 to make a difference in youth addiction.

What is #20for20n20? It is a virtual athletic event to walk, run or bike 20 miles for $20 in 2020. It can be done anywhere at your convenience.

Here’s how to get involved:

1. Register to walk, run, or bike 20 miles at https://bit.ly/20for20n20. Pay the $20 registration fee to help us reach our goal of $75,000!
2. Check your inbox for a Welcome email from Get Me Registered. This email will confirm your successful registration. We’ll also continue sending updates about this event, a free registration code for our big #YRAdventure2NAddictionevent in October. You’ll begin receiving information about how addiction impacts America’s youth straight to your inbox.
3. Next, invite or challenge your friends, family, and peers to get involved too! The more, the merrier!

Youth addiction is prevalent in our community and has a costly effect on the lives it touches. It often attacks generation after generation. It’s a cycle that’s tough to break, but it can be broken. And we’re going to break it!

Now that you’re registered, you are on an adventure that will keep you active and support the prevention of youth addiction in our communities. You have from now until Sept. 30 to cover your distance.

Once you’ve completed your 20 miles, take a selfie, or have a friend snap a photo of you with our sign that says, “I DID MY 20” Use the filter on social media sites where available. Post that photo on all your social media page with the hashtag #20for20n20. We’ll be checking the hashtag to share photos of participants who completed the challenge!

For registering, we will mail you a Youth Resiliency Adventure #20for20n20 magnet. Make sure you sign up for the main event Youth Resiliency Adventure in October. Promote it with the #YRAdventure2nAddiction

On Sunday July 19, our Men in Balance Bible study guys along with our Kroger Bible study guys joined together to help bring to Cincinnati chef LeQuan Mack from Atlanta to treat our friends in Price Hill to some fantastic cooking and loving from the Gospel.  

Chef LaQuan outdid himself as he and his team produced some delicious shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, bacon and eggs, fruit, muffins, and more.  

Our friends from Price Hill feasted at the banquet table and were reminded of the heavenly banquet we will all partake in some day, provided we know Jesus!  

To that Amanda shared her recovery story and rocked the house with the amazing grace and love of God that covers all sins and gives us passion and purpose for living!  Be sure to follow our Facebook page FOCAS/The Lord’s Gym and see the release of Amanda’s testimony video Wednesday, July 29.

The guys are now ready to make this party in the park a monthly event.  As they say, “to whom much is given much is expected and required”. 

To join Lord’s Gym Ministries in the mission to transform lives for the Lord, visit, https://bit.ly/LGMvolunteering. 

To join Lord’s Gym Ministries in the mission to transform lives for the Lord, visit, https://bit.ly/LGMvolunteering.  To give, visit https://bit.ly/LGMdonations.

I can’t swim.

Yes, I’m 38 years old and I never learned. Living in the city with little money and extremely overprotective parents growing up, learning to swim was an opportunity that never crossed my path.

I admit, as I got older, splashing in water wasn’t an activity I was particularly comfortable with. So, I never learned. It never seemed to be an issue until last week. I learned that we were going kayaking for a Lord’s Gym Ministries team building exercise.

“That sounds fun,” I thought. Then I remembered. I can’t swim!

I let our executive director know right away. And, although I was nervous to be on the waters, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to grow with my team. So, I made it clear that I was still willing to go.

I wasn’t really nervous until the shuttle van ride up to the launch point. I guess it was then I had some quiet time to really think about it. And think about it I did.

“What if we capsize? What if I fall out just trying to climb in (I’m not the most graceful of movers)…” the doubts soared.

Still, I was determined. Not because I’m brave, mind you, but because I was wanting to meet the challenge. This year we’ve been focusing on our culture and part of that has been discussing how we meet challenges that bring us outside our comfort zone.

In ministry, if you aren’t pushed outside of your comfort zone more often than not, I think you might be doing something wrong. Come to think of it, this really applies to all Christians, because our entire life is or should be a ministry.

To calm my fears, I responded by giving them to God. I asked the Lord to be with me – all of us – and keep us safe and allow us to enjoy this exercise. Whenever I feel anxious, I always go to Isaiah 6:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” I just keep repeating over and over, “perfect peace,” and I’m at rest.

Let me tell you, once we launched, I discovered a new happy place. The scenes were breathtaking. The activity, challenging but fun and worthwhile. It was a very wonderful day, probably one of the best I’ve ever had with my team. I loved every bit of it. I’m so glad I went.

And, I’m not sure when I’ll get the time, but I’m planning to learn to swim. It’s another challenge I need to meet outside my comfort zone.

To say we live in trying times is probably the most understated comment one can make in the year 2020. The world is a scary place right now.

 Not only are we fighting the pandemic Covid-19, we’re struggling with an even deadlier virus – racism. The civil unrest we see unfold on in our communities is frightening. The violence is disturbing. The hatred is heartbreaking.

 I, like many of us have been feeling deeply discouraged. But as I was sitting in the Lord’s Gym Ministries office at Queensgate this morning I found encouragement.

 Our Queensgate Chaplain C.J. was praying over the men in our gym. He was telling God, that He is still God, giving our friends, and myself, reassurance. I pray that this righteous fact is fully understood by all hearts and minds while we navigate these rough waters.

 C.J’s prayer is a beautiful reminder of what Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

 As challenges come, as the world decays, as times change, this is the ultimate promise we hold to. God is still God. He is in control. Just trust.

Partnerships in ministry grows faith and builds relationships. Just ask those local churches who are working with us at Lord’s Gym Ministires.

Passion Community Church Lead Pastor Andy Ziegenfuss says: “Serving makes us come face to face with areas of growth in our own lives as well as reach people who may not have a support structure.”

Passion Community Church has been working with Lord’s Gym in Price Hill to provide and help distribute 100s of meals during COVID-19.

“This partnership helps us to be cautious against unintentional discrimination and myopic vision when it comes to our city and the people God loves,” he said. “God truly loves all people.”

Brian Taylor, pastor at Bethel Cincinnati Church, says serving with Lord’s Gym is a great way to connect.

Bethel has conducted outreach in the park.

“Lord’s Gym has allowed us to see that church goes beyond the walls of our building,” he said. “Most importantly we’re making Jesus happy; when we’re serving together, He’s smiling.”

 To join Lord’s Gym Ministries in the mission to transform lives for the Lord, visit, https://bit.ly/LGMvolunteering.