Love God. Love People. Share Jesus.
I’m going to get back on my soapbox and write something again that I hope we take seriously.
We need to be students of God’s word. Not students of other books. One of my earliest professors back in college once said, “God’s Word is inspired, nothing else is.”
I admit, I haven’t read this book and am honestly unaware of its existence, but after listening to this clip, I would assert that it’s not just about “this” book. Heresy and you’re ability to discern it goes beyond one book, publication or special on the History channel.
I encourage you to take advantage of the Life Discipleship Series that we offer as a church. To get into the Bible for yourselves. To get involved in a LifeGroup. To ask God to give you a hunger for His word, for pure doctrine and to make it a point to live out and participate fully in the mission of becoming Fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Tonight during the men’s LifeGROUP, we were watching the storm out of the window and waxing philosophical. One of the guys observed (and it was echoed by others) that the disciples were a bunch of guys just like us.
That (true) observation reminded me of the fact that sometimes we forget that Jesus and the Disciples were real and human. Sometimes in a misguided sense of piety, we forget that Jesus was actually funny. That reality is that He used word play, irony, satire and even a bit of sarcasm pointed toward the Religious people.
Jesus was accused of being a drunkard, glutton and a friend of sinners. Sinners actually thought He was so interesting that it was worth inviting Him to the party.
Perhaps as we think about becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus it’s important to realize that it isn’t an invitation to some false sense of piety or solemn religiousity.
Join us this week for part 2 of the Disciple Series
A Disciple Goes Fishing
In case you missed it on the internet campus, LifeChurch.tv just finished their At the Movies summer series.
Thought you may want to see how they “themed” out the building.
Pretty Cool and inspiring.
Thought this video was funny. You may remember Ed Young as one of the Teaching Pastors from the One Prayer series. It’s funny to me…well… simply because it’s funny – but also because I think a lot of times we want to “open up a can on people” and forget that we’re really supposed to be fishing.
This past weekend the blog got Spammed – and I mean Spammed. LOL
Unbeknown to the people who were doing it, all of their IP Address are recorded and it became obvious after a little bit that no matter how many creative names they come up with that they were sending the same obnoxious email over and over again. Also unbeknown to them is that they are now sending posts directly to the garbage can. LOL
But it still intrigues me. I commented to someone yesterday that, “I guess we’re doing something right because right now we are getting reactions like the spam and on the other hand hearing some amazing responses of how God used the Fasting, the messages, LifeGROUPS and a whole bunch of other stuff to work in peoples lives right now.
I’d much rather have both of the extreme opposite reactions than no reaction at all. (At least we’re not putting anyone to sleep.)
Perhaps you know and can relate to what I’m talking about in your own experience…
Perhaps in your life right now you’re experiencing one of those “best of times, worst of times’ moments. You see God at work, but the Pharisees are mumbling about with false accusations. You are watching the Holy Spirit work in your life, but there is someone you love who is choosing to attack you, or whose decisions are impacting your life in a negative way. And you are wondering if your crazy because you see God at work – but not everyone else does…
Friends, God is at work. He is at work in you and through you. Even Jesus had to put up with the Pharisees who were mad that He “healed on the Sabbath”. (btw, I loved Pastor Craig’s observation yesterday that it was wrong for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath, but someone okay for the Pharisees to plot a murder… lol)
Friends you figure that the enemy heated up his attacks against Jesus when Jesus was in the will of the Father. Don’t quit or question whatever your doing or whatever change is going on in your life if you know that you are walking with the Father.
But how do I know when I am in the Fathers will – you ask?
Great Question!
That’s why it is so important to have your own personal relationship with Jesus. Not the one with your priest, or your small group leader, your favorite radio bible teacher or even with me. But the one that you have when you get alone with Jesus and open up the Living Word of God (the Bible) and hear from Him. Listen to Him. Obey Him and fully follow Him.
That’s where your confidence comes from. That’s how you will know. Not from Religion. (Though others who are allowed to comment on this blog would disagree) but from your personal relationship with Jesus.
But how do I know how to understand the Bible for myself?
Another great question. Those of you who have been participating in the TXT LifeGROUP series know that your time in God’s word is crucial to your “being equipped for every good work.” This week LifeGROUPS will be answering the Question, “How do I Study God’s word for myself?”
Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity. Even if you don’t normally attend, call the church office and receive directions to a small group near you this week. Another great resource is this simple link to Bill Bright’s Bible Study Methods. Or you can pick up a copy of How to Really get the most out of my personal Bible Study for free on any Sunday at the Welcome center.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot: Bottom line in the words of Ed Young
“So whenever you’re down or lonely or feeling blue
the only thing that will work will be opening up a can of whoop bass for you!”
- if you’re thinking about opening up a can today…remember we’re fishermen – so let’s go fishing and open up a can of “whoop Bass” together.
What a great Sunday!
For those of you who were able to take part in the first week of the DISCIPLE series today you know what I mean.
If you missed it, here is a quick recap:
A DISCIPLE is one who
1. Touches Lepers
2. Befriends Prostitutes
3. Offends Pharisees
Remember your action step this week: How will you live out the Mission to Love God, Love People and Share Jesus with those in your circles of influence as you seek to become a fully devoted follower of Christ.
It’s amazing to see God at work in each and every one of you!
I’ll be praying for you this week as together we seek to Be the Church!
Blessings!
Can’t wait to read your comments on this one – lol
Okay, a couple of years ago I wouldn’t have dared played this video, because it may have seemed like it hit way to close to home. But as we kick off the Discipleship Series this Sunday with the first message “No Christians Allowed” – I figured it was humorous enough to stick up here.
Don’t miss this Sundays Message! Wherever you are in your walk with Jesus right now, this series will speak to you, challenge you and transform you in your walk with Jesus.
Seriously, the Discipleship series will make you laugh, cry . . . it’s even better than CATS! (Probably just dated myself on that one.)
See you Sunday at 9:30!
Fasting without Prayer is simply Starvation.
It’s so exciting to be sharing this fast together as a church today.
In both the Old and the New Testaments, groups of people were called together to call upon the name of the Lord. It was during one such occasion that the church was worshiping the Lord and fasting that God led the church to expand by calling out Paul and Barnabas as church planting missionaries:
Here are a few Strategic Prayer Targets for us to agree upon as we seek the Lords face together today:
Strategic Prayer Targets
An increase in the Evangelistic temperature of the Life Connections Church family.
Wisdom and Discernment for leadership during negotiation and planning regarding the potential property and favor from the property owners.
The raising of capital that will be needed to develop a new campus and facility into an attractive and useful tool in God’s hands.
LifeGROUP participation and expansion as we go into the fall months.
The LifeKIDS Ministry Team as they serve and create strategies and tools to help parents raise godly children.
The recruitment, development and placement of LifeGROUP leaders.
More people to volunteer and serve on a regular basis through varying and increasing channels both internally and externally through LifeMISSIONS projects.
That God’s will would be done and that this process would serve to strengthen His church and our ability to fulfill the mission of Leading People to Become Fully Devoted Followers of Christ.
Key points in the negotiation
Adequate parking: That the current owners would have the favor of adjacent property owners and that additional parking could be added to the site.
Foyer: A Foyer Addition would need to be added to the existing building.
Finances: Not only for finances to be raised for ministry, but that a fair and reasonable rental price would be agreed upon.
Enjoy your day!
Here are some tips to help you prepare for our One Day Fast together on Thursday.
Some guidelines for an effective one day fast:
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