Can it get any better than this?

Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God
Children of God

We are the saints
We are the children
We've been redeemed
We've been forgiven
We are the sons and daughters of our God

Will we work till Jesus comes?

Someone Sunday asked me if I was happy that Easter was over. I know what they meant but I also realize the mentality of a big day. and so today I want to give you ? reasons why Easter is just the beginning and not the end.

#1 Easter is about the resurrection of Christ, not His death.
At most funerals the burial allows the family closure and the ability to heal and start over without their loved one.
Not Christ Burial. His Resurrection and subsequent Ascension means that for us life begins at Jesus and ends on earth when He returns.

#2 Easter was not about temporary decisions made by people, but the opportunity for us to share His life with those who don't know Him. This means we must keep loving people now that we have made an impression on them. We want them to become followers of Jesus not one time prayers.

#3 Easter was the Launching Point for newLife Church of Jerusalem. A few months later the Holy Spirit filled the Church and 3,000 were saved and added to the church. While the resurrection was a celebration, it was the beginning not the end of the church.

#4 Easter made more work for the Christian, not less. I have heard how some Christians want to take some time and rest now. WOW I guess I go a fishing (see John 21:3) Know this, you'll catch nothing unless you are fishing for men.

#5 Our Christian responsibility to the Lost is only effective post Resurrection. (see Acts 1:8)

#6 The Real Power behind our Faith was activated post Resurrection and only usable to reach the lost. (see Matthew 28:18-20)

#7 The Harvest is truly Plenteous, but sadly the laborers are few.
People want to serve, but they want benefits, lots of vacation, and often will only work when and where it suits them.
Yes Jesus was resurrected from the dead, for us, yet people still chose to serve or not.

I hate to say it, but last Sunday was a launching point not an ending point. I realize how weary many of you are but all you've experienced is the real work of the Gospel. Most Christians are just out of shape when it comes to serving. Please don't slack off. Please don't back away. Souls hang in the balance. and there are more people in this city that need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

In Case You Were Wondering....

Your work brought in approximately 150 Visitors to our Easter service with a total of 285 people. The visitors were more than we average every Sunday!

Your work touched hearts by the dozens. The Nursery got compliments, the children's ministry got compliments, the ushers got compliments, the music got compliments! Every thing you did was appreciated by those who attended.

They felt loved
They felt valued
They felt wanted
They felt Jesus

I am amazed at what is happening in our ministry and glad to be your Pastor. You are loving God and loving others! Thank you!

Bunnies are Cute, Colored eggs are fun, Easter is neither.

I am not trying to discourage anyone this morning, but I do want to be honest.
Jesus rising from the grave is AWESOME, but not everyone thinks so.

Satan Hates It.
All those people He has fooled for a year have another opportunity to rise from their spiritual deadness unto life.
Remember, He thought Jesus would stay dead as well.
So he will be busy trying to discourage you and those you've invited to stay away.

Society is discouraged by it.
Atheists and religeonists have a love hate relationship with Easter.
Its a happy time and yet its another slap in the face to their belief systems by giving hope to the hopeless.
No matter how hard they try and make it a twice a year guilt trip to church, and no matter how hard they try and commercialize it, Its always about Jesus and the hope of a resurrected life. Bunnies and Eggs can't compete with Jesus rising from the grave!

Easter is not cute or fun. Its Amazing.
Lets get ready to Share the Hope that is within us this Sunday!

KISS someone who does not know Christ today

If you would, take some time today and pray for that person or people you have invited to church on Sunday and then post thier name so that we might pray for them as well.

Lets Keep It Simple Saint

A Letter from PRob to newLife

This past Sunday was interesting to say the least. So many people came and stressed over communion only to realize how wonderfully they have been representing the body and blood of the Lord!

Literally the building was full of people who have come to know Jesus or want to know Jesus because of your sacrifice for Him.

PRAISE GOD!

Two want to Join the Church, while one young lady is going to meet with her boyfriend and I as we do discipleship. (She wants to know Christ and just needs a little more understanding) PRAY for Her!

But lets not get complacent. This Sunday will be another opportunity to be one with God through sharing the resurrection story with others. Inviting people might break you, cost you your life, but that's what it takes to save the world.

Encouraging people are WANTED

I have to be honest, I hate discouraging people.
Don't want to be around them. Don't want to worship with them, don't want to serve with them, and definitely don't want to live with them.

Discouraging people are a drag on Life. They like to think their critiquing, when all they are doing is complaining. and all they really do is make people want to quit.

As I have studied my bible, the only people Jesus hung around who were discouraging was Peter and Judas.
One was humbled the other, hung.
Neither of them were proud of themselves.

I want to be with encouraging people.
It is a part of our culture at newLife.
Encouraging people are wanted people!

So this morning I am going to share a list of things you can do to encourage your family and friends.
Try catching them doing something right, and praise them for it.
I think you will be amazed at what happens.

1. Give them praise for Great effort.
2. Give them praise for a great attitude.
3. Give them praise for punctuality.
4. Give them praise for creativity.
5. Give them praise for serving their spouse.
6. Give them praise for courageous action.
7. Give them praise for helping you succeed, win, grow, make progress or achieve the results you’re after.
8. Praise them publicly whenever you can.
9. Never lie. Never offer praise you don’t sincerely mean.
10. Never think it’s your job to keep someone humble. Everyone has plenty of critical, mean-spirited and destructive people already doing their best to tear them down. Nobody needs your help to feel stupid, insignificant or worthless.
11. If people really need a break, give them some time off. It will let them know they are truly appreciated.
12. Be prompt. Appropriate praise is best when it’s timely.
13. Reward some things with a “Thank You” note, other things with $1,000.00 check. Know the difference.
14. Celebrate behaviors you value; affirm what you want repeated.
15. Tell the rest of the family or friends or even the church when someone deserves praise.

That’s my list. Pick a few; try 'em out; encourage someone.

Seven Reasons Souls ought to be Important to us

#1 Hell
Hell is Hot, Hell is Real, Hell is Eternal.
And those SOULS who do not trust in Christ Sacrifice will go there being Judged by their works instead of His.
Revelation 20:11-15

#2 Heaven
Souls that turn from the rejection of God to acceptance of Him through His Son Jesus, cause Joy to happen in Heaven. If Heaven is Moved by Souls, so should our hearts.
Luke 15:10

#3 God
God created every living thing, especially the soul of man. He loves His creation, especially the soul of man. So much that He sacrificed all He had that souls might be saved. If Souls are that valuable to God, ought they not be to us?
John 3:16-17

#4 Jesus
He left heaven for souls. He came as a servant to save souls. He endured difficult situations for souls. He willingly gave His life for Souls. Without souls, Jesus never would have had to do any of that. This should be OUR mind as well.
Philippians 2:5-8

#5 Holy Spirit
He spends His time on earth trying to encourage souls to turn to God. If this is His biggest ministry, should souls not be ours as well?
John 16:7-11

#6 Church
The main purpose of the church is to be a light in a dark place. A light that attracts weary souls to the love of God through Jesus Christ who saves their souls.
The reaching of those souls is His Command to us and our Calling from Him.
Matthew 28:18-29, Acts 1:8

#7 Christian
Souls are our Life. They are what give us life, they are OUR life. Our Life ought to be about souls. Encouraging ours in Christ, Evangelizing theirs for Christ.

Souls are important.
Souls are everything.
Souls are in need of a loving Savior.

What have you done for Souls today?

A Letter to newLife from PRob

Hey newLife Church, a few things I want to share with you today.

#1 The Atmosphere in the 9 o'clock service has been electric. Too long the church has allowed the world to our celebrate us with temporary things when what we do is ETERNAL! I hope that you are anticipating Heaven going wild on Easter as we see people literally cross from death unto Life.

#2 Never before have we taken on such a large task as to fill the Liberty. But I know this, Jesus wants to see it full and so should we. Who have you personally invited to sit with you? Jesus didn't suggest it, He commanded it so lets DO IT.

#3 Thursday April 21st is going to be a great night of worship. We will gather at the normal starting time of 6:30 pm and beg God to do amazing things on Easter as well as get ready for the service. I can't wait!

#4 We need Roadies! on Saturday April 23rd we are going to meet at the church at 8:30 am to load and haul all the equipment to the Liberty. Once there we will need lots of help hauling in and setting up the gear for the service. See Ron Isom to offer your hands. (Please no advice, just muscle)

#5 Last Thing but best Thing. In the next two weeks, would you plan a fast of two days to pray for souls? They can be two days together or two individual days as all that matters is that God sees we desire people to know Christ. Remember, when you fast, the money you save from not eating ought to be given to the Easter offering to help those in need.

Have an Awesome Day!

If you were wondering, Hope has a sweet taste

Yesterday a group of us went to the Liberty to figure logistics for the children's ministry as well as the Music ministry.
It was exciting to see what could be.
It was exciting to see the excitement in their eyes of what could be.

Hope does that.
Its sweet to the taste.

But where I really notice it is in the sourness of those without Hope.
Our world has never been so hopeless.

People have lost hope as they are drowning financially.
People have no hope as they daily battle with those to whom they have vowed to love.
People live hopelessly because no one values them.

And for them to taste Hope, would be so sweet.

Jesus is that hope, and on Easter 2011 we are going to give them just that.
A Hope they have never had.

The Hope of the Resurrected Life.

Come share in the sweetness.

The Power of Self Confidence

When questioned by the Jews in regards to who Jesus was, Jesus said this.
John 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
He knew who He am. (sorry about the grammar but it works)
He knew why He was here.
He knew what He was supposed to do.

He didn't say, I was......
He didn't say, I think.....
He didn't say, I should......

His self confidence empowered Him to finish the work God had sent Him to do.

Over the years I have struggled with self doubts. Who am I really? Whats my purpose? and What do you want me to do with my life God? These doubts have at times left my life in limbo. Rather than being confident with my life I have been controlled by my lack of such.

To combat this I have tried praying for Boldness as I believed that the New Testament believers did. Yet I still struggled. I also tried making myself become confident but it always comes out arrogant. And I know that I am not the only one. So this morning I am going to share a couple of thoughts that hopefully might encourage you in the confidence department of your life.

1. Know who you AM.
Right Now. What AM You.
Are you Saved? Check
If your Saved, your a Child of God. Check
If your a child of God, your Loved. Check
If your loved of God, your Safe. Check
If your Safe, your Confident. Check
If your confident, you can Conquer. Check

I AM Saved.
I AM Loved.
I AM Safe.
I AM Confident.
I AM A Conqueror.
I AM Certain.

Read Romans 8:31-39

That is who we AM in Christ.

2. Know what you ARE.
Recognize that God created you specifically to fulfill His will on the earth. YOU are here because God needed YOU. Not someone different. He created YOU with YOUR strengths and weaknesses to carry out His work. Jesus knew that He was EXACTLY the person God had created for the work of the Cross. John could not have done it, Peter would not have done it, Thomas would have doubted it. But Jesus did it! And God created WHAT YOU ARE to do WHAT HE NEEDS.

You are PERFECT for What God has called you to.
You are only EMPOWERED to do what God has called you to do if YOU are the YOU He Created.

So, What ARE you going to do for God with what you ARE Today?

3. What are YOU Supposed to DO?
Take the AM you ARE and DO.
To do anything less, is to doubt the power of Christ in you.
You do not have to live powerless today.

I do not know what you will need Gods power for today, just know it is there for YOU.
Take the AM you ARE and DO and when your DONE you will be AMAZED at how EMPOWERED you ARE in Christ.

and like Jesus you will be able to tell all those doubters, I AM!

A Letter to newLife from PRob

King David said this about happy people.
Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Happy
That's how people are describing you.
They seem so Happy.

Is that not incredible?

Happy.
That's what I saw in Ron and Kathy's Home Group.

Happy.
Is what James and Suzy said their Home Group was.

Happy.
Is what Daniel said about His and Christa's home group.

You have no idea how Happy that makes me that your happy.

David said its the result of God being our Lord.
It comes from the security we feel from God.
It comes from the love and acceptance we find in Jesus.
It comes from the relationship with experience through knowing the Holy Ghost.
It comes from being a liberated people.

Happy. Its attractive and shows the world, Christ is the way.

With that in mind, Would you share on this blog what has made you so happy?