Hey Lifers, you sure made a mess yesterday. Water pots laying around, spilling their vile water all over the carpet. It was an exciting day to say the least, but were not done.
After the service I talked with many who are still clinging to their water pots. They still believe its their best chance at life.They are so fearful that the water Jesus offers in trade will not be enough and I think even more would not know what they would do if they could live life without it.
So I am asking for some help this week. If there is someone you know who is still holding onto their water pot...
Pray for them to have the courage it takes to trust the word of God and drop it.
Spend some time this week pouring the everlasting water of your life over them letting them taste of its goodness.
And finally take a few moments to Praise God for what He has done for you, in you, and through You.
I know Life is right there for many, My Prayer is for it to be new for You.
Have a Great Monday
Prob
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Unnecessary or Undone
We are a proud people.
Believing that we can handle life alone.
We hold things in, hold things back, we hold things away.
We don't want anyone to see, know, or touch.
Maybe because we don't want them to see the truth in us, but I believe mostly because we think its unnecessary.
So instead we trade help for Passive Personal Prayer meetings with God.
We have Councilors to which we seek advice but no comforters cause we dont' listen.
and we live with Pain because we believe we can handle it.
and before you know it, your undone.
It takes courage to seek help, to surrender your hurt, to say (admit) you need help.
Help is unnecessary until you crash. Then its unavoidable.
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
To learn from Jesus was must know this. Jesus sought help from His Father, Family and Friends (Church). If it was necessary for Him, how much more is it for us?
Maybe today is the day you find rest before you ruin your life.
Believing that we can handle life alone.
We hold things in, hold things back, we hold things away.
We don't want anyone to see, know, or touch.
Maybe because we don't want them to see the truth in us, but I believe mostly because we think its unnecessary.
So instead we trade help for Passive Personal Prayer meetings with God.
We have Councilors to which we seek advice but no comforters cause we dont' listen.
and we live with Pain because we believe we can handle it.
and before you know it, your undone.
It takes courage to seek help, to surrender your hurt, to say (admit) you need help.
Help is unnecessary until you crash. Then its unavoidable.
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
To learn from Jesus was must know this. Jesus sought help from His Father, Family and Friends (Church). If it was necessary for Him, how much more is it for us?
Maybe today is the day you find rest before you ruin your life.
Monday, April 23, 2012
A Letter from PRob
Yesterday was a strange day for me. It seemed heavy, difficult. All afternoon I struggled within myself. Then this morning as I was going to meet with my brother I stopped by the church only to hear a very strange noise.
It was the sound of rushing water.
This is NEVER a sound you want to hear in an empty building and so upon my search I found a flooded basement from an exterior faucet left on flooding through the office windows.
For a second I thought all the negative you could, but then came peace.
My morning devotion discussed the renewing of my mind in Romans 12 and how I need to seek ways to renew my mind to focus my thoughts on Gods truth, not my trial.
And here was His answer to me.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19
As the enemy was trying to get a hold of my thoughts through a literal flood, the Lord flooded my mind with peace.
The enemy wanted to depress me.
The enemy wanted to discourage me.
The enemy wanted to drown me in my sorrows.
But the Spirit of the Lord lifted up a Standard against Him.
Instead of poisoning my thoughts with toxic material to cause sickness and death, the Spirit of the Lord gave me Joy and Hope and became a help in my time of need.
I do not know what thoughts the enemy has been putting into your head lately.
I do know how they seem to come in like a Flood.
and I do know the need to replace those thoughts through the renewing of our minds.
What scripture has God been encouraging your thought life with?
Share it and maybe others can be encouraged as they stand neck deep in the enemies flood and maybe today someone might be renewed by your testimony.
Have an awesome day, I know I am.
PRob
It was the sound of rushing water.
This is NEVER a sound you want to hear in an empty building and so upon my search I found a flooded basement from an exterior faucet left on flooding through the office windows.
For a second I thought all the negative you could, but then came peace.
My morning devotion discussed the renewing of my mind in Romans 12 and how I need to seek ways to renew my mind to focus my thoughts on Gods truth, not my trial.
And here was His answer to me.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19
As the enemy was trying to get a hold of my thoughts through a literal flood, the Lord flooded my mind with peace.
The enemy wanted to depress me.
The enemy wanted to discourage me.
The enemy wanted to drown me in my sorrows.
But the Spirit of the Lord lifted up a Standard against Him.
Instead of poisoning my thoughts with toxic material to cause sickness and death, the Spirit of the Lord gave me Joy and Hope and became a help in my time of need.
I do not know what thoughts the enemy has been putting into your head lately.
I do know how they seem to come in like a Flood.
and I do know the need to replace those thoughts through the renewing of our minds.
What scripture has God been encouraging your thought life with?
Share it and maybe others can be encouraged as they stand neck deep in the enemies flood and maybe today someone might be renewed by your testimony.
Have an awesome day, I know I am.
PRob
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Prep Help
This Sunday we will be discussing the change that occurs in saved people towards sin and it got me to wondering.
What sin do you Struggle with the most?
(no need to leave your name)
What sin do you Struggle with the most?
(no need to leave your name)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Guilty Pleasures 2
Today I want to discuss a pet peeve of mine that many Christians ascribe to.
That is thinking that Sunday is a Day of Rest.
Meaning that Sunday is the day that they use to rest up for the week by doing what is best for them. They do all of their home work on Saturday and what they want on Sunday. This might include attending church or not depending on what is best for them.
because Sunday is the Day of Rest.
While this might be true from a secular standpoint it has never been from a biblical standpoint.
God Day of rest came at the end of His week.
Six days He created and rested on the Seventh.
This seventh day He called the Sabbath the day of rest.
Genesis 2:2-3
This practice of the "Day of Rest" was brought to the Jewish people in the book of Exodus and became law to them in Exodus 20 as part of the Ten Commandments.
That day of rest became a day of worship unto the Lord.
This principle was practiced throughout Jewish History and actually began the night of the 6th day and went until the night of the seventh day. (Friday Night and Saturday Night) This was because the Jews believed that there days began at night not in the morning as many of us ascribe and Sunday was actually the first day of the week.
After the Resurrection of Jesus that last day of the week, sabbath continued on Saturday but Sunday became a day of Remembrance of the Resurrection and hence throughout History Christians have celebrated that day to Start their week not end it. Hence Sunday has never been a day of rest but always a day of Celebratory Worship of the Resurrection.
Sunday then becomes for us a day of Remembrance not rest.
and while due to our current work lives I don't think that God is as worried about when we rest as much as that we do rest. I do though think that God cares greatly about when the Church meets to celebrate the resurrection and works to bring others into that place.
So what do we do about rest?
Let me give you a couple of suggestions since as a church we have chosen the traditional route of Sunday being a day of Remembrance.
#1 Use another day for rest.
This might mean that you have to change your whole mindset towards the principle of rest and live your lives in a way that allows you margin for rest.
#2 Use another time for rest.
There is a lot to be said about the Jewish tradition of your day ending when you come home from work and it beginning at night.
This might mean that you have to leave your work at work because tomorrow starts today. I would think that meals would be more enjoyable at night as well as your sleep patterns.
#3 View it from God's Perspective.
If God had to rest, how much more do we need rest? and if God started His week (Genesis 1) with Jesus and the Holy Spirit creating something new and amazing why would He excuse us from doing so. Isn't that our hope every Sunday?
#4 Think about how different your life would be....
If you rested the right way and Remembered the right way? Sunday might be a fun day and Monday might be a better day and Friday would be a Peaceful day and you might be healthy?
That is thinking that Sunday is a Day of Rest.
Meaning that Sunday is the day that they use to rest up for the week by doing what is best for them. They do all of their home work on Saturday and what they want on Sunday. This might include attending church or not depending on what is best for them.
because Sunday is the Day of Rest.
While this might be true from a secular standpoint it has never been from a biblical standpoint.
God Day of rest came at the end of His week.
Six days He created and rested on the Seventh.
This seventh day He called the Sabbath the day of rest.
Genesis 2:2-3
This practice of the "Day of Rest" was brought to the Jewish people in the book of Exodus and became law to them in Exodus 20 as part of the Ten Commandments.
That day of rest became a day of worship unto the Lord.
This principle was practiced throughout Jewish History and actually began the night of the 6th day and went until the night of the seventh day. (Friday Night and Saturday Night) This was because the Jews believed that there days began at night not in the morning as many of us ascribe and Sunday was actually the first day of the week.
After the Resurrection of Jesus that last day of the week, sabbath continued on Saturday but Sunday became a day of Remembrance of the Resurrection and hence throughout History Christians have celebrated that day to Start their week not end it. Hence Sunday has never been a day of rest but always a day of Celebratory Worship of the Resurrection.
Sunday then becomes for us a day of Remembrance not rest.
and while due to our current work lives I don't think that God is as worried about when we rest as much as that we do rest. I do though think that God cares greatly about when the Church meets to celebrate the resurrection and works to bring others into that place.
So what do we do about rest?
Let me give you a couple of suggestions since as a church we have chosen the traditional route of Sunday being a day of Remembrance.
#1 Use another day for rest.
This might mean that you have to change your whole mindset towards the principle of rest and live your lives in a way that allows you margin for rest.
#2 Use another time for rest.
There is a lot to be said about the Jewish tradition of your day ending when you come home from work and it beginning at night.
This might mean that you have to leave your work at work because tomorrow starts today. I would think that meals would be more enjoyable at night as well as your sleep patterns.
#3 View it from God's Perspective.
If God had to rest, how much more do we need rest? and if God started His week (Genesis 1) with Jesus and the Holy Spirit creating something new and amazing why would He excuse us from doing so. Isn't that our hope every Sunday?
#4 Think about how different your life would be....
If you rested the right way and Remembered the right way? Sunday might be a fun day and Monday might be a better day and Friday would be a Peaceful day and you might be healthy?
Monday, April 16, 2012
Guilty Pleasures
Last week was an interesting week for many here at newLife as we took the week off after Easter. It was kind of like running a race only to stop midway and it caused a lot of confusion. We knew that we were not at the finish line and many struggled with stopping to rest which brought me to this question.
#1 Why are Faithful Christians in such a hurry?
#2 Why do Faithful Christians struggle with Guilt for Resting?
I am not talking about the unfaithful who take advantage of times of rest even to the forsaking of the Lords Day for self service. But those who passionately serve the Lord and faithfully serve their church.
Why are we in such a hurry?
Because we believe that busyness is next to godliness.
Because we fear that idol hands are the devils workshop.
Because we think that rest leads to laziness.
But the truth is God Himself rested after a season of busy labor.
After six days of creation, He stood back and looked at His work and said, "This is Very Good!" (Genesis 2:2-3)
Jesus during a very busy season of ministry walked away from His work to rest and pray.
(Luke 5:15-16)
I realize that many of you are serving God during the week. Some are preparing to teach your classes on Sunday, some of you are discipling new Christians, some of you are counseling broken people, while many are loving others by sharing Jesus with them as well as working full time jobs and living full time lives so this week of rest should have been good for you.
Your Relationship with God should have been refreshed.
Your Passion for Jesus should have been renewed.
Your Love of your church should have been energized.
Your time with family enhanced.
This race we run is a marathon not a sprint and there will be times we need to rest.
Last week was that time and the only thing that would have hindered your rest is if you struggled with what God was trying to do.
All work and no play makes newLife a Dull church.
If you did not rest you might want to take some time this week and prepare for Sunday by resting your heart and mind to serve Him on Sunday.
We will talk more about that tomorrow.
Have an Awesome Day newLife
PRob
#1 Why are Faithful Christians in such a hurry?
#2 Why do Faithful Christians struggle with Guilt for Resting?
I am not talking about the unfaithful who take advantage of times of rest even to the forsaking of the Lords Day for self service. But those who passionately serve the Lord and faithfully serve their church.
Why are we in such a hurry?
Because we believe that busyness is next to godliness.
Because we fear that idol hands are the devils workshop.
Because we think that rest leads to laziness.
But the truth is God Himself rested after a season of busy labor.
After six days of creation, He stood back and looked at His work and said, "This is Very Good!" (Genesis 2:2-3)
Jesus during a very busy season of ministry walked away from His work to rest and pray.
(Luke 5:15-16)
I realize that many of you are serving God during the week. Some are preparing to teach your classes on Sunday, some of you are discipling new Christians, some of you are counseling broken people, while many are loving others by sharing Jesus with them as well as working full time jobs and living full time lives so this week of rest should have been good for you.
Your Relationship with God should have been refreshed.
Your Passion for Jesus should have been renewed.
Your Love of your church should have been energized.
Your time with family enhanced.
This race we run is a marathon not a sprint and there will be times we need to rest.
Last week was that time and the only thing that would have hindered your rest is if you struggled with what God was trying to do.
All work and no play makes newLife a Dull church.
If you did not rest you might want to take some time this week and prepare for Sunday by resting your heart and mind to serve Him on Sunday.
We will talk more about that tomorrow.
Have an Awesome Day newLife
PRob
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
A Letter to newLife from PRob
#1 Our Final Numbers for Sunday were 290 in Attendance with 10 coming forward with a need of a Resurrected Life. Why do Numbers matter? Because every number has a name, and every name has a story, and every story matters to God and God entrusted us with 290. WOW
#2 I love that this church is embracing the value of the soul by inviting friends and family to hear the word of God. Some of you invited a person who came forward.......Awesome! It was worth it wasn't it. For those of you who invited someone and they didn't come forward......Awesome! they are one step closer to knowing who Jesus really is. For those of you who invited someone and they didn't come.........Awesome! Gods timing is always better than ours, don't give up on them but keep on praying for them.
#3 Some things that I won't forget from Sundays Service.
.......Every Testimony of a Resurrected Life. Your stories are still touching lives.
.......Khayla singing those first words "He's not mad at You, He's not disappointed..."
.......the words "the reason that the resurrection has not helped you is
because you don’t know HIM."
.......the courage it took for those ten to come forward to seek a resurrected life.
.......the willingness and passion of every member of our church to serve others.
and finally I won't forget how much our church has matured. Men and women owning leadership roles. Men and women surrendering to serve. Men and women loving God and others. I love my Life. Please be praying for our next series "All" beginning this Sunday and watch for some exciting news about the next phase of newLife.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Two Things that Would Help
This morning I need your help.
Pray over this passage (Philippians 3:10)
Pray for People who Don't know Him or the Power of His Resurrection and that they would come Sunday.
Sunday is going to be Awesome
Pray over this passage (Philippians 3:10)
Pray for People who Don't know Him or the Power of His Resurrection and that they would come Sunday.
Sunday is going to be Awesome
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
We are getting there.....Are You?
As our church grows there are a number of changes personally and corporately that naturally must occur for growth to continue. One of the biggest ones is teamwork and so today I want to share a few things that I see happening as well as not.
#1 Chemistry.
We desire people who don't just love the work they do, but love the people they've been called to work with.
Without love the team will be dysfunctional.
#2 Load Lifters
We need people who are more concerned with "We" than "Me". This creates an atmosphere where saved people serve people rather than serving selfish people. We will not allow team members to pursue "Personal Preference" in dictating decisions.
#3 Open Environments
We want our ministry teams to feel as if they can speak the truth, in love, because we love the church and one another too much to allow team members to make a ridiculous decision.
#4 Embracing Discomfort
God has not given us the Spirit of fear and so we want team members to be more concerned with making God happy than people. So we will make the Right decisions for the church over the comfortable ones.
#5 Going Forward
The right people will not desire to maintain the status quo but will do everything we can to advance the cause.
#6 Strangers
I use that term loosely but true none the less. If we are going to keep growing we must realize that God will send us people that are from outside the norm. Each of them will have differing backgrounds, experiences, and life challenges different than our own. This brings in fresh hands and feet to do the work with us and encourages us to step out of our comfort zones.
#7 Big God, Big Dreams
We need to stay more obsessed with the dreams of what God could do, rather than living on the memories of what God has done.
As a Church we are working together to share the Love of God through Jesus Christ as well as show the love of God through each other and it will take Team Work to do His work.
Easter is coming, get on a team
Monday, April 2, 2012
A Letter from Pastor A to newLife
Today I am trying to clear my head from Sunday to get ready for Easter, and to do that I want to share a few things from yesterday that are important.
#1 Yesterday was the most exposed I have ever felt in Church as I opened up about my life and I am thankful for those who prayed for me that I might be bold and honest.
#2 Yesterday was the hardest message I have ever preached because of the subject matter and the danger of it being taken wrong and causing pain instead of healing.
#3 Yesterday was the most exciting day we have had in a while as we witnessed an amazing testimony from Randy, Chere found out how much Jesus Loves her, and for those of you who don't know yet, Jane trusted Christ as her savior during Ron and Kathy's life group.
But the work of Yesterday is Yesterday. Awesome as it was and Amazing that it is we have tomorrow to look forward to and this Sunday is going to be big for us.
and here is what I am asking you to begin Praying Ephesians 6: 18-20
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Pray for yourselves, your families, your relationship with Jesus. vs 18
Pray for other Christians and Church members. vs 18
Pray for me. vs 19-20
That God will reveal to me the right message, righteous boldness, and real clarity that the work that we do does not fall on deaf ears but that Sundays opportunity will represent our Lord and Savior.
Yesterday was Awesome, But Sunday's going to be GREATER.
I love my Life.
#1 Yesterday was the most exposed I have ever felt in Church as I opened up about my life and I am thankful for those who prayed for me that I might be bold and honest.
#2 Yesterday was the hardest message I have ever preached because of the subject matter and the danger of it being taken wrong and causing pain instead of healing.
#3 Yesterday was the most exciting day we have had in a while as we witnessed an amazing testimony from Randy, Chere found out how much Jesus Loves her, and for those of you who don't know yet, Jane trusted Christ as her savior during Ron and Kathy's life group.
But the work of Yesterday is Yesterday. Awesome as it was and Amazing that it is we have tomorrow to look forward to and this Sunday is going to be big for us.
and here is what I am asking you to begin Praying Ephesians 6: 18-20
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Pray for yourselves, your families, your relationship with Jesus. vs 18
Pray for other Christians and Church members. vs 18
Pray for me. vs 19-20
That God will reveal to me the right message, righteous boldness, and real clarity that the work that we do does not fall on deaf ears but that Sundays opportunity will represent our Lord and Savior.
Yesterday was Awesome, But Sunday's going to be GREATER.
I love my Life.
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