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
Friday, April 6, 2012
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.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Jesus is ENOUGH
I am amazed at the pain people feel.
Pain because life is just too hard.
Pain because life is too short.
Pain because life is too painful.
Even followers of Jesus.
We suffer even though we have a Savior.
We struggle even though we are Saved.
and it brings me to this thought, What are we (as a Church) doing wrong that Jesus isn't enough?
Enough to Go On.
Enough to Get Up.
Enough to Heal.
and I can only come up with a few things.
#1 We don't Celebrate Victory Enough.
Its as if we are so focused on the bad we don't rejoice in the good.
Think about your prayer requests and how many of them are filled with pain and not praise.
Even the churches in Acts rejoiced to suffer shame in His Name.
This is why every time someone gets saved I want to rejoice.
and every time someone shares their faith through Baptism I want to rejoice .
and every time someone repents of sin I want to rejoice.
and every time someone learns of God's love I want to rejoice.
Because every time something amazing happens it offsets all of the Bad.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18
(by the way this Sunday an amazing Lady is going to get Baptized in the River!!!)
#2 We worry more about Money than Men.
I realize that money is important to people but it seems as if today its the only thing.
Being Financially focused is to not be Faith Focused.
I love the passage where Peter says to the Lord, We need to pay our Taxes and Jesus tells Him to go Fishing and the first fish Peter catches will have money in its mouth. He did and it did and they did.
God has promised to provide the finances if we provide the faith but its often our financial situation that dictates our faith rather than the other way around.
It might be that when your low on funds that God is calling you to slim down, separate from things, seek Him, or see Him.
But people need to see our Praise by faith not our Panic in fear when it comes to our finances.
Matthew Chapter 6
#3 We don't focus enough on Relationship instead of Religion.
Jesus said that when we are struggling to rest in Him.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He wants us to be closer to Him.
He wants us to know Him.
He wants us to feel Him.
and I hate to say it but Pain is often the driver of that.
and being religious won't do it.
we must want to speak to Him. (In Real Honest Prayer)
we must want to hear from Him. (By Reading your Bible)
we must want to experience Him. (By obeying His word by living His way)
Its not enough to act as if we have a relationship, rest only comes from having one.
As a Church if we are going to share with the world that Jesus is enough it must start with Praising Him, Seeking Him, and Knowing Him because He is Enough to give them and us Healing.
Pain because life is just too hard.
Pain because life is too short.
Pain because life is too painful.
Even followers of Jesus.
We suffer even though we have a Savior.
We struggle even though we are Saved.
and it brings me to this thought, What are we (as a Church) doing wrong that Jesus isn't enough?
Enough to Go On.
Enough to Get Up.
Enough to Heal.
and I can only come up with a few things.
#1 We don't Celebrate Victory Enough.
Its as if we are so focused on the bad we don't rejoice in the good.
Think about your prayer requests and how many of them are filled with pain and not praise.
Even the churches in Acts rejoiced to suffer shame in His Name.
This is why every time someone gets saved I want to rejoice.
and every time someone shares their faith through Baptism I want to rejoice .
and every time someone repents of sin I want to rejoice.
and every time someone learns of God's love I want to rejoice.
Because every time something amazing happens it offsets all of the Bad.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18
(by the way this Sunday an amazing Lady is going to get Baptized in the River!!!)
#2 We worry more about Money than Men.
I realize that money is important to people but it seems as if today its the only thing.
Being Financially focused is to not be Faith Focused.
I love the passage where Peter says to the Lord, We need to pay our Taxes and Jesus tells Him to go Fishing and the first fish Peter catches will have money in its mouth. He did and it did and they did.
God has promised to provide the finances if we provide the faith but its often our financial situation that dictates our faith rather than the other way around.
It might be that when your low on funds that God is calling you to slim down, separate from things, seek Him, or see Him.
But people need to see our Praise by faith not our Panic in fear when it comes to our finances.
Matthew Chapter 6
#3 We don't focus enough on Relationship instead of Religion.
Jesus said that when we are struggling to rest in Him.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He wants us to be closer to Him.
He wants us to know Him.
He wants us to feel Him.
and I hate to say it but Pain is often the driver of that.
and being religious won't do it.
we must want to speak to Him. (In Real Honest Prayer)
we must want to hear from Him. (By Reading your Bible)
we must want to experience Him. (By obeying His word by living His way)
Its not enough to act as if we have a relationship, rest only comes from having one.
As a Church if we are going to share with the world that Jesus is enough it must start with Praising Him, Seeking Him, and Knowing Him because He is Enough to give them and us Healing.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Questions.............
This Sunday we are dealing with the subject of Suicide and I need some help.
If you could ask any question about Suicide, what would you ask?
If you could ask any question about Suicide, what would you ask?
Monday, March 26, 2012
I'm Back
Sorry about the silence last week as I got a little consumed with the building but I am back to work this week and there are a few things I want to start us out with.
1. This Sunday after services I met with two people. One, a woman who found freedom by dropping the F-Bomb on someone who hurt her deeply. (That's forgiveness if you haven't been paying attention) I have waited over a year to see this amazing woman become free and this next Sunday she wants to get Baptized! Can you say "Pray for Sun?"!
The other a young man struggling to find forgiveness. In his eyes, he is a failure and has much baggage to deal with but what he doesn't know yet is that Jesus is bigger than his faults, Jesus is Greater than his failures and Jesus is Full of Forgiveness. Please pray that he is open to Jesus dropping the F-Bomb on him!
2. We have an Amazing group of teenagers at this church. Debra and I had a great time with them yesterday secretly getting to know them. But, they need someone to build them up. A couple who would invest their lives into the teens souls. Please begin to pray for them as we want to encourage the next generation.
3. This Sunday is going to be Awesome. The subject we will touch on will be deep and difficult and yet I have never been so excited about a sermon ever. Please be praying for wisdom and clarity as I prepare for Sunday.
I love my Church and Can't Wait for Sunday
1. This Sunday after services I met with two people. One, a woman who found freedom by dropping the F-Bomb on someone who hurt her deeply. (That's forgiveness if you haven't been paying attention) I have waited over a year to see this amazing woman become free and this next Sunday she wants to get Baptized! Can you say "Pray for Sun?"!
The other a young man struggling to find forgiveness. In his eyes, he is a failure and has much baggage to deal with but what he doesn't know yet is that Jesus is bigger than his faults, Jesus is Greater than his failures and Jesus is Full of Forgiveness. Please pray that he is open to Jesus dropping the F-Bomb on him!
2. We have an Amazing group of teenagers at this church. Debra and I had a great time with them yesterday secretly getting to know them. But, they need someone to build them up. A couple who would invest their lives into the teens souls. Please begin to pray for them as we want to encourage the next generation.
3. This Sunday is going to be Awesome. The subject we will touch on will be deep and difficult and yet I have never been so excited about a sermon ever. Please be praying for wisdom and clarity as I prepare for Sunday.
I love my Church and Can't Wait for Sunday
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A Letter to newLife from PRob
For some strange reason we decideded to begin construction on the Auditorium this Sunday. But what I learned from it was worth it. Today I want to share five things I learned from Sunday afternoon.
1. Men and young boys Love to Tear Things Down.
2. Men all think that they have a better way. To tear something down, to organize tearing something down, to tear down someones idea of how to organize how to tear something down. This holds true for those who want their ideas heard to rebuild as well. Can you say "too many chiefs?"
3. Men make a Mess. I guess they all figure there will be a wife someone to pick up after them.
4. Men are Dangerous. The close calls were many but praise God that's all they were.
5. I am so thankful for Men. They heard the call, answered the call, and finished the job!
It was a great thing seeing the men get together, work hard, and accomplish the task at hand. From the cutting to the cleaning they did an awesome job and I am so proud of them all.
Tomorrow I'll talk about the ladies from Sunday.
Thank you all for being behind this ministry.
1. Men and young boys Love to Tear Things Down.
2. Men all think that they have a better way. To tear something down, to organize tearing something down, to tear down someones idea of how to organize how to tear something down. This holds true for those who want their ideas heard to rebuild as well. Can you say "too many chiefs?"
3. Men make a Mess. I guess they all figure there will be a wife someone to pick up after them.
4. Men are Dangerous. The close calls were many but praise God that's all they were.
5. I am so thankful for Men. They heard the call, answered the call, and finished the job!
It was a great thing seeing the men get together, work hard, and accomplish the task at hand. From the cutting to the cleaning they did an awesome job and I am so proud of them all.
Tomorrow I'll talk about the ladies from Sunday.
Thank you all for being behind this ministry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)