Saturday, August 22, 2015

21 Days of Prayer

In Matthew 9:36-38, Jesus was so moved with compassion for those that were far from God that He told His disciples to pray for people (workers) to be sent to them to share the Word of Life.

As we are entering our "harvest season," the time of year when more people visit and many commit their lives to Jesus, we are setting aside 21 days to pray.

- We'll be praying for workers to help Life Church reach more people.
- For our existing team to be strengthened and full of vision.
- For many people to surrender their lives to Jesus.
- For God to move mightily in our church and community.

Beginning Monday, August 24th through Sunday, September 13th, we're challenging the church to set aside 21 minutes a day to pray.  We also have 3 times a week for prayer experiences at 6 Emery Ave., in Randolph.

Mondays from 6am to 7am (Aug. 24, 31, & Sept. 3)
Saturdays from 8am to 9am (Aug. 29, Sept. 5 & 12)
Sundays from 8:45am to 9:15am (Aug. 30, Sept. 6 & 13)

We'll have a final Prayer Experience on Sunday, September 13th from 5pm to 6pm.

Let's join together and pray to see our city experience God's presence and His salvation through Jesus.


Monday, January 19, 2015

vision leaks - part 6 (vision)

Remember:  Since vision leaks, we need to be reminded about...

Words - what was said a long time ago and what the current words/values are.
Doubt will come--from within and without.
Faith looks at the past and future.  What has been done and what is to come.
Patience - the timing and score belong to God.
Vision - People need Jesus.  And God the creator wants a relationship with them!!!

Peter stirs up his followers concerning the BIG PICTURE. (2 Peter 3:1-9)

A Couple Thoughts...
1. What is more important to you...being recognized by people or helping people recognize Jesus?

2. Are you using people to build the church or are you using the church to build people?



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Dig!

What do you do when you face an obstacle to your vision or dream?  What do you do when you "can't" or "haven't"?

In Mark 2:3-4 we find four men burdened to see their paralyzed friend experience the providing hand of Jesus.  They bring him to where Jesus is but they can't actually GET TO Jesus.  They can SEE Jesus, but they're not close enough to experience His providing hand.

Verse 4 in the NLT version of the Bible says, When they "COULDN'T"... they "DUG".  Its time to DIG!  It's time to DIG in some odd and unfamiliar places!  Don't give up on your dream or vision simply because you're disappointed, tired, or facing an obstacle.  DIG!

The 21 day #BreakthroughFast is a way of DIGGING.  Change your diet.  Remove some pleasant types of food or fast a specific meal each day to DIG to where Jesus is so that you can experience His miraculous hand of provision that will blow the minds of those watching your life.

?What obstacle are you facing?
?How are you "digging" during the 21 day Breakthrough Fast?



Tuesday, December 23, 2014

vision leaks - part 5 (patience)

If you want to experience growth and success in life, you have to keep moving forward with a great attitude and heart even when you don't see the results you desire or expect.  This is the essence of patience.  And patience is fundamental to spiritual maturity and leadership.

The apostle Peter motivated his followers by pointing them to God's promises and then reminding them to be patient.  (2 Peter 3:8) says, "A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day."

A Couple Thoughts...
1. Don't be a time keeper!
Those who watch the clock with an expectation of when they should get what they think they should get will deteriorate their patience which is their only ability to ultimately receive from God.

2. Don't be a score keeper!
Those who try to keep score by comparing what others have and how long it took them to get what they have will deteriorate their patience which is their only ability to ultimately receive from God.

What are your thoughts?
?Are you a time keeper?
?Are you a score keeper?
 


Monday, December 15, 2014

VISION LEAKS - PART 4 (FAITH)

Its working even when it doesn't seem like its working!  You can't quit simply because you're not seeing the results you want to see.

The Apostle Peter reminded his team how important it is to stay in faith.  In (2 Peter 3:5 NLT) he reveals the plight of the doubter.
v5 "They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of His command, and He brought the earth out from the water."

A Couple Thoughts...
1. Doubt is Deliberate!
You have to work really hard to NOT see God at work.  So, be deliberate to remind yourself that it IS working.  God is working even when it doesn't seem like He's working.

2. Faith looks at the Past!
Peter told his team to remember all that God had done before and that God is still in the miracle working business.  Don't forget!  Remember, if He did it before He can do it again.  Remembering the hand of God in your past can be fuel to see His hand in your present and future.

?Where have you been deliberately doubting?
?What situation do you need to be reminded of today where God came through in a big way?








Monday, December 8, 2014

VISION LEAKS - PART 3 (DOUBT)

Doubt is your greatest enemy--and it will always by persistently present.

The Apostle Peter was reminding his team in 2 Peter 1:3 that "scoffers" will come.  A scoffer is a derider, false teacher or mocker.  They/it creates and fuels doubt.

The scoffer or doubter will say things like:  "It's not working!"  "Where is all the money, staff/leaders, clients or people?  Shouldn't there be more by now?  Shouldn't we be further along?"

A Couple Thoughts...
1. Doubt isn't present because we're failing.  It's present because we're doing something extraordinary!

We need to be personally reminded when we're doubting that what we're experiencing is normal and expected.  And, if you're a leader, you need to be spewing that truth into your team.

2. You need to remain strong and stable in the midst of doubt.

I'm reminding you today that doubt and doubters will come.  I'm reminding you so that it won't knock you off course and so that you will see doubt for what it is; A LIE!

?What are the consistent doubts that come your direction?
?Do those doubts come through those on your team or closest to you?
If so, you may need to limit the time and influence you give those people.








Tuesday, October 7, 2014

vision leaks - part 2 (reminders)

We ended our last post promising to share 6 keys every leader needs to be reminded of as well as then reminding their teams.  Vision leaks and we need a constant flow of the why behind the what.  We discovered these keys in 2 Peter 3:1-9 and we'll be sharing a couple of them today.

"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,"

A Couple Thoughts... (2 of the 6 keys)

1. Words - Peter calls them beloved and then tells them their minds are pure.  He first uses his words to encourage and compliment his followers and then reminds them of previous conversations.  We need to be reminded of how powerful our words are to those we lead.  They need regular doses of positive and uplifting interactions with us.  You can never "over encourage".  Be sure you're regularly injecting vision, life, and encouragement into your teams.  It will take them and you a long way.

2. Commandments - There are things we say in passing conversation and then there are rules, policies, and guidelines.  Even though we've taken the time to craft and write out the most important words of our organization, we will still need to have regular times of reminder.  We'll need to remind people of not just what is written but why it was written in the first place.  These are the vision, mission, values, processes, job descriptions, etc.  Don't underestimate the importance of reminding your faithful of the pillars of your organization.  They are not just the compass that points the way, but they are the rudder that turns and directs the entire ship.

? If your team was asked, what would they say was the last time you encouraged them?
? How can you creatively remind your team of the most important words of your organization?