Archive for September, 2010
Sun Stand Still–Can’t WAIT For Sunday! September 30, 2010
“What would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail?” was a question that altered the course of my life (I wrote about it here.)
We serve a God who is HUGE…thus His followers should dream HUGE dreams, pray HUGE prayers and attempt the “impossible” for Him!
For some reason we admire people who do these things…yet we are ALL called to attempt “the impossible.”
My friend, Pastor Steven Furtick, does an unbelievable job teaching on this concept from Joshua 10:1-15…Joshua asked God for the IMPOSSIBLE…for the Sun to Stand Still…and God answered with a “yes!!!”
It’s not that God lacks the power to do big things…in most cases its that we lack the faith to ask for and live like He is able to do what the Scriptures say He can do!
THIS Sunday at NewSpring Church Pastor Steven Furtick will be with us in all of our services as we kick of a two weeks series entitled “Sun Stand Still” to preach to us about how to live a life that is WAY beyond average! Because…
IF you are not doing what God has called and created you to do…you are wasting your life…and NO ONE wants that!!!
This is going to be a Sunday that you DON’T want to miss!!! And don’t just get here…but get here early and BRING someone with you as we BEG and BELIEVE that Jesus is going to do great things…
Every Single Dude and “Dude-ett” Should Read This!!! September 29, 2010
My friend Clayton King has a blog…and last week he wrote this article that I asked for his permission to repost here on my site because it was SO AWESOME!!! Thanks Clayton!
Last week I taught on some practical, common sense ways to know if you should stay or walk away from the dating relationship you are pursuing. These principles should be asked by every single girl or guy before and during a dating relationship.
Often, people will become so enamored with the idea of being in a relationship that they become brain-dead to the realities of conflicting goals, personalities, expectations, career paths, of dreams for the future. Just because you are “in love” with someone does not mean it is wise, practical, a good idea, or the will of God that you marry them. I will say that again…
Just because you are “in love” with someone does not mean it is wise, practical, a good idea, or the will of God that you marry them.
Here is the essential outline of the message with some questions that are worth asking.
1. Do you constantly question the relationship? If there is a nagging doubt that will not go away after prayer and seeking Godly counsel from respected leaders and older believers, is it really a good idea to move forward?
2. Are you in a cycle of sexual sin? This is the #1 fastest way to ruin a God-honoring, Christ-centered relationship. When a couple begins messing around sexually, common sense goes out the window and lustful desire takes over. It is very difficult to salvage a dating relationship once a cycle of sexual sin (and justifying that sin) kicks in.
3. Is there constant drama, a daily crisis, and frequent late-night intense conversations? Healthy relationships don’t require 6 hour long marathon cry-fests twice a week or regular arguments and conversations that last til the wee hours of the morning, unless you are in middle school.
4. Is there spiritual inequality? It is never a good idea for a Christian and an unbeliever to pursue a romantic relationship. It is equally foolish to date someone who is in a completely different place in their walk with Christ. Avoid becoming the counselor or discipler of the person you are dating. Also avoid “missionary dating” where you fall in love first and then try to lead them to Christ.
5. Is there complete honesty about your maturity? How do you (or they) handle conflict? Money? How much time do you spend online, playing video games, entertaining yourself? Is there an overall lack of long-term commitment in their life? Do they act like a child or an adult in social settings or when they don’t get their way?
6. Is there involvement and accountability from older believers? See #1 above. We try to do relationships alone and we suffer when we don’t involve our parents, our elders, our pastors and our trusted friends by asking for their prayer and discernment.
Are there other questions that you think should be considered when praying about your future mate? Are you asking any of these questions?
BTW…NewSpring Church…can’t WAIT to begin the marriage series on October 17th! And singles…YES, it will be APPLICABLE to you…the best way to have a GREAT marriage is to prepare for one!!!
11 Questions We Should Ask About Our Marriage! September 28, 2010
#1 – When was the last time we had a long talk together without any interruptions? (Like going for a walk without the cell phone…or sitting on the couch with the TV off and actually communicating with each other.)
#2 – When was the last time we took a vacation without the kids and just focused on one another? (I know it’s hard to leave them…but you do understand that THEY are going to leave you one day…and when that happens you don’t want to be left living with a stranger!)
#3 – When we argue is it my goal to win the argument or actually solve the problem?
#4 – Am I so obsessed with their faults that I cannot see my own?
#5 – Are we ignoring an issue, hoping it will go away rather than dealing with it?
#6 – (For the men) – Am I spending more time thinking about other women than I am my spouse?
#7 – (For the ladies) – Am I spending more time communicating with men who are NOT my husband via facebook than I am spending communicating face to face with him?
#8 – Has time at work become more of an obsession that time at home?
#9 – How much do we actually pray for each other and the condition of our marriage?
#10 – Does the way that I speak about my spouse to others when they are not around make others think more highly of them…OR more lowly of them?
#11 – Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make this marriage work?
Don’t miss our next marriages series that begins at NewSpring Church on Sunday, October 17th! We will be talking more about this at church on Sunday…but wanted to give you the heads up now and wanted you to go ahead and get ready to BRING PEOPLE to church with you during this series as we begin to explore what the Scriptures say about marriage…and how a commitment to Jesus and to each other makes an UNSTOPPABLE marriage! (See Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Stop Showing God Your “But” September 27, 2010
God doesn’t want to see your “but!”
Your “but” is nasty…it is gross…it should be covered up and never shown…
Yet so often times we want to “moon God” and show Him our “but” when God’s Word is declared…
- “I know I need to plant a church…”BUT” I don’t have enough money.”
- “I know I need to take that step of faith…”BUT” I don’t know how things will turn out.”
- “I know I need to admit that I am struggling with sin…”BUT” I am afraid of what people will think of me.”
- “I know I need to share Christ with my friend…”BUT” they may label me and I may lose a friend.”
- “I know I need to put Jesus first in my finances…”BUT” I don’t think I can afford to.”
- “I know I need to end this dating relationship…”BUT” if I do then I may be single for the rest of my life.”
- “I know that God wants me to fight FOR my marriage…”BUT” the easiest thing to do is walk away and start over.”
- “I know the decision I need to make…”BUT” if I do what I know I need to do it is going to cause me to have to embrace the unknown.”
See what I mean…we always want God to see our “BUT!”…and yet He isn’t interested…because…
He sent Jesus to the earth for your “BUT!”
Jesus died on the cross for your “BUT!”
Jesus rose from the grave for your “BUT!”
And Jesus reigns OVER YOUR “BUT!”
So stop telling Him about your “BUT” – get off of your “BUT” and get on with what He has said to get on with!!!
No one ever accomplished anything great for God by showing Him their “BUT!”
He is able to handle your “BUT!”
So do whatever He’s telling you to do…and stop worrying about your “BUT!”
Sunday Night Reflections September 26, 2010
Wow…what an amazing day at NewSpring Church…and I wasn’t even there!!!
Lucretia and I are on vacation spending time with each other!!! (AND…this is a time stamped blog…so I am NOT “on vacation” with my laptop on my lap…I am spending time with my wife!!! :-)
Joe did an amazing job…and you REALLY need to come out to his Financial Learning Seminar! You can sign up at www.newspring.cc
As we’ve said over and over…we don’t want anything FROM you…we want something FOR you…we want FOR you to live in the financial freedom that God provides for us AS WE FOLLOW HIS WORD!
So, the seminar is free, we will feed you AND take care of you kids…we just need you to sign up AND show up!
Have a GREAT week!
10 Personal Growth Questions September 23, 2010
#1 – Am I reading my Bible for information or transformation? (James 1:22-25)
#2 – Am I allowing people or circumstances to steal the joy that Jesus promised to me? (John 10:10)
#3 – Is there anything in my life that God is consistently dealing with that I am trying to ignore? (Ezekiel 14:1-5)
#4 – Who are the people in my life that God has placed around me for the purpose of me sharing Christ with them and/or inviting them to church? (II Corinthians 5:16-21)
#5 – Is there anyone I need to apologize to? (Ephesians 4:25:27)
#6 – Is there anyone I need to forgive? (Ephesians 4:32)
#7 – Is there a sin I need to confess to others and ask for help? (James 5:16)
#8 – Am I fully utilizing the gifts and abilities that God has blessed me with…or am I simply choosing to waste my life? (I Peter 4:10)
#9 – Do I know more lines from the movies that I love than verse from the Bible that I read? (Psalm 119:11)
#10 – Is there anything going on in my life privately that, if it became public, would cause me and/or the body of Christ to be embarrassed? (I John 1:9, James 5:16)
To All My Friends In The UK… September 22, 2010
To all of my friends in the UK…put this date on your calendar…
Wednesday, October 27th…
I will be at Milton Keynes Christian Center (in Milton Keynes) doing a one day leadership seminar and live Q & A…and I would LOVE for you to join us for this event if you can.
The cost…there is none. (FREE!!!)
And there is no catch…I am traveling over there with a team from NewSpring for the purpose of…
#1 – Learning from great leaders like yourself…AND…
#2 – Trying to invest into the local church!
If you want to sign up OR if you have questions concerning this event then please email jennifer.woods@newspring.cc and she will take very good care of you.
I can’t wait!