I am thankful for Americans who sacrificed their own lives so we can live in a country in which we have the freedom to gather and worship whatever we want. And I am thankful that Jesus Christ left heaven, came to earth, and sacrificed His own life so that we can be a part of God’s Holy Nation of Heaven so that whatever we want to worship can be Jesus.
The Bible teaches us, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 …
Jesus laid down His life for us and calls us friends. Because of His sacrifice we are different. We are Holy. We are a Royal Priesthood, chosen people, God’s special possession, and we have been brought out of the darkness and into His glorious light. 1 Pet 2:9 Because Jesus laid down his life for us we are free from the sin that kept us separated from God. That’s why we worship Him and make Him Lord of our lives.
I read this in a post by Jim Denison this morning: ”It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.”
It’s Memorial Day weekend. Lets be thankful … Let’s show gratitude for the freedoms we have because of those who have gone before us and those who are still putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms today. Let’s do that by being humble and showing respect for others. Let’s pray for families of lost soldiers, the protection of soldiers who are currently protecting our freedoms, and for others in the world who do not have our freedoms.
Let’s thank God that people who do not live in countries with freedom can still have the ultimate freedom of being part of the Holy Nation and find joy and light in a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on earth until they get to heaven.
Let’s thank God this Memorial Day Weekend by worshiping God being His love with skin. Let’s represent the Holy Nation well.
I am excited to be back teaching this Sunday. It is nice to know I can be gone and LCC is in such great hands. Thanks to our volunteers and to Cameron for your leadership. I heard good things about our guest speaker, Dr. Thomas White from young and old.
Sometimes while I am studying I just want to jump up and tell people what I am learning. Thanks to FB I get to do a little of that.
I think the number one prayer request I hear from Christians is “I want to know God’s will for my life.” This Sunday in part 3 of “You Don’t Have to be a Super Hero to be Used by God” we will be looking at Moses and the topic is “The Secret to Knowing God’s Will“… I can’t wait to teach.
I hope to see you there and bring a friend.
Thanks to you who are friends of LCC. I really appreciate your prayers and your support.
It’s Friday …. How is your stress level today? TGIF is TGIF because people are thinking they can give up the stress until Monday… All week long we are trying to make it work, meet deadlines, fix problems, deal with bosses and do what is expected of us. Some weeks are more stressful than others but by the end of the week, we want to let go and chill.
I think that might be what I have always loved best about Sunday morning. It is so easy for a short period of time to let go of whatever is going on in my life and focus on worshiping God. I mean it’s expected. The time has been scheduled, the environment has been arranged, and you are being encouraged by the Holy Spirit and those around you to do the same thing.
When you worship God you stop focusing on yourself. When you stop focusing on yourself, stress just melts away. If you ever find yourself still stressed while you are supposed to be worshiping God, then you are not worshiping God because you are still thinking more about yourself. That means ….. the focus of your worship is you.
Stress …. Anxiety …. Worry ….. Frustration … are symptoms of self worship. And on Sunday morning, across America, more stress is relieved that at any other time of the week. It’s when we can let go and let God.
What if we were to practice worship, letting go and letting God throughout the rest of the week? You do the best you can and you let God take care of the rest. Sometimes I am good at this and sometimes not so good. I had a couple of not so good at this times this week. Thankfully, when the stress got tight enough, I let go… I wish I was better at letting go earlier, before the stress got all wound up. And let me tell you … It feels so good to let go … You think, “Why didn’t I let go earlier. Thanks God for being in control.”
King David wrote: Psalm 139
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
When we let go and let “this God” be in control. When we realize that we are not really in control of anything, we can know that we can go forward and however it turns out, it’s OK … Because this God knows me and wants what is best for me.
David went on to write: 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Stress is death …. Worshiping God is life. Lets start choosing life on Sunday and every other day of the week…..
Bring a friend to church on Sunday.
Thanks to you who are friends of LCC. I really appreciate your prayers and your support.
Question: How would God use you if you were fully committed to Him?
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chron 16:9
1) God wants to use you to do great God world changing tasks.
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. Ps 69:32
2) Fully committed means humble and obedient.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! Luke 1:26-28
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. Luke 1:46-48
Note: Blessed is credit given to God.
3) Fully committed faith means obeying only because you know God and not the outcome.
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:29-33
If you are waiting to get everything checked off of your list you will never be fully committed.
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. Luke 1:34-36
4) When fully committed you know you are not working in your own power.
For nothing is impossible with God .. Luke 1:37
5) Fully committed is committed up front before you know what you are committing too….
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
So Sunday is Mother’s Day. I was looking at Mother’s Day cards last night and thinking … How cheesy … The best ones must have already been sold. Do you remember your mom used to like the cards you made her better than the one’s at the store? I think it’s still the same.
It’s just weird that someone at the card company is getting paid to write what we think about our mothers. And do you really read the cards you buy. I think women do… But guys, do you read them. I bought one for my mom one time that was one of those you get for someone who is not really your mom. You know, “You have been like a mother too me” cards. Have you ever bought one and got home and realized it was in another language? Come on, be honest.
What do you think mom’s? Would you rather have a card written, even from your adult child, or a bought “somebody else wrote it and your kid ran by the store and bought it without reading it” card? Just wondering.
Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that can bring much joy and much pain at the same time. As a pastor, I have always wrestled and prayed about how to approach Mother’s Day on Sunday morning. I know there are people that stay at home on that Sunday because of the pain that is associated with being a mother, not being a mother, or the relationship with their mothers.
I try hard to honor women as a whole on mother’s day. A mother got really mad at me for that one time and left the church because she said I did not make a big enough deal about mothers.
Mothers are awesome … Mothers are a blessing …. Being a mother is a blessing and one of the most important jobs on the planet. God has given you one of his own to raise and it can be the most rewarding job ever and the hardest.
I also know there are women who are sad because they have not been a mom. Mother’s in much emotional pain because they have lost a child. Mother’s who agonize over children who have not turned out the way they hoped.
This Sunday will be a celebrative day at Life Connection Church. We are going to celebrate new life by dedicating some babies to the Lord and celebrating with and praying for their families.
We will celebrate the fact and the blessing that God made half of the people on the planet extra special. And commanded the other half to love them enough to die for them and treat them with great respect. God even told husbands if they did not treat their wives the right way, their prayers would not be answered.
I will be teaching part 2 of “You Don’t Have to be a Super Hero to be Used by God …. God Used a 13yr Old Girl to Change the World“
Many Christians are discouraged and lack confidence in their faith.
There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. 10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. 1 Chron 4:9-10
1) Be honorable … Be a Christian all the time.
2) Don’t set your personal worth according to the standards of the world.
His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful.
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Eph 1:7
3) Think bigger than you
10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory!
Humility is not fear.
Contentment is not laziness.
Thinking small is not contentment and not spiritual.
…it is impossible to please God without faith. Heb 11:6 NLT
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matt 19:26
4) Pray …. Pray …. Pray …. And keep praying….
Pray for power.
bless me…
By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Eph 3:20 NLT
And even when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong–you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3NLT
Pray for God to be close.
Please be with me in all that I do
For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Phil 4:13
Pray for God’s protection.
keep me from all trouble and pain
Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!” Matt 26:41
On Mother’s Day, May 13, we will be having baby dedication services. We have several new babies at LCC. The babies’ parents want to publically commit to bringing them up in a Christian home and teaching them the faith so at the earliest possible age the child will commit his or her life to Jesus Christ and be baptized. As a church we want to commit to helping the parents with their commitment.
I will lead the church family into prayer for the baby and the parents.
As was traditionally done by the Hebrew people, on the eight day after Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:21) Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.
This is a great memory for the parents and a reminder for them to live a life of Christian integrity so the child will see faith in action.
I have been hearing a buzz about “The Avengers” movie that came out this week. People stayed up till the late hours of the night, or the early hours of the morning to be the first ones to see the movie. People love super heroes. The trailer says the Avengers were a group of super heroes pulled together to handle the problems that regular people could not.
I have always enjoyed studying our Biblical Heroes. God always chose regular people like you and me and used them to do super God things. This Sunday we will be looking at a man named Jabez. He is mentioned very briefly in the OT, but he obviously meant a lot to God. The Bible said he was honored above the rest of his brothers? Why?
We will look at this passage on Jabez and a few other Scriptures this Sunday to see “How to Develop Your Spiritual Confidence.” I talk to Christians all the time that doubt and struggle with their faith. They think you have to be super spiritual to be used by God or to get the blessings God has for us. It’s not true. By making a few simple adjustments in your prayer life and the living out of your faith, you can become the person that God uses to do things that nonspiritual people can’t.
You don’t have to be a super hero for God to use you. He would prefer to use regular people who admit they need God.
You have heard me say often that most people, nine out of ten, say they would go to church if invited by a friend. Most people want to go where they feel they have a connection. For Christians, looking for a new church is one of the most stressful times in their lives. Some just keep hopping from church to church because they are looking for something that feels like their old church. What they miss most is the comfort of the connection they had with the people at their previous church home. To the unchurched, who are feeling drawn by God, walking into a building full of people they don’t know, and not having a clue what goes on behind those doors can keep them fighting the desire to go to church until it goes away.
Most Christians have no idea how much influence they have on their friends and even their aquaintances. You have an advantage over me when it comes to inviting people to church. Most unchurched people relate to pastors as someone who may judge them for not going to church, or as a Jesus salesman who may “go in for the close” at any time.
I try to be friendly with everyone. There is a lady who works in a retail store near our house that I have been talking to and inviting to church for years. In our short visits she has told me about her life, her struggles and her vacations. We always greet each other with smiles and usually a hug. She has mentioned many times that she might come to ”your church” some day.
Recently I was in the store and she asked how our church was doing. I said great. Then she said she has been going to a local church because a friend invited her. I am so glad she is going to a church, and it is a good Christian Bible teaching church. I look forward to new reports of her spiritual journey with Christ.
I don’t know how many times her friend invited her. Sometimes it takes many asks and other times the invitee is in just the right place to accept the invitation.
How many friends do you have, or people you work with, or family members who do not have a church home or know Christ? It may surprise you to know that over 70% of the people in our area do not have a church home they attend on a regular basis.
If you are a Christian, you know the importance of a relationship with Christ. Your friend who does not know Christ or have a church family may be ”one ask” away from a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. He may be ”two asks” away from finding that church family he had given up finding. He may be ”three or four asks” away from finding the answers to life’s questions that will cure his depression, save his marriage, make him a better father, restore his hope, or give him a peace that passes all understanding.
…how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Rom 10:14-15
Be God’s love with skin. Ask a friend to go with you to church…. AND KEEP ASKING
Dear Friends and Family of LCC,
