Note to LCC – Being Called Out By A Neighbor

Dear Friends and Family of LCC,

At LCC we always talk about being God’s love with skin.  People are watching Christians.  Some people are just checking us out because they are interested in God.  Others watch us waiting to get mad about something.

Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.  John 15:18-19

Even though people may not like you because you are a Christian, we are to love them and remember that we are in this world to be God’s representatives.  We are to be His love with skin.

Even though faith comes from the hearing of the Gospel, we are the witness of the Gospel.  A good witness can encourage a heart that is open to hear the Good News.

Peter writes, Love each other as brothers and sisters.  Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.  Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:8-9

I call LCC the “church in the neighborhood.”  We want to be good neighbors and represent Christ well, right here where we worship.  I received an email from an anonymous unhappy neighbor this week.  The email subject was, “Love thy neighbor.”

He wrote; “God will view your actions, not so much behind your worship doors, but as you conduct your life on a day to day basis. Please show your devotion as you leave your worship service.  Jumping on your Harley and BLASTING down Nutmeg Lane after a “Christian” service, is not very Christian or neighborly. Respect the community you choose to  worship in. Most Gods’ don’t view Hippocratic behavior in a favorable light. Beware.”

He has probably received our mailers and looked at our website and knows that I ride a motorcycle.

I don’t think he is a Christian because of the line, “Most Gods’ don’t view Hippocratic behavior in a favorable light. Beware.”  This is the exact neighbor we are supposed to love.  This is the neighbor to which we are to make the best “God’s love with skin” impression.

I wrote back, “ I did not ride my motorcycle on Sunday …. I am usually very careful in the neighborhood. … I am sorry if someone rode fast … I will address those in our church who ride … I agree that how we represent ourselves in public is very important … If you would like to call me my personal number is —–“.

Peter also wrote; …you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. 1 Peter 3:15-16

Lisa said that during our second service a group of guys came down the street pretty fast on their motorcycles.  I don’t know if the person saw an LCCer or someone else driving fast.  I don’t think it really matters.  What matters is the way I responded, gently and respectfully.  It matters now, and it will matter, if I get to talk to him again, in the future that I have a clear conscience.

I hope I do get that opportunity.  I want to be that neighbor that represents Christ well.

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This Sunday I will be teaching part 18 of the series; Romans: The Greatest Letter Ever Written.  I am calling it, “Free to Be“.  The Bible tells us to imitate God.  Jesus freed us up to do that.  I am looking forward to teaching the grace of God this Sunday.

Last Sunday’s teaching, “Ten Things Women Want” with notes is on my blog and on our website … http://www.lifeconnectionchurch.org

See you Sunday.   Bring a friend to church.

May you be blessed with much grace and peace from our Lord.

God Bless
Royal

Source of the Baggage We Bring Into a Relationship

We are all born with needs. We bring these needs into all of our relationships. That is the source of the baggage we bring.

Short Message #1 From “Ten Things Women Want”
May 12, 2013
Pastor Royal Farris of Life Connection Church in Euless, TX
http://www.lifeconnectionchurch.org

 

 

Ten Things Women Want

Ten Things Women Want

 All humans have the need to feel loved and significant.

 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Rom 5:1-2

 

Epic Fail:  If we make another human our source for love and significance, our needs will never be met.

 You cannot base your relationship on the ability of your spouse to meet your needs.  Although, it is your job to put the needs of your spouse above your own.

 Husbands and wives…submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:21

 

Ten Things Women Want

 1)     She wants to know and be known.

It’s scary and comforting to be known.

 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:12

 2)     She wants to feel you are one.

 ⁶ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”  Matt 19:6

 3)    More than talk, she wants you to listen.

 4)     She wants you to love her in her language.

Affirmation, Acts of service, Receiving gifts, Quality time, Physical touch

www.5lovelanguages.com

5)     She wants relationship security.  (Unconditional love)

 6)     She wants to be encouraged and valued.

 7)     She wants honesty and openness.

(What are you thinking? Am I in your thought process?)

 8)    She wants domestic and financial trust.

 9)     She wants you to take care of yourself physically.

 10)   She wants affection.

(You did not accidentally fall in love.  You will not accidentally stay in love.)

Bonus:  She wants you to put God first.

 Husbands and wives…submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:21

 

Note to LCC – Mother’s Day – Ten Things Women Want

Dear Friends and Family of LCC,

It is going to be a great day worshiping God at Life Connection Church.  We will worship with music, baptism, baby dedications, and it’s Mother’s Day.

Of course not every women is a mother, but every mother and every other woman is a woman.  And we know that every woman wants every man to know what every woman wants.

Does that sound confusing?  Well it is.  See, women think that men should know what they want, and men while still young and immature, think they know.  It seems a lot easier when you first are crazy about each other.  Once that crazy love fades out, very few get it right. Women are upset because the guy should know.  The guy is mad and frustrated  because the woman accuses him of knowing but not doing, but he doesn’t know.  She won’t tell him.

So this Sunday’s teaching will be, “Ten Things that Women Want“.  You should bring a friend.  They are just as confused as the rest of us.  They will be thankful you did.

Then guess what I will be teaching on Father’s Day (June 16)?  Men, I have your back.  I will be teaching “Ten Things That Men Want“.

Ladies, you think you know.  You may not understand it, but you know at least one of them.  He doesn’t communicate the other nine very well.

Last Sunday’s video with notes, New Mind – New Person, You Are What You Think is on my blog.  All of our Sunday teachings can be found at http://www.lifeconnectionchurch.org

If you are looking for a church family, please be our guest … If you are part of the LCC family and have not been in awhile, come on home.  And for our friends and family of LCC who pray for us and support us financially … Thank you so much for the blessings.

Bring a friend to church.

May you be blessed with much grace and peace from our Lord.

God Bless
Royal

New Mind – New Person – You Are What You Think (Video and Notes)

Romans 6:8-14 

Psychology:  You are what you think.  You behave according to what you believe.

 Stress follows believing but not behaving.

 ²¹ I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. ²² I love God’s law with all my heart. ²³ But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. ²⁴ Oh, what a miserable person I am!   Rom 7:21-24

 Problem:  Disobedience results in darkness and confusion. (Depression and anxiety)

 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Rom 1:21

 Spiritual death comes when you live in the dark.

 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Rom 8:6

 LET GOD CHANGE YOUR MIND

 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Rom 12:2

 

Constantly Remind Yourself Who You Are

 1)   Christ rescued me from my old dead self.

Sin … Satan .. has no power over me.

 ⁸ And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. ⁹ We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. ¹⁰ When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. ¹¹ So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

 2)    My power source is Christ.  Choose to turn it on.

 3)    When tempted I will turn away and toward Christ.

 ¹² Do not let sin control the way you live;do not give in to sinful desires. ¹³ Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  

Control mind, eyes, ears, mouth, location, relationships

 4)    The devil cannot make me do it.

 5)    Everything about me and I possess belongs to God. (Holy)

 ¹⁴ Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

 6)    When I mess up, I am forgiven .   Confess, Repent, Thank God

 

Hurt Your Ex More With Love Than Hate (Short Video)

The greatest power of influence you possess is love.

She believed in her mind she would feel better if something awful happened to him.

This is a short video message from April 28, 2013 … The rest of the teaching can be found at  http://youtu.be/OKzB4V5NgWc

 

Love – Values That Fix Families #4 (Video and Notes)

 

 

Review:  When ordering our priorities God comes first.  The key to having contagious courage is to put loving God first.  Forgiveness is the giver of life. 

 The greatest power of influence you possess is love.

 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.  But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. 1 Cor 12:31

 Without love I am an irritant, I am nothing, and I have gained nothing in my faith.(1 Cor 13:1-3 paraphrased)

 You won’t get faith if you don’t get love.

 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.   God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. ¹⁷ And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.  1 John 4:16-17

 God’s plan … Christians are “God’s love with skin and to teach by overflow..

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Col 3:15-17

¹² You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. ¹³ For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. ¹⁴ Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Heb 5:12-14

 Parenting is Loving Influence Not Control

1)    Provide unconditional third place love.

Kids will feel loved and secure if God is first, spouse is second.

 Experience love and commitment

 2)     Your family is home schooling for life.

•  Spiritual training
• Relational skills
• Emotional Management
• How to have clean fun
• Generosity
• Servant minded
• Attitude of gratitude
• Conflict management
• RESPECT
• How to treat spouse and parent children

 

3)    Your life is a school for others who are watching.

 …you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16