I Promise

For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory. 2 Cor 1:20

God desires for us to live in His promises

Some thoughts about how/what living in a Land of Promise looks like 

Grow our mindsets (how)

• • Grow past thinking we are defeated
• • Grow past the past
• • Grow to a place of knowing you have victory in Christ

Gain New strength (how)

• • Stop relaying on our own strength
• • Relay on the Spirit of God that is the strength that works in you
• • Burn out comes from a power source that is tapped out
• • God gives us NEW strength. This is strength you didn’t even see coming.

Step Up (how)

• • We need to be addicted to answering the call
• • The call is to step up from where we are to a higher place
• • To use the gifts God has given
• • To love, connect and serve with a new strength

Gain new territory (what)

• • God doesn’t desire His people to live an average life.  Or in a land of just enough.
• •  Average relationship, average resources, and average lives. Just getting by. 
• • The land of promise brings much fruit into our lives
• • Fruitful relationships, fruitful resources, and fruitful lives

Possess the Land of Promise

 

serve 101

Notes about being a servant

What makes the difference between good and poor restaurants, hotels, and places of business? The service!

Serving separates the professing from the practicing

My opinion of what qualifies a five star rating

• A place that pays attention to the details
• the blessing is in the details
• A place that acknowledges me as a individual
• I am not just a number or a reservation
• A place that produces what is promised  
• If you say you have the worlds best cup of coffee, it better be good!

A Christ follower is called to serve others

What does it mean to "Serve the Lord?"
I believe serving the Lord is broken down in two ways:

1. Worshiping Him

•  John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
• Spirit - The highest form of worship is a heart given to G-d. A life given to Him. A life dedicated to Him.(1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart.) 
• Truth - Following His word as a rule for our life. Extremely obedient
• We serve the Lord through living a life dedicated to Him and following His word

2. Work

• Romans 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• Our attitude should be Christ attitude when it comes to serving
• Philippians 2:1-5
• His DNA was whatever, whenever, to whomever
• We are not saved by our works, we work because we are saved! 

 Our worship fuels our work.

Be a servant of the Lord and worship Him and work for Him

 

 

Bogota 2012

Just got back from Bogota, Colombia. We spent 7 days working with great Missionaries, Michael and Nomi Lawrence. Our team poured a concert floor to expand a school. And MAN! it was tough. Here are a few pics.

School shot from distant



Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

SA Team Bogota 2012

Sunday Connection

We kicked off a new thought this past Sunday - Connection. Well i guess its not a new thought considering connect is part of our mission.

If you missed it here are the main points

Relationships are not ment to be disposiable. Pampers are! We need to deepen our relations by

1. letting our tenderness out weigh our toughness - Col. 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
2. Love More- I Cor. 13
3. Care more and compete less - Phillipians 2:3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Joshua 4:1 says that all the nation crossed over the Jordan river. This impressed me. Over 2 million people working together to see the promises of G-d. Wow. They must have had a deep connection with each other.

 

Renew My Health

Some quick tips to jot down that will get you through your day!!

• Tame the hunger in your head. A lot of us eat out of stress, boredom, or when we are feeling down! Next time you reach for a snack, take a moment to decide if you’re actually hungry. And rather than “feeding your feelings” try going for a walk, praying, chatting with friends, or writing in your journal.
• 10 second fix – Strong arm your appetite! Next time the scent of fresh baked cookies entices you when you’re not hungry, make a fist and tighten your arm muscles. This clenching action boosts your willpower, giving you the strength to resist temptation.
• Eat what you love, but watch serving sizes. The typical bagel is equivalent to 4 slices of bread. An appropriate size of meat (3oz) is the size of a deck of cards.

The key here, as with anything, is moderation. God made our bodies very smart. It tells you when you’re hungry (my stomach growls at me J) and you know when you are full. Obey those signals and you will be amazed at how much less food you will eat!

 If you don’t do different, nothing will change!

Happy Days Ahead

Yesterday at SA we discussed the spiritual issue of our health. Our Health is a spiritual issue. This was part of a new series called ReNEW. Romans 12:1&2. The Big question I have asked myself from this scripture is what am I presenting to G-d? Is it holy? What about my physical body?

So here are some resources that I have ran across you may find helpful.

My friend Dr. Smiley Elmore – www.bodiesbysmiley.com

www.drasaoncall.com

Dr. Cooper “Faith-Based Fitness” book and website www.faithandfitness.net

Nikki’s tip to healthy living

Moderation – don’t deprive yourself from things you like just cut back on the portion size and how often you eat them. Discipline is the key to success. Discipline not deprivation

Change your mind change your behavior (i read that somewhere)

Some is always Saying

"Who do men say that I am?" A question Jesus asked Peter, His disciple. Now it always gets my attention when someone "All-Knowing" asks a question. Im sure He wasnt asking because He didnt know the answer. But why was He asking? Im also sure Jesus had heard the rumors amd specualtion and all the talk around town. Thats to be expected with people right? Even "church" people? We've all heard it.... The "have you heards?? The Whats going on with the church down the street?? Well I heard....(fill in the blank) And we begin to focus and get so caught up in the "some say." As Peter answered Jesus. But then Jesus asked Peter another question. One that truely mattered more than the "some say." Jesus asked him, "Who do YOU say that I am?"
In our few years as being full-time pastors, the main thing that the Lord has had to work with me and thru me is putting aside what "some say!" I would love to tell you as I sit here that I have grown past the point that what "some say" and the "I heards" doesn't make me crazy!
But then my very patient and loving Father reminds me that the 2nd question is more important than the first...Who do you say that I am? Doesn't matter what people say about your church, your family, your methods, its all about pleasing Him. Because the truth is "Thou art the Christ!" That was Peters answer.The only thing that matters. Jesus replies, "flesh and blood did not reveal that to you but My Father in heaven." And on that revelation, Jesus decided to build His church. Seems like a good place to put it to me :) Not on what "some say" but on the TRUTH! On the revelation of Christ!
When you build your church, your life, your hope, your finances, your conversation on this revelation instead of worrying what everybody is saying, He promises that "The gates of Hell will not prevail against it!" Peoples words and opinions have no bearing on the outcome of your life unless you let them.
A wise pastor once said, " A major transition will happen when a decision is made to stop allowing bitter people to steal your joy!" (Neh 8:10)
Because as long as there is flesh, people will always be saying something!! But the most important thing is what YOU say and what YOU believe!