Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Worship Today
We recently finished a short series of messages on worship. As a follow-up, let me encourage you to worship God today. Find reasons to give God thanks or praise for what he has done for you. Point your mind toward God and consider all the reasons that you love him. Even when your day is going the wrong way and you may be receiving bad news, worship God. Your perspective on your trouble changes toward optimism and faith when you worship God. If your day is going just fine, enjoy it with God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 (NIV).
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Annual Missions Convention
Our annual missions convention is coming up January 25th! Sunday morning, we have two excellent missionaries with us. We have been supporting Phil & Kim Rojack, missionaries to the islands of the South Pacific for years! I can't wait to hear more about what God is doing through them and our support. They will be sharing in the worship service and in our children's ministries. We have also been supporting Carrol & Gayle Deal, missionaries to the nations of Africa for decades. He is an amazing missionary speaker! You will not want to miss his message on Sunday morning. Sunday evening, David & Zenetta Hewkin, missionaries in Eastern Europe, will share with us at 4:00 p.m. If you miss the a.m. service due to work, don't miss the 4:00 p.m. service.
We will also be making our 2015 faith promises for missions giving. This year, we have already had the children and youth make their pledges to Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) and Speed the Light (STL). The youth have already pledged to raise several thousands for STL in 2015. Last year, we asked everyone to give to these programs. This year, the kids want to do it on their own! So, adults, let's come prepared to make a faith promise for missionary giving in 2015 that will build the kingdom of God through missionaries we already support, ones who need a raise, and new missionaries who desperately depend on a church's help!
Every time we have missionaries, we receive an offering for them on the day of their visit. That offering does not go toward our regular monthly support of missionaries. It is a way to bless them for their time and ministry and to cover their travel costs as well. Please attend our missionary services with a heart to give and be prepared to do our best for the missionary and be a blessing to those who serve.
We will also be making our 2015 faith promises for missions giving. This year, we have already had the children and youth make their pledges to Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) and Speed the Light (STL). The youth have already pledged to raise several thousands for STL in 2015. Last year, we asked everyone to give to these programs. This year, the kids want to do it on their own! So, adults, let's come prepared to make a faith promise for missionary giving in 2015 that will build the kingdom of God through missionaries we already support, ones who need a raise, and new missionaries who desperately depend on a church's help!
Every time we have missionaries, we receive an offering for them on the day of their visit. That offering does not go toward our regular monthly support of missionaries. It is a way to bless them for their time and ministry and to cover their travel costs as well. Please attend our missionary services with a heart to give and be prepared to do our best for the missionary and be a blessing to those who serve.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Called to Ministry
If you are called to ministry, I have a sermon for you. Go to www.lifestreamwith.us and visit the sermon page. Listen to the message, "Living Life in Jars of Clay." Pastor Ron Pettet has some great insight and great testimonies about moving from point A to point B with God.
Monday, January 12, 2015
What A Great Day!
Sunday was a great day!
1. Several people visited for the first time.
2. I spoke with four people who were returning for their second visit.
3. The message was on the topic of worship, and God moved!
4. We closed with a very meaningful time of worship around communion.
5. After church there was a productive Missions Team meeting.
6. After church the Financial Fitness class met for their 2nd week.
7. After church the cast from the Christmas program had a celebration party.
8. After the celebration lunch I met with the fine arts worship team for 90 minutes of practice.
9. We experienced no weather problems all day!
The greatest moment of all was when four people responded to the Lord working in their lives and made commitments to follow Jesus as savior. I hope that you will be expecting great things with God next Sunday.
A good day.
1. Several people visited for the first time.
2. I spoke with four people who were returning for their second visit.
3. The message was on the topic of worship, and God moved!
4. We closed with a very meaningful time of worship around communion.
5. After church there was a productive Missions Team meeting.
6. After church the Financial Fitness class met for their 2nd week.
7. After church the cast from the Christmas program had a celebration party.
8. After the celebration lunch I met with the fine arts worship team for 90 minutes of practice.
9. We experienced no weather problems all day!
The greatest moment of all was when four people responded to the Lord working in their lives and made commitments to follow Jesus as savior. I hope that you will be expecting great things with God next Sunday.
A good day.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Getting Married
Who you marry has eternal rewards and consequences.
This morning, I bumped into a pastor friend here in town. We talked about pre-marital counseling for a few minutes and I was reminded that marriage is not eternal. Jesus said that in eternity, we will neither marry or be given in marriage. That does not mean that marriage has less meaning. It just means that, like everything else in this life, your marriage will have eternal rewards and consequences.
One, your marriage is intended to exemplify and practice of unconditional love like the love of God for us. Two, your marriage includes two people working through and growing past imperfections requiring grace and mercy. Three, your marriage may produce children who have eternal destinies. Four, God will teach you about provision and trust in your marriage. Five, the sexual and emotional fidelity of marriage is intended to be a picture of the perfect faithfulness of God to you. Six, when two believers work together, their ministry for God is multiplied. Seven, your spouse will either promote your faithfulness to Christ or hold it back. Eight, your spouse will either promote your children's faithfulness to God or erode it.
It is no wonder God commanded that believers be equally yoked in First Corinthians. If you are thinking of getting married, make sure you marry a person who will pull you forward in Christ, not hold you back. I want your marriage to have eternal rewards not consequences.
This morning, I bumped into a pastor friend here in town. We talked about pre-marital counseling for a few minutes and I was reminded that marriage is not eternal. Jesus said that in eternity, we will neither marry or be given in marriage. That does not mean that marriage has less meaning. It just means that, like everything else in this life, your marriage will have eternal rewards and consequences.
One, your marriage is intended to exemplify and practice of unconditional love like the love of God for us. Two, your marriage includes two people working through and growing past imperfections requiring grace and mercy. Three, your marriage may produce children who have eternal destinies. Four, God will teach you about provision and trust in your marriage. Five, the sexual and emotional fidelity of marriage is intended to be a picture of the perfect faithfulness of God to you. Six, when two believers work together, their ministry for God is multiplied. Seven, your spouse will either promote your faithfulness to Christ or hold it back. Eight, your spouse will either promote your children's faithfulness to God or erode it.
It is no wonder God commanded that believers be equally yoked in First Corinthians. If you are thinking of getting married, make sure you marry a person who will pull you forward in Christ, not hold you back. I want your marriage to have eternal rewards not consequences.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Little Things Matter!
Sunday a man drove into the parking lot and asked a parking lot attendant, "When is church?" The attendant said, "10:00, come on in." He did!
Every job at church matters more than you think. Your love and invitation can change a person's life, the future of our church and eternity! Whatever you do at Life Stream Church, do it with excellence and for the glory of God.
Every job at church matters more than you think. Your love and invitation can change a person's life, the future of our church and eternity! Whatever you do at Life Stream Church, do it with excellence and for the glory of God.
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