ANDY STANLEY ON THE NEW COMMANDMENT

As we begin a new year, I would like to share with you a little teaching from Andy Stanley. He is a person who has blessed many, many of us. – Steve

Catalyst West 2010: Andy Stanley from Catalyst on Vimeo.

PERRY NOBLE ON WHY WOULD YOU NOT DO IT?

Perry Noble shares some wise counsel about vision, obedience, risk and faith.

Why Would You Not Do It?

One of my life verses that is always in front of me is Hebrews 11:6…

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

One of the myths that has been crippling to Christianity for years is that Jesus has called us to “play it safe”…when that is not taught OR modeled by Jesus OR His followers in the Scriptures. (See Acts 20:24 and Galatians 2:20)

Jesus didn’t play it safe…Paul didn’t play it safe…none of the Apostles played it safe…the church in Acts 4:23-31 upon being threatened and persecuted did NOT pray for safety…they prayed for boldness!

Yet today we seem to want to play it safe…that cannot be the goal.

So what about you church leader? Church member? Whoever…what is that ONE THING that you KNOW the Lord is calling you to do? You know it’s a risk…you know that in order for it to take place you are going to need divine intervention? What is it? Why not do it?

People have asked me before, “Pastor P, how do I know that it’s God telling me to do it and not just an idea I had?” GREAT question…allow me to share three identifying marks that I have personally experienced.

#1 – This thing that you believe you are called to do by God will not contradict God’s Word! I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit…and I believe that He speaks as loud today as He did in the book of Acts; however, I also know according to the teachings of Scripture that the Holy Spirit will not contradict the Word of God. So…if “that thing” that you feel called to is in direct conflict with God’s Word…then it’s not God telling you to do it.

#2 – You can’t get away from this thought…it dominates your thinking and the more you marinade on it the more you feel like you might explode. For example…I really did believe back in 1996 that Jesus was telling me I needed to start a church. BUT…instead of running out and doing it immediately I began to read books on it (Rick Warrens books and Bill Hybels book on the subject of church planting impacted me significantly) and dove into the Scriptures to see what they taught about the subject. AND…the more I prayed, studied and read about it…the hotter the fire inside of me became.

#3 – Godly people in your life affirm it. (SEE Proverbs 15:22) What I have learned from personal experience is that if I do not want to share my idea with those in my life who I know really do love Jesus and love me…then…I usually know it’s not a “God idea” but rather a Perry idea. One of the things that EVERY believer in Christ needs is godly men and women who love Jesus and love the person enough to speak the truth in love…people who value the friend more than the friendship and are willing to say what needs to be said. ANYTIME I have ever shared a thought/idea that I really believe the Lord has placed in my heart and the people the Lord has placed in my life to love and challenge me push back…I ALWAYS take a step back and pray and think through the idea more until the Lord either gives me greater clarity OR shows me that the wise counsel of my friends is exactly what I needed to hear.

That is what works for me…so how about you? What is that thing that you know you should do?

Life is short, hell is hot and eternity is forever!!! The world has NEVER been impacted by Christians who spend their whole lives in a car seat and beg God to never let anything bad happen to them!

Ask HIM to set you on fire with HIS plans…and THEN GO FOR IT!

FRANCIS CHAN ON "THE NEW MIDDLE WAY"

I suspect you will find this more than a little thought-provoking. Please share your thoughts with us.

We showed this video in January as a part of our opening sermon series.  Last night we used it at BURN as we began to share what it means to be a leader in a new series Pastor Steve is preaching called STEP UP 4 GOD.  This is a good reminder to all of us during our Lenten journey to become more authentic disciples.

TRY S.O.A.P. JOURNALING

Recently Dianne and I attended a conference about church planting. Ann and Jared Roth introduced us to an idea they use in their church calling SOAP Journaling. Here is a description of that from a blogger named David DeVries. – Steve

How do you feed your soul?
How will you become spiritually strong?

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to you. It’s also a useful tool to reflect on and review some of the ‘learnings’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your core group, or others who don’t yet know Jesus. By discussing what you learn with others, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

S = SCRIPTURE: What?
Select the passage of Scripture for today’s reading. Ask God to speak to you through His Word. Then take time reading to hear from God. When you are done, look for the verse(s) that spoke to you that day, and copy into your journal.

O = OBSERVATION: So What?
What is the meaning of what you’ve just read? What is the author intending to communicate to his readers? Paraphrase and write the meaning in your own words in your journal.

A = APPLICATION: Now What?
Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write down how you would obey this Scripture in your life today. Include a statement that starts “I will…”

P = PRAYER
This can be as simple as asking God to help you obey this Scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

It may be helpful to create an Index at the front of your journal that helps you find a particular journal entry in the future that spoke to you. Each day, copy the Date, Key Verse, Main Idea, and Page Number into your Index.

Now SHARE what God has taught you with someone else. As you discover how to follow Jesus, help others around you to follow Jesus.

SOUP AND SCRIPTURE RETURNS – GOD STORIES: THE PARABLES OF JESUS

Dr Steve will be share a study called “God Stories-The Parables of Jesus” as Soup and Scripture returns for Lent. A simply supper of soup and bread will be served Thursday evenings in the MPR from 6:00-6:45 and then he will lead us in a study from 6:45-7:30. Here is a video clip of one of the parables we’ll be studying beginning March 17th.

GET REALLY CONNECTED

I am sure you have had the experience of trying to operate something only to find it won’t work. Generally an investigation reveals that it has either not been plugged in or it has been only partially connected to the power source. When the connection is made secure, that device operates efficiently and continuously. It always has the juice it needs.

The scriptures are very clear that for us to function effectively as disciples, we need to be properly connected. We need relationships that are intentional and ongoing. These relationships give us encouragement, support, accountability and correction. Solomon said it best: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triplebraided cord is not easily broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

Here at LCOG we encourage people to find just such a connection by being a regular part of a small group, Sunday school class, or ministry team. We also recognize that this doesn’t work for everyone because of their schedules or because a particular small group is “too
big” to be intimate and transparent, i.e., safe.

In February we begin a new avenue of relationship called TIE Groups (Three is Enough). We will help you connect with two other persons who are similar in interests, lifestyles, maturity, etc. and help you begin meeting 1-2 times a month (at your convenience). We will teach you how to function as a true accountability group that will help someone walk
faithfully as a disciple. Watch your mailbox and the web site for more information. Or you can talk to me about finding two others. – Dr Steve

FIVE ESSENTIALS FOR A SPIRITUAL GROWTH PLAN

Five Essentials for an Annual Spiritual Growth Plan

Woody Allen once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”  I find this both humorous and sad. Humorous in a pessimistic way but sad in a spiritually shallow way.  What would God’s reaction be towards the goals and plans we have set out for our lives?

In order to develop a solid spiritual growth plan we must recognize the essential ingredients for such a plan. As I toured the wisdom literature of scripture I discovered some great truths for developing a solid biblical plan for spiritual growth.

1. Our plans must be God centered.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

Our plans come out of our relationship with God.  When God redeemed us it meant he bought us back at a great price – the death of His own Son, Jesus.  So our lives are not our own.  Doing our own thing leads to estrangement from God, but seeking God’s ways leads to great intimacy and awareness of God in all we do. Solomon wrote, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)  The key to living life skillfully and with perspective comes out of our relationship with God.

2. Our plans must be aligned with God’s purposes.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

What is God’s purpose?  Where do we find His marching orders for our lives?

Solomon concluded it this way, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

When we think of purpose we must take a close look at the Great Commission passages, Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15 ; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21 and Acts 1:8.  It is here we discover the marching orders of Jesus.  He calls us to be a part of his great redemptive purpose. Recent surveys have revealed that 60-70% of those who call themselves followers of Jesus don’t think they need to be engaged in evangelistic activities.

We are called to love God and others within His mission. This is why I love the missional language and why I have infused the concept of Living Missionally into my writings.

3.  An honest assessment must take place.

“For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.” Proverbs 5:21

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:26

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.”  Lamentations 3:40

When I developed the Spiritual Journey Guide I wanted to provide a picture of what it meant to be a  spiritually mature follower of Jesus. If leaders don’t define spiritual maturity in their churches the definition will always drift to “Who has the most bible knowledge?”  Now bible knowledge is important, we need to know the commands of Jesus in order to obey them, but bible knowledge without transformation will always lead to Pharisaical Christianity.

This is where the concept of living missionally was developed for me. I believe the goal of every follower of Jesus is to love God and to love others, all within the context of God’s redemptive mission.  I’ve narrowed down six areas of life that help us evaluate how well we are living within God’s mission.

• Craves intimacy with God through spiritual disciplines – Devotional Life (Mark 12:29-31)
• Shares their faith effectively with others – Evangelism (Philemon 6)
• Mentoring others spiritually – Discipleship  (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Gives generously – Stewardship (II Corinthians 8:7)
• Serves in their community – Servanthood & Compassion (Mark 10:45)
• Understands the centrality of the gospel – Character Transformation  (Titus 2:11-14)

By assessing your spiritual life around these six areas you can easily develop a focused spiritual growth plan that seeks to fully or more fully work out these areas in your life and relationships.

4.  Wise mentors need to be secured.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

“Plans are established by seeking advice…” Proverbs 20:18

The craze for personal coaching and mentoring really stems from the fact that we have moved from the Information Age to an Age of Implementation. We are so overwhelmed every day with the barrage of information that we struggle with applying it into our lives. This is where a mature wise mentor or experienced coach comes into play to provide accountability, encouragement, and insight while helping you grow in your spiritual your life.

5.  Work out your plan diligently but not hastily.

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5

Have you ever responded emotionally to a situation and made a reckless commitment?  Solomon’s advice is that we don’t want to just jump into something but we want to thoughtfully develop a spiritual plan by seriously considering and reflecting on points 1-4.  I strongly encourage people to put their plan in writing because you need to think it, then ink it, if you are going to achieve it.

For instance, my January goals all have to do with recharging and expanding my devotional habits.  Last year I focused my goals around the discipline of fasting. I read two books on fasting which took my practice of fasting to a whole new level. I practiced several types of fasts throughout the year. I wrote a devotional guide on fasting and recruited over 100 people to join me for a 31-Day Daniel Fast.

This year my focus for January is on my prayer life.  Focusing on upgrading my daily prayer rhythms, expanding intercessory practices, reinstalling my monthly prayer retreats, finding a prayer partner for accountability and reading a devotional on prayer that will expand, inspire and challenge my prayer life. This month I am reading Prayer A Holy Occupation by Oswald Chambers.

You can use this monthly goal setting process to work through each of the six areas that will move you toward a more effective and fulfilling missional lifestyle.

• Craves Intimacy with God through spiritual disciplines – Devotional Life (Mark 12:29-31)
• Shares their faith effectively with others – Evangelism (Philemon 6)
• Mentoring others spiritually – Discipleship  (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Gives generously – Stewardship (II Corinthians 8:7)
• Serves in their community – Servanthood (Mark 10:45)
• Understands the centrality of the gospel – Character Transformation  (Titus 2:11-14)

All of us need a plan because there is no arrival point as long as we are traveling in this world, there will always be areas of growth needed. The Apostle Peter wrote,  “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  II Peter 3:17-18

FROM GARY ROHRMAYER

ARE YOU RUNNING FROM GOD?

Andy Stanley is a pastor/teacher who has spoken to many of us. We often use his DVDs in our Sunday School and small groups.  We are now about 22 days into our 30 Days to Seek a Deeper Relationship with God.  Not hearing from many about their journey.  Andy has a message from Jonah that poses an important question?

BROKEN IS BEAUTIFUL

As you proceed through these 30 Days have you thought about how deep in darkness we are until the Light of the World comes to us?  Admitting our brokenness facing the darkness, is often the first step to living for Jesus.

Check out this video. It’s a great description of what God in His grace does for us. (Courtesy of Missional Outreach Network)

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11136714&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=e65010&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0