Read John's latest blog posting in response to Pastor Pete's most recent message, "When Culture Collides with Singleness."
http://floridabiblechurch.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/heres-my-life/
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I Do
Read John's thoughts in response to Pastor Pete's message entitled, "When Marriage and Culture Collide."
http://floridabiblechurch.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/i-do/
http://floridabiblechurch.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/i-do/
Thursday, October 6, 2011
All I've Ever Known
Check out Florida Bible's new blog and comment on John's most recent post!
http://floridabiblechurch.wordpress.com/
http://floridabiblechurch.wordpress.com/
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Pause to Remember 9-11-01
Most can remember exactly where they were when they heard the news of this devastating attack on our country. I remember the sight of 10- 15,000 college students surrounding me at Liberty University listening to our leaders explain what had occured. the breadth of the situation wasn't made real until we began to see footage of the aftermath. Each began to imagine what it would feel like to have been involved in such an attack directly or to have lost a loved one on that day. Some in the room where I sat had loved ones whose fate was yet to be determined.
The thought that this type of terrorism could occur at any time and at any place in our country has changed our way of thinking. The false sense of security that we enjoyed in this free nation was shattered even if only for a moment. We realized that this could happen again. Our government has dilligently made changes and increased our security in an effort to prevent further attacks, but many still live in fear. We as believers are blessed to know that God is in control, and we have nothing to fear. Even death has hope for us as we know that we will spend eternity in Heaven. That is a sense of security that others deserve to know. The attack that occured on September 11, 2001 can serve as a very vivid reminder that this world will fade away. This world has nothing to offer us, and, ultimately, our relationship with Christ is all that matters.
As the Bible says in Matthew 24, we don't know the day or the hour of Christ's return. The trivial things we do each day will hold no merrit upon His return. All that will matter is that we have accepted His free gift of salvation and that we have enjoyed His perfect presence in our lives while here on earth.
Matthew 24:36-44
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
The thought that this type of terrorism could occur at any time and at any place in our country has changed our way of thinking. The false sense of security that we enjoyed in this free nation was shattered even if only for a moment. We realized that this could happen again. Our government has dilligently made changes and increased our security in an effort to prevent further attacks, but many still live in fear. We as believers are blessed to know that God is in control, and we have nothing to fear. Even death has hope for us as we know that we will spend eternity in Heaven. That is a sense of security that others deserve to know. The attack that occured on September 11, 2001 can serve as a very vivid reminder that this world will fade away. This world has nothing to offer us, and, ultimately, our relationship with Christ is all that matters.
As the Bible says in Matthew 24, we don't know the day or the hour of Christ's return. The trivial things we do each day will hold no merrit upon His return. All that will matter is that we have accepted His free gift of salvation and that we have enjoyed His perfect presence in our lives while here on earth.
Matthew 24:36-44
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
We performed a song this week as a band and worship team in memory of September 11 that I'd like to share with those who weren't at our service. It is entitled "Always"by Kristian Stanfill. Enjoy this song as you reflect on the events of this day ten years ago and reflect on today and the reality of Christ's return.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Life Groups
Is it safe to say that everyone desires to connect with other people? I think so. As believers in Christ, we have all we need because we have Jesus living within us. Why then is church a necessary part of our faith? I believe we find and attend a local body of believers to share a common faith with others, to worship together, to serve, to bring others to the knowledge of Christ, and to grow in our understanding of our God and His Word. Our salvation is secure, but we long to connect to and become more aware of the life of Christ that we possess. We reflect on His sacrifice and His love for us; we confess our shortcomings in an effort to reconnect to the continuous love that is available to us, and we do these things alongside other believers to be encouraged. We also long to share the joy and hope we have found in Christ with other people.
Life sometimes muddles our view of our Savior. We become consumed by our day to day issues and forget to or stop reflecting on the fullness of Christ. For these reasons, it helps to do life together together with other believers. To spend time doing things together, normal every-day things outside of the church hour while encouraging each other in our faith. I think of spending time with my children and my husband. We grow so much closer when we find activities to share and enjoy with one another. We stay on the same page, we communicate, and we stay connected; our love grows. In the same way, it is awesome to share time and common interests with those who are on the same faith journey that we are on. It is refreshing to find hobbies and interests to enjoy together that take us away from our daily duties and routines. incorporating time to connect with one another can give us just the fuel we need to continue in our daily lives and responsibilities. It can inspire us to keep plugging into the life of Christ within us.
As you attended RESYNC last week, you may have noticed that we are beginning to focus our time and energy on connecting people. We are going to keep focusing on getting you connected with other believers. Just as so many of us connect with our social networks on facebook, twitter, and etc, we need to connect in real time with other believers. We are hoping to develop small groups of believers who meet once or more per month to do life together and share common interests. As we reviewed our surveys from last Saturday, we found that many of you like to cook and read! That being the case, our first life group will be called the RED group; RED stands for Read, Eat, and Discover. This group will meet on September 18th for the very first time from 6-8pm in the multipurpose room. It will be for women only. We will share recipes and cook together, AND we will choose a book at a time to read and discuss! We will discuss our reading at our gatherings as well as through an online blog or facebook group. Come join us and bring your input about what you'd love to gain from a group like this! Guys, you're next. We know you love activity and sports, and we need more ideas! Please fill out a survey so that we can keep you connected and receiving the latest information about RESYNC all week long! The survey is available online at our website www.resync.me under the social networking tab. Please get connected and stay connected. We want to know you better! As always, please feel free to contact us via email at resync@floridabible.org.
Monday, May 16, 2011
I'm Back!
WOW! It has been a while since I posted to our blog! The month of April was filled with craziness like a surprise pregnancy, an Easter program, and so, so much more! I'm back and ready to write! We are incredibly excited about what is happening at our RESYNC service! If you missed Saturday, May 7, you missed an amazing time of worship and a much needed message from Pastor John Stevens. What an awesome reminder we had that God is our EVERYTHING. He is the ultimate provider should we choose to accept and acknowledge His perfect provisions. God is our supplier and provider and so much more.
Sometimes we as humans begin to believe that our salvation and our godliness are somehow connected to our own abilities and actions. This just isn't the case! We are saved by grace and through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and we are made alive in Christ! When we walk in the awareness of Christ as our Saviour and Provider, we are abiding and remaining in Him. The things we do and say begin to reflect His life in us. This is what it means to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh. For me, it is a battle to continue believing that I am loved and cherished by God. moment by moment I have to realize that He loves me and approves of me. He is all I need. What is your moment by moment battle? How do you reset your focus on Christ each day? These two questions have a lot to do with our service and the name resync. We wanted to develop a plan by which we acknowledge that we need to release control of ourselves to Jesus once again. This is the reason we chose to call our service RESYNC, and this is the reason we incorporate the same elements into our service week after week.
We want our service to be predictable and intentional in regard to the process we follow to refresh ourselves spiritually. It isn't about a formula or an equation; it is about a weekly reminder and time to refocus among other passionate, committed followers of Christ. We have been meeting now for over four months. Our service is not just about the hour and thirty minutes that we attend church on Saturday night. It is about all of the hours in between! The service is an opportunity to refresh our moment-by-moment relationship with Christ. The elements presented within the service are intended to give you a point of reference, a process that anyone can revisit at home throughout the week.
This is our process:
RESYNC to JESUS
Revive-Moment of praise and worship
Reset-Moment of listening
Release-Moment of prayer
Reaffirm-Moment of teaching
Refine-Moment of confession
React-Moment of outreach and small groups
John 15:5-8 says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." These words indicate that when we remain in Him, walk in the spirit, we will bear much fruit. Even what we ask will be given to us because what we ask will be honoring and pleasing to God when we remain in Him. Isn't this the goal: to remain in Him, to bear fruit that is pleasing to Him, and hopefully to reach other people with that fruit for His glory? As John 13:34-35 says,"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Sometimes we as humans begin to believe that our salvation and our godliness are somehow connected to our own abilities and actions. This just isn't the case! We are saved by grace and through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and we are made alive in Christ! When we walk in the awareness of Christ as our Saviour and Provider, we are abiding and remaining in Him. The things we do and say begin to reflect His life in us. This is what it means to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh. For me, it is a battle to continue believing that I am loved and cherished by God. moment by moment I have to realize that He loves me and approves of me. He is all I need. What is your moment by moment battle? How do you reset your focus on Christ each day? These two questions have a lot to do with our service and the name resync. We wanted to develop a plan by which we acknowledge that we need to release control of ourselves to Jesus once again. This is the reason we chose to call our service RESYNC, and this is the reason we incorporate the same elements into our service week after week.
We want our service to be predictable and intentional in regard to the process we follow to refresh ourselves spiritually. It isn't about a formula or an equation; it is about a weekly reminder and time to refocus among other passionate, committed followers of Christ. We have been meeting now for over four months. Our service is not just about the hour and thirty minutes that we attend church on Saturday night. It is about all of the hours in between! The service is an opportunity to refresh our moment-by-moment relationship with Christ. The elements presented within the service are intended to give you a point of reference, a process that anyone can revisit at home throughout the week.
This is our process:
RESYNC to JESUS
Revive-Moment of praise and worship
Reset-Moment of listening
Release-Moment of prayer
Reaffirm-Moment of teaching
Refine-Moment of confession
React-Moment of outreach and small groups
John 15:5-8 says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." These words indicate that when we remain in Him, walk in the spirit, we will bear much fruit. Even what we ask will be given to us because what we ask will be honoring and pleasing to God when we remain in Him. Isn't this the goal: to remain in Him, to bear fruit that is pleasing to Him, and hopefully to reach other people with that fruit for His glory? As John 13:34-35 says,"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I am.
Doesn't that say it all? God is everything that I need, yet I fail to acknowledge that truth. When I fail to act out of that truth, life seems to just swallow me up. I have access to the fullness of God within me. And as Psalm 34:5 says, "Those who look upon Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."
Pastor Pete has been talking about who God is. As he spoke of God revealing himself to Isaiah, I was reminded of this list that my father posted recently on his blog. Declaring that God is each and every one of these things in my life brings me confidence. When I rest in the knowledge of my God's greatness, I do radiate His love to others, and I act out of that love. Let's leave our comfort zones and deliver that love to others every day.
First Thought: Christ in You
"Christ is all and is in all.” Col. 3:11
When you awaken each day remember that Jesus abides in you. Verbally affirm His presence as your entire Christian life. Tell Him you are thrilled He abides in you. Never start a day from what you lack.
Listen to how Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola describe Jesus in their wonderful book Jesus Manifesto.
Jesus is…
Your Shepherd, your Advocate, your Mediator, your Bridegroom, your Lion, your Lamb, your sacrifice, your manna, your smitten Rock, your living water, your food, your drink, your good and abundant land, your dwelling place, your Sabbath, your new moon, your Jubilee, your new wine, your feast, your aroma, your anchor, your wisdom, your peace, your comfort, your Healer, your joy, your glory, your power, your strength, your wealth, your victory, your redemption, your Prophet, your Priest, your kinsmen redeemer, your teacher, your guide, your liberator, your deliverer, your Prince, your Captain, your vision, your sight, your beloved, your way, your truth, your life, your author, your finisher, your beginning, your end, your age, your eternity — your all and all.
May the perfect and positive presence of Jesus be your first thought not your last.
Bud McCord
Abide International
Visit my dad's blog at http://www.abideinternational.org/
Rebekah
When you awaken each day remember that Jesus abides in you. Verbally affirm His presence as your entire Christian life. Tell Him you are thrilled He abides in you. Never start a day from what you lack.
Listen to how Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola describe Jesus in their wonderful book Jesus Manifesto.
Jesus is…
Your Shepherd, your Advocate, your Mediator, your Bridegroom, your Lion, your Lamb, your sacrifice, your manna, your smitten Rock, your living water, your food, your drink, your good and abundant land, your dwelling place, your Sabbath, your new moon, your Jubilee, your new wine, your feast, your aroma, your anchor, your wisdom, your peace, your comfort, your Healer, your joy, your glory, your power, your strength, your wealth, your victory, your redemption, your Prophet, your Priest, your kinsmen redeemer, your teacher, your guide, your liberator, your deliverer, your Prince, your Captain, your vision, your sight, your beloved, your way, your truth, your life, your author, your finisher, your beginning, your end, your age, your eternity — your all and all.
May the perfect and positive presence of Jesus be your first thought not your last.
Bud McCord
Abide International
Visit my dad's blog at http://www.abideinternational.org/
Rebekah
Monday, March 14, 2011
Unplugged and Filled Up
Psalm 46 verses one and two remind us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea." What a vivid declaration that is! I feel an overwhelming sense of peace when I acknowledge that my God can sustain me through something as unimaginable as the earth giving way and the mountains falling into the sea. Even a tsunami that took so many lives and caused so much destruction in just seconds is not greater than my God. No single set of circumstances is greater than my God. In fact, He makes all things work together for my good. How simple and amazing that truth is!!! For this reason I will be still and know that He is God and that He will be exalted among the nations and in the earth (Psalm 46:10).
This week at RESYNC we did things a bit differently. In an effort to be intentional about our worship, we did an unplugged worship set. We minimized the glitter and glamour and took time to return to a simpler style of worship. It was refreshing and much needed. If you missed it, please join us this Saturday at 6 and be blessed. Lifting our voices together as believers and taking time to be reminded of the greatness of our God is so comforting and necessary. We are surrounded by chaos and pain all week long, but as Pastor Pete reminded us this week, we do not have to be consumed by the chaos. We can instead be calmed by the knowledge that our God is greater than our circumstances. As things begin to become more complex around you, be encouraged by returning to the simplicity of God's love for you and receive His joy. I've shared this prayer with you before, but I feel compelled to share it again:
"For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in Heaven and on Earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19
Be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God always.
This week at RESYNC we did things a bit differently. In an effort to be intentional about our worship, we did an unplugged worship set. We minimized the glitter and glamour and took time to return to a simpler style of worship. It was refreshing and much needed. If you missed it, please join us this Saturday at 6 and be blessed. Lifting our voices together as believers and taking time to be reminded of the greatness of our God is so comforting and necessary. We are surrounded by chaos and pain all week long, but as Pastor Pete reminded us this week, we do not have to be consumed by the chaos. We can instead be calmed by the knowledge that our God is greater than our circumstances. As things begin to become more complex around you, be encouraged by returning to the simplicity of God's love for you and receive His joy. I've shared this prayer with you before, but I feel compelled to share it again:
"For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in Heaven and on Earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19
Be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God always.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Love That Goes to Extremes
"If what we call love doesn't take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning."
-Oswald Chambers, February 21, My Utmost for His Highest
Jesus' love for us took Him to extremes. He came from Heaven to earth, lived this life we are living without sinning, was crucified, and rose again so that we may be hidden in Christ and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It doesn't get more extreme than that. I possess that love. Christ lives in me. Why, then, do I believe the lies that keep me from going to extremes in response to that love? I believe lies of guilt and inadequacy and I begin to focus on weaknesses rather than getting lost in the love that Christ has for me. I fear that I am not alone. It is my hope and prayer that we would begin to believe and rest in the truth rather than lies. The truth will set you free!
The truth is this:
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
-I John 4: 18
When we love from this truth, our love will be patient and kind; it won't be envious and it will not boast. We can however boast about one thing- our weaknesses. Instead of allowing our weaknesses to hold us back and stifle our love, let us boast in our weakness, "for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10) God's power is made perfect in weakness. Jesus' love for us is extreme, and we can confidently love Him.
"For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
-Hebrews 4:15-16
After all, we really are not of that much use to God, but we are incredibly valuable to Him, and "once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time." (Oswald Chambers) I feel privileged to be included in the work of God. I don't want Him to do what He is going to do anyway without me!
-Oswald Chambers, February 21, My Utmost for His Highest
Jesus' love for us took Him to extremes. He came from Heaven to earth, lived this life we are living without sinning, was crucified, and rose again so that we may be hidden in Christ and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It doesn't get more extreme than that. I possess that love. Christ lives in me. Why, then, do I believe the lies that keep me from going to extremes in response to that love? I believe lies of guilt and inadequacy and I begin to focus on weaknesses rather than getting lost in the love that Christ has for me. I fear that I am not alone. It is my hope and prayer that we would begin to believe and rest in the truth rather than lies. The truth will set you free!
The truth is this:
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
-I John 4: 18
When we love from this truth, our love will be patient and kind; it won't be envious and it will not boast. We can however boast about one thing- our weaknesses. Instead of allowing our weaknesses to hold us back and stifle our love, let us boast in our weakness, "for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10) God's power is made perfect in weakness. Jesus' love for us is extreme, and we can confidently love Him.
"For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
-Hebrews 4:15-16
After all, we really are not of that much use to God, but we are incredibly valuable to Him, and "once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time." (Oswald Chambers) I feel privileged to be included in the work of God. I don't want Him to do what He is going to do anyway without me!
Monday, February 14, 2011
What Matters Most
Is any love really more important than the love that Christ has for us? When we act toward others out of anything other than the love of Christ, we fail. Despite our attempts to "get it right,"we are incapable. This being the case, here is my prayer for you this Valentines' Day:
"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the saints, to grasp HOW WIDE AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST, AND TO KNOW THIS LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever AMEN!"
Ephesians 3: 14-21
This weekend, my heart worshiped. I long for the day that every person in the room at Florida Bible Church cannot contain himself at the thought of our God's greatness. To grasp His love for us would be to lose control and fall before his feet in worship or to laugh out loud and dance in His presence. His love never fails. Are we listening to Him? Are we drawing from Him? His love never fails!
God has been speaking to my heart about faith. what is faith? "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) I HOPE that hundreds and thousands will find their way into our church to meet Christ and have not seen it happen. I HOPE that we need another building to contain the people who come to know Christ and join us to worship Him on Saturday nights and have not seen it happen. BUT I have FAITH and pray believing that God will bring those who need Him across our paths. We must be prepared to let God's love flow from us to them. Whether we are called to love them in our daily lives or as they enter our place of worship, we need to pray believing that GOD WILL USE US. This phrase crossed my mind over and over as we worshiped on Saturday evening, "God, we need a miracle; God, we need a miracle; God, we need a miracle." We need to have FAITH. This prayer of faith says it best:
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one of you happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in FAITH will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
James 5: 13-18
God will send the rain when we are prepared to handle it! Are we ready for the crops that the rain will produce? Are we ready to reap the harvest? Are we ready to pray believing that God will send a miracle on our behalf? Are we ready to love the ones that He sends our way? After all isn't that what this life of a Christ follower is all about? What matters most? "Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)
"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the saints, to grasp HOW WIDE AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST, AND TO KNOW THIS LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever AMEN!"
Ephesians 3: 14-21
This weekend, my heart worshiped. I long for the day that every person in the room at Florida Bible Church cannot contain himself at the thought of our God's greatness. To grasp His love for us would be to lose control and fall before his feet in worship or to laugh out loud and dance in His presence. His love never fails. Are we listening to Him? Are we drawing from Him? His love never fails!
God has been speaking to my heart about faith. what is faith? "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) I HOPE that hundreds and thousands will find their way into our church to meet Christ and have not seen it happen. I HOPE that we need another building to contain the people who come to know Christ and join us to worship Him on Saturday nights and have not seen it happen. BUT I have FAITH and pray believing that God will bring those who need Him across our paths. We must be prepared to let God's love flow from us to them. Whether we are called to love them in our daily lives or as they enter our place of worship, we need to pray believing that GOD WILL USE US. This phrase crossed my mind over and over as we worshiped on Saturday evening, "God, we need a miracle; God, we need a miracle; God, we need a miracle." We need to have FAITH. This prayer of faith says it best:
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one of you happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in FAITH will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
James 5: 13-18
God will send the rain when we are prepared to handle it! Are we ready for the crops that the rain will produce? Are we ready to reap the harvest? Are we ready to pray believing that God will send a miracle on our behalf? Are we ready to love the ones that He sends our way? After all isn't that what this life of a Christ follower is all about? What matters most? "Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Butterflies
The Holy Spirit is moving, and why am I surprised? I'm surprised because I forget that the perfect, all-powerful God who is able to exceedingly more than anything I could ever ask or imagine lives within me! I forget that my humanity and imperfections don't stop His perfection. We pray believing that God will move mountains. We seek His face. We want more of Him. Forgive us, Lord, for our forgetfulness; forgive us Lord for our busyness. We desire to sit at Your feet, Lord, and worship you.
152 people gathered together to passionately worship our Creator. The room was filled with open hearts. We revived our hearts once again through worship, released our requests to the Lord interceding on behalf of others, and we shared communion together remembering and reflecting upon the sacrifice of God's son, Jesus, on the cross and His resurrection that has provided us eternal life and relationship with Him.
Butterflies filled my stomach as I returned to my First Love. Life has gotten in the way of my clear view of my Savior. For that, I hurt. I want to walk daily aware of His presence within me. I have all of Jesus that I need. I know there are others who desire the same thing. I woke this morning still filled with His Spirit sensing the joy of last night. It is the feeling of tears welling up within me and emotions just about to flow over the brim of my heart. One person accepted CHRIST! Several worshiped. The words of one song that we sang just took my breath away. I wanted to jump up and down and dance around the stage as I sang it to the Lord. The feeling is similar to that of falling in love all over again. butterflies. Enjoy and worship as you read the lyrics of this song:
"Your Love Never Fails"
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails
Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails
Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails
The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails
Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good
Pastor Pete brought a timely and true word about love. Love that is real is so different than love that we see depicted in movies and media. Real love, love that comes from Christ, is this:
I Corinthians 13: 1-8
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient,
love is kind,
it does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud,
it is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs,
love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres
LOVE NEVER FAILS
LOVE NEVER EVER FAILS
LOVE NEVER FAILS
Do we believe this? This love lives within us. Do we believe this? Why do we keep from sharing THIS LOVE with everyone everywhere? Why do we hold back? Love never fails. Let us not restrict this love to our romantic relationships; let us love the world with this love.
John 13:34-35
A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have Loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.
I leave you with this declaration written below that my father gave to me; proclaim it boldly and out loud over your life.
JESUS YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!
THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN LIFE I WILL EVER LIVE ALREADY ABIDES IN ME
FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST
IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVES
BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME
CHRIST IS ALL AND IS IN ALL
LET ME LOVE OTHERS AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME.
152 people gathered together to passionately worship our Creator. The room was filled with open hearts. We revived our hearts once again through worship, released our requests to the Lord interceding on behalf of others, and we shared communion together remembering and reflecting upon the sacrifice of God's son, Jesus, on the cross and His resurrection that has provided us eternal life and relationship with Him.
Butterflies filled my stomach as I returned to my First Love. Life has gotten in the way of my clear view of my Savior. For that, I hurt. I want to walk daily aware of His presence within me. I have all of Jesus that I need. I know there are others who desire the same thing. I woke this morning still filled with His Spirit sensing the joy of last night. It is the feeling of tears welling up within me and emotions just about to flow over the brim of my heart. One person accepted CHRIST! Several worshiped. The words of one song that we sang just took my breath away. I wanted to jump up and down and dance around the stage as I sang it to the Lord. The feeling is similar to that of falling in love all over again. butterflies. Enjoy and worship as you read the lyrics of this song:
"Your Love Never Fails"
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails
Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails
Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails
The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails
Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good
Pastor Pete brought a timely and true word about love. Love that is real is so different than love that we see depicted in movies and media. Real love, love that comes from Christ, is this:
I Corinthians 13: 1-8
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient,
love is kind,
it does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud,
it is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs,
love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres
LOVE NEVER FAILS
LOVE NEVER EVER FAILS
LOVE NEVER FAILS
Do we believe this? This love lives within us. Do we believe this? Why do we keep from sharing THIS LOVE with everyone everywhere? Why do we hold back? Love never fails. Let us not restrict this love to our romantic relationships; let us love the world with this love.
John 13:34-35
A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have Loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.
I leave you with this declaration written below that my father gave to me; proclaim it boldly and out loud over your life.
JESUS YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!
THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN LIFE I WILL EVER LIVE ALREADY ABIDES IN ME
FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST
IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVES
BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME
CHRIST IS ALL AND IS IN ALL
LET ME LOVE OTHERS AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
"It is Well With my Soul"
This weekend, 1-29-11, was incredibly moving as 125 people gathered to resync to Jesus. The worship was spirit-led and authentic. I am left on the verge of tears each week as I watch the crowd revive their lives in Christ through worship and release their requests to the Lord. This week, we wrote our requests down, placed them in a basket near the stage. We released our requests to God and sang “How He Loves;” He does love us. His love for us is immeasurable. Intercession is a gift. There are times when each of us as believers faces such hard times that we need other believers to intercede on our behalf. That is what so many did Saturday night. They wrote requests on behalf of others and released them to our Lord. This Monday, 1-31-11, John, Shayne, and our worship team lifted those requests to the Lord again, aloud on behalf of those who are hurting. I again was in tears at the thought of so many hurting people. We in our frailty and humanity feel hopeless, but God in His greatness knows exactly what joy and good will come out these trying situations when we trust Him as Romans 8:28 reminds us. These “black clouds” come over our lives and we become desperate. We hurt. Instead we should have hope in the Lord.
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Pastor Pete told the story of the beautiful old hymn, “It is well with my Soul,” written by Horatio G. Spafford. This hymn takes on new meaning when the story that inspired it comes to life. It is shocking and breath-taking to imagine writing these words after having lost your only son at four years of age to a deadly fever and having lost your four daughters shortly thereafter to a shipwreck. Horatio G. Spafford went from being a successful, prominent lawyer to a grieving father who had lost almost everything in just three short years. He penned the words of this song just after he passed over the very spot in the Atlantic Ocean that had claimed the lives of his four daughters. This story inspires me to confidently say that regardless of my circumstances, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
“It is well with my Soul”
Horatio G. Spafford
(1828-1888)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Pastor Pete told the story of the beautiful old hymn, “It is well with my Soul,” written by Horatio G. Spafford. This hymn takes on new meaning when the story that inspired it comes to life. It is shocking and breath-taking to imagine writing these words after having lost your only son at four years of age to a deadly fever and having lost your four daughters shortly thereafter to a shipwreck. Horatio G. Spafford went from being a successful, prominent lawyer to a grieving father who had lost almost everything in just three short years. He penned the words of this song just after he passed over the very spot in the Atlantic Ocean that had claimed the lives of his four daughters. This story inspires me to confidently say that regardless of my circumstances, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
“It is well with my Soul”
Horatio G. Spafford
(1828-1888)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Intentional Church
I am incredibly excited about what God is doing at RESYNC! 144 joined together this past Saturday to be a part of what I affectionately call "the intentional church." Why? Not because we spend hours each week in preparation,but because we desire to intentionally remind ourselves of the life of Christ within us. We want to take the focus off of us and our shortcomings and to find ourselves always walking with the awareness of God in us. God is in those of us who have called Him to be our Savior. All of Christ exists in each believer. We don't need to try and become something; rather, we need to access the perfect life of Christ that exists within us and rest in the knowledge that He is all that we need. How do we accomplish this? We have been inspired by Bud McCord of Abide International (abideinternational.org) to "refresh" ourselves regulary by making time to listen, praise, thank, confess, affirm, intercede, ask, and act. As a group of us sat brainstorming for this Saturday night service, we went back to that process and immediately thought of resyncing our iPhones and iPods to itunes for updates that made our devices function optimally once again. That is how the name RESYNC was born. We took the steps of the refresh process and changed the words a bit to fit our service! Our RESYNC process is as follows:
Revive-Moment of praise and worship
Reset-Moment of listening
Release-Moment of prayer
Reaffirm-Moment of teaching
Refine-Moment of confession
React-Moment of outreach and small groups
It is our hope and prayer that others would see the benefit of taking a moment to refresh and resync our lives to the life of Christ within us. Coming to RESYNC should be refreshing in that we take the time to throw off the things that are weighing us down and intentionally remind ourselves of the beautiful completeness that is to be had through acknowledging and relying on the life of Christ within every believer.
Revive-Moment of praise and worship
Reset-Moment of listening
Release-Moment of prayer
Reaffirm-Moment of teaching
Refine-Moment of confession
React-Moment of outreach and small groups
It is our hope and prayer that others would see the benefit of taking a moment to refresh and resync our lives to the life of Christ within us. Coming to RESYNC should be refreshing in that we take the time to throw off the things that are weighing us down and intentionally remind ourselves of the beautiful completeness that is to be had through acknowledging and relying on the life of Christ within every believer.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Pastor's Message 1.8.11
"It's Brand New Year! Is it the Same Old You?"
Part 2: Breaking Your Religious Rut:
Swap Your Religion for Relationship!
Mark 12:30-31
"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."
1. Just be YOU.
2. Mix it up.
3. Get active.
4. Target others.
Pastor Pete's words inspired believers to step out of their religious mentality and monotony and step into the relationship that Christ intends for us to have with Him by expressing our love for Him the way we feel most comfortable, by being willing try a new way of expressing our love to him, and to love others with the love of Christ.
Part 2: Breaking Your Religious Rut:
Swap Your Religion for Relationship!
Mark 12:30-31
"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."
1. Just be YOU.
2. Mix it up.
3. Get active.
4. Target others.
Pastor Pete's words inspired believers to step out of their religious mentality and monotony and step into the relationship that Christ intends for us to have with Him by expressing our love for Him the way we feel most comfortable, by being willing try a new way of expressing our love to him, and to love others with the love of Christ.
"It's a New Year! Will it be the Same Old You??" 1.1.11 and 1.8.11
No, we are not the same people we were in 2010. Why? Because God is using us. What a humbling opportunity this is! More than 130 people have attended each of our first two services, and we are in awe. Resync is all that we hoped it would be and more. There is nothing more amazing than leading others in worship. There is nothing more exhilarating than asking God to show up and having the privilege of watching Him work in the lives of others. When a group of us gathered around a dining room table to brainstorm and envision a service that would reach our generation for Christ, we imagined that it would be refreshing and relevant and intense. It is that and more. It is a place for real people in need of a real Savior. We are praying and asking God to send others who need to see and feel the love of Christ. Please join us as we realize the complete and perfect life of Christ that is within us every Saturday night at 6pm.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into HIS likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3: 18
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into HIS likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3: 18
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