I loved this article by Perry Noble today so HAD TO post it...
Why I Believe The Churches Best Days Are Ahead… October 29, 2009
As I survey the landscape of church in America I am not buying into to the “doom and gloom” that some people seem to take joy in declaring…
IN FACT, I believe the opposite…I seriously believe the churches best days are ahead of her.
Acts 2 wasn’t something that happened that we are supposed “to get back to,” it was where we STARTED FROM…and should be FOUNDATIONAL and not just some ideal we strive for…
And I’m seeing that!
I see leaders stepping up and leading with CONVICTION and PASSION…and begging God for HIS permission instead of begging committees for their approval!
I see Jesus being preached and repentance being demanded…and people RESPONDING in droves because THE GOSPEL, not some non-eternal agenda, has taken center stage.
I see churches being planted and video campuses getting started by people who are more interested in seeing birth given to babies rather than trying to resurrect the dead.
I see networking taking place like never before…where people are reaching across denominational lines and loving and learning from one another. (THAT didn’t happen 15-20 years ago!)
I see the potential of a worldwide revival like that has NEVER happened right in front of our eyes!!! The internet was not given so we could view porn…but rather as a TOOL to advance His Kingdom.
I see passion in church leaders being unapologized for.
I see churches and leaders that are NOT AFRAID to take risks and do things different in order to reach people far from God.
I see churches buying into the SCRIPTURAL idea that people do not have to be perfect to come to church…and just because they are in church doesn’t mean they are perfect either.
I see churches embracing the fact that the pastor isn’t the one who is supposed to minister to all of the people…but rather it is the BODY that is supposed to minister to the BODY!
I see churches stepping up in their communities and not just being a mouth that speaks out about what it is against and for…but being hands and feet and serving those in the area.
I see “non-professionals” (you know, fisherman, tax collectors and tent makers) leaving the marketplace and entering the ministry…and making a difference!
I see people inviting their friends to church because they understand they won’t have to apologize the entire time because churches are actually embracing that if we are doing something for Jesus then we should give it our best!!!
I see religion being rejected so that it no longer matters what you wear to church!
I am seeing it…for those who think it’s over for the church, I’ve got news for you…Jesus is still Lord, the tomb is still empty and the church is STILL HIS PLAN!!!
Church…we’re not called to play “prevent defense,” let’s PREACH CHRIST, BEG HIM FOR SALVATION TO FALL LIKE RAIN…AND RUN UP THE SCORE!!!
Thursday 29 October 2009
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Faith & generosity are linked.. (Part 2)
The Journey towards mature faith and stewardship is crucial for us to understand.
I think there are different attitudes people have when it comes to giving and living a generous life.
1. You can give by imitating others stewardship
2. You can give sporadically when you think there is a good enough reason
3. You can give because there is something in it for you. Recognition, tax benefit, other personal gain
4. You can give in proportion to what God has given you
5. You can give recognizing that all you posses is from God and you find joy in giving
6. You can give focused entirely on God and others. Your eye is on eternal rewards rather than temporal rewards in this life. You are content with daily provision.
Where are you? God calls us to spiritual maturity, to a life of generosity, to give our lives for others as Christ did for us. I once heard someone say, The entrance to the Christian faith is free through Jesus but the annual subscription is everything - Following Christ will cost you EVERYTHING!
There are Many people who ask God for more...more money, a bigger house, a larger car, more influence, more power, more effectiveness.....etc.
My question is this to us all; Can he trust us with more? Or would more corrupt you and fill you with pride which could destroy you? Think about it! Be honest with yourself before God and get real!
I think there are different attitudes people have when it comes to giving and living a generous life.
1. You can give by imitating others stewardship
2. You can give sporadically when you think there is a good enough reason
3. You can give because there is something in it for you. Recognition, tax benefit, other personal gain
4. You can give in proportion to what God has given you
5. You can give recognizing that all you posses is from God and you find joy in giving
6. You can give focused entirely on God and others. Your eye is on eternal rewards rather than temporal rewards in this life. You are content with daily provision.
Where are you? God calls us to spiritual maturity, to a life of generosity, to give our lives for others as Christ did for us. I once heard someone say, The entrance to the Christian faith is free through Jesus but the annual subscription is everything - Following Christ will cost you EVERYTHING!
There are Many people who ask God for more...more money, a bigger house, a larger car, more influence, more power, more effectiveness.....etc.
My question is this to us all; Can he trust us with more? Or would more corrupt you and fill you with pride which could destroy you? Think about it! Be honest with yourself before God and get real!
Monday 26 October 2009
Faith & generosity are linked.
Growing faith is expressed in growing generosity.
Stop and think about this for a moment.
I really believe a generous spirit is a key towards true spiritual maturity. I am talking about much more than just money here!
Holding on to what we have and not living a generous life is actually saying:
1. I do not trust God
2. I am focused on my needs, my desires, my plans, my pleasures as a priority
3. I am disobedient to the words of Jesus
4. I am not growing in faith
5. I do not want to become Christ-like
6. All I have is mine and not God's
7. I am not interested in using my resources to build God's kingdom, I'll leave it to the few.
Jesus said, 'hold on to your own life and you will lose it.' A sobering thought hey! Living a generous life ultimately leads us to living a selfless life and desiring to fulfil the purposes of God in our daily lives. No short cuts here, it's a life that is NOT about ME but is a life fully surrendered to JESUS. To follow Jesus, we have to take up our cross and follow him. He said it! Think about this and what it means to you.
Are you holding on? God wants to use you but you have to be willing to die to self and live for Christ. All that we have and are belongs to him and we live in this life for an audience one one - Jesus.
Let's not hold on but rather be ready to release, share, let go, bless, and see what God will do.
Know this that you are blessed to BE a blessing. So.... let the blessing begin.
Can you imagine what 1000's of people living a generous life would look like?
Stop and think about this for a moment.
I really believe a generous spirit is a key towards true spiritual maturity. I am talking about much more than just money here!
Holding on to what we have and not living a generous life is actually saying:
1. I do not trust God
2. I am focused on my needs, my desires, my plans, my pleasures as a priority
3. I am disobedient to the words of Jesus
4. I am not growing in faith
5. I do not want to become Christ-like
6. All I have is mine and not God's
7. I am not interested in using my resources to build God's kingdom, I'll leave it to the few.
Jesus said, 'hold on to your own life and you will lose it.' A sobering thought hey! Living a generous life ultimately leads us to living a selfless life and desiring to fulfil the purposes of God in our daily lives. No short cuts here, it's a life that is NOT about ME but is a life fully surrendered to JESUS. To follow Jesus, we have to take up our cross and follow him. He said it! Think about this and what it means to you.
Are you holding on? God wants to use you but you have to be willing to die to self and live for Christ. All that we have and are belongs to him and we live in this life for an audience one one - Jesus.
Let's not hold on but rather be ready to release, share, let go, bless, and see what God will do.
Know this that you are blessed to BE a blessing. So.... let the blessing begin.
Can you imagine what 1000's of people living a generous life would look like?
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Get yourself along to Life Group this week!
Saw this and loved it. We all need to be challenged by this.
SO, check out where an MKCC Life Group is near you this week and get to it. There's no excuse!
SO, check out where an MKCC Life Group is near you this week and get to it. There's no excuse!
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Monday 19 October 2009
The Danger of Indecision
Read this article today and thought it was excellent - check it out!
Jim Rohn says, “Indecision is the thief of opportunity.” Some of my greatest regrets have been times in my own leadership when I struggled with indecision and shortly afterward I watched prime opportunities slip right past me. You see indecision becomes decision over time.
There seem to be four primary reasons a leader struggles with indecision.
1. They’re afraid of failing
2. They’re afraid of disappointing others
3. They’re afraid a better opportunity or more information will come along after they have made their decision
4. They’re afraid to totally trust God for the outcome (Proverbs 3:4-5)
So if you are struggling with indecision keep these things in mind…
My indecision may increases my stress level and decreases my ability to think clearly
My indecision may injure my leadership credibility with those who follow me
My indecision may cause my organization to miss a golden opportunity
My indecision may be permitting others who shouldn’t be in control, to be in control
My indecision may hurt the morale and momentum of the team
My indecision may cause me to miss a miraculous provision from God
In his book War As I Knew It, General George S. Patton wrote: “Don’t delay. The best is the enemy of the good. A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”
Decisions can make or break a leaders confidence and credibility, so decide now to decide well.
Jim Rohn says, “Indecision is the thief of opportunity.” Some of my greatest regrets have been times in my own leadership when I struggled with indecision and shortly afterward I watched prime opportunities slip right past me. You see indecision becomes decision over time.
There seem to be four primary reasons a leader struggles with indecision.
1. They’re afraid of failing
2. They’re afraid of disappointing others
3. They’re afraid a better opportunity or more information will come along after they have made their decision
4. They’re afraid to totally trust God for the outcome (Proverbs 3:4-5)
So if you are struggling with indecision keep these things in mind…
My indecision may increases my stress level and decreases my ability to think clearly
My indecision may injure my leadership credibility with those who follow me
My indecision may cause my organization to miss a golden opportunity
My indecision may be permitting others who shouldn’t be in control, to be in control
My indecision may hurt the morale and momentum of the team
My indecision may cause me to miss a miraculous provision from God
In his book War As I Knew It, General George S. Patton wrote: “Don’t delay. The best is the enemy of the good. A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”
Decisions can make or break a leaders confidence and credibility, so decide now to decide well.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
What the church family should BE...
"The phrase 'one another' or 'each other' is used over 50 times in the New Testament.
We are commanded to love each other, pray for each other, encourage each other, admonish each other, greet each other, serve each other, teach each other, accept each other, honor each other, bear each other's burdens, forgive each other, sing to each other, submit to each other, and be devoted to each other.
This is what every believer should do, it's called 'works of service or the ministry and in my opinion is the best Pastoral system there is. We are all ministers of Christ, a royal priesthood and need to function.
This takes the responsibility off the leaders and frees them to do what they are supposed to do which is to equip the saints for the ministry. If we can do this I believe the church will grow because Jesus said it would!
Can you imagine what could happen if the church 'Christs body' took responsibility for one another rather than expecting leaders to 'DO IT ALL' which quite frankly is impossible.
True spiritual maturity is about serving others. So come on guys stop spectating and start participating! What do you need to do today?
We are commanded to love each other, pray for each other, encourage each other, admonish each other, greet each other, serve each other, teach each other, accept each other, honor each other, bear each other's burdens, forgive each other, sing to each other, submit to each other, and be devoted to each other.
This is what every believer should do, it's called 'works of service or the ministry and in my opinion is the best Pastoral system there is. We are all ministers of Christ, a royal priesthood and need to function.
This takes the responsibility off the leaders and frees them to do what they are supposed to do which is to equip the saints for the ministry. If we can do this I believe the church will grow because Jesus said it would!
Can you imagine what could happen if the church 'Christs body' took responsibility for one another rather than expecting leaders to 'DO IT ALL' which quite frankly is impossible.
True spiritual maturity is about serving others. So come on guys stop spectating and start participating! What do you need to do today?
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Does man flu exist?
Thanks for all the sympathy I have had from all my twitter buddies and face book friends. Yes I had the Man Flu! I have had some hilarious videos and comments sent to me - Thanks. Thought I would post this one as it tops them all.
Check it out...Girls guide to Man Flu
Check it out...Girls guide to Man Flu
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