Notes From Church: Reaching The NEXT Generation

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6 NIV)

This past Sunday our pastor continued a series on moving forward.  He spoke about the upcoming generation and how we must effectively speaks to them in a manner that captures their  interest and how they prefer to take in information.  Times are changing and must be forward thinking as we fulfill the great commission with the upcoming generation.  As the body of Christ we shouldn't be behind the times or resistant to  change our tactics of  reaching our youth. For instance Dr.Crute mentioned  snackable information to paraphrase this means to give  short quick and to the point information. Long boring lectures and condescending tones will only push them away so we must adjust our thinking.

 Our message shouldn't be compromised but  the methods should be current with the interest of our children.   It is  vital that our   children  know that we care about the things they care about and that their thoughts and ideas are valid. So it is important  not only  to  talk with our youth but to also listen to them as well.  Encourage their dreams and nurture  their relationship with Christ. In  the comments below tell me what are some ideas you may have for reaching the next generation in a  new and exciting way.

Accept Your Mission

I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 CEB)

Our work as followers of Christ are significant. The Lord has chosen each of us specifically to play a role in His plan.  How amazing is that? Just think, God created you for this point in time to serve in a way that only you can. So  comparing ourselves with others  serves no purpose. Within the body of Christ we are all working towards the same mission which is to be a light in dark places and  bring others to Christ.  Each us will carry out this mission  differently  so  we should  focus on the differences of  our paths  but we  should  keep our sights serving God in the manner that He has equipped us to and support those who have the same end goal which is to glorify Christ and make His name famous! 

Good Works Requires Humilty

Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13 CEB)

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Helping others when we see a need is something we should all do. Being sensitive to the needs of the people in our lives really sets the foundation of becoming more like Christ.  But  what we must be keep in mind is that we should never serve others in order to receive praise.   Praise from others can be  addictive  so  be sure to check  your motives .  There is nothing worse than  someone who constantly holds the "good" things  they've done for you over your head.  This type of good works has little to do with love or compassion but more so self serving method to stroke your ego.  When you help someone do it with love, a humble heart and without expectations.  Then you will mirror Christ and you won't need the praise of others because God will acknowledge your service. 

Change Is Good Pt.2

Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. Romans 12:2(CEB)

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Sometimes we resist  change  because it's uncomfortable but  often times the change we are running from is  the very thing we  need to become the best  version of ourselves.  That  gentle nudge  of the holy spirit is  an indication that  where you are  currently has served it's purpose and  you need to moved forward towards Gods next step for you. Choosing to stay where you are  seems like safest place to be  because you've  become accustomed to your routine and  you feel like you're  in control. The truth is  that remaining the  same is the equivalent  of   living life at a  standstill. If you  find yourself noticing the  nudge of  the holy spirit  to move forward but you  don't  how  to move forward or even  how to develop  the desire to want to move forward then ask God to renew your  mind and change your heart and if you trust Him He  will begin to change your perspective.



Love,

No More Quick Fixes

 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God. 2 Corinthians 7:9 (TLB)

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Today in church our pastor  spoke about  recycling our  pain and  how  God uses our pain to  reveal to us our total dependence for  Him.  His message today got me thinking; Why is it   we spend so much time  trying  to figure out how to "fix" ourselves  instead of  relying on God and using  His word  as our life manual? We end up exhausting ourselves, we  ultimately are left with   more  questions than  answers when we  try to sort thing out on our own.  The truth is that we  cannot  be our own savior and  quick fixes only put  a  bandage on our  issues but when we  rely on Christ  He  takes on our  burdens  and  He  equips us  with everything that we need to  get to the  core of our  issues. He heals us from the inside out.  Today  give  the Lord  every  area of your life and trust  His process don't  be  satisfied  with just  getting  by. allow  God to get you through it!

Love,

Giving Up Isn't An Option

 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! Romans 8:37(GNT)

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Sometimes  when  plans fall through  we  lose  confidence in ourselves and our abilities, especially  when you've put  a lot of time and efforts in to a project that  is unsuccessful.  You're first thought may be to give up  completely  give up on your dream but I want to encourage you to  keep going. You'll find in so many stories of successful  business owners that they have tried to launch  several projects that have not worked out  for one  reason of another  but in spite of those plans falling through giving up was not  a option.  God has given each of us  purpose in the earth and remember that  the  road to success is  a process that  may take some time.  So  keep going, if  God has given you this  dream then He will see it  through to it's completion.

Beating Fear

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)

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These days we are experiencing  a  lot.  We  see so much going on in the news or  maybe there are things in our personal lives that   keep us  anxious  and  fearful.  It is easy to get  caught  up and to allow  fear to steal our joy.  But  fear  doesn't have  to defeat, us we can  turn it  around  by attacking  our  fears with  Gods  promises.  In  Isaiah 43:1  God  says He has redeemed us, called us  by name and declares that we are  His! There is  no better  feeling of security  than  knowing that  the same God that created the heavens and earth , molded us with His hands,  and gave  us  Jesus  Christ  promises to  stand with us  through anything we  will face.  We  can have bold confidence to meet every fear with the power of  God behind us!

Pushing Past Life's Obstacles

 I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (CEB)

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We've   all come to a point where we  have  reached the end of our rope and  we just  want to give up. Life can get  hectic with all the  responsibilities  that we have and  the desire to reach,  perfection can cloud our vision.  Perfection is  not what we should be striving for  because  perfection begin and ends with Christ. But through Him we are fully equipped to  endure any obstacle because  with Christ all things are possible and  we are able to  push through  life's  obstacles.  You've  come too far to just give up; Shift your focus from your problem to your solution which is  submitting our concerns to God and  trusting Him to  work things out.

What Will I Have to Give Up?

 If any of us confess that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in us and we remain in God. 1 John 4:15 (CEB)

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Do you  feel that  God is tugging on your heart to accept Jesus as your personal savior but  feel a  bit hesitant? Feeling this way isn't uncommon and everyone's reason  vary. For some it  may be their family background  and not being brought  up attending church or encountering believers who where more rigid and more judgmental than compassionate.  What those who may identify with those two examples have in common is that they are apprehensive because of what they think they may have to give up. 

 The truth is some things  will  change but they will change for the better! Choosing  Christ  requires  a  change in  our  hearts and a  shift in your thinking.  We  don't have to  fit  a  certain mold or wait until the time is  right. God  will receive you  just  as you   are  in whatever  condition you're in. Salvation is a  free gift  that  God has  graciously  offered to everyone  who  will receive it.  As  we  cling  to him  God  promises to  remain in us, this  means that we  don't have figure things out on our  own because  with Him we have everything that we  need to grow and  live  life to the fullest. Things will not always be perfect, but with  God living on the inside of you the circumstances of life won't break you.

Today  I want to  invite you say this  simple  brief  prayer.   Dear Lord I  have tried things on my own but  I  know now that I need you.  So  please  come live in my  heart.  I believe  that  Christ  died for my sins and I accept  Jesus as   my  Lord and savior. I believe that I am  saved and that you  now live in my  heart.  In  Jesus' name -Amen

If you prayed this prayer  welcome to the family.The creator of the  universe now lives within you! 

Love,

Finding Your Purpose

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

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I  believe  that we  all  have  the desire to  better ourselves.  There is  a  desire in all of us to grow and find what  our purpose is.  Sometimes  we  get caught up in our own routines and get set in  our ways that we   settle in to  a  stagnant  life.  If this sounds familiar then you recognize   the need to  break out  of  your comfort zone.



But what  if you  are unsure  of where you fit in  or  what your purpose  is?  It  can be  frustrating  to have the desire to   do    amazing things but  have  no clue where to   start.  A  good  place to  begin is to  start being  intentional about  spending  some  quiet time  before the  Lord in order to  find ourselves.  Then we  must  find  the  Lord and  absorb  His  wisdom.  Prayer  is  a  direct connections with   the Lord and it is  vital  in our  journey to a  better us.


We must  develop a  mindset that declares  that  God  will fulfill His  purpose  in our lives.  When  we  don't  believe that God can  use  us  we tend  to shy away from digging deeper  in  our pursuit  to  find our  purpose.  But  we  must do  the  complete  opposite we  must  pursue  Gods  plans for our  lives  so that  we  can  live to our  full potential.   Why live with a  stack of regrets  over things you could have done   when you  have the privilege to  tap  into  Gods endless resources?


We  can  live  life to the  fullest; Keep chasing after the will of  God and  you will  find  your  place in His  plan.   Everything that  you are  going through or  have gone through  play  a part in reaching your full potential. Remain focused ,keep  praying  and  keep  worshiping  God  because He is  faithful. Your story doesn't end with where you've fallen short  but it continues  where  your faith  meets the Lords  power.


Love,

Living Water

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 (NASB)

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 We are  all seeking something to believe in or  cling to whether  we  are aware of it or not.  We  all  want to feel  a part of something. Sometimes In our quest to "belong"    we  reach out to  a  certain circle of  friends or  a relationship.   There is  nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with  people that  love and   support you  but there is so  much more to gain by  clinging to Christ .  


The Lord makes a  promise to us in  John  7:37-38. Jesus  says  If anyone  is thirsty, let them come to   Me  and drink.  This  means  that He  will never  leave  us  empty and He will always  pour  into those  who  seek him with  all their  heart. The question is  will you   believe  for   Christ  to  fill you  with   living water?  There  is nothing that  will  refresh a  broken heart or   a  broken  spirit  like  the Lord.


Jesus' resources  will never  run dry,  we  can  always   come to  Him and  be  renewed  from the inside out.  No one  has  heart  a for  us  like Lord , or  has the  depth  of  love that pours  out  to us on a daily  basis like Him.   The  Lord  desires to  see  you reach your  full potential  and that  can only   happen with time spent Him.  There  is  no  better  friend than the one  we have in Christ  Jesus.  He  is never too busy, we have constant   access to His  presence and when we  focus on Him  it  is guaranteed  that we  will never  be the same.



Today  I  encourage you  to  sit  before   God  and  allow the hands that  crafted you to  fill you up again.  Study His  word ,  absorb what you've learned  and apply  it  to your  life.  There is  no better  life  manual than  the bible.  There are  tons  of self  help  books  but the   problem with relying on yourself is that eventually your  resources will  be  depleted . The  good  news is that  the  Lords resources   will never  run dry.  So   today  make the  Lord your  first  choice and  be intentional  about  seeking  Him to fill your needs.


Love,

Changing Seasons

 I will pour out water for the thirsty land and make streams flow on dry land. I will pour out my Spirit into your children and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3 (NCV)

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At some  point in our lives we have  all experienced  a   dry season  where  we  feel like we  are in  a  cycle of  disappointment  and things   don't come together the way we would like them  to.  It can be hard to  imagine that  all the   hard things we have had to  deal with  has  a  purpose.  But in spite of  how  you feel in  this  moment  or what it looks like, every  obstacle that you've  faced  is a  vital   piece of  the puzzle  for where you are going.

Sometimes   God   allow  certain  things to unfold in our lives to get our attention , move  us to a point where we reevaluate  our  motives and   begin  to put our  hope back in  Him. What  we must  realize is that  God  never   promised that  our walk with Him would  be easy and that  once we  became  saved things would  just  automatically  flow into place.   What He  did  promise  is  to never  leave us nor  forsake us. So when  we really  begin to trust His   plan for our lives  we  will succeed. He will make a way in spite of  what  things  look like.

So when you find yourself  at a  crossroad don't begin to   despise  the path you're on   but  seek  God  relentlessly  and   pray your  way through  every obstacle.   God  is bigger than  anything that we will ever   face.  He  wants to  see us    succeed  but we  must be willing to  give  up our will in exchange  for His  because it is  the only way to  true  victory. When we  really  lean on the  Lord  He  will  pour into us in ways we  couldn't begin to  imagine.

O God, my God! How I search for you! How I thirst for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. How I long to find you! Psalm 63:1(TLB)

The test we  face are not  meant to  break you  down but  they are meant to build you up.   Change your  outlook  on   the  seasons of your  life as a  opportunity    to  pass the  test and  get that much closer to  your purpose. Don't  give up now. There  is so much more  ahead of you.  Ask that  God would replenish you as you become weary and  guide you along the   way and  He will  meet you at the point of your faith.

Love,