FUEL Blog

The Bible: THE Game Changer

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:45:00 GMT

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

I can offer you books and articles that support the Bible as a true historical document.� I can spend the next 400 words defending its claim to be the true word of God.� But I'm not going to.� You know why? �In each of our hearts we already know it to be true.� The Bible penetrates your soul and your being.� You can turn your back on it but you can't ignore its impact.

It is the most purchased, stolen, quoted, read, and translated (to mention a few) book in the history.� It is just as relevant today as it was when it was written.� It is one book, written by about 40 people telling the same story.� Humanity was created.� We rejected God so He began the process of redemption.� He sent a flood to wash out the bad guys.� He gave us prophets to tell people to change their ways and follow Him.� Problem is we ended up killing most of them off and rarely changing.� So He sent His Son to die a horrible death as the only sacrifice that could redeem us from our sins.

The thing that is crazy about the Bible is, that even if you don't read it or accept it, you can't avoid it.� You can't deny that the words within this book changes lives. Even if you have never read the Bible, you can't deny that it's impacted your life, our society, and the world.� In a world where people kill and fight for influence, not matter how powerful they become they have never surpassed the power of God's word.

Whether you read it or not is completely up to you.� Following what the bible says is optional; you get to choose whether or not you want to make it a part of your life.� But what you don't get the option to decide is if it matters.� You know it matters.� You know it has changed history.� You know time is measured by it.� And after hundreds of years of people throwing stones, it still remains as true, as infallible and relevant as the day it was written.

With all this in mind, think it might be worth your time to invest in it?� Maybe it would be a good idea to spend some time with it?� If on average 171,000 Christians are martyred every year for their devotion to this book, do you think it might be worth your attention?� Ultimately God loves you enough to let you decide what to do with His word.� Your response to the Bible is optional, God's truth isn't.�

Cowardly men and the women that show them up

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT

In a Middle Eastern culture where women were treated as property, why would the writers of the bible portray the women as the mighty warriors of faith?� The bible proves itself to be true in a multitude of ways. �One of my favorite proofs is in how the writers disclose stories that paint themselves in a bad light.� The technical term is embarrassing testimony.� The idea is when someone gives their story and they include embarrassing details about their actions it is likely to be true.� No man in his right mind would make up a story where they came off looking like cowards and the women came out looking brave.

As Rick discussed this week, the bible is more than a collection of stories and parables.� It is a historically accurate document.� Noah's arc, it was real.� The parting of the Red Sea, it was real!� Jesus's resurrection from the dead, TRUE!� Jesus carrying you in the sand when you only saw one set of footprints. okay so that one isn't true.� It's not in the bible.� The point is, the bible is God's written word, applicable, and true.� And when comparing how the men reacted compared to the women, it only helps to prove that fact.

There stood all of the men, mere hours before Jesus was arrested, swearing that they would never leave Him.� Peter pushes further stating, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."� Yet even as all His disciples abandon Him and go into hiding, the women stand strong.� While the 11 remaining disciples bounce and one kills himself, the women go to the tomb.� It was a woman who encounters the angel in the tomb, a woman was the brave one who continued to seek Him even though all hope was seemingly lost.� While men were in hiding, a woman stood strong.

If the bible was made up, why would the founding father of Christianity upon whom Christ would build His church, leave in stories that made him look like an idiot?� Peter, please don't be angry with me in heaven when I meet you but honestly, if you were so dumb to rewrite the bible you probably should have left out the part about abandoning Jesus.� Probably the part where He said to you, "get behind me satan," also.� And I'd likely tell a different version of me walking on water, and it would have been WAY better with me moon walking on the water rather than drowning!

If the bible is revisionist history, the writers didn't do a very good job of portraying the heroes of the faith in a good light. David was an adulteress and a murderer.� Moses was too afraid to speak to pharaoh.� Elijah ran away form a chick who threatened him even after God had performed and amazing miracle for him merely moments before.

If the bible is revisionist history, our founding fathers weren't the brightest crayons in the box.� It is Timothy's mother and grandmother who were first credited for passing their faith to him.� It was the aunt of Barnabas, the mother of Mark whose house Peter escaped to by the help of the angel.� In a misogynistic Middle Eastern culture, showing the women as strong and the men as cowards might not be the best idea.� But if it is the truth, then what option do you have?

Leadership Training Class!

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:06:00 GMT

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The purpose of this LT1 class is to train and equip Small Group Hosts and Members to lead groups in a way that is consistent with God's Word. Learn how to share the leadership load, resolve conflict, empower and equip others, manage your group website, and many other ways to create and sustain a healthy small group. �The class will meet upstairs in the Refinery Classroom immediately following Fuel.�

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If you want more information, please contact Chris Messerer at�cmesserer@saddleback.com

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Upcoming Events!

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:33:00 GMT

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Leadership Training next Sunday after FUEL

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Are You Single?

H2H Gatherings [hyperlink to reg page] are a fun place where single adults of all ages come together for social connection and to develop friendships. We have five age range categories of singles: 18-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56+

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Married Life Conference

Join Pastor Chris and Tina at the "Refreshing Your Marriage Conference" on February 17-18 at Azusa Pacific University. This conference will allow you and your spouse to spend intimate time together focusing on how to have a healthy marriage, while gaining confidence for facing the future together. Taught and facilitated by Doug Fields and Jim Burns. For more info or to register, go to�http://homeword.com�Receive a 10% discount by using the code: Homeword

Impact!

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.�But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.�For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

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Many of you reading this post may not know Jessie Rees.� For those who do not know who she is, she was the 12-year old daughter of Pastor Erik Rees at Saddleback.� She died last week from a 10-month struggle with cancer.� From her inspirational story regarding her passion to start the NEGU foundation and Joy Jars, many people were touched.�

As I watched the funeral and hear from other attendees, I am amazed how many people were impacted enough about her life that they chose to give up their Wednesday evening in order to remember her.� The Worship Center, the Plaza Room, and Tent 3 were all completely full of people for this memorial service.� If you add up the capacities of the rooms, nearly 4,000 people potentially attended this funeral.� Imagine how much of an impact she made!

I know for me, when God decides to call me home, I want to make as much of an impact as Jessie.� I want to be able to make a stamp on this world that my passing would be noticeable.� I do not want my passing to be a random death noticed by only five or so people.� I want to make a large influence in this world. �I believe this desire is common in all of us: we want to make a major impact on this planet.

Yet, the Bible says that our life is a mist (James 4:14).� In other words, life is short.� We only get a certain amount of years on this planet called earth.� As Pastor Rick says, we may get 60, 80, or if we are lucky, 100 years on this planet.� Even though we are in our 20's and 30's and our future seems so long, we really do not have that much time on this planet.

So, with the amount of time we have on this earth, what are you doing with it?� What kind of impact are you trying to make?� Are you focusing on climbing the corporate ladder?� Are you trying to gain as many possessions on this earth?� �Are you trying to get the coolest looking car, clothes or the house on the beach?� As Jesus, says, all will fade away.� These things will one day disappear.�

Jessie Rees focused her life on serving God and neighbor through her NEGU foundation and JoyJars.� She looked forward to receiving her reward in heaven rather than for the reward on earth.� Because of her great love for God and people, many people were impacted.� She did not have to become CEO of a Fortune 500 company.� She did not have to have the coolest toys on the planet.� She did not need the best clothes to wear.� All she needed was to serve God and neighbor.

Let us focus our lives on what matters in life: serving God and neighbor.� The rewards we receive for serving God and neighbor will never destroy.� These rewards will last forever in heaven.� They are more meaningful than the monetary, verbal or physical rewards we may receive on earth.� Finally, the impact we make when we love God and our neighbor will be much greater.

Defeating Disappointment

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:30:00 GMT

Sunday night, Pastor Chris spoke about how to deal with disappointments in our lives.� He mentioned the story regarding how his job in Florida led to disappointment. Yet, at the end of the story, Chris pointed that God worked the best in this situation because he now works at Saddleback Church.�

I'm not sure you caught that in the message, but it sure hit me like a ton of bricks.� I suddenly thought of Romans 8:28, which says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together�for the good �of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."� I don't know about you, but I know for me, I have a hard time believing that in times of disappointment. �When I get another rejection letter for a job,when I feel people have betrayed me, or when I run into a difficult situationat work, I admit I do not instantly remember that God will work everythingtogether for the good.

Yet, the Bible says God works everything together for the good.� How do we remind ourselves of this promise?� First,we need to remember God is good.� 1 John1:5 says "God is light."� In the Bible, light normally refers to goodness.� For example, when the Bible says Christians are to walk in the light, it means weare to walk in goodness.� Therefore, since God is light, God is good.� He is the example of goodness.�

Second way to remind ourselves is to think through past circumstances in which God worked good out of disappointments.� For example, when I go through a disappointment in life, I try look how God has provided for me even when things look bleak.� I look at how God got me through college, even though my first three years were awful.� I look at God got me through sufferings with my disabilities with friends who cared for me to help me out.�

The final way to remind ourselves is to speak with someone about your disappointments. �Pastor Chris, myself or a friend are great resources you can talk to regarding your disappointments. �When you speak to someone about these disappointments, you will be able to work through the situation and be able to see the reality of God working. �

Remember,God works things out for the good, no matter how bleak our disappointments look.� No matter what your present situation looks like, remember, God is there and working things out.� Wait for Him to help you out for the positive!

Can't be Caring and Apathetic

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:15:00 GMT

No time. No training. No money. Let's call it what it is, we just don't care enough. We say we believe in outreach. We believe in evangelism. We believe the world needs to know Jesus. But what do we do about it? Money and time will always be issues. Always. I strongly believe that God just doesn't care for our excuses. God knows them. He's heard them. But our excuses don't change His calling for our lives.

You can't be both caring and apathetic. You can't say you care for the lost and hurting while doing nothing about it. When Christ became real at the age of 22 I began to cut away the fat of my self-aggrandizing and to give God my all. But I was still living a life of comfort and convenience

It was five years later that God revealed my apathetic heart. I had just finished my favorite event and as I walked back to my hotel room that misty night I began to notice all the homeless around me. In every doorway they were fighting for a place to stay dry, struggling for a basic need: shelter. Suddenly the bars seemed dead, I began to notice the fights breaking out and the women dressed as if they were selling everything they had. The Lord's voice shined through, "What are you doing? You're wasting your life!" I was so busy living my dream that I was delaying God's calling for my life. Over the next nine months my bride and I sold everything we had for a fifth of the value, left our jobs, friends, and home to start over for Christ.

Our decision may seem odd, but should it? Saddleback is filled with employees who left their comfortable careers to serve. My fellow interns are burning through their savings to be here serving. The history books are bursting with stories of believers who have gone on to die for their faith. Few Christians realize an estimated 176,000 Christians were martyred in a year period between 2008 and 2009.

This is not a competition of who can do more for God. Praise God our salvation is not based on our works. We are not all called to be martyred or leave our careers, but all this is to say, you have no excuse. We are all called to be active participants in evangelism.

Now it's your turn to get after it, so what's your starting point? Here are three ways: 1) Go- Actually go out on of our Peace trips in 2012. You can go for a week, a month, or a year. 2) Give- Help finance someone in your small group to go on a Peace trip in 2012. 3) Pray- Pick one of our twelve cities and pray for them continuously and intentionally. Don't just pray for a country, pray for what you want to see in that country.

It's is not a question of if you can serve, but how you will serve. We are all members of Christ's body. There is nothing more important than sharing the good news of Christ. We have the world's cure for death. What are you going to do about it?

Identity

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Life can be discouraging at times.� When we look atour circumstances in life, we can easily get depressed.� When we get depressed, we forget about the promises in the Bible.� That is why 2Corinthians 5:7 says we are to live by faith and not by sight.� How are we to live by faith?� One way we live by faith is to read and believe what the Bible says about us.� In other words, we live by faith knowing what our identity in Christ looks like.� When we believe what the Bible says about our identity in Christ, our focus will turn away from our troubles and circumstances to God.�

One chapter full of promises about our identity in Christ is Ephesians 1.� This chapter says in Christ we have every spiritual blessing, we have been predestined, redemption through his blood, we have the forgiveness of sins, we have been given knowledge of His will, and we have beensealed with the Holy Spirit!� What wonderful promises we see just in this chapter alone! �

When we get discouraged, we need to read Ephesians 1.� These promises remain true no matter how we feel.� These promises cannot be taken away, as God will never leave us nor forsake us!� God is there with us always!� Since God has redeemed us, forgiven us and sealed us with the Holy Spirit, God sees us through the lens of Jesus!

Keep looking to your identity in Christ throughout your day.� If you get discouraged or depressed, look at your identity in Christ.� When you lookat your identity in Christ, will be living by faith and not by what is seen.

I Love Apologetics, I Just Don't Want to be One

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:30:00 GMT

Do I like apologetics? Yes. Do I think every mature Christian should invest in knowing why we believe what we believe? Yes. Apologetics is for believers; it helps give us faith in what is not seen; however, please please please, don't make the mistake of assuming it's your responsibility to take that knowledge and force-feed it to the masses.

We've all heard it said that people are not argued into the kingdom of heaven, but every time I say it I hear some knuckle head pipe up and say, "I was." Truth is, no you weren't. Before you ever thought to open up a book or research on the web you met a Christian who made you take inventory of your life. Sure, maybe there are a couple of people who have randomly thought to himself, "I heard about this guy named Jesus, let's see what supporting historical documents there are about his life."

Apologetics are like anti-aircraft missiles, they're best kept for defense. Do we need Greek scholars? Yes! Do we need to spend our time witnessing to people about ancient Greek text? NO! We should be lightly seasoning, if at all, our sermons with Greek, not using it as a witnessing tool. Ancient Greek is beneficial for believers, and a waste of time for non-believers. Are you struggling with your faith, do you struggle to know if God is real and His word is true? Buy Lee Strobel's "Case for Christ" on amazon right now. Have a friend who has asked you for information proving the bible to be true? Buy them "Case for Christ". Have a friend who wants to know why you believe what you believe? Tell them how Christ has changed your life.

In 1 Corinthians 2:2 Paul writes, " For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." The circumstances by which Paul came to this conclusion are outlined in Acts 17-18. Paul realized that debating and philosophizing was getting him nowhere. From that point on, his message would be "Jesus Christ and him crucified."

As Pastor Rick has said, I don't need to know how my car's carburetor works (loose paraphrase). I'm glad it does, I know it is important, and if it went wrong I'd be in trouble. But the first thing I'd do is find a person who knows how to fix it. But if I ride a bicycle, what does a carburetor have to do with me? Probably very little. I have friends who I love, support, and am grateful for who study apologetics. One of my life long friends and mentors is professor of apologetics at Biola. But friends, when it comes to apologetics, use wisely and handle with care.

For my next blog, a retraction statement ;-)

Celebrate Advent

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The word advent means coming. The season of Advent is simply a time of preparation for celebrating the coming of the Christ child.

The most common way to observe Advent is to have weekly or daily times of reflection and worship, which often include the lighting of Advent candles. Candles represent the light that Jesus brought into the world. John 1:9 says, "The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."

There are a few�advantages of observing Advent. One is that we ensure that our focus is on what's really important...Christ's birth. Another is that we slow down, spend time with our families, friends,�and God. We�rest from the busyness of shopping, decorating, baking, etc.

Everything does not have to happen on a perfect Christmas Day. We have a whole season in which to enjoy our reflection, worship, celebration, and fellowship. In the difficult economic times we are facing, many are approaching this Christmas with feelings of sadness or loss because they cannot afford to do or give what they would like.

My hope for this Advent season is that you will create experiences that will be even more meaningful and fun for you and your family. You could ask family members or friends to start preparing now for Christmas Day... musical fun, readings, play or skit, family trivia game, watch home movies, or plan for some other activity to make the day more special.

Praying that you'll fall deeper in love with our Savior this season!
Chris Reed
FUEL Pastor

Grateful? Prove it.

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Rick Warren has a saying, "you only believe what you do." So here is my question, if you say you're grateful, do you show it? Is your life the fruit of gratitude? One of the things that's really affected me is when my friends refer to me as "hater" or a "downer". All of a sudden I'm faced with my natural disposition as a Debbie-downer. Who wants that?

It's so easy to be cynical, negative, and critical of those around us. Sir Winston Churchill once said, " To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day." Are your words the fruit of a grateful spirit? Do you live life like you're consumed by God's grace?

I see the postings of friends on how grateful they are and I feel a desire to join in and express my gratitude for all that I have been given. But before I do, I need to first confront my cheap words and check to see if they match my actions. I have much to be grateful for, more than words can say. Lord, may my life be a living testimony of my gratitude, not just an annual event.

Thanksgiving becomes a National Holiday

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:25:00 GMT

Our Thanksgiving holiday was instituted by Abraham Lincoln. Like many of our leaders since the founding of our country President Lincoln was a believer and understood that we serve a living and active God. Here is his proclamation that established Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

How enough is enough?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:00:00 GMT

"When Jesus heard this, he told them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'" - Mark 2:17

People have different ideas what church should be about. Yet, people outside the church have this opinion about church: Christianity is a clique. People think it is nearly impossible to attend a church, as they might believe they have to be a strong Christian who is just like the people in the church. Likewise, people may think that the church is not relevant and does not care about them.

While you may think this is absurd, I wonder if we at FUEL may fall into this same trap yet with a different look. We may like the small church feel, the community, and how we can know everyone. Yet is that how the church worship services should be? Even though we might believe that we are open to new people joining and participating, do our actions communicate this belief?

Jesus, in response to criticism from the Pharisees, mentions that He has come to help those who know they are sinners. In other words, sick people are the ones who need a doctor. Jesus was not interested in helping those who think they have it all together. Jesus was not interested in only being with those who are part of the in crowd. Jesus wasn't satisfied with only a few believers. Jesus wanted all the sick to come to Him.

Since the Church is the earthly representation of the risen Christ, we too are to follow this example. Specifically, the Church needs to be about those who are outside of the Body. We are to focus on reaching the lost. We should not be pleased with only reaching 100, 200 or even 1000 people attending our worship services. We are to focus on reaching all the lost people with whom we have a relationship!

How are we doing in reaching our lost friends for Christ? Have you invited your friends to Fuel or another worship service? Have you tried to get your friends to come to a special event at Fuel, such as the Ping-Pong and billiards tournament this Sunday?

Remember, we are to be about reaching people for Christ!

We Need Love not Apathy

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT

How different this world would look if we could see it through the eyes of our King. Daily, I pray to the Lord for the ability to see people through His eyes. How desperately we need it! Yet day in and day out I fail. I fail to walk slow enough, to put my phone down for long enough, to let the Lord shape my heart so that I can care enough. Heavenly Father, give us your vision. It's not like loving your neighbor is all that difficult. Often it takes little more than a kind gesture. So let's make this practical. Here are three simple life applications to make it real in your life.

Hold the door open for people. One of the fastest ways for me to tell where my heart is at is when I forget to hold the door. You can actually see the wheels turn in my ahead as I realize I forgot to hold the door. Christians, if you don't have the ten seconds to wait for someone to walk through a door, you need to adjust your schedule. At seminary, I see men walk through a door and let it close on a woman. I feel like grabbing them by the shoulder, and asking them, "You want to be a servant but you're too busy to hold a door for your classmate?! If you can't love your sister enough, how could you possibly love the least of these?"

Remember their names. If you are like me, remembering names is extremely difficult. I've had conversations where I've had to ask the same person their name multiple times. I'm that bad. But just because something doesn't come naturally to us, doesn't mean it doesn't matter. Ever visited a restaurant, coffee shop, or anywhere else and the person who serves you remembers your name? It makes me smile every time. and earns them a better tip (speaking of tips, if you're Godly enough to pray at the restaurant, then you BETTER be Godly enough to give that server a tip that shows God's love)! Remember names. Practice it. It matters. People matter.

Lend a hand to those in need. If you see someone struggling to reach, carry, or lift something, lend a hand. I'm rarely much of a help at 5'10" and 145lbs, but it doesn't stop me from offering. I give credit for this one to my wife. Before her I'd walk right on by. But slowly I got sick of her saying, "Why don't you go help him/her/them." My attitude went from "ugh, fine" to "good idea." It's one of my favorite things to do. After I'm done serving I love how my wife's eyes light up.

So maybe none of these things are life shattering, but maybe loving people doesn't have to be. Maybe it doesn't come with the opportunity to share Jesus with them, but maybe it doesn't have to. You'll never know how your simple acts touch a person, nor can we comprehend its ripple effect. Even if no one comes to know of your act, loving people shapes your heart. We can be living testimonies of God's love- a church known for its random, yet intentional, acts of love. I promise you this, you start loving His children with your service and there will be no shortage of people asking you, "What's your secret." "The Harvest is great but the workers are few."

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Who Can Be Against Us?

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Save my Finances, but Leave my Stuff

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Growing up I never had a clue what people meant when they said, you can't have your cake and eat it too. I don't remember who use to say it to me, but for some reason in my head it sounds like a southern accent. odd. Anyway, it's a phrase that we need to get reacquainted with. We need to put it up on our mirrors, and wrap it around our wallets. We need to create a pop up window with that phrase each time we're about to purchase something online. The concept is simple, and when applied to God, very basic: you can't spend the all your money then look to God and say, "hey can you bail me out with more money?" It's moments like this that I really wish God would part the clouds, put His sun ray over us and say, "You kidding? What did you do with the money I just gave you?!"

Time to grow up people. Proverbs 20:4 tells us that if we aren't putting in the work, doing our part, we can expect to go hungry. The root of most of these issues comes down to people not being willing to give God their first and their best. We treat God like the big red button with the sign saying "Use in Case of Emergency Only!" The bible doesn't say give to God out of your abundance, in fact Jesus compares the wealthy who give out of what they have with the widow who gives out of what she doesn't have and says, be like the widow! God isn't impressed with the celebrity who shows up with a big giant check, does a public endorsing and goes home in his Aston Martin.

The craziest part of all is, tithing is the one thing that God says challenge me on. God is calling you out. In Malachi God says test Him and see if He doesn't give you more than you could have imagined. The God of the universe is tapping you on the shoulder right now and saying, test me, try me, I dare you and in the end tell me you're not satisfied, I dare you.

We choose to spend money on ourselves before we consider God. That paycheck comes in and your credit card hits the street. God isn't a charity organization. He didn't send His Son to die so that you can pay for the lease on your Benz. You want financial help from Saddleback? The first thing we do is walk you through a budget, they comb through where you're money is going, and it turns out, DirecTv isn't a need. Our research has also discovered life will go on without an iPhone, I know, shocking. Time to get back to the basics. 10% goes to God, 10% goes to savings, 80% is for the rest. If that 80% doesn't get you by, you need to get by with less. Time to grow up.

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While We Were Still Sinners...

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:22:00 GMT

How to deal with discouragement

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT

We all get excited when we have a new project, when everything is going the way we want it, when everything is working in perfect harmony and how we expect it to be. There was a guy in the Bible name Nehemiah, who was as excited as we get when things are going our way when he got permission to build a wall from the king, had all the materials he needed, and the manpower to make it happen. But soon he and his crew met opposition, problems, exhaustion and suddenly the emotion and the excitement about the project was lost. It was all replaced by discouragement.

Discouragement is a very strong feeling. It can take all your energy and drain it away. Make you feel unworthy, unwilling, crippled, mad, tired and a lot of other things. And the truth is that we will deal with discouragement sooner or later. So here are a few tips on how to work with those feelings:

Have someone who's willing to listen to you - this person can be part of your small group, a friend, mentor, pastor, family, coworker; as long as you know that the person that you are talking to has the capability to give you advice that will help you grow, not shrink you.

Do activities with people that are not related to the source of your discouragement - If you are discouraged at work, don't hang out with someone from work, as you'll both end up depressed. If it is ministry, find someone who doesn't know anything of your ministry or at least is not part of it, and so on.

Take time off - most of the time discouragement begins with exhaustion. �Therefore, you need a place, hobby, activity, or time that can take your mind of the things that you usually do.

Get some time alone - Read the Bible, a good book, meditate, listen to some relaxing music; something to clear your mind of what you're doing.

SLEEP - We are so focused on the things we are doing that we sacrifice our own bodies. Managing God's temple (our bodies) is a commandment.

Stay connected - the Bible talks about continuous prayer. � A lot of the Bible characters faced discouragement from time to time, and in each case, the situation turned out for good, when they looked for God's guidance in prayer.

Thankfully, there is hope in the midst of discouragement, and because the God of the universe is involved, it's plentiful. When discouragement hits you, count on the reality that God will use that season in your life to grow you into Christ-likeness.

How to deal with discouragement

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Have someone who's willing to listen to you - this person can be part of your small group, a friend, mentor, pastor, family, coworker; as long as you know that the person that you are talking to has the capability to give you advice that will help you grow, not shrink you.

Do activities with people that are not related to the source of your discouragement - If you are discouraged at work, don't hang out with someone from work, as you'll both end up depressed. If it is ministry, find someone who doesn't know anything of your ministry or at least is not part of it, and so on.

Take time off - most of the time discouragement begins with exhaustion. �Therefore, you need a place, hobby, activity, or time that can take your mind of the things that you usually do.

Get some time alone - Read the Bible, a good book, meditate, listen to some relaxing music; something to clear your mind of what you're doing.

SLEEP - We are so focused on the things we are doing that we sacrifice our own bodies. Managing God's temple (our bodies) is a commandment.

Stay connected - the Bible talks about continuous prayer. � A lot of the Bible characters faced discouragement from time to time, and in each case, the situation turned out for good, when they looked for God's guidance in prayer.

How to deal with discouragement

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Take time off - most of the time discouragement begins with exhaustion. �Therefore, you need a place, hobby, activity, or time that can take your mind of the things that you usually do.

Get some time alone - Read the Bible, a good book, meditate, listen to some relaxing music; something to clear your mind of what you're doing.

SLEEP - We are so focused on the things we are doing that we sacrifice our own bodies. Managing God's temple (our bodies) is a commandment.